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Canik is back, and it has released a new model in the METE series called the MC9 PRIME. What makes this new Canik so different and special, you ask? The MC9 PRIME is different from other Canik models because this one is made right here in ‘MURICA!
That’s right. What was once just a Turkish import from Century Arms has grown into such a popular brand of pistol that it has moved its operation to the US. The company is now manufacturing Canik pistols in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Canik is now made in the USA by Americans, for Americans. And despite releasing its first US-made heater, the company did NOT jack up the price. At an MSRP of $649.99, it’s comparable to other large recognizable firearms brands.
Canik has been around for a long time. It was once a kind of “knock-off” of the Walther P-99 in the day. Then Century Arms brought on some serious talent who know the firearms industry inside and out. As a result, Canik’s took on a life of their own.
New out of the box, I’ve had more fun with a Canik than a Glock, and that’s saying something. Canik has been actively listening to customers and their input, and it shows! I’ve been lucky enough to test and evaluate most of the new Caniks that have been released, especially the METE series of pistols from Canik.
I’m not a brand loyalist to any brand and always strive to remain objective. It’s just interesting watching certain firearms brands and how they operate. Some manufacturers make cool products but use their US customer base as guinea pigs. We are all familiar with these companies due to their numerous product recalls.
Canik is thus far different in that it is one of those companies that actively listens to its customer base. Correspondingly, the company gives them what they want—a reliable pistol that is also affordable and loaded with features not often found on competitor models.
Enter the Canik METE MC9 PRIME! This pistol is loaded with great features. Despite its 3.64-inch length barrel, it’s surprisingly easy on the recoil. This is due to the Canik METE MC9 PRIME having a four-sided fluted barrel. Not to mention, an enhanced compensated barrel and slide with an integrated expansion chamber.
In layman’s terms, the barrel and slide are ported. This reduces muzzle rise significantly, allowing for faster follow-up shots with improved accuracy.
Canik added a new full grip surface stippling and increased the texture on the front and rear of the grip. The company made the magazine well with a lower profile while also adding a textured magazine baseplate. This is great for minimizing the profile and aiding in speedier magazine changes.
Have you seen the trigger on the MC9 PRIME? It’s got a flat face with a 90-degree break. It almost feels like a fine 2-stage trigger in a pistol.
The trigger guard has been slightly enlarged and features a double undercut for a more secure grip overall. The slide stop is now just a hair bigger, which is perfect. The previous models of this line, such as the MC9L and MC9LS, are fantastic pistols. However, the slide stop was slightly thinner, making it a bit more difficult for me to actuate as a Southpaw.
That said, this is not the case with the Canik METE MC9 PRIME. The ambidextrous slide stop lever is perfect on this model. In my opinion, ALL Canik METE models should have this same slide stop lever from the factory.
I will add, though, that if my old department’s range master saw me actually using the slide stop rather than my support hand, I’d get a talking to. But it is a great feature.
The slide serrations on the METE MC9 PRIME are spot on with what a good EDC pistol should have. Regardless of how you use your support hand to grip the slide, you can be assured of a good, firm grip when manipulating it. And there is also a textured forward indexing point, which is slowly becoming the standard, thankfully.
Its front serrations are deep enough and cut so it has the perfect amount of material to grip for a press check, without being too deep. The beavertail is low-profile, so as not to be worried about any slide bite occurring. Another advantage of the Canik METE MC9 PRIME is the factory-installed Night Fision Sights, which provide improved low-light target acquisition.
Inside the lockable hard case (TSA-approved) that protects the Canik METE MC9 PRIME are some goodies. It comes factory with two 17-round magazines. That’s right, a 17+1 round capacity heater in a compact package. However, if you live in prohibitive states like Washington, then it’s two 10-round magazines.
The good news is that this model accepts the standard 17-round capacity from previous Canik METE series pistols, if you already have one. Canik also includes an Ambi-holster that doubles as an IWB or OWB holster. It’s made by G-Code, one of the better holster manufacturers out there.
In addition, the included accessory kit, shaped like a mini Canik pistol, holds extra screws. Two extra backstraps are recessed into the foam of the lid, allowing you to dial in the desired grip.
You can run this pistol with or without an optic directly out of the box. The METE series from Canik all utilize the same RMSc footprints. For Holosun fans, Holosun does include a Holosun K series to RMSc plate. You can also obtain an adapter plate for a different optic cut if needed, as the aftermarket offers a great selection.
