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

Icarry Diamondback Sdr Galco 1
Icarry Diamondback Sdr Galco 1

I Carry: Diamondback SDR in a Galco Hornet Holster

For our latest "I Carry" episode above, we paired the six-round Diamondback SDR DA/SA snubnose revolver with a simple leather holster from Galco, along with one of the latest EDC flashlights from Streamlight.

The Armed Citizen® May 8, 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.

Creating the Ideal First-Time Shooting Experience

That first time behind a trigger can shape a newcomer’s attitude towards firearms. Here are five ways to make the experience a success.

Henry Repeating Arms Founder & CEO Honored as Law Enforcement Supporter of the Year

Henry Repeating Arms founder and CEO Anthony Imperato has been named Law Enforcement Supporter of the Year by New York State Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Lodge 100.

New For 2026: TriStar Arms APOC Pro

The new APOC Pro takes the original TriStar Arms APOC pistol design introduced in 2025 and makes it optics- and suppressor-ready.

7 New Over-Under Shotguns for 2026

Ever since the development of the iconic Browning Superposed shotgun in the early 1930s, the concept of an over-under shotgun has remained popular not just with American shooters but shotgunners the world over.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.