INDUMIL's three models, Compact, Service, & Tactical. Image courtesy of INDUMIL.
As someone that speaks English as a second language, the ebb and flow of firearms development and ownership outside of the US is of interest. Latin America is especially in my sphere since Spanish is my first language and the primary one I speak at home. So when my friends down south told me of a new pistol and that it came from a country that borders Brazil. I was all ears.
Colombia, that wonderful South American nation that neighbors Venezuela (the example of what Socialism leads to). A country that for most Americans is known simply because of Cocaine, Narco-Terrorist Pablo Escobar, and the Narcos television show on Netflix.
Colombia actually has a domestic arms industry. INDUMIL (short for Industria Militar Colombiana) is a state owned arms factory founded in 1954 and headquartered in Bogota with a factory in Sogamoso. Originally founded to repair the various Mausers and later the HK G3 in service. INDUMIL branched out when the Colombian Government adopted the Galil in 5.56 as their service rifle back in 1992. Since then, INDUMIL has had a very close partnership with Israel and now actually makes the Galil and exports them to neighboring countries and even produces parts for IWI.
With that partnership, INDUMIL grew in experience and confidence and struck out on their own.
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Named after Colombian War of Independence and "Lion of Ayacucho", General Jos Mara Crdova Muoz. The Cordova is a modern production pistol with the common features you'd expect today. Slide mounted safety, standard breech locked tilt barrel, double/single action, hammer fired 9mm pistol with a capacity of 15rds and an accessory rail.
It is initially designed for Government Agencies and the Armed Forces of Colombia; at the beginning of 2014, the first production run of 500 units was made exclusively for the Ministry of Defense, planning to export it same year. The tests at first were positive and the pistol began its commercialization in the Colombian private market, being able to be acquired by some active military, others in retirement, as well as private security personnel and police.
After the initial release, users found some flaws, especially in feeding. In December 2014, INDUMIL, issued a recall of all production and production of the Cordova stopped completely because the factory concentrated solely on the correction of the failures that pistols had. By May 2015, 75% of the guns on the market had been corrected, by August 2015, 99% of the pistols were ready, and full commercial production started again in September of that year.
In June 2016, the current version of the gun was launched and was subjected to the National Institute of Justice standards testing for the Colombian National Police, along with the Ministry of Defense Army of Colombia testing, with results that showed that not only the pistol exceeded but also excelled in what the Colombian Government wanted.
Now currently in service with the Colombian Army, National Penitentiary and Prison Institute, National Protection Unit, Colombian National Police, various Private Security Companies, and also now for general civilian sale (if one is so lucky to get a permit). The pistol has for the most part been serving with little to no issue. The Colombian National Police's elite Anti-Kidnapping & Anti-Extortion unit, known as Grupo GAULA also adopted the Cordova as their official sidearm.
The pistols weighs in at 1.7lbs and has an 11lb double action pull and a 8lb single action pull. On the dust cover of the frame is a MIL-1913 accessory rail with a removable cover. The back strap is replaceable so the shooter can have different grip profiles. Also the magazine release is fully ambidextrous.
The barrel is 4.4 inches long and has hexagonal rifling. Overall length is 7.8 inches and as an extra option, it can come with tritium night sights.
Capacity as mentioned is 15+1 and on the general civilian market in Colombia, it is 9+1. Yup, in Colombia, you're limited to 10rds total in the gun, not just the magazine.
It has gained popularity in Colombia and potential export to other markets is possible. Back in 2017, INDUMIL told Jane's Defence Weekly that they were in talks with possible importers for the US and Canadian markets. According to the article;
In mid-September [2017] INDUMIL sent 10 pistols to a prospective client in the United States and three to Mexico, seeking to open North American markets. It is also in talks with possible buyers in Guatemala, Honduras, and Ecuador.
English print brochure courtesy of INDUMIL
Has anything beneficial come of INDUMIL's talks with possible importers? At the moment, no official word. But anything is possible. Century Arms could in theory, since they have a history of importing guns from Latin America in the past. Or possibly Eagle Arms since they import Bersa from Argentina. If INDUMIL does it right, Taurus might have some competition. The Cordova is already exported to Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, and Argentina. Maybe we might soon see it here in US gun shops.
