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\nMounting red dot, or reflex, sights on handguns continues to grow in popularity.\u00a0\u00a0 Many of the most popular handgun brands sold in the United States now offer one or more models that will allow mounting of a red dot sight directly on the slide.\u00a0 Additionally, custom gunsmiths have added new services to modify your currently owned handgun slide to accept a red dot sight.\u00a0 Recognizing this trend, the Turkish manufacturer Canik has released their newest model, the TP9 SFx.<\/p>\n\n
If you\u2019ve never heard of the Canik brand, that\u2019s understandable.\u00a0 Canik started producing and selling the TP9 series of pistols globally as far back as 2009.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t until 2012 that they formed a business relationship with Vermont based Century Arms to import, market, and service Canik handguns in the United States.\u00a0 The TP9 SFx joins six other TP9 handgun model variants that are currently available in the US.<\/p>\n
All Canik handguns are covered by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.\u00a0 The limited part means the lifetime warranty covers only the original purchaser.<\/p>\n![\"Built](\"https:\/\/gastatic.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/10-L-1024x818.jpg\" "\\"Built")
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After opening the impressive plastic shipping box containing the TP9 SFx, and the multitude of included accessories, I had to take a few minutes to admire how good the pistol looked.\u00a0 This competition model has an extended 5.2-inch barrel length so the slide had to be extended by a proportional amount.\u00a0 Lightening cuts and forward slide serrations have been added to the slide to reduce the slide weight for reliable cycling with light target loads.\u00a0 The extended slide looks pretty racy with the addition of the lightening cuts and forward serrations.\u00a0 The Tungsten Grey Cerakote on the slide, trigger safety, back straps, and magazine extensions give the pistol a unique look and blends well with the black polymer frame.\u00a0 The picture of the pistol field stripped provides the most accurate color representation.<\/p>\n
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The TP9 breaks down quickly and easily for field maintenance and cleaning.<\/p><\/div>\n
The TP9 SFx model was designed with competition shooting in mind. \u00a0It includes a long list of enhancements that have been added to this specific model that you won\u2019t find on other TP9 variants. \u00a0Please be patient with me as I call out the most notable upgrades included with this model.<\/p>\n
For sights, Canik includes upgraded Warren Tactical U-notch with a fiber optic insert in the front sight.<\/p>\n
The slide stop lever and magazine release button are both extended width as favored by competition shooters for ease of use during competition.\u00a0 The magazine release comes with three different sized release buttons for custom fitting based on owner preference.\u00a0 The magazine release can be reversed for left-handed shooters.<\/p>\n
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The Canik TP9 SFx comes with three different magazine release options and it can be converted to left-hand release. Also, it comes with two back straps to fit most hands.<\/p><\/div>\n
The grip includes two sizes of interchangeable back straps.\u00a0 The back straps are labeled as large and small by Canik.\u00a0 I think a better description would be arched (large) and flat (small).\u00a0 The small back strap was installed in my TP9 SFx when it left the Canik factory.<\/p>\n
Canik magazines are manufactured by Mec-Gar.\u00a0 TP9 full-size standard magazine capacity is 18 rounds.\u00a0 The two magazines included with the SFx model have an extended floorplate that boosts magazine capacity to 20 rounds.\u00a0 The floorplates extend well below the magazine well and are contoured for easy \u201cgripping and ripping\u201d if that ever becomes necessary.<\/p>\n
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TP9 SFx comes with two magazines. The magazines’ feature plus 2 basepads that increase capacity two (2) rounds for a total of twenty (20) rounds.<\/p><\/div>\n
What you won\u2019t see by visually examining the pistol is the competition trigger.\u00a0 Canik marketing literature calls it \u201cImproved single action trigger\u201d with a specified pull weight of 3.5 to 4 pounds.\u00a0 The trigger on our review gun had a pull weight averaging right around 4 pounds.\u00a0 That alone is pretty darn good for a striker-fired pistol.\u00a0 What makes the trigger pull even more interesting is the very short trigger reset.\u00a0 Let\u2019s break the trigger pull down in a little more detail.\u00a0 Total trigger pull travel is 3\/8ths of an inch with all but the last 16th<\/sup> of an inch being light take up.\u00a0 After cycling, the trigger reset also right around a 16th<\/sup> of an inch.