First showcased at the 2021 edition of the IDEX expo in Abu Dhabi (UAE), the EMTAN Karmiel Ramon 9mm Luger striker-fired semi-automatic pistol has been enjoying an unexpected, yet largely unreported level of success in the past two years, particularly in terms of law enforcement and military sales in Countries such as the Philippines, Guatemala, Paraguay, and Spain, where the Guardia Civil – the local Gendarmerie – adopted the Ramon and acquired over 9000 samples between 2021 and 2023 to replace the oldest sidearms in their arsenals, including the Beretta M92-FS.

The NATO-standard adoption trial tests of the Spanish Guardia Civil saw the Ramon pistol come out on top with 38 points out of 40, largely overtaking numerous competitors from top brands in the global firearms industry and proving the levels of performance in harsh and difficult conditions it is capable of.

The Ramon is a compact pistol – comparable in size and weight to a Glock 19 – which is but the latest in a long streak of “Glock-compatible” handguns to have hit the market in the past few years, manufactured everywhere from the US to Turkey, from South Korea to Italy.

“Glock-compatible” pistols aim at making maintenance easier by maintaining a high level of compatibility with Glock pistol components, which are commonly and readily available worldwide.

All the components of the Ramon pistol, however, are manufactured in-house in Israel by EMTAN Karmiel, Ltd.; the 10,2 cm / 4.02” 4340 steel barrel features six right-hand grooves with a 1:10” twist rate; the railed polymer frame, available in three colors (black, olive drab green and desert tan) features a reversible magazine release catch, a highly ergonomic grip with numerous slip-proof contact points, and a raised beavertail to facilitate a higher grip and a better alignment between the shooter’s hand and the bore axis. The slide stop lever and the disassembly are purely Glock-inspired.

The precision-machined slide features front and rear slide serrations, high-visibility tritium sights, and an optics interface. The light double-action trigger offers a reasonable trigger pull (2,5 kilograms 5.5 lbs) and features a Glock-style trigger safety.

Weighing in at 630 grams (22 oz. Approx.) without a magazine, and standing at 18,4 cm / 7.2” in overall length, the EMTAN Ramon pistol feeds through Glock 19 compatible double-stack magazines, with 15-rounds magazines coming issued as standard.