Update on my "questionable" handgun purchase (Canik TP9 SFX)

[Criticalt]

On May 5, 2021 I bought a Canik TP9 SFX.
I was in the market for a Glock 17, which the shop had, but it was a gen 3 for $565, not what I was looking for.
I came here and asked opinions on Canik and got what I expected.....a few positive but mostly negative.I did some more research and bought the Canik for $540.
The gun is a 9mm with a 5.2 inch barrel.
It came with a crappy holster which can be configured IWB or OWB.
It is cut for an optic and has 4 included mounting plates.
It came with Warren fiber optic sights.
It came with 3 magazines and a crap mag loader.
It came with a charging handle.
It came with 3 sizes of mag release buttons.

I have been firing it a LOT, I have over 6000+ rounds through it now.
I have had zero issues, none.
Doing research and joining the very annoying Canik FB groups, I knew that some Caniks can have trouble with 115 grain bullets. Century Arms, the Canik importer, says this is because Caniks are built for 147-150 grain NATO ammunition. Thats what they say.
Century Arms says if you have an issue to just contact them and they will send a lighter spring. Literally on a daily basis every Canik FB group has this as a topic. It seems that a small amount of people have this issue and most people blame it on "limp wristing" the gun. They do not understand this is complete nonsense but they refuse to believe their precious Caniks have issues.
That said, 100% of the people who get a new spring, have no issues after the swap.
My gun has had no issues with anything from 90 grain to 147+P ammunition.
And, this gun is far and away my most accurate pistol....hands down. And the sights are extremely easy to acquire.
Im happy I bought the gun, it is a lot of fun to fire.
Due to its style I do not carry this gun but it is definitely reliable and accurate enough to carry.
I will most likely not buy another because there are way too may others I want.

 

[Saltwater60]

Nice. Glad you like it. I like the compact version of that gun. I’ve never killed the trigger because it’s 1.35” wide and there’s better options out there. Someday I’ll buy a new pistol.

 

[thegatman]

Are you made of money 6000 rounds.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

Are you made of money 6000 rounds.

Bought a cheap gun so has extra money.

 

[Darth]

It's based on the P99, it can't be that crap.

 

[Criticalt]

It's based on the P99, it can't be that crap.

Yep, you can use Walther magazines in it. A lot of the parts are the same as Walthers. Apparently Canik makes a lot of parts for other manufacturers.

 

[Criticalt]

Are you made of money 6000 rounds.

Ive been hoarding ammo for several decades.
I learned my lesson about 5 years ago and really stocked up.
I still have many thousand 9mm......mostly 115 grain Win white box.

 

[Criticalt]

Nice. Glad you like it. I like the compact version of that gun. I’ve never killed the trigger because it’s 1.35” wide and there’s better options out there. Someday I’ll buy a new pistol.

The trigger on this one is thinner than on my glock 20.
And the trigger really is amazing too me. I have glocks, S&W, Ruger, RIA, HK, Dan Wesson and a few more, the trigger on the Canik is better than them all.
By better I mean its smoother, shorter reset and no mush.

 

[Chevusa]

The case looks nice.

 

[C3D]

I’m very partial to the Glock 17/19 and would normally scoff at any other choice, but the simple fact is that if you like the gun then it’s the best gun for you. Enjoy your Canik!

(Btw, if they fit your hand then the Gen 3 is the best of the Glocks and personally I always buy Gen 3 only)

 

[Chevusa]

I’m very partial to the Glock 17/19 and would normally scoff at any other choice, but the simple fact is that if you like the gun then it’s the best gun for you. Enjoy your Canik!

(Btw, if they fit your hand then the Gen 3 is the best of the Glocks and personally I always buy Gen 3 only)

I didn't even know they made any guns other than Glocks, and I too like the Gen 3, but I thought you would like to know of some of the improvements on the Gen 5 models.

The two things you're missing about the gen 5,
which most people miss, is that they solved/changed/
improved the two most common and likely places for
the glock to fail. 1) They replaced the trigger spring
from a "pull'
coil spring, to a
"compress" coil spring to
eliminate it breaking. And they also changed the
single most vulnerable piece on the platform, and that
was moving from a leaf spring to a compress coil
spring under the slide lock so it too, can't break. Those
two things were really the only things on the gen4 and
earlier that you had to worry about, and they fixed
them. They also improved the reliability of the
interface between the trigger bar and the firing pin
safety.
Those things are what make the gen5 so much better,
not any of the superficial stuff that most people get
hung up on. They didn't make the gen5 to have a
flared mag well, or a different finish, those were just
small things they did on top of their big changes,
which were all internal.

