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Canik TP-9 SF, affordable duty pistol that works.

HUnter

First of all, I do not want any of the anti Turkish comments. Not to just leave you with that, here are just a few facts, Turkey is a member of NATO and is considered an ally to the United States. The US and Turkey have disagreements over Syria but Turkey has said they do not want to be forced into a war with Syria in which they cannot afford financially or militarily. Now I normally do not get into politics but there is some anti Canik rhetoric circulating and much of that is at best speculation or just plain guessing. So, we are allies with Turkey and I am going to give Canik a fair and unbiased review. I have met a few of their employees and they were pleasant and gracious to me. If that is something you just cannot stomach, then I invite you to respect my First Amendment rights and hit the road.

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As it comes with spare magazine, magazine loader, different backstrap, Kydex retention holster, and basic cleaning kit.

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The pistol has similar lines to some of the H&K and Walther pistols

 

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Front sight, with white dot.

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Rear sight, adjustable for windage with white dots, you can also see here the subtle cocking indicator. The round black button just below the center of the rear sight. is protruding indicates the striker is cocked.

 

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Integrated standard Picatinny rail.

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The single action trigger broke just over four pounds with right much take up and some overtravel, with the integrated safety bar.  The magazine release is easily swapped over to the left side.

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The front strap is dimpled for traction.

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The rear backstrap is also dimpled for traction, interchangeable backstrap, and lanyard loop.

Initial Range Trip

I took the TP-9 SF out at ten yards and ran several magazines through it, both ball and jacketed hollow points, to see if the pistol was reliable and to get a feel for how it runs. After that it was back to the twenty five yard line for some accuracy tests from a rest.  Ergonomically the TP-9 SF is a great fit and is proving to be reliable.

Canik TP9 SF accuracy

25 yard accuracy chart, please click on the chart for a larger version.

Second Range Trip

Conclusions 

The TP-9 SF has proven to be reliable over 350 or so rounds of various types from defensive to ball ammunition, an accurate and comfortable shooter. At a MSRP of $399 it is a very affordable handgun, it is a bit large for concealed carry but if the weather or your tolerance holds up you can dress around it. As for a carry or defensive purpose this pistol is well suited, with the accessory rail and eighteen plus one capacity it is a lot of firepower in a lighter weight full size pistol. The single action trigger was not as nice as a quality 1911 trigger but it was a lot better than I expected. In the constant search for quality defensive firearms that are reliable and affordable the Canik TP-9 SF is a great option. I am thankful the SF model omitted the slide mounted decocker. A decocker on a single action pistol is, in my opinion, a bad idea. This pistol is carried by the Turkish Police Force and some of their military. Though polymer receiver striker fired pistols are nothing new, Canik has done a nice job with the TP-9 SF and has introduced it at a affordable MSRP.

allison

“About 100 of the rounds we used were from my hands and it was incredibly comfortable. I have a bias for three dot sights and these did not let me down. I am very satisfied with the performance and ergonomics of this pistol.” — Allison Cartwright

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Specifications 

  • Full-Size Polymer Frame
  • Eighteen Round Capacity Magazine
  • SA or  Trigger System with Trigger Safety
  • Integral Accessory Picatinny Rail (MIL-STD-1913)
  • Side Changeable Magazine Catch
  • Serrated Trigger Guard
  • Cerakote Finish
  • Steel 3 Dot Sights, Rear Adjustable For Windage
  • MSRP $399

Acknowledgments 

Canik 

Defender Ammunition

Century Arms 

Fort Mill Munitions 

Hornady 

Winchester Ammunition 

Ruger Ammunition 

By Hunter Elliott

I spent much of my youth involved with firearms and felt the call early on to the United States Marine Corps, following in my father's and his brother's footsteps. Just after high school I enlisted and felt most at home on the rifle range, where I qualified expert with several firearms and spent some time as a rifle coach to my fellow Marines. After being honorably discharged I continued teaching firearm safety, rifle and pistol marksmanship, and began teaching metallic cartridge reloading. In the late 1990s I became a life member to the National Rifle Association and worked with the Friends of the NRA. Around that time my father and I became involved with IDPA and competed together up until he passed away. I began reviewing firearms for publications in the mid 2000s and have been fortunate to make many friends in the industry. Continuing to improve my firearms skills and knowledge is a never ending journey in which we should all be committed. I am also credited as weapons master on a few independent films.

