Johnny hands-on reviews the TP9SFX for us in the video above. For even more details and the best places to get one…read on!
A lot of pistols try to say they are the best bang-for-your-buck.
But there can only be one. And the Canik TP9SFX might be it.
Canik has been around for a while now and has a HUGE line of pistols to show off, so it’s high time we put one through the paces and find out just how these Turkish gats do on the range.
By the end you’ll know if the TP9SFX is right for you.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Table of Contents
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Canik TP9SFX Review at a Glance
Pros
- 20+1 magazine
- Super flat shooting
- Zero malfunctions during testing
- Optic-ready with mounting plates
- Around $500
Cons
- Grip could be more aggressive
- Acceptable sights
- Slide stop not great for smaller hands
The Bottom Line
The Canik TP9SFX is a great competition-ready 9mm out of the box. Reliable, flat-shooting, and comes with optics mounting plates. You can’t ask for much more for the price point of $550.
Specs & Features
Specs
- Capacity: 20+1 rounds of 9mm
- Weight: 1.83 pounds
- 6.2″ x 1.4″ x 8.3″
Features
- Optics cut with included mounting plates
- Rear black sight and front fiber optic
- Comes with 2 20-round magazines
Background
I’ve long been of the opinion that foreign firearms don’t really get the respect they often deserve. And Turkey is a great example… sort of.
If you’ve looked at budget shotguns in the last 20 years, you’ll find that a huge host of them are made in Turkey.
Some of them are outstanding for their price, some of them can run on par with high-end examples from Beretta or Benelli.
But most of them are what you would expect when you pay under $200 for a shotgun.
Turkey has been in the firearms game for a long time but Canik has only been on the US market for about 10 years.
Think of Canik as a Turkish Armalite, because like Armalite, Canik is actually a major Aerospace company also.
Partnering with Century Arms, they’ve been importing the TP Series pistols to the US for the last decade…and the reports of these gats have almost always been favorable.
Who Is It For?
Someone who wants the best bang-for-the-buck optics ready 9mm out of the box.
Even more props if you’re looking for a competition gun. Because of it’s size, capacity, and optics-readiness, the TP9SFX is best suited for USPSA Carry Optics division.
The mag is too big for Production…and why limit yourself to 10 rounds when you’ve got up to 21!
Fit & Feel
The Canik TP9SFX feels great in the hand But keep in mind it’s a full-sized handgun with a 5.2″ barrel. Plus the 20-round magazines give it even more heft.
See the dots on the backstrap? It seems like they should do a lot for grip but they don’t. Especially during moist-season in the South.
Even the side factory stippling doesn’t help as much if you’re sweating. I’d grab some Talon grip tape.
I do give it extra props for a great slide stop. For normal to large hands it’s great and I love how there’s an extra ledge for even more purchase.
Mag release can be switched out to be left-friendly…but there’s no way for the slide stop. Get ready for some good ole slingshot reloading then.
How about looks?
I think it looks great with the serrations and slide porting. If you choose not to mount optics…the optics cut melds right in and doesn’t look off.
Range Report
We love us some budget guns.
But we love value, even more, we want our dollar to go as far as it can while still delivering quality and reliability.
After hearing that, our friends at GunPrime said that we had to give the TP9SFX a shot. So we did!
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Reliability
I got it out to the range and has run steel and brass through it by the box load. And simply, it runs.
Always.
Zero malfunctions in a review is always awesome to report!
Claiming that the TP9SFX is “competition ready” out of the box… Canik actually delivers on the claim.
Shootability
This is a full-size gun, and it shoots like one. 5.2″ barrel, 20+1 magazine, and a rather sexy Tungsten Grey Cerakote finish, the gun shoots flat and accurately.
Follow-up shots are quick due to a trigger with an awesome reset, very short and crisp. While the pull overall is a touch long, the reset is fantastic.
Sights
Iron sights are standard on the TP9SFX.
Sidebar: the SF stands for “Special Forces” and we can’t figure out the X but we’re hoping it stands for “Xtreme” because it adds the porting and optic mount.
Now back to the sights.
They aren’t bad at all, not our favorite but definitely work.
