NRA Gun of the Week: Sarsilmaz SAR 9

by
posted on April 21, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

As the standard-issue service pistol of the Turkish Army, Sarsilmaz’s SAR 9 pistol has undergone five years and 90,000 rounds of testing to earn its contract. Currently imported to the U.S. by SAR USA, the SAR 9 is a striker-fired, 9 mm Luger pistol built on a polymer frame. Uniquely, the SAR 9 employs a manual, bilateral safety in conjunction with a passive trigger safety. The gun’s ergonomic polymer frame was designed to appeal to shooters of various sizes—three backstrap inserts and stock panels ship with each. The frontstrap is molded with three finger grooves, and wrinkle-finished texturing enhances purchase throughout. The slide has cocking serrations fore and aft to facilitate manipulations, and mounted on top is a set of combat-style, three-dot sights. The SAR 9 presents itself as a real value for cost-conscious purchasers; MSRP is less than $450. To learn more about the SAR 9 import, check out this week’s NRA Gun of the Week video hosted by American Rifleman’s Brian Sheetz.

Specifications
Model: Sarsilmaz SAR9
Manufacturer: Sarsilmaz Silah Sanayi A.S.
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Action Type: striker-fired, semi-automatic center-fire pistol
Frame: black polymer
Slide: steel
Barrel: 4.4”
Trigger: 5-lb., 11-oz. pull
Magazine: 17-round detachable box
Sights: three, white-dot; drift-adjustable rear
Weight: 27 ozs.
MSRP: $449

Additional Reading:
SAR Arms Turkish Technology Comes of Age  























Latest

firing a musket rifle
firing a musket rifle

Today’s Makers of Yesterday’s Firearms

Original firearms from the American Revolution era are valuable and best preserved for posterity. For those who want to shoot them, several modern makers offer quality reproductions.

Left Turn (Bolt): Tikka's New Left-Handed T3x Ace Rifles

Lefties of the world unite and rejoice, as Tikka has announced left-hand versions of its award-winning T3x Ace chassis rifles.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 14, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Skills Check: Rifle Standard Delta 2

Carbine performance is all about maintaining control. The Rifle Standard Delta 2 is a drill that pressures recoil control, visual discipline and cadence as distance decreases and time compresses.

Gun Sales Up for the 7th Month in a Row in 2026

The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) estimate of last month’s gun sales was up 2.2 percent compared to August 2025.

Caring For & Feeding Your Cap-and-Ball Revolvers

Compared to pistoleros of the 19th century, today’s handgunners have it easy. It's not enough just to get an old-school, cap-and-ball revolver. You also need to acquire everything to shoot and clean it.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.