Canik METE Series Pistols: Is the hype justified?
Updated: Oct 12, 2022
"Canik? Never heard of them."
If Canik is unfamiliar to you, you're not alone. They're a relatively new player in the firearms industry, having released their first gun, the TP9 pistol, in 2012. The Turkish company, named after a nearby mountain, has roots in the aerospace defense industry. They've been a notable contributor in that field for over twenty years.
Canik's reputation and expertise in the aerospace arena forged partnerships with well-known companies such as Airbus, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin. These relationships resulted in creating a high-quality polymer that Canik uses to build their pistol frames. In 2012, Canik partnered with U.S.-based Century Arms to bring their TP series pistols to American consumers. The company quickly became a popular topic of conversation amongst gun enthusiasts. Canik was recently named Editor's Choice for Versatile/Value Pistol by Ballistic Magazine. Their innovative approach to product design, combined with world-class engineering, has led to the rapid development of an impressive handgun lineup.
Introducing the METE Series
Canik enjoyed tremendous success with their TP series pistols, which Turkish Law Enforcement agencies widely adopted. But they weren't satisfied. Just six years after the TP pistols hit the market, Canik changed the game with the release of The Canik METE Series Pistols - "The Evolution of Superiority."
Years of exhaustive testing combined with valued feedback from talented engineers and customer input led to the first two pistols released in the METE series;
the Mete SFT
the Mete SFX
Features
Though the SFT and SFX have a lot in common, the most noticeable difference pertains to size. The METE SFT has a 4.47-inch barrel, while the METE SFX features a half-inch longer slide and a 5.2-inch barrel. The SFX is geared more toward competitive shooting applications.
Easy in/out push pins for simple, modular disassembly
Co-Witness optics ready slide cut - accepts the Trijicon RMRcc and Shield RMS/RMSc micro optics footprint
Redesigned beavertail for added comfort and better ergonomics
Aggressive texturing for a better grip with increased stability
Integrally flared mag-well for a better grip and seamless reloading
The slide featured on colored models has a heavy-duty Tungsten-Grey Cerakote
Low profile ambidextrous slide stop levers
3-Dot white sights
Angled rear sight edge for different situations, such as emergency one-handed operation
Undercut trigger guard for a secure support hand
Holster Fit-and-Lock for improved retention
Short reset Single-Action trigger design
Nickel-coated action components
1913 Picatinny rail on the underside of the barrel
An indicator showing a loaded chamber
Side reversible magazine catch
Alternate backstraps for a custom fit
Other Features
Integrated flared mag well
Aggressive 360° grip texture
Match-grade barrel
Low Profile Ambidextrous Slide Stop Release
Concave Double Undercut Trigger Guard
Co-Witness Optics Ready Slide Cut
Specifications
The METE SFT
FRONT SIGHT - White Dot
CARTRIDGE - 9mm Luger
MAGAZINE TYPE - Canik Full Size Magazine
REAR SIGHT - White Dot
FINISH COLOR - Black Slide, FDE Frame
ACTION TYPE - Semi-Automatic
FRAME MATERIAL - Synthetic
OVERALL LENGTH - 7.56"
HEIGHT - 5.72"
WIDTH - 1.41"
MADE IN TURKEY
The METE SFX
WEIGHT - 1.88 lbs
FRONT SIGHT - White Dot
CARTRIDGE - 9mm Luger
MAGAZINE TYPE - Canik Full Size Magazine
REAR SIGHT - White Dot
FINISH COLOR - Black Slide, FDE Frame
ACTION TYPE - Semi-Automatic
FRAME MATERIAL - Synthetic
OVERALL LENGTH - 8.29"
HEIGHT - 5.75"
WIDTH - 1.41"
MADE IN TURKEY
Source: Canik Product Page
How Much Do They Cost?
Canik is known for creating high-quality handguns at affordable prices. Their aggressive pricing strategy stems from the fact that Canik is relatively unknown and thus can't (yet) charge the brand name premium that other manufacturers do. We fully expect the cost of Caniks to rise over the next few years. That being said, current pricing for the METE series is as follows:
*Founders Tactical sells the entire METE lineup!*
What's Included?
Each METE series pistol comes standard with the following:
A hard case
One 18-round magazine and one 20-round magazine
Magazine E-Z loader
Speed mag-well
Two optics plates
Reversible IWB/OWB holster
Extra back strap
Canik punch and toolkit
Cleaning kit
Trigger lock
Product Manual
Reasons to Buy a Canik METE Pistol
If you're not convinced yet, here's a list of reasons why we recommend the METE to our customers:
1) Modularity
It's essential to tailor a pistol to your specific demands, whether for competition or concealed carry. The Canik METE SFX and METE SFT come with various back strap sizes, magazine release sizes, adjustable fiber-optic sights, and optic plates to accommodate most red-dot optics. You can quickly customize the handgun to your liking in just minutes.
2) Affordability
The Canik METE SFX has an MSRP of $574.99, while the METE SFT has an MSRP of $524.99. That might sound high compared to other polymer handguns, but consider everything the METE comes with. Also, consider the incremental cost you would incur to upgrade an alternative pistol to be as feature-rich as the METE. A stock METE pistol has everything you need to shoot competitively right out of the box.
3) All-in-one Package
All METE pistols come with a sturdy case, one 18-round magazine and one 20-round magazine, a magazine E-Z loader, a mag-well, an extra back strap, two optics plates, a reversible IWB/OWB holster, a Canik punch and toolkit, a cleaning kit, a trigger lock, and a product manual. Many Canik accessories, including barrels, are compatible between the TP and Mete series, except for the Mete SFX barrel, which has been extended to 5.2" for increased accuracy and velocity.
Conclusion
Is the hype worth it? We think so. Canik offers an impressive product lineup and is dedicated to making its mark on the industry. Their guns function reliably and provide tremendous value for an affordable price. When you're ready to buy your first (or next) METE or any other firearm, please visit us at Founders Tactical.
Founders Tactical is committed to protecting your Second Amendment rights. We demonstrate that by donating 10% of our annual profits to gun advocacy organizations such as the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and Gun Owners of America (GOA). We'd be honored to earn your business. Give us a call/text anytime at (315) 927-1776, or email us at sales@founderstactical.com.
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