\u00a0 It\u2019s a trigger you will want to try for yourself because it is so much different than other striker-fired handguns on the market that I\u2019ve worked with.<\/p>\n The feature that will most likely drive people to this specific TP9 model are the four red dot mounting plates that can be used to attach a wide variety of red dot optics directly on the slide.\u00a0 Each mounting plate is clearly numbered and the Owner\u2019s Manual lists which optics work with each mounting plate.\u00a0 I\u2019ve included that information with the TP9 SFx specifications.<\/p>\n Mounting plate options allow you to quickly change from different red dots to iron sights.<\/p><\/div>\n Having recently reviewed a Vortex Viper, I had one available to mount on the Canik.\u00a0 Using the suggested mounting plate number 1, I removed the slide filler plate holding the rear sight and replaced it with the red dot mounting plate using the included mounting screws.\u00a0 With that task completed, I mounted the Vortex Viper to the mounting plate, again using screws supplied by Canik.\u00a0 The whole process was very fast and easy.\u00a0 I decided not to install the optional charging handle on the optic plate.\u00a0 I had no difficulty retracting the slide without the charging handle.<\/p>\n With so many customization options included with the TP9 SFx, be prepared to make changes and try them out on the range before dialing in the exact set up that works best for you.\u00a0 I found the large back strap insert made the pistol point more naturally for me.\u00a0 I tried magazine release button extensions marked medium and small, but still found they made too much contact with the palm of my support hand.\u00a0 \u00a0Ultimately, I removed all magazine release button extensions as I really didn\u2019t need them to reach and operate the magazine release.<\/p>\n A quick note on the Owner\u2019s Manual.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t mention how to change back strap inserts, or reverse the magazine release button.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t mess with the magazine release, but I can give you some tips for removing the back strap.\u00a0 You will need a 1\/8th-inch roll pin punch to remove the pin holding the back strap in place.\u00a0 My back strap insert was so tightly fitted to the grip that it wouldn\u2019t move until I used a thin-bladed jeweler\u2019s screwdriver as wedge between the back strap insert and the grip frame.\u00a0 A little prying got it started out of the grip frame with no damage to either part.<\/p>\n After a quick cleaning and lubrication, I had the TP9 SFx out on the range.\u00a0 I spent a few magazines getting the Vortex Viper red dot dialed in at 25 yards before starting the obligatory accuracy and velocity testing.\u00a0 Initial thoughts were a general appreciation of that very sweet trigger, and also less recoil than I expected.<\/p>\n From the bench using the red dot sight, 25-yard accuracy was really good if I did my part.\u00a0 I somehow found a way to introduce a flier into each test string that opened up the 5-shot test groups quite a bit.\u00a0 Even with my flawed shooting, the average group size for all six tested loads came in under two inches.\u00a0 Canik advertises this model has a match grade barrel.\u00a0 Based on my accuracy testing, I believe them.<\/p>\n Average group size for all six tested loads came in under two inches.<\/p><\/div>\n Since Canik created the TP9 SFx for competition, I thought I should use it in competition.\u00a0 With a Steel Challenge club match coming up in a few weeks I focused my range work on drawing from a holster and engaging steel plates at ranges from 15 to 25 yards.\u00a0 I sent hundreds of rounds down range banging steel in preparation for the upcoming match.\u00a0 Once I got accustomed to acquiring the red dot sight, it was very easy to blaze through a 5-target set with the TP9 SFx.\u00a0 Recoil was light using full metal jacket target loads with the red dot barely leaving the sight window before settling back for the next shot.<\/p>\n The only issues I experienced on the range were intermittent failures to lock the slide back when the magazine was empty.\u00a0 I determined the issue was operator induced whenever I let my thumb rest on the extended slide stop lever.\u00a0 If I kept the thumb off the lever, the slide would lock back after the last round of a magazine was fired.<\/p>\n Off the range, I had a different issue to deal with when I found out the Steel Challenge club match I was planning to attend wasn\u2019t going to be held in July.\u00a0 I needed to find another competition venue for the TP9 SFx.<\/p>\n The Canik TP9 SFx holstered up and ready for a match!<\/p><\/div>\n The day before I received the TP9 SFx for review, The USPSA\u2013 NROI approved several models of Canik handguns for addition to the Production Division handgun list.\u00a0 This was a significant ruling because it allows Canik handguns, like the TP9 SFx, to compete on a level playing field with other popular production handgun models used in the Carry Optics and Production Divisions.