Gun Review: SAR9 Subcompact Gen 2

There’s a handful of main producers that we’re all accustomed to, making variations of the identical handguns they’ve been making for some time. They’re large as a result of they’re a recognized high quality. Every so often I like to take a crack at smaller corporations to see in the event that they’re making the subsequent handgun that may upend the outdated guard, the subsequent Glock-in ready.  It’s with that mindset I’m approaching the SAR9 Subcompact Gen 2 in 9mm.

As a lesser recognized firm to most, right here’s background on SAR from their very own web site.

SAR Firearms is the brand new identification of SAR USA Corp. Based in 2017 based mostly in Miami, FL, introduced the Turkish Sarsilmaz handguns to the US market with innovation and development. Because the unique U.S. importer for all firearms and ammunition merchandise produced by Sarsilmaz Silah Sanayi, a famend firearms producer based mostly in Istanbul, Turkey, will proceed the innovation of the model. Sarsilmaz Silah Sanayi has a wealthy historical past relationship again to its institution in 1880, Sarsilmaz has emerged as one of many largest and most revered firearms producers on the earth. SAR Firearms collaborated with Sarsilmaz to develop the third era of the SAR9, a confirmed and dependable handgun. As an unbiased and sovereign firm, SAR Firearms is dedicated to enhancing and updating the legacy of the SAR9 handgun line.

Options

Right here’s the tech specs on the SAR9 Subcompact Gen 2:

Polymer Body
3.3-in. Barrel
6.4-in. General Size
22.2-oz. Weight
Cast Metal Barrel & Slide
Cerakote End
Striker & Set off Security
Tritium Sights (Vibrant Inexperienced On The Entrance)
10-, 12- and 15-round capacities out there
Defend RMSc Optic Reduce, with Cowl Plate

So, the SAR9 Gen 2 is similar to Glocks and the numerous different related striker-fired handguns like Sig, Walther and CZ amongst others. After I pulled the SAR out of the field, I needed to do a fast net search to see if it was dimensionally a clone of these, a lot as PSA’s Dagger is. It isn’t. The SAR9 Gen 2 9mm is certainly its personal gun. This implies it makes use of its personal holsters, which fortunately SAR provides on the market so there’s a straightforward possibility for those who don’t wish to go chase one down. The take a look at and analysis SAR got here with two mags, one 10-rounder and a 15-rounder.

My first impressions of SAR’s Gen2 9mm had been extraordinarily favorable. Glorious grip form, impeccable texturing, I liked the slide cutouts for his or her grip, the tritium sights had been extraordinarily vivid and attention-grabbing. There was quite a lot of oohing and aahing. It’s been some time since a gun has impressed me this a lot out of the field.

So I began some dry hearth and manipulation drills. I just like the slide cease and magazine launch, each are positioned properly for me, which isn’t tremendous widespread. The set off is just about on par with the remainder of the manufacturing facility striker fired weapons of late. Working the gun felt crisp and snappy.

I bumped into my first snag with the prolonged 15-round magazine. The extra size of journal is roofed by a little bit of plastic that extends the strains of the grip body downwards.  This little bit of plastic merely slides down excessive of the magazine. The issue I had was there was no approach to get the magazine to simply drop free when launched with this further bit on it, the grip section pressed somewhat too far again into my palm. The shorter magazine dropped free with no drawback. So, both one magazine is drop free and the opposite isn’t, or I’ve to take away that part of grip and depart an unpleasant, snag-prone, bare part the place the prolonged magazine sticks down.

The place Bullets Meet the Metal

On to capturing. I actually just like the SAR 9’s recoil impulse, and the grip texture may be very efficient at maintaining the gun in place.

The set off and sights are each higher than an OEM Glock, offering somewhat extra “sizzling rod” and rather less “pickup truck.”  Regardless of having a little bit of creep, I felt just like the set off was all the time doing what I needed, after I needed. The sights actually grabbed my consideration, and lined up fast.

To this point, completely each part has continued to WOW me. Which is why it was so baffling when my teams had been not what I anticipated. Not simply teams, even particular person photographs weren’t touchdown predictably. Gradual set off pulls for “goal” capturing, fast photographs, nothing hit the place I needed. This was the case with the primary 4 various kinds of ammo I attempted, from 80 grain to 115 grain.

I figured “this can be a new gun, would possibly simply want a break in.” Perhaps a stray burr on the barrel?  None had been seen to me, however nonetheless I ran one other 250 rounds by way of to examine if this can be a one-off machining oopsie, which does occur in manufacturing occasionally. So, I stored capturing. I spent this time training reflexive capturing drills and speak to distance holster attracts. Fortunately, Federal despatched a very good quantity of their Syntech Coaching Match ammo.

Did the accuracy enhance?

Sure it did! Fairly fortunately, accuracy is now on (my) par for subcompact weapons. Initially, I used to be capturing teams virtually 3x the scale of what I usually drop with my Glock 43x. Close to the tip of my closing capturing session my reflexive hearth was virtually comparable with the G43x, and gradual aimed hearth exceeded my common efficiency with the Glock.

To this point I haven’t talked about reliability in any respect. My favourite form of gun is one the place you don’t even take into consideration reliability, as a result of it’s not a problem. The SAR handgun ran by way of flat nostril, ball, JHP and monolithic hollow-point ammo with out a drawback. I’m round 700 rounds up to now with out cleansing or lube and never a grasp up one. I’d name {that a} good begin.

Wrap Up

SAR Firearms won’t be introducing an entire new kind of firearm, however the Subcompact Gen 2 is a extremely refined model of the extraordinarily widespread polymer framed, striker-fired design. With an optics lower slide, heavy grip texturing, a workable set off, tritium sights and high quality cerakoting, the SAR 9 Subcompact Gen 2 brings loads of options to the desk.  As soon as previous the preliminary hiccups, which I nonetheless can’t clarify, this developed right into a very nice handgun to shoot.

The SAR9 Subcompact Gen 2 has an MSRP of $469.99 (black), or $479.99 (platinum, inexperienced, bronze), with a road worth round $20 cheaper than the present MSRP.  It’s positively value testing!

Learn extra articles and opinions by Jens “Rex Nanorum” Hammer or observe him on Instagram @rexnanorum.

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