Canik TP9SFX Review: Best Value $500 Handgun
The best bang-for-the-buck handgun for $500? The Canik TP9SFX is our current winner due to flat shooting, 100% reliability, and an optics-ready design.
PRS/NRL22/Brutality/2-Gun Competitor. Career firearms writer. Former Boy Scout
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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.
Table of Contents
Canik TP9SFX Review at a Glance
Pros
Cons
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
Features
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!