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Deciding Between Two Pistols

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Aside from size and grip pannels, the SAR9 C Gen 3 and SAR9 SC Gen 3 are practically identical.
Aside from size and grip pannels, the SAR9 C Gen 3 and SAR9 SC Gen 3 are practically identical.

I'm often asked by viewers to help them pick between two pistols, or to provide a comparison. It's easy to understand why someone would seek guidance with so many options available and seemingly more added to the list every week.


There are so many options in part because handguns are a personal choice. "Personal" in this case meaning more than just what one likes, but also:

  • What fits the hand most naturally.

  • What the intended application is.

  • What the user's skill level is.

  • If it's a pistol for concealment, does the owner's body shape, body size, and clothing style make said pistol reasonable for concelaed carry?

  • What features or characteristics are the best fit for all of the above?

The SAR9 SC Gen 3 (R) is slightly thinner than the SAR9 C Gen 3, but that's not always a positive depending on your hand size.
The SAR9 SC Gen 3 (R) is slightly thinner than the SAR9 C Gen 3, but that's not always a positive depending on your hand size.

It is for the above reasons that I typically don't answer such requests for guidance. Without knowing all of the above it feels irresponsible to advise. What I can do is help with the deciscion-making process. This is why GBGuns reviews include the "Who's It For?" section. I've also created a rather simple two-part range test that might help you identify personal performance differences with one gun versus another. For the purpose of this exercise I chose two handguns or contemporary popularity: The SAR9 C Gen 3 and the slightly-smaller SAR 9 SC Gen 3. (Please pardon the nomenclature shifts. I've seen both firearms officially labeled with the spacing between name segments in various places).

Part of making the SAR9 SC Gen 3 (L) slimmer was dropping the grip pannels from teh SAR9 C Gen 3 (R)
Part of making the SAR9 SC Gen 3 (L) slimmer was dropping the grip pannels from teh SAR9 C Gen 3 (R)

First the specifications that you've undoubtedly looked back and forth between on the two models before being able to get one in hand.

On paper the only real difference is the size. Depending on where you shop the prices are even pretty similar. This makes the SAR9 C and SAR9 SC about as perfect of a pairing for range performance comparison as can be made. I equipped both with enclosed RMS/c pattern OSight optics and hit the range to determine:

  • How do I perform when trying to land a precise shot at distance under time stress?

  • What level of control do I have when rapidly firing three shots at 7 yards?

This was performed with no warm-up with either firearm in attempt to simulate that "Oh %#@&!" unprepared grab of a firearm. A shot timer was used to verify if my trigger speed was about equal on both guns, and PMC Bronze 124gr ammunition was used for recoil closer to what carry ammo would feel like. Rumble Link


I knew going into this that the SAR9 C Gen 3 fit my hand better as I often struggle with smaller pistols. Do you? Are the performance differences I experienced significant in your opinion? These are questions you should ask yourself after performing a similar comparison.


My Cold Performance from a True Low Ready


SAR9 C Gen 3

SAR9 SC Gen 3

Time and Rounds to 5 shots on 12" at 20+yds

6.22s, 5 rounds

8.04s, 6 rounds

Average Time to Triplet

1.70s

1.51s

Average Triplet Final Split

.18s

.17s

On paper the SAR9 SC Gen 3 appears to have a slight advantage for up close and personal, but my confidence and accuracy is greater with the SAR9 C Gen 3. For me, after this experiment I would pick the SAR9 C Gen 3, but would also feel confident carrying the SAR9 SC Gen 3 if I needed something a little smaller for easier concealment.

Results of two timed triplets. SAR9 C Gen 3 (L) and SAR9 SC Gen 3 (R)
Results of two timed triplets at 7yards. SAR9 C Gen 3 (L) and SAR9 SC Gen 3 (R) Paper sheet is roughly the size of the C Zone.

I hope this exercise provides some direction and inspiration for how to quickly and easily identify which handgun between two might be the better choice for you. A key note when conducting such a comparison is to do it as unpracticed and unwarmed-up as possible. Yes, we can all acheive better scores and times with practice, but this is about finding your true baseline with each gun.

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