Sarsilmaz SAR9 METE Safari SAR9METESABL 9MM Luger

In this time of inflation, with salaries not expanding as quickly as prices, it’s tempting to postpone getting the tools needed for self defense. Yet, we wish to be as well armed as possible. The modern striker-fired polymer-frame 9mm is the default defensive handgun these days, yet with many approaching $700 or more, folks on tight budgets are sometimes left out. So we decided to test two affordable 9mm handguns and give them the usual Gun Tests work up. One was a new addition, the Smith & Wesson SD9 2.0, which features a slight redesign and a much better new blade-type trigger. Against this pistol we matched a SAR9 Mete Safari 9mm from the Turkish maker Sarsilmaz. While each pistol fills the bill for personal defense, we found one has more advanced features. 

Sarsilmaz SAR9 Mete Safari SAR9METESABL 9mm Luger

$395

Gun Tests grade: B [our pick]

The SAR9 is a handgun brand we have tested several times in different variations. Reliability cannot be faulted. Accuracy is reasonable, if not the best we have tested in the class. Handfit options are excellent.

*Grip inserts provided with the SAR9 Mete are pebbled polymer and change grip sizing.

Quality pistols are increasingly expensive, but a pistol that hasn’t shown the worst price hikes is the Sarsilmaz SAR9 9mm. We have tested other variations of the SAR9, the reviews for which you can read online with your subscription by searching for “SAR9” or check the September 2022, May 2022, or the April 2021 issues. “Mete” in the name means brave or gallant in Turkish, and the Safari coloration is a black slide over a tan receiver.

The SAR9 is similar in size and operation to the elephant in the room, the Glock 17 9mm. The SAR9 has design features similar to the Glock, HK, and Walther handguns. The SAR9 is a striker-fired polymer-frame pistol with a layout and manual of arms so similar to a Glock that it requires no acclimation. The manual of arms is simple. Lock the slide to the rear, insert a loaded magazine, drop the slide, and either fire or holster. The Smith & Wesson SD9’s manual of arms is the same.

The SAR9, however, has the added function of a manual safety, which we like. The SAR9’s isn’t a crisp safety; in fact, it is almost spongy, but it doesn’t slow you down because the safety is directly under the thumb as you draw the pistol. If you do not wish to carry the pistol on Safe, simply ignore the safety lever. It isn’t likely to be rubbed on or off per our testing. The pistol features forward cocking serrations and a beveled muzzle end for easy holstering.

The SAR9 pistol’s sights are the standard three-dot arrangement with white inserts. They are as good as the Smith & Wesson’s three-dot sights, and both are easy to use and fire for accuracy. Sarsilmaz offers night sights for the SAR9. While there are few aftermarket accessories for the pistol, these sights run about $85, and magazines are plentiful. Some Glock 17 holsters fit, if not too tightly molded. Aftermarket support can be a big thing, but the Sarsilmaz and S&W 9mm pistols are serviceable as issued, with the bare necessities readily available. Neither test pistol is optics ready, but optics-ready SAR9 slides are $119.

The SAR9 is available in several variations of Cerakote. Our example is a black on flat dark earth two-tone version, with a black slide and black controls and grip inserts. The action is typical double-action-only striker-fired pistol. Rack the slide to prep the action. Then a long trigger press both cocks and drops the striker. Interestingly, the two pistols have very similar trigger-pull compression. The Smith & Wesson is shorter and sharper at 6.0 pounds, while the SAR9 trigger breaks at an average 6.1 pounds. Both triggers feature a blade-type safety to prevent lateral pressure from discharging the pistol. The Smith & Wesson pistol doesn’t feature grip inserts of any type. The SAR9 seems to combine HK and Walther feels in hand. The feel was more like a Walther, while the grip and backstrap inserts are HK like. The pistol features the usual backstrap inserts and also side panels. We found them to be a good option. One rater felt that the inserts are most beneficial to shooters with very large hands. Most of the raters felt the pistol was fine as issued.

Disassembly for field-stripping is simple with either handgun. Take down is the familiar Glock system. Lock the slide to the rear, be certain the pistol isn’t loaded, remove the magazine. Press the takedown levers down and then allow the slide to run forward. Pull the recoil-rod assembly out and lift the barrel out. Neither pistol was a problem; both seemed to have takedown levers a bit easier to manipulate than a Glock.

Both pistols exhibit good fit. Neither is more difficult than the other to operate. The SAR9 features a slightly longer barrel, 4.4 inches to the SD9’s 4.0-inch barrel. The SAR9 is also about 5 ounces heavier. This helps mitigate recoil energy but also makes for a heavier carry. The SAR9 is supplied with two magazines. These 17-round magazines are easily loaded to 15 rounds. The final two cartridges are difficult to load, but not more than many other modern high-capacity magazines. And they actually held 17 cartridges. 

The SAR9 and S&W SD9 2.0 were each fired on a combat course. The pistols were drawn from a Galco belt slide, large size. The SAR9 was at ready with the safety on. The pistols were fired at 7, 10, and 15 yards. In keeping with the economy theme, we fired the pistols with Tula steel-case ammunition, the cheapest loads we were able to locate at the time of testing. For the most part, the difference in price for higher-quality brass-case ammunition was slight. There were no failures to feed, chamber, fire, or eject in either pistol in firing 75 combat rounds in each pistol. We also fired 25 rounds of Federal 147-grain Syntech 9mm in each pistol. Results were good, with no failures.

The SAR9’s recoil-spring design seems effective, and the SAR9 has a slightly lower bore axis than the SD9. This adds up to a pistol that has softer recoil than some. The SAR9 provided good results on the firing course, edging the SD9 out. In firing for accuracy from a bench rest, we used three loads. The Black Hills Ammunition 124-grain JHP, Federal 147-grain HST, and Hornady 115-grain Critical Defense. Results were acceptable for self defense, with the SAR9 slightly edging out the SD9 2.0 again, with average groups as small as 2.5 inches with the Hornady fodder.

Our Team Said: While the pistol is plain vanilla, the SAR9 doesn’t come up short on performance. The sights are good, the forward cocking serrations worked well, maintenance isn’t difficult, and the pistol is reliable with a range of ammunition. Accuracy isn’t in the tack-driving class, but it shoots reasonably well for the price. Combat shooting was fine as well. The finger-groove grip divided the raters. The pistol seems dated with this grip design, yet it proved comfortable for most shooters. In the end, we rated the Turkish pistol down a half grade for its trigger-pull weight and another half grade for its proletarian accuracy.

We fired groups at 25 yards from a benchrest position using an MTM Case-Gard K-Zone Shooting Rest. We used a Competition Electronics Pro Chrony to measure muzzle velocities. Notes: JHP = jacketed hollow point. TSJ = Total Synthetic Jacket. FTX = Flex Tip. 

Written and photographed by Gun Tests Staff, using evaluations from Gun Tests Team members. GT