Really though they are kind of secondary since the slide comes cut for red dots AND the box includes mounting plates for all of the major large red dot footprints.
This is outstanding and a massive increase in value to the package. Getting a slide milled isn’t cheap and often costs almost as much or more as the red dot itself.
Mounting plates aren’t as good as a milled footprint, but these give you the flexibility to use what you want and change your mind later.
Not sure what optic to put on the TP9SFX? Check out our favorite pistol red dots.
Plus, these are actually made of metal. And well made. Unlike some other major brands. Cough…Glock.
Accuracy
I shot a group with iron sights at a respectable range. Other reviewers have been shooting dead nuts but I’m not a sniper.
I hate to say it all the time…but the TP9SFX will likely outshoot your ability.
In The Box
Oh man, this comes with everything you could ask for…
2 magazines, cleaning kit, 4 mounting plates, extra backstraps, magazine loader, and even a holster!
Okay, the holster is kind of cheap. But it’s better than sticking it down your pants.
This is probably the most extras you get in a standard pistol package for anything under $1,000.
For pure value, this is punching way outside its weight class.
What Sets It Apart?
Did I mention it’s a great value?
You’re getting a 20+1 flat-shooting 9mm that comes optics-ready with mounts at around the $500 mark. Plus you get two mags, an ok holster, and a case. Plus everything looks great too!
By The Numbers
Reliability: 5/5
Two words: it runs.
Ergonomics: 4/5
Oversized Ambi controls, backstrap options, great grip texture. Good ergos.
Accuracy: 4/5
Other reviewers have driven nails with the TP9 series. I didn’t but that’s more on me!
Customization: 4/5
RMR / reflex options with adapters plus a rail upfront. Not bad in the options department.
Value: 5/5
Name me more value in the entire industry. No, really, down in the comments…do it.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Overall: 4.5/5
Again, we wish it was U.S. made. But that aside, solid gun. Huge capacity. Huge value.
Upgrades
If you’re going the competition route and especially if you end up in USPSA Carry Optics division…you’ll need a red dot.
Check out all our favorites…but if we had to choose one right now it’d be the Holosun 507c X2 ACSS.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Looking at more of a home defense route with a light? We love the TLR-1 HL for it’s bang-for-the-buck factor.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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How about ammo? Check out the currently in-stock options at Best Places to Buy Ammo Online.
Final Verdict
We can’t find a pistol that delivers as much value as the TP9SFX.
The reliability, quality, and boatload of extras that come in the box all for a shockingly low price really puts the TP9SFX in a class of its own. If you want to get into handgun competition or have a really awesome range gun right out of the box, this is an incredible option.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Throw a white light on the rail and this is a formidable home defense pistol.
Is there anything that can match the value delivered by Canik? Let us know in the comments! If you’re looking for the perfect red dot to match with your new gat, take a look at the Best Pistol Red Dots!
53 Leave a Reply
“Acceptable” sights? Warren Tactical are some of the best irons you can get. There’s a reason we all run them on match guns. Other than that your review is pretty spot on.
I wouldn't buy a Canik, even though they make a good pistol. Why?
- Turkey is an Islamist regime. I don't give my money to Islamist countries.
- Erdogan is a psychopath. Relations between Turkey and the U.S. could be cut off at any moment. Or sanctions imposed. That could mean no parts and no customer service for your pistol.
Whatever makes you happy killa. The Turks are a great, hardworking people, regardless of Erdogan. A trade shutdown with Turkey is an alarmist opinion and there are no indications of any imminent break with the NATO ally.
This pistol is so much fun to shoot and modify. As a 1911 guy, I’m really impressed with this striker fired pistol. Also impressed with the potential. After replacing springs, guide rod, and installing trigger with reduced travel, it is a great shooter. SRO mounted on top.
Looks like there is a Canik being built in Florida, just like all the other foreign gun makers, they have a US facility now as well. Regarding Islamic country, their government is not Islamic, but rather secular. Islamic law does not rule the country and they have shown stronger alliances with western governments rather than Islamic. If I were to drive every buying decision I made by politics I wouldn't be able to buy anything. It's tough to buy a head of lettuce or an avocado without it coming from the People's Republic of California.
