Canik METE SFX 9mm

Among the more pleasant surprises of the past decade have been the 9mm pistols from Canik. Striker fired and polymer framed the Canik line is set apart by their attention to detail, quality manufacture, and affordability. Canik handguns have proven more accurate than expected. They feature good ergonomics and are built upon proven engineering standards. Among the most useful of the line is the METE SFX. This is a pistol that may defend the home or person, serve for recreational shooting, and allow the shooter to engage in IPSC or IDPA shooting. 

The pistol illustrated is a flat dark earth pistol with a coated stainless steel slide. The pistol is supplied with a 18 and 20 round magazine. These magazines have proven feed reliable and robust in long use. My pistol is one of the popular package deals with a mounted MECANIK red dot sight, a tool set, spare optics mounts, and an inexpensive holster. The sights of the METE SFX are high visibility types that co witness with the red dot. This is a long slide pistol by most definitions with a slide featuring lightening cuts to keep weight down. The barrel is 5.24 inches. This barrel length will develop good velocity from 9mm Luger or 9mm +P ammunition. Remarkably the pistol is a light kicker even with the heaviest loads. Like most striker fired handguns the only safety is a blade type safety set into the trigger face. Keep your finger off the trigger until you fire and this safety is all that is needed. The trigger is controllable in both precision fire and rapid fire. There is some slack to be taken up in the trigger and then you meet pressure referred to as a wall. Keep applying pressure and the trigger breaks at a clean crisp 4.0 pounds in my example. Trigger reset is rapid. This trigger action is one of the primary advantages of the pistol and one reason the handgun shoots so well. Good barrel fitting and natural balance are other reasons the pistol shoots well. The slide lock is positive in operation and the magazine release operates quickly. A slightly enlarged magazine well allows for real speed in reloading the pistol. A nice bonus is a mini tool kit included in a small replica of a Canik pistol. The pistol features a light rail. For home defense simply add the Streamlight combat light you prefer. 

Firing Tests

Since this Canik is a new handgun for me I took time to do an extensive firing test. I was pleased to find the MECANIK red dot sight properly sighted from the factory. The sight is dead on the mark at 25 yards which results in the bullet striking about 1.5 inches low at 7 yards. This is ideal for personal defense and competition use. The pistol was properly lubricated. I lined up a good supply of Black Hills Ammunition. This is premium ammunition painstakingly developed and manufactured. Most of the ammunition fired was 115 grain FMJ. I also used the 124 grain JHP and 115 grain JHP +P. This is a good range of weight and velocity to test a handgun. Results were good. The pistol is docile, a light kicker for a 9mm. Fast defensive shooting proved the pistol is capable of delivering fast hits. I used a bulls eye target to test 25 yard accuracy. Firing offhand the Canik responds well to a trained shooter. Firing from a solid seated benchrest firing position I fired several 5 shot groups under controlled conditions striving for the best possible results. The single best result was a five shot group measuring 1.5 inch with the Black Hills Ammunition 124 grain JHP. This is extraordinary accuracy for a striker fired 9mm. This is a combination well suited to defense and competition use. There were no failures to feed, chamber, fire or eject.

Holsters 

All told Falco offers some 400 possible combinations of holsters for Canik handguns. I first tested the pistol with one of the larger fabric holsters intended for use with a combat light. This is an affordable useful holster that allows the use of several handguns with a single holster. The Airflow holster is well designed and executed. A strong steel belt clip keeps the holstered handgun secure during movement. If like myself you test numerous firearms and need a versatile holster this is the Falco for you. Among my favorite holsters for any pistol is the Falco A911 Talonguard, a hybrid type with both leather and Kydex construction. This inside the waistband concealed carry holster represents a huge step in keeping the pistol secure, retaining a sharp draw, and in accepting a combat light. Appendix holsters are not easy to design properly. The Talonguard features a stabilizing hook know simply as a foot. This foot prevents rollout when the holster is worn appendix style. Rollout is when the handle tilts outward. This adversely affects comfort and concealment. The foot may be removed for behind the hip inside the waistband carry.  Falco’s hybrid craftsmanship is unrivaled. I also tested the a C915 strong side belt holster. This holster is ideal for use when you may wear a covering garment. It is also a great holster for use in week end competitions such as IDPA or IPSC. These are just a few of the versatile holsters available from Canik handguns- and many other handguns. Good luck with your Canik pistols- I don’t think you will be disappointed.