27 thoughts on “Canik TP-9 SF, affordable duty pistol that works”
  1. Glad to see an honest review on another low budget semi auto.
    I appreciate your candidness. Way to much snobbery on many sights. No so on this one. Thank you.
    D. Jaffas
    Hi Point C9
    1000+ rounds

  2. I have looked at some of the earlier versions and was interested in shooting them but my LGS was having difficulty getting them at a fair price. I ended up getting the Ruger RAP in 99mm. The price I paid was in line with the Canik but the holster was an additional $30. I don’t consider that an issue because I shoot left handed. The Ruger website has extra mags but they were $40 (I was able to get tem at a gunship for $29. The Ruger website also has various sights available.

  3. Re: the Turks, I know of quite a few Jewish people at local ranges that own German and Austrian guns. Our military uses Berettas. We fought the Italians in WW2. I own different pistols and truthfully the Canick is a heck of a gun for the $$$$

  4. I have been following the Canick pistol since they first came to the US market a couple of years ago. Most folks couldn’t pronounce the name correctly then, but all that has passed. They have enough models to fit everyone’s needs.
    I prefer American made guns so that more skilled jobs in the US. The price point for these. Pistols makes them available on just about everyone’s budget.

  5. I’m a left handed shooter and I looking to see if their is a way to put the mag release on to the other side of the pistol

    1. I actually had mine done by a gunsmith, and it was a real pain in the kiester. He used to complain about reversing Glock mags before working on the Canik. There’s a pin on top of the plastic frame that holds the magazine catch in place. Its simple enough to remove, and flip the catch, just good luck getting it back in. He actually lost said pin in the 1.5 hours he spent trying to get the pin back in,and had to have the gun sent back to Century, and get a replacement pin. (Mercifully, they also reversed it for him.)

  6. Thanks for the review Hunter. I enjoy your website very much. I’m a huge fan of the Canik TP9SF. It’s one of my favorite range guns. The trigger is just smooth as silk and it’s accurate as all get out. Will you be doing a review on the new Canik TP9SF Elite? Thanks and keep up the great work.

    1. Thank you very much Barry. I do not know if Canik will send me the TP9SF Elite for review. I generally get requests to review whatever that company is looking for press on. I can however ask.

  7. I’ve had mine for 2 years didn’t shoot it the 1st year and a half. then I passed it to my son and he was shooting it after 500 or so rounds it has just failed to strike. Looked to Century for help and yes they are the worst for customer service. No phone any more only internet to correspond. They basically told me to bad. LIKE new gun worthless Economy gun only last a few rounds. I can’t say bad about Turkey Manufacture because my SARS has been flawless for thousands of rounds. Stay away from anything Century Arms sells they are second rate to everything.

  8. Thank you for the review. I recently purchased the TP9SF. This isn’t a great gun “for the price” it’s just a great gun. Your 25 yard groups were similar to my 15 yard groups. Basically the gun is more accurate than I can shoot it. It has better ergonomics and sites than my Glock 17 which I carried for years. It equals my H and K and Walther for accuracy and trigger pull.

    Personally, I always carry a full sized 9 mm pistol. Back in the day we all talked about “stopping power”. That has evolved into discussion of shot placement and it seems almost everyone carries 9mm now…You can keep your compact .45 customs…I’ll stick with 19 rounds of 9mm in my Canik that I know will put shots right where I aim every single time I pull the trigger.

  9. I love my TP9 but be advised when you shoot it from retention (aka close combat) be aware of your trigger finger placement compared to other striker fired pistols with trigger safeties. Train as you will fight!

  10. I rock the TP9 SA and one thing ive noticed about all Caniks….. They shoot low….. Sometimes very low out of the box. I gotta get something done about that. Im not seeing a up and down adjustment. Am i wrong?

  11. Had the very first pistol they sold here years back. Was a POOL clone. And was very much like the POOL but the trigger was not quite as good as the Walther, but still a fine pistol. I unfortunately fell in to the lack of work train that so many others did about 5 years ago. Had a job but hours were lacking. And the Canik, Walther and several others had to be sold to pay the bills..
    Times are better now and I’m trying to get back some of those things that I had to part with.
    I’m passing on the model I had and getting this one in it’s place. Just waiting for it to show up at my FFL. As in it’s ordered just hasn’t been delivered yet.
    I recently purchased the Stoeger STR9 also from Turkey and it is a very nice pistol. If you haven’t reviewed it yet I recommend it.
    Also I’m going to be picking up the Sarsilmaz SAR9 as soon as my FFL can place an order from his distributor. They make a model that doesn’t have the thumb safety and I’m hoping to get that one if my FFL can get one.
    I have also seen little reason behind all the hate from people over Turkish brands.
    People go on about paying a few hundred dollars to a company that is in a country that is an enemy (as they put it) put at the same time have no problem paying 600 to over 1000 dollars for the iPhones in their pockets that are manufactured in China.
    I have heard many good things about the SAR9, so if you haven’t reviewed it either I’d be interested in your take on it.
    And thanks for a good open-minded review.

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