Weapons of the Turkish Black Market

A Review of Illicit Arms Sales in Turkey and Associated Smuggling Routes

Weapons on the black market in Turkey are increasing year by year. Both the instability in neighboring regions such as Iraq and Syria and the increase in demand and production for these weapons within the country are the two main drivers of this.

For this reason, the variety of weapons on the black market in Turkey is increasing significantly, although still not to the level of Iraq and Syria. The most common weapon types are pistols produced underground and blank-firing pistols converted to fire real ammunition. Converted blanks are mostly chambered in .32 ACP (7.65x17mm).

And although these guns are the cheapest on the market, they are also the quickest to break and are comparatively less durable.

A Retay "X-Treme" pistol is currently on sale on the Turkish black market for 8500 TRY (approximately 480$). The pistol is converted from blank-fire (9mm PAK) to 7.65x17mmSR (.32 ACP). It also features a threaded barrel and a suppressor along with "Springfield" markings. The overall price is above the average since the suppressor is included.

A blank Retay X1 (converted to .32 ACP) pistol is currently on sale on the Turkish black market for 1500 TRY (approximately 80$). It is one of the cheapest pistols on the black market.

In addition to pistols, converted blank submachine guns are also occasionally sold on the market. These are also chambered in .32 ACP and are more expensive than the pistols.