Good for you. Be sure to ditch all the technology you own, because most of it is not manufactured in the US of A
Does it have anything but a trigger safety?
Pew Pew Tactical is a ‘go to’ for thorough and professional gun reviews. I appreciate the proper use of grammar and coherent sentences in all PPT articles. A well worded review instills a sense of confidence that the author is a competent and reliable source. Great stuff as always from Pew Pew Tactical!
You can't beat the Caniks for anywhere near the price. The one issue I have with them is they're habit forming. I should know. I have seven and looking at a couple more.
I've become a fan of Caniks as well, though I have fewer than you. :) Reliable, accurate, easy to shoot, and relatively inexpensive. I might wind up picking up another one or two, also.
I have 5, so I know what you mean. Once you shoot one, you'll understand what us Canik lovers see in them. The Rival and Elite Combat Executive are great guns. A friend of mine has stayed away from 9mm guns because he didn't really care for the mainstream brands (Glock, Sig, Springfield Armory, etc.). After shooting my Rival, he told his wife he wanted one for Christmas. It's his new favorite gun and he thanks me for turning him to the Canik every time we shoot.
After a lot of rounds tp9sfx has been known to break a fireing pin
I've heard 60000 rounds without a failure
Have one. Love it.
I've got a TP9SFx and I love it. I put a Holosun on it in just a couple of minutes and it's everything the article says it is. Highly recommended.
I like the Century Canik TP9 Elite Combat w/ Vortex Viper 9mm FDE HG6481DVN. I like it a lot. However, I don't like the price @ <$900 OTD. Recently purchased PSA Dagger 9mm w/ SW1 Extreme Carry Cut Doctor Slide & Threaded Barrel, 2-Tone FDE and the Vortec Viper for $600 OTD. I'm looking forward to many rounds down range through my next range toy which is certainly more than 2/3rds of the Canik even though that's the actual cost.
I just saw a review of the Canil Rival. The barrel has been shortened to 5 inches to make a legal comp gun.
$700
I would like to see the tp9sfx compared to the mete sfx. I haven’t fired the tp9 but the trigger doesn’t feel as good to me dry firing at the gun shop as my mete. Would you consider firing them side by side since you have done reviews on both?
How does this compared to the IWI Masada. They are both around the same price point?
I bought extra magazines and added a couple Taylor Freelance +9 magazine extensions for a 27 + 1 capacity for the SFX and 27 rd spare magazine for a perfect home defense pistol. Also, a lot of fun to magazine dump at the range. They also look really good.
Unfortunately Taylor Freelance's magwells look a little outlandish. Other magwells won't work with the magazine extensions... unless you take a dremell to them, then they work great.
Surprised this wasn't replaced with the Canik Mete SFT!
Turkey is no longer a U.S. ally, in fact, it is frequently an antagonist fighting against our interests.
As such, I will not support their economy with my USA earned dollars. There are plenty of good alternatives. Same reasons I will never buy Russian or Chinese. And, NO, my tv, phone, avr, etc are all NOT chinese.
It looks like a great gun, but, I will agree with Bob.
Got my TP9 SFx June 11. First try, 50 ft target, 10 shots, 8 of them kill shots. Weapon cycles smooth as silk, minor recoil, sights allow quick target acquisition, trigger break is short with immediate reset. Also 10 rounds point and shoot from the hip,,, amazing, formidable, truly military grade. I'm wearing mine with confidence. W.D.
I want one, but all I find are OOS or 2x MSRP! Wish me luck.
I have 3 canik s, the first one I purchased was an s120 a cz75b clone about 10 years ago. I now have sf and the sfx. They are great guns at any price I have several other more expensive handguns but the sf is the first one I put in my bag on the way to the range. The mecger mags are great and relatively inexpensive and a freedom smith trigger reduces the trigger travel. Only drawback it's Turkish made
Great pistol. Even better when I found a 'just like new only used' blackout model for 350! SCORE!!
Slide release only on the left side is rather no ambi.
Does Canik chamber pistols for any caliber other than 9mm?
Hi Norm - the only caliber Canik features on their USA website is 9mm. Perhaps they make other caliber handguns, but are restricted to only 9mm for export to the USA via Century Arms. That’s only speculation on my part.
