First Handgun, TP9SF or PPX

[skidude7269]

Greetings everyone. I'm sure my request will generate some strong opinions but I really do need constructive advice from more experienced individuals. As the title says I am looking for my first handgun. I am no stranger to firearms but have never felt the need to own a handgun until recently. I have narrowed my selection down to two based on my own research. I am really only interested in advice regarding the models presented.

In case the title did not provide enough info the models are:
-Canik TP9SF ($298.69 online), comes with serpa style holster, paddle and belt mounts, speed loader, a second (larger) back strap, two 18 rd magazines, a cheap cleaning brush and jag/loop.
-Walther PPX ($299.89 online), comes with two 16 rd magazines.

My criteria are a budget 9mm handgun with decent capacity that I can use for home defense, open carry and concealed carry (I'm a larger individual, not too worried about concealing a handgun of this size). In case it wasn't implied I would also be spending some quality time at a range to familiarize myself, test different ammo, and develop some muscle memory.

I like the kit that comes with the Canik and the general consensus is they are decent firearms. I cannot find a single firearm that rivals its capacity without an extended magazine. However I am concerned about the availability of replacement parts in the long run.

The Walther name is obviously a huge plus. I know I can count on replacement parts being available as well as a large range of aftermarket parts.

Both offer a limited lifetime warranty against material/workmanship defects. I submitted a poll as well to capture a black and white majority opinion on these two firearms if you would be kind enough to make a selection. That is all the information I have to offer, I look forward to hearing form you folks.

 

[Pandaz3]

I voted for the Canik, I have only held one, but I liked it. The PPX is a good gun and I own two, a 9 and a 40. Both the wife and I prefer the 40, we only have 250 rounds thru the nine, but 600+ thru the forty. It is DAO which throws some people off, the trigger is not great, but not bad, just a DAO trigger. The PPX has been out several more years.
I believe the Canik is made in Turkey, they make some good guns. Hey the terrorists like them, the guy that killed the Russian Ambassador a while back used one. It is newer here, but has seen service in Turkey for a bit and is thought to be reliable.

 

[Eidolon]

Glock 19........

 

[HKS]

If you have never had a handgun then the Glock 17 is probably your best bet.

Both of these two choices (TP9SF and PPX) look like Glock striker fired clones.

The TP looks like it has a trigger safety on it and a better grip.

I am guessing that you are NOT already familiar with classic handguns like the 1911A1 then ?!

 

[skidude7269]

I have had the opportunity to handle and fire multiple pistols. This is merely the first I would be purchasing for myself and I don't have a large budget. You mentioned a 1911. Why would I want an even larger, heavier pistol with half the capacity at twice the price (or more)?

You mention the trigger safety on the Canik but don't mention anything about why it would be advantageous over the Walther's 3 internal passive safeties.

Why a glock? It is 66% more expensive and unless you intend to mod the heck out of your firearm there are few true advantages. I grant they have a reputation for reliability but they are hardly the only company that can make a reliable firearm.

 

[HKS]

I have had the opportunity to handle and fire multiple pistols. This is merely the first I would be purchasing for myself and I don't have a large budget. You mentioned a 1911. Why would I want an even larger, heavier pistol with half the capacity at twice the price (or more)?

You mention the trigger safety on the Canik but don't mention anything about why it would be advantageous over the Walther's 3 internal passive safeties.

Why a glock? It is 66% more expensive and unless you intend to mod the heck out of your firearm there are few true advantages. I grant they have a reputation for reliability but they are hardly the only company that can make a reliable firearm.

Well I am no expert at your two specific choices, sorry.

I would opt for the one with the most safeties on it. That way you are less likely to shoot yourself (unintentionally).

My first handgun was an S&W Model 59 and back in the day it was the one with the most safeties on it.

Now today it is felt that it had too many safeties on it. However when I was new with guns 40+ years ago the 59 was perfect for me.

So pick the choice that feels best in your hands and also that has the most safeties on it.

Good luck.

 

[Boomboy007]

I own the Canik TP9SA, and I have shot the Walther. While both are great budget guns, I recommend the Canik. Both point much more naturally, at least for me, than a Glock. I am also able to get a better grip on th firearm.

The biggest differentiator, IMHO, is the single action versus the double action. I much prefer a SA . Also, the trigger on the current generation is absolutely fantastic. It is much better than other pistols costing twice as much (Glock, S&W, etc.)

 

[bofh]

The Canik TP9 SF is good to go as far as reliability and usefulness goes. I haven't heard much positive or negative about the Walther PPX.

The Canik TP9 SF is made in Turkey and imported by Century Arms, while the Walther PPX is made in Germany and imported by Walther Arms. Any repair for each of these guns requires shipping them to the manufacturer as OEM parts are not widely available to customers. In contrast, Glock OEM parts are widely available to customers. Any preventative maintenance can be done by the Glock customer.

