CANIK TP9 SFx First Impressions

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Delivered today. My first impressions:

This is a 5” 9mm target pistol. By “target” I mean IPSIC, IDPA, etc., not bullseye.

I rate pistols by 3 factors: How good is the trigger? How good are the sights? Can I hit with it under competition conditions?

I have several pistols with excellent sights and trigger that don’t seem to hit when I am under pressure. But my FNS has mediocre trigger and sights, but I get good hits with it in competition.

Out of the box, this pistol has the best sights and trigger of any pistol I own (excluding revolvers.) The trigger has a full length safety lever. Hardly noticeable. It has a crisp 3.8 pound release with a 1911-like very short reset.

The sights are by Warren. Steel rear with a very large U and a narrow fibre optic front. Both sit in standard size dovetails. Sight picture is fast and good.

The grip feel (to me) is better than Glock; not as good as M&P. Something like a FNS.

The controls are superb. The mag release is comfortably under my thumb. I don’t have to break my grip to drop the mag. It is extended, but has a little screw in the middle, allowing the extender to be removed. I think there is another choice of extender length in the little parts bag. I like it just the way it is. It is not an ambi release, but it is reversible.

The slide release is also extended a bit. Not an ambi. The slide does not release when a loaded mag is slammed home.

It comes with two backstraps. The small one is installed and fits my largish hands just fine. I guess King Kong would prefer the larger one.

It has very small print messages on it, unlike a Ruger. “Fires without magazine” “Warning Read Safety manual” “Made in Turkey”

It comes with 2 20-round mags, pinned at 10 to save the children. I am told that the mag body is the same as the Berretta. I tried one and it is a perfect fit, but the mag notch is in the wrong place. It looks like it would be easy to Dremel a notch in the Berretta mag, so it would work.

The attraction of the Berretta mags is the US Army surplus ones can be bought on Ebay for $10 each. I bought some and cut notches in them to fit my Diamondback 9mm. I could do the same for this TP9, if I needed more mags.

I shot a group with it tonight. Tight group but 6 inches left. Elevation was good. I tried to drift the rear sight, but it did not want to move. I took the rear sight set screw all the way out, and noticed some gunk on the threads. It looks like the rear sight has been Locktited. I gave it a shot of propane flame, then leaned hard on my sight pusher and heard a loud crack as something released. Next time I shoot, the group should be closer to the middle. If I need more adjustment, I can always push the front sight a bit, too.

The rear sight is mounted on a cover plate that can be removed. The pistol comes with a set of mounting plates for various optics.

It comes with a holster. I did not find any other pistol that would fit the CANIK holster, and I did not find any other holster that would take the CANIK pistol. Good thing they supply one.

The holster is a plastic affair with good click retention. It is mounted on a paddle that also has belt slots in it. It is adjustable for rake. It looks perfectly serviceable for my purposes (IDPA and CQB).

The pistol seems very dry out of the box. I removed the slide and lubed. It takes down like a Glock, except the tabs are much easier to grab.

I shot mild lead bullet loads in my first test. The brass all ejected just fine and fell beside me. It was not ejected very far. In watching YouTubes of this pistol, I noted that ejection was not very strong. I thought my mild ammo might not cycle, but it did just fine. (135 gr bullet over 3.5gr Titegroup) I suspect that the mild ejection is just an allusion. It seems to be set up so as to not send the brass very far. Suits me.

Thanks to PhotoBucket ‘s dumb money grab, I have no picture to show you, but it looks just like the other pictures you see of it.

I paid $700 to the door for this, and am very pleased.
 
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2 questions:

Did you purchase it from a dealer or private?

Could the sights be Warren?

Sounds like an interesting new pistol!

Thanks
 
Shot it again, with 3 different loads, including a 124 gr plated bullet.

Loads were from very mild to about 80% power. All cycled 100% and accuracy was excellent will all 3. At 25 yards all shots are in the black.

With the sights adjusted right, wind is now perfect and group is about 2" above point of aim - just the way I like it.
 
Great sights, great trigger (3.9 lbs consistent on mine), easy shooting. I liked the grip and I have smaller hands. With a Venom installed I actually liked the cocking lever also, made things a little easier.
I very much liked the extended slide stop and magazine release.
For a factory "cheap" gun it is a home run
 
My take:

Try before buying. I really wanted to like and purchase this gun. I drove to Cabela's to paly with one because they have them out of the box to be handled, etc. And had every intention to purchase, but ended up buying a Glock instead.

Everyone is different, but it definitely did not feel right in my hands. I found the grip very uncomfortable and the gun not at all friendly to a lefty (which I am). It has a more vertical grip than a Glock or m&p and is a little wide and deep at the web of the supporting hand for my taste. It's not something a grip panel change could correct.

It seemed well made and had many positives, but it didn't fit me.

Fwiw, the Cabela's guys were split down the middle. Some recommended the gun, others like me found it uncomfortable to hold and suggested against it.

