Don’t get me wrong, I believe in buying American goods and do whenever possible.
But…
The Turks have a way with pistols and shotguns. While many copycat brands have since come out of Turkey, their interpretation of the modern 9mm polymer-lower, striker-fired pistol under the Canik flag is, in my view, the overall best-in-class. Caniks are imported and distributed in the USA by Century Arms, of Florida.
In recent years, consumers have discovered this excellent brand and the company has re-interpreted its base design, called TP9, in a number of ways, as gun manufacturers tend to do. Of similar design but a different name are the Mete models. For the recreational and sport shooter, their newer pistols with features like integral compensators, threaded barrels, and eye-popping finish treatments are all the rage, and their prices have gone up accordingly. But I’ve kept it practical and economical with my own Caniks, which see quite a lot of use. Here I’ll share the reasons I’m quite fond of the TP9 SF and Mete MC9.
The Canik TP9 SF and Mete MC9
TP9 SF: the plain and steady workhorse
The SF is one of the earliest TP9 models after Canik updated its original TP9 SA, which included a rather useless de-cocking mechanism on the rear top corners of the slide. It was, and still is, economical and superbly built. Canik still makes the SA model. The SF is its clone, alike in every way except it lacks the decocker.
My SA, which I wore out after at least 40,000 rounds, was the easiest-handling and most accurate pistol I’ve ever had. It gave me more personal best scores than any other. When it was time to replace it with a gun that could serve both as a range/teaching arm and a duty pistol, I bought the then-newly released SF. I have not been disappointed.
The SF holds 18+1 rounds, with 10-round mags offered for those living under hoplophobic legislation. It has a short backstrap-to-trigger distance, adjustable backstraps, and is fantastically accurate. But I think the best thing about this gun is the trigger. Its relatively short takeup and short, crisp reset make for pleasurable operation.
Finding a duty holster for my TP9 SF was a challenge; Dara and Legacy holster companies were the only ones I could find that make a Level II holster for it. The Blackhawk Omnivore, touted for fitting many similar guns, fails to sufficiently shield the SF’s trigger guard. I have carried my SF on the range and at work more days than I care to measure. Its finish is tough; the slide remains black and the finish un-marred after all that use. This represents a vast improvement over my legacy model TP9 SA, which shed much of its tan finish from both frame and slide in short order.
The SF has nothing I don’t need and nothing that gets in the way of serious shooting. No flared mag wells, no compensator, no threaded barrel. Plenty of other TP9 models have those, and I have owned one. But for serious use, the SF is where it’s at, with one exception.
If there is a shortcoming on the TP9 SF, it’s the lack of milling for an optic. You get what you get, and that is quality Warne iron sights; no tritium. The sights are interchangeable with common aftermarket brands. The gun ships with two magazines and a handy Serpa-style holster. Canik marketed a “One” package of this gun for a time, which shipped with only one mag and no holster, for a budget price.
At $399 MSRP, it is my firm opinion that this is the best, most proven full-size gun for the money on the giant 9mm striker-fired playing field.
SPECIFICATIONS: Canik TP9 SF
Caliber: 9mm
Color: Black or Desert Tan
Capacity: 18+1 or 10+1
Barrel: 4.46 inches
Overall Length: 7.5 inches
Height: 5.7 inches
Width: 1.35 inches
Weight: 1.78 pounds unloaded
MSRP: $399
Mete MC9: Concealable and Fun
Canik took its time jumping onto the micro-compact/robust capacity bandwagon. When they finally released the Mete MC9 a couple years back, it was evident they had taken good notes from existing successes of the latest generation of concealment guns. There is a lot that’s right with the Mete MC9.
This diminutive gun is just big enough to handle very well. It has a full-size light rail and can accommodate magazines from other 9mm Caniks in addition to its included 12- and 15-round mags. The 15-rounder includes sizable pinky support.
Like other Caniks, it has an excellent trigger. The white dot front sight should include tritium, but that is a $48 add-on from the factory.
This gun is ready to go with an included two-clip IWB kydex holster. It’s bulky but useful; I’ve worn it a lot. I’ve also hadgood luck with a JM4 Tactical Quick Click & Carry High Ride/Medium leather holster, but for safe re-holstering, it’s hard to beat kydex.
Every Mete MC9 is optic-ready for a Shield RMR-SC pattern sight. I have been less than impressed by Canik’s optic plate system in the past, but the mount on the Mete MC9 seems solid. I ran mine with Riton’s closed emitter. There is a factory-mounted optic offered which I’ve never tried.
Of all dozens of guns I’ve used as concealed carry instruction tools on the range, the Mete MC9 has gotten the most attention. Maybe it’s because mine is a great color: flat dark earth with a black slide and trigger. It’s also offered in all-black or all-FDE. Distributors like Lipsey’s may offer more custom colors.
Like the TP9 SF, the Mete MC9 features a swappable (right/left) mag release and a left-side slide lock that’s within easy reach of most handlers. Unlike the SF, it also has an extended slide lock on the right side of the frame so left-handed shooters aren’t left out in the cold. The ergonomics of this gun are among the best in the micro-compact market, at least in my estimation.
Shooting the MC9 is a lot of fun; it’s easy to be accurate and the gun’s slightly thick profile makes it easy to grasp, even for bigger hands when using the 15-round mag. It is still a micro compact 9mm and as such, is snappy where recoil is concerned. It’d be a tall order to put 400 rounds through it in a day and not have wrist fatigue. But that is all the more reason to own both the Mete MC9 and the TP9 SF or other, larger Canik. The ergonomics are nearly identical; the difference is concealability.
I do admit, the Mete MC9 takes a bit more effort to conceal than, say, my Sig Sauer P365. The slightly thicker frame does narrow my options for where inside my waistband the gun fits. When I bend over, I can definitely feel the difference. Nevertheless, I often opt for this little Canik when carrying concealed in the daytime because of its easy handling. If it had tritium sights, it would be my go-to all the time. If I had to criticize this gun, that would be the only complaint. Canik has led consumers to expect superior value. This is not the least expensive microcompact around with a market price of around $430 sans optic. For that price, it’s fair to expect tritium sights.
MC9 Grouping Results from 5 yards
SPECIFICATIONS: Canik Mete MC9
Caliber: 9mm
Color: Black, Flat Dark Earth, or Two-Tone Black/FDE
Capacity: 12+1 or 15+1
Barrel: 3.18 inches
Overall Length: 6.1 inches
Height: 4.52 inches without optic
Width: 1.12 inches
Weight: 1.33 pounds unloaded
MSRP: $439.99 base
In summary, the Canik brand has earned my trust and affection over the years for an economical entry point, excellent ergonomics for my own hands as well as the hands of much larger folk, and above all, reliability. They just keep going. Cross-compatibility of magazines between models is an added plus. Do I wish they’d make tritium sights standard and improve the solidity of optic-mounting on the full-size and compact guns? Yes. But that doesn’t stop me from extracting confidence at work and in my free time and enjoyment at the range from these guns.
To locate a dealer near you visit www.lipseys.com/dealerfinder
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Eve is a defensive shooting and lifestyle student, practitioner, and instructor based in the American Southwest. Flanigan holds numerous NRA Instructor certifications and is licensed to instruct New Mexico’s intensive Concealed Carry course. She regularly designs, conducts, and co-teaches classes on concealed carry, introduction to pistol, defensive pistol, basic rifle, last-ditch medical, and use of force for civilian students. Flanigan enjoys competing in run-and-gun biathlons that include carbine and pistol.