Canik Mete SFT Handgun Evaluation :: Weapons.com

Fast Canik Historical past

The orginal TP9SA, left, subsequent to the Mete SFT. I might say they’ve strikingly totally different profiles and options. The Mete on the suitable actually boasts loads of upgrades. Word the black space on the again of the TP9SA simply in entrance of the sight. That may be a decocker on a single-action-only pistol – not nice in my humble opinion. Nonetheless, it does shoot very effectively. (Picture: Paul Peterson/Weapons.com)

OK, full confession, I’ve been an enormous fan of the Canik TP9 line ever since I shot my first one in 2015. It’s largely a Walther P99 clone, but I truthfully couldn’t consider a gun at that value vary carried out prefer it did for me on the vary.

Based mostly in Turkey, Canik started importing its first weapons into the U.S. in partnership with Century Arms. A few of Canik’s earliest weapons had been double-action/single-action affairs with considerably nasty, gritty triggers. Then Canik rolled out its TP9SA, which had a single-action-only set off that was a dream in comparison with the unique.

Nevertheless it had one main flaw. On high of the slide, there was a very pointless decocker left over from the unique double-action/single-action TP9. If hit, it left the pistol as lifeless as a fish within the Sahara Desert. Canik rapidly fastened this with its subsequent technology, the TP9SF.

Canik Pistols — Clearly the Mete on the left and the TP9 on the suitable are associated, however I wager Canik would declare that evolution has occurred. (Picture: Paul Peterson/Weapons.com)

The TP9 sequence has since moved on to supply all the pieces from tactical choices to pistols for hid carry and competitors. Providing dependable weapons with a pleasant set off at a cut price value gained Canik a foothold within the crowded U.S. handgun market.

Now Meet the Mete

Canik Mete SFT Pistol — There’s quite a bit happening within the improved exterior options of the gun, from the grip texture to the undercuts on the again and the entrance of the set off guard. I had not even thought of that final one as an choice earlier than. The Mete has an extra undercut on the entrance of the set off guard for many who run their support-hand finger in entrance for the set off guard. (Picture: Paul Peterson/Weapons.com)

Canik’s Mete line boasts the daring tagline, “The Evolution of Superiority!” The corporate absolutely acknowledges that the Mete (pronounced “Met-Ay” in the event you had been questioning) builds off the TP9 household whereas providing a extra refined finish product. Principally, there’s a bunch of exterior and inner upgrades over the blockier TP9 sequence that we’ll dig into within the specs later.

Maybe simply as noteworthy because the upgrades was the velocity at which Canik rolled out new fashions. The Mete launched in August 2021, but it surely already has no less than six distinctive fashions in early 2023. The Mete we now have readily available right this moment is definitely a Mete SFT, my very own private firearm. Different flavors embody the usual Mete SF together with the extra competition-ready Mete SFx and SFx Pro.

Little doubt that checklist will develop. Actually, the newest member of the Mete household is the compact MC9 that simply hit the scene in January. It joins the already fashionable TP9 Elite SC to make up Canik’s hid carry choices.

My SFT falls between a Glock 19 and a Glock 17 for dimension. That’s a bit massive for what most individuals need for a hid carry gun, however I’ve finished it comfortably in an appendix IWB holster. Regardless, I’m excited in regards to the a lot smaller MC9.

Specs & Options

Some corporations roll out new fashions or gun traces yearly that appear, effectively, underwhelmingly totally different from the earlier mannequin. The Mete is an exception. The heart could also be much like a TP9, however the adjustments are many and noticeable to the shooter.

Oddly, Canik’s personal web site claims the “exterior adjustments are delicate however are immediately recognizable when dealing with the firearm.” I half disagree. I rapidly observed the variations. The corporate contains an integrally flared journal effectively, improved texturing on the entrance of the grip, redesigned beavertail, and double-undercut set off guard.

Different adjustments embody a low-profile, ambi slide cease. I actually favored this on the vary. A few of the ambi TP9 slide stops had been annoyingly massive and really impeded my grip. The rear sight can be angled ahead in the event you wanted to rack the slide with only one hand. Canik even modified the interior push pins for simpler disassembly of the interior elements.