Also to note, the cerakote slide finish is gloss and I found I didn't like it aesthetically compared to the matte finishes in most other pistols in the case. I personally found it looks less well machined and finished that some other offerings at the price point.

The decocker model felt cheap in that area and added un-necessary complexity to the slide. I wondered about the durability of the plastic button and dirt ingress.

For those who find it a nice fit ergonomically and who are right handed, I'm sure it's a great value for the price. Certainly cheaper than the Walther it's a copy of.

But again, I tend to not keep guns that are uncomfortable to shoot and don't bring them on range trips. If I'd bought a canik, it would already be on the EE. YMMV.
 
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Here is something you may want to check into:

Century Arms announced a Canik Product Safety Warning and Severe Duty Upgrade Notice. This notice applies to Canik's 9x19mm pistols: TP9SA, TP9SF, TP9SFx, TP9SF Elite, TP9SF Elite-S. Canik's other products are not subject to this notice.

Canik is committed to manufacturing safe, reliable, innovative and affordable firearms. We are offering a voluntary upgrade to the trigger safety spring and firing pin block spring on the Canik models noted above. This is to further increase the safety of Canik pistols for enhanced drop discharge prevention in heavy/severe duty conditions that are beyond industry standards. The Severe Duty Upgrade does not alter any feature or design of the pistols. Canik will provide all parts and workmanship at no charge, but customers will be responsible for shipping costs.

Steps for upgrading your pistol? Our goal is to have the Severe Duty Upgrade process in place by Friday, September 8, 2017. After this date, please visit www.CanikUSA.com for complete instructions on how to receive your Severe Duty Upgrade.
 
My take:

Try before buying. I really wanted to like and purchase this gun. I drove to Cabela's to paly with one because they have them out of the box to be handled, etc. And had every intention to purchase, but ended up buying a Glock instead.

Everyone is different, but it definitely did not feel right in my hands. I found the grip very uncomfortable and the gun not at all friendly to a lefty (which I am). It has a more vertical grip than a Glock or m&p and is a little wide and deep at the web of the supporting hand for my taste. It's not something a grip panel change could correct.

It seemed well made and had many positives, but it didn't fit me.

Fwiw, the Cabela's guys were split down the middle. Some recommended the gun, others like me found it uncomfortable to hold and suggested against it.

Also to note, the cerakote slide finish is gloss and I found I didn't like it aesthetically compared to the matte finishes in most other pistols in the case. I personally found it looks less well machined and finished that some other offerings at the price point.

The decocker model felt cheap in that area and added un-necessary complexity to the slide. I wondered about the durability of the plastic button and dirt ingress.

For those who find it a nice fit ergonomically and who are right handed, I'm sure it's a great value for the price. Certainly cheaper than the Walther it's a copy of.

But again, I tend to not keep guns that are uncomfortable to shoot and don't bring them on range trips. If I'd bought a canik, it would already be on the EE. YMMV.

Are you sure that you tested the SFx? It doesn't have a decocker...

Also, what Cabelas in Canada has this firearm? Because right now almost no gun stores have the SFx.
 
Here is something you may want to check into:

Century Arms announced a Canik Product Safety Warning and Severe Duty Upgrade Notice. This notice applies to Canik's 9x19mm pistols: TP9SA, TP9SF, TP9SFx, TP9SF Elite, TP9SF Elite-S. Canik's other products are not subject to this notice.

Canik is committed to manufacturing safe, reliable, innovative and affordable firearms. We are offering a voluntary upgrade to the trigger safety spring and firing pin block spring on the Canik models noted above. This is to further increase the safety of Canik pistols for enhanced drop discharge prevention in heavy/severe duty conditions that are beyond industry standards. The Severe Duty Upgrade does not alter any feature or design of the pistols. Canik will provide all parts and workmanship at no charge, but customers will be responsible for shipping costs.

Steps for upgrading your pistol? Our goal is to have the Severe Duty Upgrade process in place by Friday, September 8, 2017. After this date, please visit www.CanikUSA.com for complete instructions on how to receive your Severe Duty Upgrade.

That is for drop safety, they saw what happened to SIG and they are allowing you to get an upgrade. Just don't drop your pistol or test drop it or you could damage parts.
 
Third trip impressions. Still impressed.

I have been to range 3 times now with mine. I shoot 135 gr lead bullets. Over 3.5 gr of Titegroup, recoil feels normal and ejection is 100%, but brass does not go very far.

With 3.2 gr of TG (my "mild" load) the brass ejects perfectly and ejects the same as the stronger stuff. I get the impression that for some reason this gun ejects all brass the same distance - not far.

Accuracy is excellent and rapid fire is better than average because of the excellent sights.

I will shoot this in a CQB match in two weeks.

25 YARDS - 2 HANDS - SHOOTING FAIRLY RAPIDLY

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