 

[C3D]

I didn't even know they made any guns other than Glocks, and I too like the Gen 3, but I thought you would like to know of some of the improvements on the Gen 5 models.

100,000+ rounds out of my Glock 17. Other than a cracked ear off a locking block (which I only found on a detail strip, no FTFs), and a trigger return spring breaking no hiccups or even really stoppages to report. I'm not sure what Gen 5 could possibly improve.

 

[Bustedknees]

My kid just bought the Canik Elite last month. Looking foward to trying it out. Seems like a lot of gun for the money.

 

[MikeM]

That's my sons carry gun too. Nice piece for a good price.

 

[Justincase]

Who in the world said these are junk? I’ve never heard anyone with anything bad to say about them. One of the best OE triggers out there. Probably better than the PPQ, definite better than the P10. That’s saying a lot. Super accurate as well. Group could be a bit grippier. Probably the only weakness of the gun.

 

[Chevusa]

100,000+ rounds out of my Glock 17. Other than a cracked ear off a locking block (which I only found on a detail strip, no FTFs), and a trigger return spring breaking no hiccups or even really stoppages to report. I'm not sure what Gen 5 could possibly improve.

Of course your Gen 3 runs perfect. It’s a Glock. They improved on “perfection” lol. You can’t even wrap your head around it, can you?
Yes the Gen 3 is great. The Gen 5 is just more great.
Did you read my post? It tells you exactly what was improved.

 

[Acer-m14]

my friend has a Canik set up as a RACE gun .. if you don't stiff arm/wrist it you will get a stove pipe ..

 

[mullerjd]

Mine wouldn't fire 115s but a note to Canik and I had a lower power spring in no time. Not a single problem with it since.

 

[GOPerfect]

As for your purchase...

The best gun to own is the one that you like and love to shoot.

I hear all the time that one should buy this gun and not that gun. They are all wrong, you should buy the gun that you can afford, the gun that feels good and the one that you like.

I own many guns and none of them have ever failed me. I have less expensive guns and I have more expensive guns. They all shoot.

Glad this is working out for you,

 

[Criticalt]

my friend has a Canik set up as a RACE gun .. if you don't stiff arm/wrist it you will get a stove pipe ..

As I said in my original post, Century Arms knows this happens. They say its due to the fact that the Canik is made for foreign military and police and its recoil spring is built for 147+P and 150 grain NATO ammunition.
I have spent some time on the Canik FB groups and this is a well known issue. Its not your wrist, its the spring. If you tell Century Arms, they will send a lighter spring. Everyone ive heard of who got the new spring has had a 100% fix.

 

[Criticalt]

As for your purchase...

The best gun to own is the one that you like and love to shoot.

I hear all the time that one should buy this gun and not that gun. They are all wrong, you should buy the gun that you can afford, the gun that feels good and the one that you like.

I own many guns and none of them have ever failed me. I have less expensive guns and I have more expensive guns. They all shoot.

Glad this is working out for you,

Yep,
Like I said in my original post, I have handguns from about a dozen top makers.....glock, Ruger, S&W, Dan Wesson, HK, CZ, Beretta........
I dont really have any strong feelings about Canik, I just like to buy guns. I most likely will not get another.....there are a lot of other brands on my "must have" list.
Probably gonna buy a Sig P320 AXG very soon.

 

[Criticalt]

my friend has a Canik set up as a RACE gun .. if you don't stiff arm/wrist it you will get a stove pipe ..
[/Q

my friend has a Canik set up as a RACE gun .. if you don't stiff arm/wrist it you will get a stove pipe ..

On the Canik FB groups there are still the few guys who say this is a "limp wrist" issue but as I pointed out in my OP, that doesnt make sense necessarily with this brand.
Canik and Century Arms knows this is an issue and will replace the spring. Its not a defect, its a purposeful thing.....read above.
Why I say it doesnt make sense is that ive read about dozens of people saying that they have a bunch of handguns but their new Canik is the ONLY one that has ever stovepiped and it happens a lot. That would be quite a coincidence if hundreds of people with thousands of guns and ONLY have stovepipe issues with their Canik.
Especially when Century Arms says this is a "feature", not a problem and send a new spring if needed. Why do some guns do this but many dont? Thats a good question but Canik says its normal. The vast majority of owners have zero issues and say their Canik is flawless. Mine hasnt had an issue with over 6000 rounds....probably a lot more.

