Turkish Guns... Am I Going Down the Wrong Path??

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JeeperCreeper

JeeperCreeper

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Does anyone have alot of experience with Turkish firearms? Any Turkish collectors out there?

I have gotten back into firearms collecting and shooting this past year since I am between undergrad and overgrad schooling, and I have developed an affinity for budget oriented guns. After purchasing a few Rugers, I picked up an EAA SAR B6P made by Sarsilmaz. It is another poly CZ clone, but it shoots like a dream and for $300, I am in love. I like it so much that I talked my dad into buying the Compact version since he is starting to shoot again as well.

I have been browsing the internet, searching for budget guns for myself and some friends who want some inexpensive but quality blasters, and I keep coming back to the Turkish guns. The Sarsilmaz pistols (B6P, K2, etc) the Caniks (TP9, TP9SA, the 120 and 100 series) just seem like such good buys to me. I'm starting to prefer them even over my usual "go-to" brand, Ruger!! Even the rebranded Turkish shotguns seem to be equal quality and less price than the competition.

Politics aside, am I going down a road that will lead to dissapointment or will these Turkish imports keep me and my wallet happy??
 
As a whole I think they are good guns. Does take some research though since some are better than others; it would be like lumping all guns made in Italy into one bucket.
Companies make some weak stuff at times and sometimes the importer wants them to make something at a price point which is hard to do so you get a less than stellar product (ie $.99 Mcd's burger vs a $5 Five Guys burger). So, if you stick to the quality stuff or their mil-spec stuff I think there are great buys to be had. Risk is parts/mags down the road in my mind so pick up spares now if you're going to get into some of their platforms heavy.
 
I recently bought a Sar KR 9mm on a whim at LGS and not only is it an excellent shooter, with adj rear sight, 3 dots, but I was surprised how well made it is when I took it apart.
BTW, since it was an inexpensive gun, I shot a couple mags or so thru it, right out of the box. Took it down to check the innards and found it to be totally dry inside, no obvious signs of lube, unless they use some sort of dry lube. Dry or not, it didn't affect the functioning of it. Big gun, not something I can CC, but sure do enjoy shooting it on the range.
 
I think you've stumbled onto one of the little secrets of the gun world. Turkish guns are very good quality at a good price. The Stoeger Cougars are made in Turkey with Beretta machines, so you get a Beretta with a different brand on it for about a third off the price. I also have a Regent .45acp and a SAR ST10 in 9mm and both are very solid guns at great prices. I haven't seen any indication that there are quality flaws that are going to come up later on. I did have to replace the recoil spring in the .45 fairly early, but I like Wolff springs in my semi-autos anyway. I think they're great values in production guns.
 
I think the Turkish CZ clone and the pump and semi shotguns are a good option for someone on a budget, but I don't seem them as something to collect. The main benefit of these guns is they are less expensive clones of popular brands (CZ, Walther, Beretta, etc). Nothing unique or special about them.
 
I think they are for the most part good firearms. However, they are mostly clones, and have somewhat different specs than the guns they copy. I don't mind having to pay a small premium in buying a genuine CZ, or similar. I hundred dollars or so isn't going to break me in purchasing a firearm, but everyone's situation, and priorities are different.

If you like the Turkish stuff, but it. It will most likely serve you well.
 
I have owned a Girsan 1911 for awhile. the frame-to-slide fit is on the loose side, but the barrel lockup is snug, it functions fine with RN ammo - and the exterior finish is excellent. Hell, with the walnut grips it's even pretty.

My CZ-75 clones are Tanfoglio/EAAs, but I've seen rumors about Turkish involvement in those too.
 
What's wonderful about our sport is that you can like whatever country's guns you want, and that there are joys to each that are yet to be discovered for most.

I personally need to see what's the big deal with those Turkish guns.


Then again probably not ... My credit cards hate me already.
 
Every country has companies that make excellent stuff and some not so good. Turkey, as a whole, makes good stuff. That said, some makers will be better than others so do your due diligence.
 
Have a few. So far the one i like the best is my tisas 1911. it has a tighter fit than my 2 colts. Doesn't shoot any better, but also doesn't have grip safety slop and rattle. Nor any slide to frame slop and rattle. I shall see if it lasts. So far so good. Already got my high 300+ bucks out of it already, and still going strong.
 
My wife picked out and bought a Regent 1911. It is quite accurate and it shoots everything I load into the magazine. I wouldn't hesitate buying another.
 
I have a Tristar C100 (Canik 55) with over 6,000 rounds through it. It's very accurate and reliable, eats everything I feed it, and I don't hesitate to carry it.
 