\u00a0 Prior to this ruling, the TP9 SFx was classified as an Open Division handgun if a red dot optic was mounted on the slide.\u00a0 For me personally, the classification update was just the motivation I needed to join The USPSA and shoot my first match in the Carry Optics Division with the Vortex Viper equipped TP9 SFx.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve never seen a USPSA match, it\u2019s a whole lot of running and gunning in a safe and controlled match setting.\u00a0 Each stage has Competitors engaging multiple targets from several different shooting locations.\u00a0 Expect to be on the move and changing magazines several times per stage.\u00a0 A few days prior to my match, my wife let me borrow the John Wick Chapter 2 DVD before she returned it.\u00a0 By match day I was ready to channel my inner Keanu Reeves and have some fun but without all the Hollywood theatrics.<\/p>\n The author shooting his Canik TP9 SFx at his first ever USPSA match.<\/p><\/div>\n I mentioned previously this was my first ever USPSA match.\u00a0 My goals for the match were to be safe, learn the rules, and put my shots on target over trying to shoot fast.\u00a0 I made all the usual rookie mistakes.\u00a0 Finding myself backtracking to pick up targets I forgot to engage and losing a mighty battle with a swinging Texas Star steel target.\u00a0 Ultimately, I finished 29th<\/sup> of 36 competitors and logged the most Alphas (highest scoring hits) of all handgun competitors.\u00a0 I also had fun.\u00a0 The Canik TP9 SFx ran flawlessly and proved to be capable of the reliability and accuracy needed for USPSA match shooting.<\/p>\n After the USPSA match, I removed the red dot sight and reinstalled the rear sight plate on the slide.\u00a0 I wanted to make one more trip to the range and shoot the TP9 SFx with the Warren Tactical sights using full-power defense ammunition.\u00a0 Shooting offhand at 10 yards, my groups centered perfectly with bullets impacting the target right where the fiber optic rod is positioned in the front sight.\u00a0 No sight adjustment was necessary.\u00a0 Just for fun I shot a steel 12 inch by 20 inch 2\/3 scale IDPA target from 50 yards and had no problem hitting it consistently.<\/p>\n By the end of the review, my total round count through the TP9 SFx was approaching 1000.\u00a0 For this newbie USPSA competitor, the TP9 SFx was ready to go right out of the box for Production Division or Carry Optics Division with the addition of a red dot optic.\u00a0 I would have no concerns at all continuing to use this handgun as my primary USPSA match pistol.\u00a0 In the future, if I decide to switch divisions, or stop competing in USPSA matches, the TP9 SFx could fill a home defense role.\u00a0 It even has a Picatinny rail for easy attachment of a handgun mounted light.<\/p>\n As a relative newcomer to the US competition handgun market, Canik has priced TP9 SFx well below other brands with similar models.\u00a0 If you are willing to be creative with competition gear as holster makers ramp up new models for the Canik brand, I would encourage you to check out the TP9 SFx.\u00a0 Here\u2019s a tip.\u00a0 I\u2019m using a holster model for the Glock 34\/35 and my magazine pouches came with a Springfield XDm 9mm.<\/p>\n For more information about USPSA\u00a0 (U<\/u>nited S<\/u>tates P<\/u>ractical S<\/u>hooting A<\/u>ssociation) Click here.\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n For more information about Canik, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Review of the Canik TP9 SFx pistol. \u00a0The TP9 SFx was ready to go right out of the box for Production Division or Carry Optics Division with the addition of a red dot optic.\u00a0 \u00a0 In the future, if I decide to switch divisions, or stop competing in USPSA matches, the TP9 SFx could fill a home defense role.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":82993,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_specdata_upc":"","_specdata_placement":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7,85,694,859,860],"tags":[187,132,811,119,1032,621,620,561],"featured":[],"hunt365":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-82992","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-gunsamerica-authors","8":"category-bruce-flemings","9":"category-gun-reviews","10":"category-gun-reviews-handguns","11":"category-semi-autos","12":"tag-9mm","13":"tag-buzz","14":"tag-canik","15":"tag-competition","16":"tag-gun-review","17":"tag-pistol","18":"tag-tactical","19":"tag-uspsa"},"yoast_head":"\n![\"Built](\"https:\/\/gastatic.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/7-L-375x300.jpg\" "\\"Built")
Specs<\/h2>\n
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Make It Your Own<\/h2>\n
Range Time<\/h2>\n
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Competition Testing<\/h2>\n
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\nConclusions<\/h2>\n
***Check out GunsAmerica for your next Canik pistol<\/a>***<\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"