 

[Criticalt]

Who in the world said these are junk? I’ve never heard anyone with anything bad to say about them. One of the best OE triggers out there. Probably better than the PPQ, definite better than the P10. That’s saying a lot. Super accurate as well. Group could be a bit grippier. Probably the only weakness of the gun.

I dont believe anyone said they were junk, but there were a couple here who said they didnt like them for whatever reason. You can look back at my original post from last May. They were the usual "fans" of other brands.
I believe Canik should not be overlooked. They are gaining a huge following from people who know guns. They are super accurate, inexpensive and come with standard options you need to spend hundreds of dollars on with other brands. One guy said he didnt like the grip angle. Ive never really understood that. I have no issues with going from brand to brand or platform to platform....and most people I know dont get it either.
I have handguns from many makers and I cannot tell a difference when pointing them. This guy said it "doesnt aim naturally"..... luckily I dont have that issue with any handgun. I go from glock, to S&W, to CZ, to Canik, to a revolver.....absolutely no difference in the way they aim.
Of course I shoot more than most people I think. My pistol range is 20 yards from my back door and I shoot at least 5 days a week.

 

[MikeyCNY]

Are you made of money 6000 rounds.

Using a potato as a camera means more money for ammo.

I saw the thread title and thought it was going to be about a street corner purchase...

I've heard good things about Canik (think it's pronounced "Janik"?) but haven't gotten one myself.

 

[Calculon]

My son just got his license and bought the exact same Canik for his first pistol. He has shot my various pistols for years. Went to a range and tried the standard Glocks, M&Ps, and Sigs. Liked the Canik best and I have to agree. It shoots great and has the best trigger of the bunch. Just waiting for his amendment. Glad to hear you’re enjoying yours.

 

[squib]

My son just got his license and bought the exact same Canik for his first pistol. He has shot my various pistols for years. Went to a range and tried the standard Glocks, M&Ps, and Sigs. Liked the Canik best and I have to agree. It shoots great and has the best trigger of the bunch. Just waiting for his amendment. Glad to hear you’re enjoying yours.

He lives.

 

[Saltwater60]

I dont believe anyone said they were junk, but there were a couple here who said they didnt like them for whatever reason. You can look back at my original post from last May. They were the usual "fans" of other brands.
I believe Canik should not be overlooked. They are gaining a huge following from people who know guns. They are super accurate, inexpensive and come with standard options you need to spend hundreds of dollars on with other brands. One guy said he didnt like the grip angle. Ive never really understood that. I have no issues with going from brand to brand or platform to platform....and most people I know dont get it either.
I have handguns from many makers and I cannot tell a difference when pointing them. This guy said it "doesnt aim naturally"..... luckily I dont have that issue with any handgun. I go from glock, to S&W, to CZ, to Canik, to a revolver.....absolutely no difference in the way they aim.
Of course I shoot more than most people I think. My pistol range is 20 yards from my back door and I shoot at least 5 days a week.

People like and dislike all sorts of this for all sorts of reasons. I just picked up a Springfield hellcat for the first time last week and I didn’t like it at all. It felt clunky and not balanced to me. Plenty love ‘em.
I like the cantik guns, but I’m looking for a slimmer gun as my waist has grown a bit these days. I’ll be working on that soon, but I’ll likely buy the sig 365, 365X, or the XL next. I’m waiting to try to see the 365 and the XL Side by side, but haven’t seen that yet.

 

[Bustedknees]

We finally put rounds through my sons Canik. 100 rounds, zero fails. I love the trigger and surprisingly my famous low and to the left hits go away with this handgun. I might have to get one for my collection.

 

[Saltwater60]

We finally put rounds through my sons Canik. 100 rounds, zero fails. I love the trigger and surprisingly my famous low and to the left hits go away with this handgun. I might have to get one for my collection.

Funny I normally shoot low and left too. Maybe I should try one.

 

[FLA45fan]

Resurrection . . . was in my little LGS and there was a couple of SFx Rivals in stock a few weeks ago. They came with red dots made by Canik . . . been thinking about them soooo I went back. I ordered something like what I saw and it should be in soon. I'll let y'all know . . .