Pilot I think they are for the most part good firearms. However, they are mostly clones, and have somewhat different specs than the guns they copy. I don't mind having to pay a small premium in buying a genuine CZ, or similar. I hundred dollars or so isn't going to break me in purchasing a firearm, but everyone's situation, and priorities are different.

If you like the Turkish stuff, but it. It will most likely serve you well.
Yesterday 10:43 AM
Click to expand...

I hunted for months for a CZ 75 PCR and couldn't find one anywhere. Even CZ USA had them on back-order. I ended up buying a Tri-Star Canik 55 C-100.
It cost about half what the PCR lists for. $325 vs. $599.

On paper the only difference in the two guns is the price, and the decocker.
At the range the Turkish gun amazed me. It shot any and every type of ammo I put through it, it shot to point of aim, and it had no malfunctions of any sort.
It impressed me enough that I sometimes use it as my concealed carry piece.

I know CZ handguns are very nice, I own one myself, but the word has gotten out and the price has gone up accordingly.
It may not be long before people recognize how well built some of the Turkish guns are and their price jumps up too.

I missed the boat on the Norinco 1911 clones and I still kick myself for it. But
I think I made up for it with the Turk clone of the CZ 75 Compact.
I really like that gun.

Walter
 
Ulflyer says: "I recently bought a Sar KR 9mm on a whim at LGS and not only is it an excellent shooter, with adj rear sight, 3 dots, but I was surprised how well made it is when I took it apart.
BTW, since it was an inexpensive gun, I shot a couple mags or so thru it, right out of the box. Took it down to check the innards and found it to be totally dry inside, no obvious signs of lube, unless they use some sort of dry lube. Dry or not, it didn't affect the functioning of it. Big gun, not something I can CC, but sure do enjoy shooting it on the range."

That's impossible, everybody knows guns don't work well out of the box. You have to break them in. At least that's what the American companies have been telling us all these past years. :rolleyes:
 
The Turkish guns are a good value - I have a TP9. It's a good piece, but my P07 is better for me. I don't know if it's the same situation for the CZ clones, but the TP9 has very little value as a trade in. It may get a bit more through a private sale, but I don't think the Turkish guns hold a resale value yet, as opposed to more established manufacturers.
 
steelbird said:
The Turkish guns are a good value - I have a TP9. It's a good piece, but my P07 is better for me. I don't know if it's the same situation for the CZ clones, but the TP9 has very little value as a trade in. It may get a bit more through a private sale, but I don't think the Turkish guns hold a resale value yet, as opposed to more established manufacturers.
Click to expand...
If you buy one of the clones, you need to be buying it to use it. You aren't paying for the brand name, and you can't point at a brand name to boost its resale value. Used gun sales pitches, when the gun shows wear, often say 'it's a shooter'. That's what your clone must be, worn or not.
 
I'm on my 3rd Turkish Stoeger 8045 Cougar. Wonder why it's my 3rd? Because whoever shoots it wants to buy it out of my hands. I finally did a little bit of tweaking on the trigger moving parts to get a really nice double action pull and this one is NOT leaving. Very accurate pistol with its rotating barrel and a very nice recoil absorber.
Stu
 
I have had my eye on a Regent R350CR made in Turkey under Umarex. But the "Made in Turkey" has moved it to the bottom of consideration.
 
Current commercial Turkish firearms are not and never will be collector pieces. As entry level hunting firearms they'll do nicely though. Downside is the probability of not being able to get parts should you ever need 'em. Even for Stoeger imported stuff.
 
Stoegers are made in Brazil. The Turks make very good guns and are getting better everyday. Some firms are using some of the most advanced CNC/spark eroding equipment for tolerances that are great. The downside is CHEAP stuff no matter where it is from. Buy cheap, get cheap, cry a lot. Buy quality, cry once, laugh the rest of the time.
 
The Stoeger Cougar line of pistols is made in Turkey. Uses same parts as the Beretta Cougar. Everything is totally interchangeable.
Stu
 
I've had an Tisas IAC 1911 series 70 for about 3 years now. Have about 2K rounds through it and it's a wonderful gun. Slide to frame is tight, barrel bushing is right on. Very accurate handgun. I lube the crap out of it before I go out and clean it when I get back. From it's fucntion so far, I anticitipate it lasting a long time. Was $369 new from James Wayne in Texas.

Would recommend to anyone. Truly does not have a Kimber-like trigger but it pretty good and I've done no polishing to this piece.

Blueing (back mat) is my only issue with it. Nothing wrong but again, it's not a $700+ finish.
 
VThillman - that's about right. They're decent guns, but they're shooters, not collectors that hold a resale value. It remains to be seen if they'll be perceived as anything more than that as they make their way on the market.
 
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