I had a hell of a time finding magazines with the Tungsten color base plate, so I went with the all black. I agree with everything you said. This is now my competition pistol. With a red dot it’s absolutely the best I’ve used including Glock 34, Walther PPQ Match, FN, and CZ P10. Really incredible out of the box for the price. Additional, using 124 gr bullets feels like a dream in your hands. Only problem I had at the range initially has the slide kicking with the last round but that eventually played itself out after about 100 rounds, so 4-5 magazine exchanges. Lastly, I had to drive to MN to find a dealer. I live in ND. Guys (and Gals) you will not be disappointed. Promise
Hi Nick - I had the same experience when breaking in my TP9SFX. But after break-in, it’s been a very sweet shooter !!! Also, mounting a full-size weapon light such as Streamlight’s TLR-1HL (or LAPG’s XWL) helps me eliminate muzzle flip.
Happy shooting !!!
Nick? I forgot to mention that I also could only find mags with black base plates when I wanted more....so likewise, I have several in black (plus the original 2 in gray).
TTI CZ75 baseplates fit the TP9SFX magazines, if that would suit you.
Without going into the US vs. the rest of the world stuff, the Canik is about the same price as the M&P. I have handled a Canik, and everything about it was rattily. I've owned a couple of M&Ps, a .45 is my current sidekick. The differences between the M&P and Canik are noted, but it'd be hard for me to say that the Canik is a better value than the M&P, especially since it doesn't have a long term track record.
Hi Mr/Ms Sutton - I cannot disagree with your logic regarding longevity, and can only attest that I’ve enjoyed shooting both pistols. As they say, “Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder”. Happy shooting !!
I'd really appreciate seeing information (from someone who has spent time shooting both) comparing the specs, features, accuracy, shootability, etc. of this Canik TP9SFX to the current S&W M&P 2.0 (5" barrel).
"Value" is a subjective conclusion, but it's really impossible to question that judgment without facts.
Hi Paul - I own the Canik TP9SFX and two (2) S&W M&P 2.0, 5" barrel pistols (one in black and one in FDE). As an active shooter who owns and loves all 3 guns, I can point out a few comparisons for you:
1) the Canik has a 5.2" barrel, providing you slightly more accurate shooting than the M&P 5" barrel;
2) the Canik mags hold 20-rounds vs the M&P mags hold 17-rounds;
3) the Canik trigger feels 1-1.5 lbs lighter than the M&P 2.0 trigger.
My final recommendation for you is this: if you buy the Canik, order a spare "spring set" from Canik, since they are Turkish-made, and parts may become unavailable / hard to find in future years. Personally, I do not regret buying any of my 3 subject handguns.
P.S. I have an LAPG XWL mounted on each of them, which helps reduce muzzle flip on each one.
Awesome breakdown, thanks!
Thats a very good point on the "spring set". Crap. As an aside, I found it interesting that I could not find extra magazines on the Century Arms website, however, could through MagShack. I prefer MagShack over GunMag, both in price and availability.
I got mine with the Vortex red dot for $479 total AFTER I got a $150 cash back on a new Credit card.
An absolutely fantastic gun that shoots like a dream. Believe the hype. Everything written about this gun is true. Lots and lots of gun for the price point.
Nope not on my watch, I’d rather put down more to support American manufactured Quality firearms. U.S. made firearms are not always quality guns that’s a given but there are many that are and some are real bargains to boot. Consider that with U.S. responsive professional customer service Vs Century’s incredibly and positively poor CS and I cannot bring myself to a place where I’d actually make this purchase. That is just my take and it isn’t intended to negate anyone else’s. If I’m “missing out” then that’s fine but I really don’t think I am and at least I hold my ground.
If that's your reasoning I understand but on the same note, I would think you wouldn't even stopped to look at this article due to the fact that its not American made. Kinda feel you're like the author of this article. A little frustrated that this foreign gun is better than a lot of american guns. And "yes", I am american with lots of american guns but I just call things the way I see them. If the product is good, then it's good regardless of "who" made it. I can't sit here and buy an inferior gun just because it's made in the US and be proud of it. I should be demanding that "We" step up our game and build better products than the rest of the world in a decent price range instead of trying to get rich on everything we sell. Just sayin'.