If you think that the risk for parts availability for the Canik TP9 SF is different than for the Walther PPX, then you are wrong.

 

[bofh]

About cheaping out and the the lifetime warranty thing:

 

[Apopkan2582]

You seem this you tube video?

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[bofh]

You seem this you tube video?

FYI: There are tons of people on the Internet that do "unboxing reviews" of firearms. They have close to zero credibility. The reason why I posted James Yeager's video is because he only recommends firearms that have been field tested. I don't mean firing a few hundred rounds through it at a square range in clean operating conditions, but rather a few thousand rounds up to tens of thousands in actual training classes in all kinds of operating conditions, including rain and mud.

To the OP, watch the video below!!!

Also, although you are "no stranger to firearms", that doesn't necessarily mean you know what you should know about carrying a handgun for self defense. Train at a reputable firearms training school in a defensive handgun class to find out what you should do how. Just putting rounds down range without knowing the actual training drills is senseless. It also makes you develop wrong procedures that become training scars (bad habits).

 

[skidude7269]

Let me clear up a few things.

1) I am familiar with all of the specifications of both. Don't tell me the specs, tell me why a certain feature or features would win you over.

2) Nobody mention Glock.

3) These firearms are budget, not cheap. For those not aware, the manufacturing facility where the Canik is produced is an ISO 9000 factory. Take that for what you will. The Canik is used by the Turkish police and military and I doubt they would tolerate a poorly made firearm. Canik cloned many Walther features in their TP9 models. If you want to argue that your Glock has a better fit and finish than a Walther you should probably start a new thread elsewhere. I don't dislike Glock, but I am not interested.

4) I included the information regarding the warranties as general information to better inform the forum. I would not consider purchasing either if I thought the firearm would be unreliable.

Thank you all who have replied. It would be helpful if everyone remembered to take that poll at the top.

 

[skidude7269]

FYI: There are tons of people on the Internet that do "unboxing reviews" of firearms. They have close to zero credibility. The reason why I posted James Yeager's video is because he only recommends firearms that have been field tested. I don't mean firing a few hundred rounds through it at a square range in clean operating conditions, but rather a few thousand rounds up to tens of thousands in actual training classes in all kinds of operating conditions, including rain and mud.

To the OP, watch the video below!!!

Also, although you are "no stranger to firearms", that doesn't necessarily mean you know what you should know about carrying a handgun for self defense. Train at a reputable firearms training school in a defensive handgun class to find out what you should do how. Just putting rounds down range without knowing the actual training drills is senseless. It also makes you develop wrong procedures that become training scars (bad habits).

Thanks for the advice. I will add that I came out of college with a criminal justice degree in addition to my engineering degrees. I was fortunate to have hands on firearms training provided by active law enforcement.

 

[kevinf22]

I say look into the canik tp9sf elite man. I have one and it's the best shooting gun I've ever owned and I have a glock 26 (my edc). You could probably find it for a hundred or so more than the original but if you have to go with either of those 2 I say canik. The trigger in the elite is incredible and I've shot the original canik. They both are good but the trigger on the elite is better and also it comes with warren tactical sights.


Sent from my iPhone using USA Carry

 

[bofh]

James Yeager | 1,800 Round TORTURE TEST Canik TP9 SFX!!!

As the title says, this is the Canik TP9 SFX:

 

[bofh]

Another reason for the Canik TP9SF/Elite: Link Removed

10 Apr 17

Canik TP9SF/Elite

I’ve been carrying my copy of the Canik TP9SF/Elite pistol (imported by Century Arms) for several months. I’ve used it to demonstrate techniques at a number of Courses, and my Instructors and students have shot it extensively, with all kinds of ammunition.

Frankly, there is little not to like. No hiccups. It runs and runs!

I was not sure what to think of it when I first starting using this Glock-like entry into the serious pistol market. However, it has proven itself reliable and well-suited to the task of personal protection.

One concern was the pistol’s ambidextrous, long, cantilevered slide-release levers. When operating the one on the left side of the pistol with your thumb (assuming you’re right-handed), there is no problem. We prefer racking the slide, of course, but using the lever may be necessary from time to time.

However, when a right-hander uses his right index finger (trigger finger) to push down the lever on the right side of the pistol, his finger often slides off, enters the trigger-guard, and hits the trigger! On the left side of the pistol, the thumb is too short to cause that problem.

On my copy of the Canik, I thus had my gunsmith simply remove the lever on the pistol’s right side. With it gone, that potential problem goes away!
When the Canik came to me, its sights were excellent, but needed adjusting. The wonderful gunsmiths at Gunsite Training Center performed the necessary drift for me, and sights are now dead-on.

This pistol comes with two magazines and a Serpa holster, all at a price significantly below its competitors.

Based on personal experience, the Canik TP9SF/Elite now enjoys a place on my Recommended List!

/John