EVOLUTION, TTI STYLE

The TTI Combat is a premium CANiK model showcasing the full potential of the platform. Butler’s own multi-discipline world champion competition experience and the business producing custom enhanced pistols, rifles, shotguns, and components lend credibility to the TTI Combat that is hard to resist. This doesn’t even mention his prominence in becoming the go-to trainer of Hollywood stars, providing cutting-edge gun skills that thrill on the screen.

You know something is different about this CANiK as soon as you open the TTI Combat’s double-layered hard case. Inside are different-sized grip backstraps, multiple optic mounting plates, a toolkit/punch, TTI aluminum magazine base pads, a speed loader, an extra guide rod recoil spring assembly, a holster, and a commemorative coin, among other items. The tools and support items in the case are not mere window dressing. These items are extremely helpful in modifying/altering the TTI Combat in terms of mounting red dots, changing backstraps, swapping magazine base pads, and cleaning the handgun. The bits and drives are well-made and show no sign of wear even after multiple uses.

TTI did not merely provide copyright permission for their logo with the CANiK TTI Combat. Yes, CANiK is the manufacturer, but Butler also contributed design input that involved overall aesthetic, a ported barrel, compensator, magazine base pads, frame shape, and trigger characteristics. The slide serrations and cutouts at the front of the slide demonstrate TTI’s input and CANiK’s meticulous attention to detail, executed successfully.

Picking up and manipulating the TTI Combat only further reinforces the good vibes created by its aesthetics. The light 90-degree breaking aluminum flat trigger with a short reset leaves no doubt that the TTI Combat is not your typical polymer striker-fired handgun. The CANiK TTI Combat was created to compete and to defend. You can see a little Sand Viper in the CANiK TTI Combat. Why not take advantage of the CANiK price point to quality ratio factor? Anyone wanting to own a weapon that TTI has had a hand in will benefit from this collaboration.

The TTI Combat arrives with a unique CANiK polymer frame and slide designed by Butler. Aggressive grip texturing is present, as is an integrated flared magwell with a removable aluminum competition magwell. The double undercut trigger guard allows for the shooter’s hand to sit as high as possible on the frame. This assists in limiting muzzle flip during recoil due to the low center of gravity.

Did I mention that CANiK’s first-ever compensator is also present on the TTI Combat? It is based on Butler’s input with an ingenious attachment method not requiring a threaded barrel. This is good news for those living in jurisdictions that prohibit threaded barrels. The TTI’s compensator is machined in a way to give a unified appearance with the slide and frame, allowing the TTI Combat to fit into a wide array of available holsters for the CANiK lineup.

The TTI Combat arrives with a ported and spiral-fluted 4.6-inch barrel, a flat-faced 90-degree break trigger, fully adjustable sights, two 18-round magazines with one flush-fit TTI base pad and one +3 TTI base pad, a serrated and ambidextrous slide release, three backstrap size options, and multiple mounting plates to accommodate various red dot sights. The TTI Combat slide features a low-profile optic cut for the direct mount of CANiK’s MECANiK line of optics. The MECANiK red dot uses the Trijicon RMR pattern.

MAXIMUM EFFORT

Besides training, what are the most efficient ways to increase handgun efficiency gear-wise? It’s about having a pistol that provides reduced muzzle flip, sights that increase the ability to place rounds where desired, and a smooth trigger pull. It’s not about style but performance. Running your handgun more efficiently makes you deadlier when you’re in a fight for your life.

Personal defense has no responsibility to be “fair” or “even” contest. That’s why aftermarket products attract with the promise of superior performance. With the CANiK TTI Combat, you have something out of the box addressing these concerns, especially if you choose the model that comes with the MECANiK red dot sight (or mount one of your choosing.)

Compensators are expanding beyond competition applications and becoming more prominent in personal defense weapons. For this reason, compensator size is shrinking while still maintaining effectiveness. The TTI single-port comp extends only 0.62 inches from the slide. The CANiK compensator connects to the pistol’s fluted barrel via a camlock mount, not the typical screw-on to a threaded muzzle. The angled front faces on the TTI Combat compensator aid in holstering.

The compensator on the TTI Combat is considered a crucial part of the CANiK upgrade. Part of the challenge of using a handgun is controlling muzzle flip. Muzzle flip reduces the speed at which you can accurately fire multiple rounds on target as well as transition effectively to the next target. This is crucial in a personal defense encounter. Recoil and muzzle flip also cause the pistol to move in the hand. The weapon must return to alignment so the sight picture can be recovered before firing again. A compensator mitigates these effects.

BOTH EYES OPEN

The most obvious personal defense handgun equipment upgrade over the last 10 years must be red dot sights. Though technology should not be used as a crutch for diligent practice and training, red dots are a positive addition compared to the centuries-old iron sight concept. With a red dot, a user can focus on the target, as nature intends. Moreover, because indexing a red dot is far easier than aligning multiple pieces of steel on opposite ends of a reciprocating slide, shooters find they can shoot faster than they could with irons.

