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

Shortage
Shortage

Suppressor Demand Outpaces Production

The demand for suppressors is setting new records. National Firearm Act (NFA) item purchases in September—primarily suppressors—more than doubled compared to the same month in 2025.

Book Review | Five Decades of a Fabulous Firearm: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Beretta 92 Pistol Series

In this wide-ranging book, you’ll find a history of Beretta, discussion of developments leading to the Model 1951/951 Brigadier, its evolution into the Model 92 and the U.S. military’s adoption of the platform (as the M9) in 1985.

Review: Galco Revenger Holster & SB7 Gun Belt

For those who choose to carry a finely finished, K-frame revolver, Galco offers one of its finest concealed-carry setups in the form of its Revenger holster and SB7 gun belt.

Rimfire Power: The Primary Arms CLx 1-6x24 mm Riflescope with ACSS 22LR G2 Reticle

Low-power variable optics have become popular options for today's AR-15s and other modern sporting rifles, and Primary Arms now offers an option tailored for rimfire versions of those same guns.

Gun of the Week: Walther Arms PDP F-Series Pro-X PMM

One of Walther Arms' recent introductions combines the features of several other PDP handguns, meaning the Walther PDP F-Series Pro-X PMM is packed with a number of different design elements.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 30, 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.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.