I was fortunate to get my hands on one of the first 50 SAR 9 pistols imported from Turkey by SAR USA—the American division of Turkish gun and aerospace manufacturer Sarsilmaz. Though not a familiar name on this side of the globe, Sarsilmaz has been manufacturing guns since 1880, when it opened as a small producer of shotguns. Today, in its fifth generation of family ownership, the factory has massive CNC machining capabilities and other modern equipment. It is also the only privately-owned gun factory in the country, and the only company supplying pistols for Turkish law enforcement and military use.
The Turks know a thing or two about making firearms—especially ones that are dependable and affordable. In my opinion, what Turkish producers do best is replicate the most useful features of existing models; most often cranking out products that mix traits of familiar American or western European brands to create a unique firearm that costs a bit less than its predecessors. The SAR 9 is an example of this approach to gun design.
This duty-size pistol is chambered in 9mm Luger. The sample in this test has two 15-round magazines; SAR USA lists 10- and 17-round mags as options. The magazines have a generous floorplate that would’ve facilitated double-feed clearances had any occurred. They drop free from the well without help whether loaded or not—a trait that’s on my list of “musts” for a defensive pistol.
It has a 4.4-inch barrel, and a recoil sprint with captive guide rod. As expected with a modern polymer-lower handgun, there’s an accessory rail and textured grip. The trigger has a Glock-like safety lever, and drop-safe construction that is included inside. On both sides of the slide, there is a thumb-operated safety.
Overall, the SAR 9 is 7.5 inches long, 5.5 inches tall, and 1.4 inches wide. It weighs 26.4 ounces unloaded.
Atop the rail is a pinned front/dovetail rear, three-dot sight setup. According to a SAR USA representative, the sights aren’t interchangeable with any other major brand, putting the SAR 9 behind the curve in comparison to some of its Turkish brethren, such as the Canik, which finally adopted interchangeable sights—albeit different brands front and back. Nevertheless, the steel sights are well made, highly visible, and the rear one is windage-adjustable.
Operating the SAR 9 is mostly a pleasure. It has a ready striker indicator on the rear—reminiscent of the Springfield XD or Canik TP9 series. The grip comes with three sizes of backstrap and side inserts, making the grip fully customizable, a la HK’s VP models. The front of the trigger guard is textured, and there are cocking serrations on both the rear and front of the slide.
The ergonomics continue with a deep thumb groove, allowing for the firmest of grips for nearly all hands. Sarsilmaz got radical with the sculpting on the trigger guard too; it’s perfectly thinned and upswept right at the base, allowing the strong middle finger to be that much closer to the bore. The effect is better recoil management.
Some designer at Sarsilmaz must read lots of gun reviews, because they solved one of the most frequent complaints—a mag release that’s hard to reach. This one protrudes well, has a surface that provides plenty of traction, and is big enough to not cause pain or imprinting on the thumb. Other pistol makers should take note of the way this design resolves a common frustration.
Not being a fan of thumb-operated safety levers—especially ambi moels that can potentially be moved unintentionally from the outward-facing side of the holster—I really wish this were an option rather than standard. I respect that some folks derive substantial peace of mind from having a mechanical safety. I view it, and have experienced it, as an annoying detail that’s easy to forget in a high-stress moment. The lever is textured and easy to operate, however.
The trigger, along with fabulous ergonomics, makes the SAR 9 a great first handgun. There is slightly longer travel than in a Glock or Springfield XD series. The trip is a bit grainy, and the wall is found with a consistent and solid feel. The break, at about five pounds, has a slight rolling effect, approximately 1/16 of an inch. Reset is clear, palpable, and again, the feel from shot to reset is grainy. Of the semiautos I’ve handled, the SAR 9 trigger is closest to that of the Smith & Wesson SD VE series.
These comments on trigger operation aren’t criticism. The point, it’s a trigger system that’s ideal for learning proper technique on a modern semi-auto. The grainy feel can help a new shooter be conscious of how far, and at what pace, the trigger is being pressed. The reset is far enough forward to develop a great feel with less risk of an unintended follow-up shot—something I see most often in new shooters trying to learn reset with a match-grade trigger.
SAR USA originally speculated that other color schemes would be forthcoming too. 2018 made the speculation a reality. With an MSRP of $495, look for real prices to hit at a very affordable point for this quality, enjoyable pistol.
Have you fired the SAR 9? How did it rank among your favorite handguns? Sahre your answers in the comment section.
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I seen one at a gun show loved the way it fit and felt in my hand much like a H&K VP9 have a SAR B6P compact a CZ copy that has been flawless and costed 257 dollars with tax and call in fee have ordered this SAR 9 and am waiting for shipment to my FFL should have it by 1-11-19 hope it preforms as well as the B6P compact and I’ll be very happy payed 320 dollars for gun out the door
Have had the Sar 9 since 1-19 have fired 700 rounds including hollow points in 4 range visits it’s accurate comfortable to shoot the gun was clean when bought and after every range visit have not had a malfunction to chamber a round firer or eject the grip is H&K like very nice so far I’m more than happy with it and my opinion is it’s probably the best handgun value on the market can be had for a little more than 300 dollars out the door price quality seems very good
I bought in all great reviews on this handgun I got my own SAR9T been big disappointment. The first thing I did when got home from gun store was take my SAR9T to my bedroom to field strip it. Yes read the manual how do that before try field stripping it. Here what happen after pull hard on take down levers witch require more force than what ever one else reviewing handgun has put up with they came right off the gun .It seem take down levers on SAR9T held in place buy polymer roll pin falls out the SAR9T witch disables the trigger if not put back in gun. So got polymer roll pin back in the gun levers back on gun pull down. So now come easy part make sure magazine out SAR9T pull slide back release it than pull trigger than slide should come right off gun. Well guess what the slide would come off frame after trying many times buy me and gun shop and gun smith work at the gun shop so I sent gun back SAR USA for repairs has even been shot. When get back I am selling for Glock 17 Gen 5 because Glock may not be perfect but they do not fall part when field strip they come part when field strip them.