Lol, "I won't buy a top quality pistol, because, 'Merica." You might as well admit you heard the rumor that Canik supposedly secretly funds Al Qaeda and call it a day. I'd rather buy the Canik and shoot a terrorist with it, than trust my life to a lesser quality weapon.
If you dont buy one and are a true gun fan you are silly and missing out. Put a surefire light vortex dot kydex holster for under a grand. Hit steel 20 out of 20 with blazer brass. Feels kinda similar to fn 509.
I would not buy anything associated with Century Arms. I bought one of their American made AK's and the extractor retaining pin broke after 30 shots. I took it back to the gun store I bought it from and they could not get Century Arms to respond at all, even after several tries. So I had to take it to another gun shop who specialized in AK's and they fixed it. Century Arms customer service sucks!
Yeah, Century has a bad reputation due to putting out junk AKs. The C39s and VIKAS have mediocre at best metallurgy and quality control is terrible on several components. Lots of testimony and videos to back that up. Their WASR10s are pretty good since they're mostly Romanian imported parts assembled by them. I would still do a full teardown and inspect every part, given their history, or....... Just build your own AK if you want one.
The Canik might be a good pistol (I have nothing against Turkish made guns) but Century Arms has a long record of making poor quality guns and crappy customer service. Personally I would rather pay more and get a Glock, Walther, CZ, SIG or preferably an H&K.
I purchased a Turkish made shotgun a while ago where the bolt will not lock back and can't get any response from the importers. Customer service, if you have an issue, is always a big part of the buying equation.
I have one with a vortex red dot. Love it. Was surprised the first time I cleaned it at how easy it was to take down compared to other brands. Never a jam. Most accurate hand gun in my bag.
I have an SFX in Whiteout and absolutely love it! I bought mine March 04, 2020, and only paid $400.00 for it. I put a red FreedomSmith trigger in it (doesn't change the trigger pull weight) which gets rid of all the pretravel in the trigger. Fantastic upgrade to an already great trigger! The only thing I don't like is the sights. The FO front is way too small for my tastes. I am going to put NightFision sights on it like I did to my Canik TP9SF Elite (almost 3,000 rounds so far with no problems). As the review stated, the SFX runs any ammo I put through it (over 500 rounds so far), and is accurate when used with good ammo (I've shot some reloads that were all over the place, but that's not the guns fault). I would highly recommend this for anyone who wants the features it has. The trigger is probably my favorite thing about it. I've never felt a stock trigger that was so good. I've heard the Walther PPQ line of pistols has a similar trigger as well.
The Canik TP9 series started as a licensed copy of the Walther P99. The Walther P99 evolved into the PPQ. Walther really didn't see the potential of their own design, but Canik did.
I'd love to know where you got it at such a great price. I cant find one under 500. Best of luck.
I have one. You should get one. I've run thousands of rounds through it and have never thoroughly cleaned it, not a single fail. Everything about these Caniks is unbelievable at the price point. Accuracy is dead on with the advertised match grade barr. Get one before the price gets any higher. I've got $415 in mine from Gunbuyer.com. Available as pictured, all black, all white, and who knows how else. Get one.
Love my dark green with a bronze slide Canik TP9Sfx. Got mine a year ago for $480 and the one in this review was just $450 at that time. Put a Vortex Venom on it and a tiny but full power green laser on the rail.
It's a plus the mags for the Canik fit my Taurus G2c for practice. I read they fit the G3c too as does a Sig mag. I put a full Canik mag in the Taurus and it snapped in tight. Have not fired it yet using the Canik mag, but one guy said you give up last shot slide hold open. At the range for practice and plinking, break-in, who cares?
Back to the Canik, let's just say there is nothing I don't like about it. Great balance, takedown, grips that fit BIG hands, weight, extra long mag release button that my thumb doesn't try to activate during firing and they give you 3 sizes, little tool kit, dot scope risers, and more. Fiber optic light gathering front sight post.
Probably the best value I even had with guns, with maybe a different class of gun right there too, the Taurus G2c with stainless slide delivered, no tax for $185. Two different animals.