Canik TP9SF Review: Cheap but worth it?

After shooting the Canik TP9SF, it’s hard to find a reason to truly dislike this gun. It’s a quality handgun that fires great and is fun to shoot. The grade-A features, reliability factor, and the budget pricing it comes at are really great. Having spent a lot of time with it, I can confidently share my firsthand thoughts on this gun in this Canik TP9SFX review.

For this review, I used the One Series variant of the Canik TP9SF, which offers the same gun as the standard model but with fewer accessories at an even more attractive price.

[UPDATE] Back in 2020, I initially reviewed the Canik TP9SF. But since then, I’ve put hundreds of rounds through it, and my opinions have shifted slightly. So, here’s my updated Canik TP9SFX review.

Canik TP9SFX Review- Background

As a former special operations sniper, I see the Canik TP9SFX as a testament to Turkish firearm craftsmanship.

Let’s take a step back and look at where it all began. Canik, the company behind the TP9SFX, originally made its mark in the aerospace defense industry before branching out into firearms. The TP9SFX itself is a full-sized 9mm pistol designed specifically for competitive shooting.

The story of Canik dates back to 2009 when they first introduced the TP9 series of pistols. These handguns were initially developed to meet the needs of Turkish Law Enforcement, and they quickly gained recognition for their reliability and performance. In 2012, Canik teamed up with Century Arms to bring their pistols to the American market, kickstarting their journey towards becoming a major player in the firearms industry.

The TP9SFX is a product of this ongoing evolution. It builds upon the foundation laid by the TP9 series, incorporating elements from proven handgun designs. Manufactured in Turkey at an ISO 9001-certified facility, the TP9SFX is a testament to Canik’s dedication to quality and precision. It’s worth noting that Canik doesn’t just make handguns – they also produce rocket launchers, sniper rifles, and even supply parts for the aviation industry.

Over the years, the TP9SFX has been developed and refined, incorporating features and designs inspired by popular models in the market. It stands as a symbol of Canik’s commitment to quality, reliability, and affordability in the firearms market.

Canik TP9SF Features Review

1 Striker Indicator

When the gun is ready to fire, a red bulb indicator is shown that the striker is in the ready position.

2 Canik’s Famous Single Action Trigger

This single action trigger is one of the best triggers you will find on any handgun.

3 MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny Rail

With this Picatinny attached to the front end of the weapon, there is definite room for attachments and customizations.

4 Warren Tactical Sights

The TP9SF comes stock with Warren Tactical sights with a front dot sight.

Canik TP9SF Review: Our Take

I’ll just cut to the chase: This handgun is AWESOME! The Canik TP9SF is my #1 budget-gun recommendation. Want to know a budget handgun that didn’t make the grade? Check out our SCCY 9mm Review – as you’ll see not all budget guns are created equal.

No, I don’t think it can replace higher-end duty-level guns. But… for a budget firearm, the Canik TP9SF can serve as a great option and it punches way above its class.

This means that if I have a choice for a duty gun, I’ll personally pick a Glock, Sig, CZ, or H&K over the Canik. However, if I’m working with a budget or I want a gun that I don’t want to be too worried about abusing (ranch gun, truck gun, etc.) or if someone is is looking for a first gun to just get started and they aren’t quite sure which gun that they’d really like to end up with, then the Canik it is!

The TP9 from Canik Firearms is a striker-fired polymer pistol. It is comfortable enough, the controls work, and it is SUPER reliable. However, where the Canik really shines is with its trigger!

The flat-faced stock trigger on the TP9SF is so good, that I think it is better than options available on higher-end guns. Seriously, out of the box, I think the trigger is as good as, or better than, stock H&K, CZ, and Glock triggers!

Why? Because the design of the trigger allows full forward travel, improving your shooting accuracy by giving you a complete and controlled trigger pull. Plus, it has a built-in over-travel stop that helps you maintain your aim for the next shot by preventing any unnecessary movement after the shot is fired. .

These features together give you very short pre-travel and reset distances for rapid and accurate follow-up shots. Now, the stock trigger on this race gun is great but if you’re looking for a better trigger, you can opt for an aftermarket trigger for the TP9SFX, like the ones from Freedomsmith.

While I was using the Canik TP9SFX at the range, I decided to try something new. Usually, when I reload, I would manually rack the slide to chamber the next round. But this time, I decided to use the slide stop lever to release the slide after inserting a new magazine. It made things much quicker and smoother, getting me ready to shoot again faster. It might not seem like a big deal, but in situations where time matters, every second counts. It was a neat trick I learned that made a big difference.

Now, for all the lefties out there, you’ll love its ambidextrious aspects. They have a reversible magazine release on the Canik TP9SFX. Being able to switch that mag release to the other side of the gun is a total gamechanger for those that shoot left.

