U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- The Canik TP9 series continues to grow. You’ve seen our coverage of the TP9 DA, TP9 SA Mod 2, and TP9 SF Elite. Now it’s time for the long-barreled TP9 SFx. Modeled as a competition-grade gun with a 5.2″ barrel, enlarged controls, and ready for optics with four included mounting plates and a neat little charging handle that threads into the mounting plate to permit quick racking.
It’s no secret that the TP9 series is an alternate-universe version of Walther’s P99/PPQ Family. I reviewed and loved the Walther Q5 Match, so when I got a chance to try the Canik TP9 SFx from Century Arms I couldn’t resist. Imitation is the highest form of flattery and the TP9 SFx does flatter the Q5 Match but has enough of its own features to still be considered its own gun. Take a look at what comes in the box and the construction quality of the Canik in the tabletop video below.
Canik was smart to lighten the slide a bit. Those ports aren’t just for good looks, they also help increase reliability. When an optic is mounted it ads weight to the slide. Sometimes that weight is just enough to rob energy from the cycling process and cause reliability issues. Taking weight off the front also helps with speedy target acquisition as the front of the pistol swings easier. If you run the gun without an optic you’ll experience a smoother recoil impulse as the weight of the slide slamming to and fro has less impact on your wrist.
In the past, some of the Canik models arrived in the US built for 124gr NATO loads. In an effort to improve shooter experience that meant a stiffer recoil assembly. While I’m sure those using 124gr NATO loads appreciated it, many Americans feeding their guns budget 115gr loads experienced short strokes and stovepipes. Naturally, I was curious how the TP9 SFx would arrive. Would they reuse the old springs from before or smartly lighten the load not only for Americans but also for the increased weight of the longer slide?
I hit the range for the standard GBGuns test battery. Full magazine +1 for magazine and handgun basic functions testing. Next up is the popular, “What’s for Dinner?” test in which I feed the gun a variety of loads weighing from 165gr down to 65gr. Aluminum, brass, and steel-cased ammunition, hollow points, and full-metal jackets. The intent there is to find the operational limits of load and chamber acceptance. From there the test wraps up with a quick practical-accuracy test with a group of five shots from seven yards using Nosler 115gr Match ammunition.
See the results in the video below:
Canik smartly made this gun to run any load without question. In the opening of that video I was not specifically trying to hit the steel, yet 21 out of 21 times I rang the steel from 20 yards while firing at a moderate cadence. The sights simply bounced back to where they were before the shot each and every time. I’m sure I could have grouped tighter at the end had I not tried, but I don’t do retakes.
In short, the TP9 SFx is easy to operate, a pleasure to shoot on the range, accurate, and will eat anything you feed it.
About Graham Baates
“Graham Baates” is a pen name used by a 15-year active Army veteran who spent most of his time in the tactical side of the Intelligence community including tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Post-Army Graham spent some time in the local 3-Gun circuit before becoming a full-time NRA Certified defensive handgun instructor and now works as an industry writer while curating a YouTube channel on the side. Visit Graham on Youtube .
I would like to see a comment from the manufacturer on the fte for the match loads
I contacted Century Arms about the FTE problem and they’re sending me a reduced power RSA under warranty. I also have a new SS guide rod enroute for a Glock 17, the adaptor for a Gen 4, and two recoil springs, one a 13# the other an 11#. These will work in the SFX. I’m anxious to give them a try.
Jim, how do you have that gun set up now. I have one and would like to use it in USPSA competition too. Thanks,
Gerald
AWESOME pistol! This was the 2017 handgun of the year and is my personal favorite pistol. At the current price it is probably the best quality bang for the buck on the market.
Turkey is as much of a friend as Trumps Saudia buddy’s!!
I agree, it is a great gun i have a glock 17 gen 4 and its great its a glock, but this canik has the best factory trigger ever, and it is fun to shoot, and the steel tactical night sights are awsome, thats a big bonus for a gun that so far is just as dependable as the glock, and is more accurate, better trigger by far.
Turkey is not a friend of the USA. I would not spend a penny on anything made there.
I agree wholeheartedly! No sense suppyling Islamists with more money to support terrorism and the murder of innocent civilians!!
MA is not a friend of the 2nd Amendment and you probably support Smith and Wesson don’t you?
Have you ever been to turkey? Or the middle east in general? Are u just regurgitating what national news has told you or are you speaking from first hand experience? They were extremely friendly and hospitable to us. Took us in, fed us, entertained us, insured our safety and treated us like we were family… hell they even opened up a small amusement park after hours for us… I’m a huge fan of the Turkish and they are pretty big fans of ours. And that’s all first hand experience
Your test gun may have fed everything, but I assure you the one I bought last week won’t. It was fine with hotter loads in 115 and 147gr, but slower match ammo failed to eject on every single round.
Slower match level rounds? What are you talking about, match loads are hot loads, you just do not like the Canik it’s a great gun.
You’re right. I don’t like it. That’s why I spent $$ to outfit it with magwell, mag extensions, heavy mag springs, a Vortex Viper red dot, extended threaded barrel and a muzzle brake. It’s also why I use it in USPSA Open class and for Steel Challenge shoots. My ammo for all matches is the Winchester NATO 124gr ammo. My SLOW rounds were 147gr @950fps, and they won’t even function the slide with the muzzle brake installed.
Same here Jim.
I went through a box of Remington 115 fmj and didn’t eject a single round. Not one.
I emailed Century Arms & they’re sending me a lighter spring – but in the mean time, I went back to the range with a box of Win 124 Nato and had no issues. Tight groups at 10 yards.
Curious what happens with the new spring they’re sending…..