Mine Now: Canik TP9 Elite SC

[GarandTd]

I brought home a Canik TP9 Elite SC the other day. I like it. I wanted a 9mm small enough to carry, but big enough to enjoy at the range. I was warned that this pistol is wide and heavy, It is, but I am not deterred easily.

I've had it to the range once, but didn't have much time, so I've only put 40 rounds down the barrel. All I have right now is Federal 115gr fmj. It functioned without issue. I was shooting a tad low and left, but I believe that to be my fault, not the gun.

The pistol seems well made. The internal parts look robust and all of them are either nitride or nickel plated. The slide is tungsten Cerakote over nitride. The barrel is also nitride. I like the holster, although I'll probably replace the plastic belt clips with metal ones. I'll definitely need to invest in a good belt to support the weight.

I'm looking forward to getting out to the range again with it.

 

[GarandTd]

Pictured below are 2 paper plates. The left plate was the 12 round magazine shot slow offhand at 10 yards. This was the 1st shots out of the gun besides factory test firing. The right plate represents the 15 round mag shot in the same fashion at 15 yards. Last mag was loaded with 12 plus one in the chamber. That was shot at clay targets at varying distance. These were the 1st 40 rounds.

This pistol represents a number of firsts for me. We're going to need to get better acquainted. 1st striker fired handgun, 1st trigger blade safety, 1st square trigger guard, to name a few.

 

[PSP]

I've been on the lookout for one of these myself. Put a small optic on it and you'll be amazed at how it impacts your shooting. I have a sfx with optic that I absolutely love. Very nice guns. Enjoy.

 

[GarandTd]

Thank you, PSP. My LGS had a couple in stock. It'll probably be a little while before I invest in an optic, but it is something I'm interested in. I have an optic on a Ruger 22 and I love it.

 

[wild cat mccane]

You can't see nitride. What you are seeing is the cerokote has worn off--one of my big issues with the Caniks. If it is has a nitride treatment, it isn't an issue though. Nitride provides the real protection, not the visible coating.

Looks nice. Congrats.

 

[tallball]

Congratulations! I have one too. It's excellent. You'll enjoy shooting yours.

 

[GarandTd]

Looks nice. Congrats.

Thank you.

you can't see nitride. What you are seeing is the Cerakote has worn off-...

The out side of the slide is Cerakoted. The underside/inside of the slide is not. Canik describes the finish as Cerakote over nitride. I have no reason not to believe this to be true. I agree that Cerakote, by itself is paint. I haven't seen any signs of wear in the Cerakote yet, it's new. If/when it does wear, I have nitride underneath. Maybe I can't see nitride, but the treatments on this pistol that are advertised as nitride look just like the nitride barrel on my AR. I can live with that. I like the finish.

It's dark, but some internals.

 

[GarandTd]

Thank you, tallball. I'm sure I will.

 

[GarandTd]

Had the Canik out again for a bit today. Put another 40 rounds through it. Still shooting a little low and left. Still think it's me that's the problem. Still like the pistol. Mags drop free, 115 gr works fine, no feeding, extraction or ejection problems. 12 round mag is easy to load. 15 rounder takes a little more effort.

Clockwise from top left; 12 rounds offhand at 10 yds, 15 rounds offhand at 15 yds, 12+1 rounds at 50 yds crudely rested. Edit:the 10 and 15 yard targets were probably a little further. It was 10 and 15 paces from the target board at the 50 yard range. (25yd range was occupied)

 

[Eddiejoe]

Congratulations Sir! Width and weight will help soak up the recoil!

 

[GarandTd]

Thanks, Eddiejoe. It shoots like a full size.

 

[GarandTd]

I'm thinking my low left issue is grip. Made some progress, today, but still working on it.

 

[GarandTd]

Hit the 200 round mark today. No failures with 115gr Federal fmj. I'm figuring out the grip and my POA/POI. Seems with the right grip, intense concentration, and a 12-o-clock hold, this pistol hits where I want...mostly.

Targets pictured below all shot offhand at 10 yards, slow, in numerical order. #1 was 10 rounds, #2-5 were 5 rounds, and 6 was 2 left over rounds. #4 was the best.

 

[GarandTd]

I had to contact Century Arms today. I noticed silver flakes in the slide and in the frame after field stripping. After further investigation, I found the culprit. The nickel plating on the striker was flaking off.

While nobody wants to have a problem with a new firearm, it happens with all makes and models. Some good customer service goes a long way in these situations. I emailed Century this morning and they responded this afternoon. They are sending me a new striker assembly under warranty. Sam, the CS rep that handled my request was courteous and prompt with his/her responses. I am happy with the service.

 

[GarandTd]

I received an email this afternoon with a tracking number for my new striker assembly. FedEx states delivery by 8pm tomorrow night. That amounts to 5 days from 1st contact with Century Arms to parts at my door. I think that's pretty good.

 

[Rangerrich99]

Just curious, but can you ballpark what it cost? Between $400-$500? or whatever?

Just asking because last weekend the LGS had a similar Canik, albeit a bit longer barrel (4-inch, I think) and they wanted $700+ for it.

 

[wild cat mccane]

There is an "executive" model of the TP9 that is 700 dollars...

https://www.centuryarms.com/tp9-elite-combat-executive.html

 

[Rangerrich99]

Maybe that's what I saw. I only got a couple seconds to look at it from 6-8 feet away, so I couldn't see the exact particulars.

 

[GarandTd]

$399+tax. They were a little less pre-Covid, but not much.

 

[GarandTd]

The TP9 Elite is Glock 19 sized, but it should be under $400.