Sarsilmaz SAR9 Subcompact Gen 3
I’m always interested in checking out well-made handguns that deliver solid performance without breaking the bank, and the Sarsilmaz SAR9 Subcompact Gen 3 certainly caught my attention.
Made in Türkiye, this little 9mm has a polymer frame paired with a forged steel slide, and the fit and finish are impressive right out of the box. It ships with both a 12-round and 15-round magazine, plus one of the handiest extras I’ve seen lately — a compact cleaning kit that tucks neatly into its own carrying handle. It’s a thoughtful touch you don’t see every day.
The pistol comes with a bright fiber-optic front sight, bold square rear sight and an optics-ready slide for shooters looking to mount a red dot. The grip texture feels secure without being overly aggressive, and I was pleasantly surprised by the flat-faced trigger. It breaks cleaner and crisper than many striker-fired polymer pistols I’ve handled.
At just 21 ounces, the SAR9 Subcompact carries light while still feeling substantial enough to shoot comfortably. With an MSRP of $529, it looks like a lot of pistol for the money.
Of course, I couldn’t leave it sitting on the bench. I loaded it with Black Hills HoneyBadger ammunition, stepped up to the steel and sent the first six rounds downrange. I hadn’t fired the gun before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect — but it rang steel right out of the gate.
The Sarsilmaz SAR9 Subcompact Gen 3 combines practical features, good ergonomics and a surprisingly nice trigger into an affordable package.
MSRP: $529.99
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