Canik TP 9 Elite Combat Review - Is It Worth to Try?

Introduction

Only one thing could happen when Salient Arms and Canik joined forces a few years ago. The TP9 Elite Combat was born, with the mission of changing self-defense handguns forever.

Canik’s reputation for reliability and durability has been growing consistently. But when they decided to release the TP9 Elite Combat, they knew they had to come up with something extra special to appeal to people interested in self-defense handguns.

So Canik went for both self-defense and tactical level.

Indeed, the TP9 Elite Combat is the ultimate Canik, a NATO-approved firearm for military use. The Salient Arms Barrel and extra features make it one of the most reliable handguns on the market for the price.

TP9 Elite Combat matches any premium-grade firearm. None of the usual big names for tactical shooting, like Sigs and Glocks, has a pistol of this quality without being so expensive.

If you thought that Caniks were just for competitive shooting, you are in for a surprise. In this review of the TP9 Elite Combat, we will explain how Canik can take over the tactical and self-defense segments.

So, let's get it on.

Overview of the Canik TP 9 Elite Combat

The TP 9 Elite Combat is a striker-fired compact pistol chambered in 9mm. Canik partnered with Salient Arms to design a pistol that meets the rigorous demands of tactical and self-defense shooters.

Salient Arms is known for their high-end Glock upgrades. For the Canik TP 9 Elite Combat, they introduced several impressive features that make it one of the best self-defense handguns out of the box.

These Salient Arms-made features include:

• Threaded match-grade barrel
• Fiber optic front sight
• Aluminium magazine well
• Flat-Face aluminum trigger

The result? The TP9 Elite Combat can withstand an impressive 50,000 rounds, passing stringent reliability and durability checks typically reserved for the usual big names in the industry. And this is not just a claim; it’s NATO-approved, which speaks volumes about its performance.

Specifications

To give you a clear picture of what the Canik TP 9 Elite Combat offers, here are its technical specifications:

Features of the Canik TP 9 Elite Combat

Build Quality and Design

As you already know, the TP 9 Elite Combat stands out with its fluted match-grade barrel, designed by Salient Arms. This feature alone makes it a favorite for those seeking their next tactical handgun.

The fiber optic front sight is also from Salient Arms. With it, the TP 9 Elite Combat offers fast target acquisition, ensuring you stay on point.

Another notable feature is the loaded chamber indicator, which adds an extra layer of safety. Some people don’t like it, but here at 45 Blast, we always highlight how important staying safe is.

Another cool aspect of the TP 9 Elite Combat is how easy it is to assemble and disassemble. You don’t need any gunsmith skills here, maintenance is straightforward and stress-free.

Materials used

Let’s take a look at the materials that make the TP 9 Elite Combat such a great gun for tactical and self-defense. The PVD-coated barrel adds to its durability and also gives it a distinctive gold finish. You get both, a reliable and cool-looking handgun.

This Canik TP 9 Elite Combat also features a robust polymer frame, ensuring a lightweight yet sturdy build. The aluminum magazine well and flat-faced trigger, both crafted by Salient Arms, add to this durable, reliable feel.

Ergonomics and handling

In terms of ergonomics, the TP 9 Elite Combat has a shorter grip, providing a compact feel that many users appreciate. The ambidextrous slide release is a cool feature, convenient for both left and right-handed shooters.

Unlike other Caniks, here we have a flat-faced trigger, which is another highlight from Salient Arms. It’s crisp and clean, with a 3.5-pound pull and a short reset. Canik pistols are known for great triggers, and this one is no exception.

Performance and Accuracy

The TP 9 Elite Combat is one of the best-performing self-defense handguns. Its match-grade barrel ensures pinpoint accuracy, perfect for any tactical and competitive shooting scenario. 

Even though the TP 9 Elite Combat offers great accuracy, we have a secret tip to take this handgun to the next level. Let’s have a look at all that we can add to this already great-performing self-defense handgun.

Canik SFx TP9 Elite Combat Accessories

Compensators

The 45 Blast TP9 Elite Combat compensator is a key highlight add-on. When we designed it, we didn’t want it to feel like an afterthought. We knew we had to make a great American-made comp, crafted from high-quality aluminum.

The 45 Blast TP9 Elite Combat comp reduces recoil by an impressive 60-80%. Combine this with the Salient Arms threaded match-grade barrel and trigger. Now, this is the ultimate Canik handgun.

Magazine

The TP9 Elite Combat comes equipped with a 15-round magazine and a 15+3 extended magazine. This setup provides exactly what you need for rapid-fire sequences, ensuring you have ample ammunition for any situation.

Holster

The TP9 Elite Combat includes a decent holster, but if you’re looking for an upgrade, we have you covered. Our 45 Blast Kydex Holster is high-quality, comfortable, and safe, providing a perfect fit for your TP9 Elite Combat.