Speaking of value, I think the Canik TP9SFX hits the sweet spot. Sure, it may not be able to compete head-to-head with higher-end duty-level guns like Glocks, Sigs, CZs, or H&Ks. But for its price, it’s an absolute steal. The fact that it’s nearly half the price of some of those big-name pistols makes it even more appealing to budget-conscious shooters like me.

What I don’t Like about the Canik TP9SF

My only gripe is that the bore height is a bit tall. I wish it had a lower bore axis like the CZ Shadow for a reduced muzzle rise during rapid fire. The Warren sights are a nice touch but the skinny rear sight makes the slide appear taller (leaner).

My Final Verdict

As you can see, this pistol is reliable, and well designed. It’s got great ergonomics, and many features you wouldn’t expect for a budget gun. So, in the end, I think it is an excellent budget pistol – so much so that I put it in my list of best 9mm pistols with the mark of best budget option.

However, if you’re wanting to improve or upgrade, then check out that article to see which ones are better and why.

Canik TP9SF Review: Pros and Cons

Canik TP9SF Review – FAQs

Are round nose bullets compatible with the Canik TP9SF?

Yes, the Canik TP9SF is compatible with round nose bullets. It’s designed to handle various types of ammunition for reliable performance.

How do I release the magazine on the Canik TP9SF?

To release the magazine on the Canik TP9SF, simply press the magazine release button located near the trigger guard. This allows you to perform quick and efficient magazine changes during your shooting sessions.

Does the Canik TP9SF come with a fiber optic front sight?

Yes, the Canik TP9SF comes equipped with a fiber optic front sight. This feature improves visibility and target acquisition, especially in low-light conditions, improving your overall shooting accuracy and performance.

Is the Canik TP9SF suitable for concealed carry?

While the Canik TP9SF is a full-sized handgun, you may find it suitable for concealed carry depending on your body type and preferred carry method. We recommend trying different holsters and carry positions to find what works best for you, ensuring comfort and concealment while maintaining accessibility for self-defense purposes.

Best Sights for the Canik TP9SF

Putting a top-notch red dot sight on your pistol is becoming more and more popular as time goes by. As a matter of fact, some manufacturers are releasing their newer models to be optics ready–see our Springfield Armory Hellcat review. And while the TP9SF doesn’t come ready for a sight, with a little know-how, you can outfit yours with one of these cool options.

Vortex Venom Red Dot Sight

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Our Editor’s Choice for optics on the Canik is the Vortex Optics Venom. It comes with a large, clear window and a 3 MOA red dot making for fast and easy targeting. And don’t worry about making adjustments. You can easily make single MOA changes through simple dial functions for both elevation and windage. The Venom is also equipped with 20 different brightness levels, so you’ll be prepared for any situation. CHECK IT OUT ON AMAZON

The Ade Advanced Optics Micro is another solid choice for the Canik TP9F. Just like the Vortex, it comes with multiple brightness settings and 1 MOA adjustment dial. The biggest difference between the two is that this comes standard with a 6 MOA red dot.

Check It Out On Amazon

Best Holsters for the Canik TP9SF

If there’s one thing a great competition style pistol absolutely needs, it’s a holster. You need to be on the lookout for something that securely and snugly holds your firearm in place, all the while maintaining a standard degree of comfort. Here are two options to do just that.

We The People Kydex IWB Holster

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Our top pick for a holster for the Canik TP9sf is the We the People Kydex IWB. Its design allows it to fit securely and comfortably inside your waistband. We the People have also addressed a few of the problems of IWB reholstering. They have designed the holster to allow for easier reholstering while maintaining eyes on the threat, a nice feature. CHECK IT OUT ON AMAZON

The We The People Kydex holster is great choice for the Canik TP9F. I like it becasue it adjusts and conceals really well, while at the same time super easy to re-holster. Good choice in my book.

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Other Duty-Level Pistols of its Class to Check Out

Honestly, if you’re just starting out with duty pistols, the Canik TP9SF is a great choice. It’s an extremely reliable gun at a budget price. However, there are some other options if you’re looking for something a little more high-end (including our favorite gun we’ve ever reviewed). Here are 2 of our favorites:

We’ve reviewed a ton of guns here…but this one might be our absolute favorite. And I’m not just talking about pistols either. Our favorite ever. As a competition and range pistol, we couldn’t find a single thing wrong with it. This is our current IPSC/3 Competition pistol, and don’t see that changing for a long time…READ MORE

As far as Glocks go, the G19 is by far the most popular option. But there’s one thing that irks us about it…It’s just barely too big for CCW purposes. Wouldn’t it be nice if they just slimmed it down a bit? Well, they did and with a few other minor changes came out with the Glock 48…READ MORE

Important Links And Manuals For Your Canik TP9SF

You can never have too much info about your firearm. That’s why we recommend checking out these handy articles on the Canik–including its user manual.

• Canik TP9SF Manual
• Canik TP9SF
• Buy This Gun If You Can’t Get a Sig Sauer or Glock
• The Canik TP9SF Pistol Among Finalists for Danish Army