The slide is cut to allow co-witnessing of your iron sights inside the lower portion of the viewing window and won’t obscure your red dot itself. I chose the Holosun SCS Carry as I know from past torture tests that Holosun doesn’t play around.
SCS stands for Solar Charging Sight, and its internal battery will store enough juice for an estimated 20k hours. This means it can pretty much run indefinitely. This model does not have an external battery. It’s its own little miraculous self-charger.
Holosun touts its multi-directional light sensors, which automatically adjust brightness levels in dynamic lighting situations. If that’s not enough good news, it’s also a closed emitter. Therefore, no dust or other debris will obscure the emitter, as it’s a dual-window model.
Canik picked a sure winner with the METE MC9 PRIME. I had so much fun shooting this pistol that I ordered an Eclipse IWB from G-Code and have no intention of sending it back; invoice, please.
That said, I always try to find something on a firearm that can be improved from the factory. While this pistol feels great in my hand, I may still lightly Dremel the undercut area just beneath the magazine release. What can I say? I’m like Goldilocks when it comes to my guns. I can shoot em’ just fine from the factory. But if I’m going to make it mine, I’m going to make it mine. Follow?
This trigger is really nice! WOW! You can take it all the way to the wall and either let up or apply just a hair more pressure and send a freedom seed downrange. Yes, there are people out there who say “Never to put your finger on the trigger unless…”
If you are on target, you are on trigger; if you are off target, you are off trigger. That is the Clint Smith way at Thunder Ranch. I won’t argue with a man who has forgotten more firearms knowledge than most of us will ever know.
Additionally, your target may suddenly decide that they are not ready to meet their maker and do not require ventilation. So, you have the option to let off the trigger and utilize a different option.
Bottom line, though, this trigger is awesome!
Rarely can I hold a pistol in my hands, put a couple hundred rounds through it, and just know that I have to have it. The Canik METE MC9 PRIME gave a flawless performance while out at the range. Not a jam or malfunction to report. Granted, I’ll put another case worth of ammo through it or any new pistol before I’ll EDC it.
I figured 21 feet (7 yards) was good for testing accuracy on this heater. It is a more compact model, after all, and the barrel is short, measuring just 3.64 inches in length.
I’ll keep testing different loads through it, but I think I’ve found what this gun really likes. It ate through AAC 124gr. FMJ’s from Palmetto State Armory like it was its preferred meal. At .7 of an inch, that’s a great group.
I also picked up some 80gr. External Hollow Points from G9 Defense, and this gun must have loved those, too. I netted a .5-inch, three-shot grouping with two of the shots basically going through almost the same hole.
Those, coupled with the compensated (ported) barrel and slide, almost made shooting the MC9 PRIME seem like I was shooting a subcompact rimfire.
If you’re in the market for a new EDC or want a high-quality, American-made pocket rocket, do yourself a favor and check this model out. I just don’t think you can go wrong with a Canik METE MC9 PRIME. It comes from the factory with everything you need, and it fits the hand just right.
Did I mention that it’s MADE IN THE USA?!
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Magazine Capacity | 17+1 |
| Trigger Weight | 4.5-5 pounds |
| Sights | Night Fision Tritium |
| Barrel Length | 3.64 inches |
| Weight | 23.38 ounces (empty) |
| Overall Length | 6.73 inches |
| Height | 5.43 inches |
| Width | 1.16 inches |
| Safety | Striker Fired |
| MSRP | $649.99 |
| Optic | Holosun SCS Carry $399 |
| AAC 124gr. FMJ | |
| Velocity | 1095 FPS |
| Accuracy | .7 inch |
| PMC 115Gr. FMJ | |
| Velocity | 1046 FPS |
| Accuracy | 1.6 inches |
| Speer Gold Dot 124gr. GDHP | |
| Velocity | 1127 FPS |
| Accuracy | 1 inch |
| G9 Defense 80gr. External HP | |
| Velocity | 1452 FPS |
| Accuracy | .5 inch |
Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in FPS by Garmin Xero C1 Pro Chronograph, and accuracy in inches for best three-shot groupings at 7 yards, from an MTM High-Low Shooting Table. Ambient Temp was 67 degrees F. Garman Chronograph protected by Pelican!
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