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

Sight Alignment
Sight Alignment

Sighted Fire vs. Point-Shooting

A long-standing argument among handgunners revolves around the concept of sighted fire versus point-shooting. A more productive approach is to understand the problem each is trying to solve.

Derya Expands TM22 Family with Timekeeper & Pump Models

Derya continues the expansion of its rimfire line with two new models for 2026, an update of the original semi-auto TM22 and a new pump-action version.

Gun of the Week: Taurus RPC

The Taurus RPC is a welcome addition to the growing marketplace of PDWs, or personal defense weapons, a concept that pairs pistol-caliber cartridges with larger-format firearms.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 13, 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.

Review: Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp

Kimber expanded its 2K11 line with the Pro Comp in 2026, providing a Commander-length slide and barrel topped by an integrated compensator.

New for 2026: Bear Creek Arsenal Bear Bolt Pro

North Carolina-based Bear Creek Arsenal, a prolific maker of AR-10 and AR-15 pattern firearms, is combining the modularity of the MSR platform with a traditional turn-bolt action with its Bear Bolt Pro.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.