The Canik line of pistols has expanded significantly in recent years. (Photo: Samantha Mursan/Guns.com)
Posted on 11/27/2021 11:11:50 AM PST by Bratch
It can be hard to stand out in the crowd of modern “Wonder Nine” pistols. The market is saturated with polymer-framed 9mm handguns. But while all the major gun manufacturers were throwing elbows to claw out some space for their own big-name brands, Canik swept onto the scene with a surprisingly affordable – and shootable – line of pistols.
In 2012, the Turkish company partnered with Century Arms to get their TP-series guns into the American market. The original TP9 borrowed generously from the Walther P99, but that has ballooned into a host of designs that range from souped-up competition pistols, like the Canik TP9SFX, discreet concealed carry pieces, like the TP9 Elite SC, and full-sized duty pistols, like the TP9 Elite Combat.
Originally, the platform boasted a double-action/single-action trigger with a slide-integrated decocking button, again borrowed from the Walther P99. That annoying feature carried over into the single-action-only TP9SA, which was still a great range gun with an above-average trigger out of the box. Canik has since updated its offerings to remove the unnecessary decocker, and many of the guns now boast an optics cut on the slide instead.
If the first budget trigger you ever use is on one of the newer Caniks, you’re setting yourself up for future disappointment. Some of the original TP9s were gritty, but the guns now have deceptively nice triggers for the price point. They also include replaceable backstraps so you can customize the grip to your liking.
The aftermarket scene has also grown over the years. But it is somewhat unlikely you will really need them if you are just looking for a good shooter right from the factory. Canik even boasts that as of 2019 all the new TP9 Elite Combat pistols now ship standard with performance upgrades by Salient Arms International. Canik’s TP9DA also still provides a double-action/single-action trigger if that is what floats your boat.
Canik’s real claim to fame was its price, and the guns can still be had well below the cost of many handguns with flashier names on the slides. On top of the value, Canik also did a lot right to deliver a series of pistols that have earned a reputation for reliability.
Magazine capacity isn’t shabby either. The TP9SFX boasts a nice 20-round magazine for competitions, while the Elite SC will generally come with a 12- and 15-round magazine. If that’s not enough, we would also add that the guns have a nice overall look to them that kicks the “cool factor” up a notch.
One of his friends owns a firearms store with a former navy seal and they recommended it as a reliable, economic weapon.
Anyone here have any experience with this brand?
Reluctant to give money to Turks, given the history and what they are doing all over Europe.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Islamic gun. I know people that like them, as much because they are cheap imports as anything else.
Yes, my oldest son bought one. He loves it. I fired it at the range and found it to be a joy to shoot. I was very pleasantly surprised. Dead on accurate, nice trigger action and smooth shooting.
I’m an HnK bigot so comparing the Canik to my 9mm was difficult. They’re two different shooting experiences and yet I enjoyed shooting the Canik.
I personally think they’re good buy for their price point and the quality is quite good.
No direct experience but I took a Massad Ayoob defensive course and the participant shooting next to me was using one to good effect with a score to rival Ayoob’s top score. In addition to the performance, she also was quite pleasant to watch while shooting. Ayoob was impressed with the pistol. It turned out she was a sponsored competition shooter with Canik.
Hi.
Decent price point for TP9 mod 2 ar $359.99
5.56mm
Century Arms should be avoided at any cost. I bought two of their L1A1s. Neither would feed from the magazine reliably; and, Century Arms refused to fix them. They are junk. Want to buy mine?
A buddy has one. It’s gorgeous. Shot it once, ass accurate as anything. Good gun, good buy.
Only downside I heard (3rd hand) was some have a thinner coating which wears off too fast. Oh, and the smallest backstrap is still too large for smaller hands. So definitely try before you buy if that’s the casee.
I plan on getting one.
Thanks for the feedback.
If you want tough & cheap go with HiPoint, made in Mansfield Ohio USA.
Bump
I hope you are kidding. If somebody gave me one for free, I threw it right in the trash where it belongs.
PSA Glock clones is the cheapest I’d ever go, besides making my own.
Canik TP9s are fantastic! Anybody saying otherwise have no idea what they are talking about.
I have a TP9-SFX with a Vortex Venom on top. The only minus is the grip angle is not the same as my Beretta 92.
After sighting it in, I put 85% of the shots in the 7 ring at 25 yds. The ones that didn’t make it in the 7 ring see caused by my inexperience with the lite trigger pressure. Damn fine gun but I’m still a Beretta fan.
Looking forward to gripping the new M&P 10mm. I’d love to have a Beretta or Canik in a 10mm.
Very interested in the M&P as well. Looking at the XDM, Glock 20 or just building my own on the G20 platform. 10MM is hard to find though. I’ve seen it a handful of times at my local Cabela’s but it’s usually gone in a day or so.
I've never owned one, but I've talked to people who have - and a lot of the folks that actually own them and shoot them seem to like 'em. On the plus side (from what I hear), they're inexpensive, tend to be reliable, and are American made. On the minus side, I hear that they're heavy (which fits, because I think most or all of them are blowback operated), some parts that you would expect to be made of steel are not (so longevity may be an issue), and I personally think they are about as attractive as Joe Biden's face or backside (interchangeable parts in my opinion). FWIW, I haven't heard any safety related horror stories about Hi-Points, which is definitely not true for all inexpensive firearms.
To make a long story short, in the unlikely event you ever were given one of those ugly things, you might do someone on a tight budget a favor by selling or trading it to a local FFL, so they can find it a good home...
;>)
I can understand people tending to like their purchase; it helps to justify their bad choice.
If anyone happens to be on a tight budget, I’d recommend they buy a used Glock, Shield, Ruger or a ton of other better guns. We don’t all have deep pockets for guns but if you’re spending money on something to potentially save your life, don’t go cheap. Plenty of used guns that aren’t absolute trash like Hi-point.
As we have all seen & heard, every single gun owner has opinions (some of which might even be based on knowledge or experience ;>)...
I have the original S&W version of the walther p99. Delivered to me from the president of the company ages ago.
Same here. Not looking to put any money into Erdogan’s pocket.
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