My impulsive purchase of a Canik SFx Rival Dark Side finally arrived

nitroxace

nitroxace

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Just after Sock Boy and his minions announce the handgun freeze, I made a few impulsive handgun purchases including a Canik SFx Rival Dark Side. I had never shot or held a Canik so this was definitely my most spontaneous acquisition. All the review were fairly positive so I was not concerned. Fast forward 6 months..........and late last week I finally received it. Wow is all I can say. This firearm exceeded my expectations.

The fit and finish on the SFx Rival Dark Side is fantastic and the case comes with optics plates to mount most of the popular red dots. The most notable feature is the exceptional trigger. I am a Walther fan and I thought my PDP had a great trigger but the Dark Side blows it away. To all my fellow SFx Rival owners I now understand what you have been saying.

Hopefully in the near future the freeze will be lifted so that we will be able to continue purchasing our favorite handguns and try out different ones.
 
I should have bought another Turkish handgun instead of a Glock. But I got infected by the Glock hype. Now I have to keep it. But at least I can slam them Glocks because I have one. They should have outlawed just the Glocks.
 
After the freeze was announced, I impulsively ordered a TP9SA Mod 2. I had checked them out at gun shops, and definitely had it on my "something to consider buying in the future" list, but wasn't in a rush to get one... until the freeze. It arrived about a month ago, and I've had it to the range several times. It's definitely a great gun and glad I bought it!
 
I bought the Rival and Mete. I’m very impressed with them.
My shooting has improved greatly from my 40 M&P.
I put an optic on the rival and bulls eyed unsupported At 25m.
Keep in mind the smith was a 4” so you have the longer sight radius.
But, I find it’s the whole firearm is just that much better.

A couple downsides:
1) Both the Mete and the Rival land in the open class of IPSC because of the cut slides.
2) I wanted to use the Rival for IPSC and the Mete for regular steel plate matches. I wanted to keep the Rival open sights and Mete fit with an optic. I ordered a 407C thinking both firearms are the same. They’re not. The Mete takes a very specific optic, so I ended up putting it on the Rival. First world problems!
 
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Babs0404 said:
1) Both the Mete and the Rival land in the open class of IPSC because of the cut slides.
2) I wanted to use the Rival for IPSC and the Mete for regular steel plate matches. I wanted to keep the Rival open sights and Mete fit with an optic. I ordered a 407C thinking both firearms are the same. They’re not. The Mete takes a very specific optic, so I ended up putting it on the Rival. First world problems!
Click to expand...

Production: SFx RIVAL (without detachable magwell).
 
The SFx Rival Dark Side is certainly a striking looking pistol. While I have never owned one I will admit I was quite curious during the final days and flirted with the idea of getting a Canik. It seems like you get quite a bit of BANG for your buck. Looking forward to your range review.
I have to ask, which feels better in hand? The Canik or the SS Warrior Poet?
 
I checked out a Rival Dark at a US shop last fall, First time I had seen or handled one in person and was very impressed. Trigger was excellent, Dealer only had 1 to look at and that one was sold waiting for the owner to pick it up. He said he can't keep any Canik in stock, the few he gets are sold almost immediately.
 
Focus909 said:
Production: SFx RIVAL (without detachable magwell).
Click to expand...

Thanks!
I was going by what someone had told me. I had to look for myself.
It must be because it isn’t cast as part of the body.
As for the Mete I don’t get it. It more or less the exact same less the trigger yet not approved production. Why?
 
pirate604 said:
The SFx Rival Dark Side is certainly a striking looking pistol. While I have never owned one I will admit I was quite curious during the final days and flirted with the idea of getting a Canik. It seems like you get quite a bit of BANG for your buck. Looking forward to your range review.
I have to ask, which feels better in hand? The Canik or the SS Warrior Poet?
Click to expand...

Pirate604 that is a good question. I will have to give the edge to the Shadow Systems MR/DR series and yes I love my War Poet edition..... When comparing it to my Walther PDP compact and full size I find the Rival grip circumference to be just slightly narrower and fits a little better. Again all this means nothing until I shoot it.
 
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nitroxace said:
Just after Sock Boy and his minions announce the handgun freeze, I made a few impulsive handgun purchases including a Canik SFx Rival Dark Side. I had never shot or held a Canik so this was definitely my most spontaneous acquisition. All the review were fairly positive so I was not concerned. Fast forward 6 months..........and late last week I finally received it. Wow is all I can say. This firearm exceeded my expectations.

The fit and finish on the SFx Rival Dark Side is fantastic and the case comes with optics plates to mount most of the popular red dots. The most notable feature is the exceptional trigger. I am a Walther fan and I thought my PDP had a great trigger but the Dark Side blows it away. To all my fellow SFx Rival owners I now understand what you have been saying.

Hopefully in the near future the freeze will be lifted so that we will be able to continue purchasing our favorite handguns and try out different ones.
Click to expand...

Congrats! I took the chance and bought the SFT sight unseen and I love mine so far. Easily the second most accurate pistol I've tried apart from the CZ Shadow 2. I did notice I had a few stove-piping issues during my first outing to the range with 115 grain 9mm. I heard that folks have theirs run better after locking the slide back for 24 hrs before shooting and using 124 grain. I've yet to confirm if this is true, but I'm assuming the pistol just has to be broken in a little bit.
 
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