Lastly, following the pattern of purple dots on pistols, the Mete slide contains a lower to just accept micro optics with the Trijicon RMRcc and Defend RMS/RMSc footprint. I’ve not examined this selection but, as a result of I’m nonetheless caught within the iron-sight age. Regular white metallic three-dot iron sights come normal.

The gun ships with one 18-round journal and an extra 20-rounder. There’s a Picatinny rail up entrance, a loaded indicator on high, and a cocked indicator on the rear. For the lefties on the market, the journal launch will not be ambi, however you may swap it to the opposite facet.

Right here’s a rundown of the Mete SFT specs by the numbers:

Size: 7.5 inches
Top: 5.73 inches
Width: 1.4 inches
Barrel Size: 4.46 inches
Weight: 1.76 kilos
Set off Pull: 3.75 kilos (10-pull common)

I discovered the set off to be excellent, particularly in a manufacturing gun. There may be a few quarter inch of sunshine however noticeable take-up. After that, you’re principally on the wall, and the break is crisp and clear. The reset is simply an eighth of an inch, optimistic, and quick. You possibly can run this gun quick if you would like.

The grip texture was additionally near my “Goldilocks zone” for manufacturing grips. It’s optimistic and gritty, however not a lot in order that it wears on my palms over time or snags my calluses. That texturing is just on the facet panels and the entrance. The again strap merely options raised bumps with a pronounced hump. I discovered the angled entrance and rear slide serrations to be enough, although the rear ones are a bit shallow if I’m being choosy.

Sights are fundamental, however they work. If you wish to substitute them with one thing like night time sights, Canik does provide them, and several other producers make Canik-specific sights. I’m not sure about cross-compatibility with different manufacturers for the Mete line.

Taking pictures & Accuracy

Enhancements are solely enhancements in the event that they work. For essentially the most half, the Mete’s upgrades had been noticeable on the vary. The integrally flared magwell does assist with fast loading and locks your hand in properly. Including the metallic adapter actually makes loading and locking in your hand straightforward.

I discovered myself by chance driving the bigger slide stops on a few of the Canik TP9 pistols, however that was not a difficulty with the Mete. The journal launch was additionally very straightforward to succeed in, which was appreciated as a result of I rolled into my first vary session with 4 18-round mags and two 20-round mags able to rock.

I’m sitting north of 600 rounds by way of this gun to this point. The majority of that was a mixture of 115-grain Federal American Eagle and Syntech vary ammo, in addition to 115-grain Remington Range, Blazer, and BCC Adrenaline. I did additionally blow by way of 100 rounds of 124-grain SIG Elite Performance hollow-point ammo, a field of 115-grain steel-case Tula, and an equal quantity of low cost factory-reloaded brass. I by no means actually questioned reliability, which proved to be nice. My first TP9 went years with out a difficulty, and that was a defective primer.

As for accuracy, it did take me a magazine or two to get a really feel for the gun. Actually, I’m not accustomed to good triggers. I usually discover myself taking pictures manufacturing triggers which are sensible however not spectacular. The Mete set off is mild, crisp, and quick for a manufacturing gun. It tended to shock me a bit at first when it went bang with so little effort. However at 25 toes on my first vary go to, teams of 1-2 inches had been showing on paper. I may inform after I rushed based mostly on the fliers.

The ergonomics of the grip and grip angle assist with that. I discover the massive hump on the middle of the backstrap simply sits in my hand effectively and makes it straightforward to return to my level of goal. The sights, alternatively, are simply tremendous. There’s nothing particular in regards to the three dots, however the sights are raised to co-witness with no less than some dots available on the market. As a primarily iron-sight shooter, I truly discover {that a} bit annoying, however I perceive the aim.

If something, I might have anticipated to shoot higher with the Mete. My first few outings with a Canik TP9SA had me taking pictures fist-sized teams at 25 yards. I feel I could have acquired some coaching scars over time that must be addressed. At 25 yards with the Mete, I used to be taking pictures teams that had been extra like 5 to 7 inches with an honest quantity of effort.