Red Dot Sights & Reflex

The sights on this gun are great. You get steel on the back, and a Salient Arms Fiber optics on the front.  Said this, the TP9 Elite Combat comes optics-ready, so you can easily add a red dot or reflex sight.

Performance in Different Scenarios

Competitive Shooting

The TP9 Elite Combat is an excellent choice for competitive shooting, thanks to several key features that enhance its performance in this demanding environment.

The short reset on the trigger makes it easy to increase the rate of fire. This gun can run faster than your average, which is a significant advantage when you’re on the clock.

The Salient Arms match-grade barrel is an accuracy and performance booster, we know that. But there is another interesting detail about this: The high bore axis of the TP9 Elite Combat ensures a shorter front sight return to the target.

For open-division shooters, versatility is another major advantage of the TP9 Elite Combat. This handgun already comes with some interesting add-ons right out of the box, and you can also add a wide range of accessories.

Self-Defense Use

As we said earlier, the TP9 Elite Combat is a NATO-approved firearm. If it is suitable for military use, then it’s suitable for self-defense. Its solid construction and high-quality materials make it a dependable choice, reliable in any situation.

Now, let's talk about concealed carry. Sure, the TP9 Elite Combat is larger than some of those tiny concealable guns, but here's the thing: smaller guns can be tough to manage, especially when you're under stress. Also, it is important to note that most shooters don’t practice with their concealed carry often.

The TP9 gives you a good balance—it's still concealable, but it's also more shootable. Just like in competitive shooting, the same thing is key in self-defense. You know what that is?

To get those solid, rapid hits that can make all the difference.

Pros and Cons of the Canik TP 9 Elite Combat

The pros of the TP 9 Elite Combat are its high accuracy and versatility, all for a reasonable price. Thanks to its match-grade barrel and ergonomic design, this pistol consistently delivers precise shots.

Despite offering features often found in more expensive handguns, the TP 9 Elite Combat is reasonably priced. At around $600 MSRP, it provides excellent value for money, making high-quality performance accessible to a broader range of shooters.

Let’s talk about the potential drawbacks of this pistol. For shooters who like to do press checks, the TP 9 Elite Combat's front serrations might feel a bit small. While they are functional, it all depends on what you prefer.

Additionally, despite its balance of size and shooting ability, some may still opt for smaller guns for concealed carry.

User Testimonials and Expert Opinions

As the Canik community continues growing, the TP9 Elite Combat has become one of the hottest topics lately. One of the gun community’s top reviewers had a clear bottom line:

“It was great to check out the TP9 Elite Combat, especially with Salient Arms jumping on board. With all the features this has, and the price coming in at around the $650 or so range, this is going to be a difficult gun to beat.”

Many shooters are excited about this Canik, as we can read:

“They are now a NATO-approved supplier if that tells you anything. High quality, low price, what’s not to like about the TP9 Elite Combat?”

One of our favorite reviews about the TP9 Elite Combat put this gun to the test. Shooting with both hands, one hand shooting left, then right hand, about 250 rounds, run the gun slow, run the gun fast. The final verdict:

“I am super impressed with this gun. I would still recommend this for everyday carry. The trigger is phenomenal, extremely accurate.”

But the best comment came from social media when a customer reviewed this gun with our comp:

“I love the TP9 Elite Combat. Nice grip. Nice feel. And the 45 Blast compensator keeps the weight down in the front, so boom.” You know, it’s good to know that we are on the right track, so we always thank our community for sharing!

Comparison with Similar Handguns

How does the TP9 Elite Combat stand when compared to other similar self-defense guns, like the Glock 19 and Sig P320?

When compared to the Glock 19, the TP9 Elite Combat offers superior trigger and accuracy features right out of the box. As usual, the Glock 19 is priced significantly higher than the Canik, while not offering as many advanced features.

The Sig Sauer P320 is a favorite, known for its great modularity. However, the Canik TP9 Elite Combat offers way better value for money. While the P320 requires additional investment to match the features of the TP9, the Canik includes these at a lower overall cost.

In summary, both the Glock 19 and Sig P320 are excellent handguns. But why spend so much on these—and the upgrades!—when the TP9 Elite Combat delivers superior out-of-the-box features, affordability, and performance?

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Canik TP9 Elite Combat stands out as a top-tier choice for both tactical and self-defense purposes. Its high accuracy, superior trigger, and robust build quality make it a reliable and effective firearm. You can’t go wrong with a NATO-approved firearm.

The TP9 Elite Combat's affordability, combined with its advanced features and performance, offers exceptional value for money. Its versatility, ease of use, and impressive performance make it the new go-to option for self-defense handguns.

If you are looking for that extra accuracy edge in your pistol, we encourage you to explore our complete lineup of Canik compensators at 45 Blast. As we way in the 45 Blast club: Stay Sharp.