Century Arms has certainly kept us busy with the TP9 line of handguns. These guns are made by respected Canik and borrow in design from Walther. Like the CZ-inspired designs imported by TriStar Arms, Canik’s TP9 series carefully features just enough differences to keep them from being a complete clone. While some may scoff this “highest form of flattery” others enjoy it. As a dedicated Walther fan but I see both sides in the Tp9 line. I see it like as I listen to a tribute band. No, the lead singer does not have the same voice, nor does the guitar’s tune ring the same. Regardless the music is enjoyable and often times tribute bands offer a different twist that satisfies the ears in another way.
On to the actual gun in question. The Canik TP9 DA is a single-action / double-action striker-fired and polymer framed gun offered in 9mm. Like the Walther P99 the TP9 DA offers three trigger modes. This feature proved a bit overwhelming for the American market when the first introduced more than two decades ago. With handgun ownership at record levels and the information age abound I’m hoping this time it can catch on.
Single Action with Anti-Stress: Having loaded a round this is the default and also happens after firing if the trigger is released completely. The trigger pull is long like a double action, but with less resistance. The first half of the pull has very little resistance until an audible and tactile click. After this click the rest of the pull is traditional single-action. The intent of the first “anti stress” part is to serve as a mental and physical step before firing the gun. The action is the same as firing, but the click gives both warning and pause. I like this as it is a chance to reconsider the shot or safety in case of stress twitch, tripping, or being startled during the process of preparing a shot.
Single Action: Standard shorter and lighter pull with a break at the very end and minimal over travel. If the trigger is trapped to the rear through the cycling of the gun the trigger resets after minimal travel. If released after trapping it will go to the half-way point just after the anti stress.
Double Action: On top of the slide there is a button which safely decocks the pistol. This is uncommon in striker-fired guns. The trigger pops all the way forward and pull will be heavier. After firing the gun of course resorts to single action unless the button is pressed again. Should you want to rearm the pistol the slide need merely be moved about 1/4″ to the rear. Impressively the pistol can be recocked without ejecting a chambered round or picking up the next one from the magazine.
By the numbers: (as always taken directly from the product website )
• Comes with industry standard dovetail sight cuts that are compatible with a large variety of aftermarket sights
• Warren Tactical sights with dot front sight
• Match grade barrel
• Top-slide-mounted disassembly button
• Loaded chamber indicator
• Striker status indicator
• Improved single action trigger
• Reversible magazine catch
• MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail
• Comes with two 18 rd. mags, a holster, interchangeable backstraps, cleaning rod, brush and a limited lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
• Barrel: 4.07″, Overall: 7.16″, Weight: 1.73 lbs. unloaded
On the range it performed very well. The Canik TP9 DA from Century Arms proved to be omnivorous and accurate.