A CANiK MECANiK 03 was mounted to the TTI Combat. The MECANiK 03 uses a top-mounted CR2032 battery, offering 60,000 hours of run time. It features a 6 MOA dot. The anodized aluminum housing is durable while still weighing only 1.6 ounces. The MECANiK 03 is IPX7 waterproof rated. The low mounting position of the TTI Combat’s slide cut is appreciated, with the MECANiK 03’s dot seamlessly located. The choice of this red dot may elicit a snicker from elitists based on its Chinese origin. All I can say is that the one used for this article has been performing without issue for over 500 fast-paced rounds. Frankly, I like the field of view offered by its large window and thin housing.

The Butler/TTI-pattern CANiK frame maximizes the natural pointability of the TTI Combat. This is very important in the realm of both eyes open focusing on the target. The MECANiK 03 red dot plays its part as well. The large rectangular “windshield” offers a superior field of view compared to most other red dot options. The glass is clear with no color cast or other optical artifacts being obvious. The dot is crisp with no halos or disfiguration. The CANiK TTI Combat, combined with the MECANiK 03, proved very capable at quick target engagement, with shots broken faster than it takes to read the description.

Along with grip, the importance of the trigger cannot be overestimated. This is usually the realm of aftermarket upgrades. Which isn’t needed with the TTI Combat thanks to its enhanced CANiK aluminum trigger with a wide trigger shoe and safety tab to match. The trigger break was in the 3.5 to 4-pound range per my old school RCBS trigger pull scale. However, a very short and firm tactile reset puts it over the top in terms of effective triggers. An interview with Nils Jonasson sums it up best when he stated, “The whole point of our enhanced trigger is to allow the gun to fire without moving the front sight.”

The broad, flat face of the trigger allows a straight rearward press. All of this translates into a handgun that can send rounds downrange rapidly and accurately. The quality of the TTI Combat trigger is the real surprise and contributes to the feeling of getting more than expected, an envious position for any product. The key with the TTI Combat is it offers the same extraordinary trigger pull every time. The trigger is definitely an asset.

EVALUATION

After strapping on the holster provided in the TTI Combat kit, a variety of 9mm loads were tested, including Federal, Hornady, Wilson Combat, and Black Hills Ammunition. Plate racks and dueling trees were engaged. Thanks to the minimal recoil and muzzle flip, the MECANiK 03 dot could be oriented to the next target seamlessly. In other scenarios, the big question on my mind was how did the compensator affect muzzle flip. The MECANiK 03 stayed on target, fluttering around the IPSC “A” zone, but never wandered out of it, even during multiple round drills. The TTI Combat’s simplicity of operation, consistent trigger pull, and compensator allowed for the rapid engagement of targets. This is further accentuated with well-laid-out ergonomics ensuring that the hand is near the optimum grip position as soon as the TTI Combat clears the holster.

I fell back on my recent experience attending a Justified Defensive Concepts (JDC) Red Dot Pistol Essential class at EVTC with the CANiK TTI Combat. Brett Harnish, the founder and driving force behind JDC, structured the syllabus for the Red Dot course perfectly. To paraphrase, “It shows the benefits of red dot while helping you solve the biggest drawback folks face when using one reliably; finding your dot during the draw and maintaining visual contact with the red dot during strings of fire and after weapon manipulation.” JDC Red Dot Essentials provided solid training, something you would expect with Brett’s resume—Marine, Border Patrol agent, other law enforcement positions.

The TTI was fired one-handed, including the use of the non-dominant hand to test the pistol for reliability issues that my stem from ammo sensitivity, especially with the compensator present. Premium self-defense JHP and target 9mm loads including 115-, 124-, and 147-grain bullets were fired. The TTI Combat digested anything fed to it. Being finicky is not an endearing trait with a competition or personal defense handgun. I put nearly 500 rounds through the TTI Combat for this article.

PERFORMANCE

Diagnostic instructional scenarios in the form of the Bill Drill and IDPA 5×5 qualifier drills were used to explore what the TTI Combat offered. Each of these drills places a premium on recoil control, trigger manipulation, and sight tracking. JDC’s emphasis on the importance of grip for initial red dot placement as well as target focus was beneficial in performing these drills. Tracking the red dot up and down on target during multiple round drills reinforced that grip is the key. Proper grip starts from the holster and sets the stage for the most efficient use of a red dot-equipped handgun. The majority of aiming any pistol, red dot or not, is achieved through kinesthetic awareness. Kinesthetic awareness is the body’s knowledge of the relative location and engagement of tension in its parts. This especially pertains to red dots, with proper grip and tension applied to the pistol as soon as possible.

With the Bill Drill, you start with the handgun in the holster with hands in the “surrender” position at shoulder level or hanging down at your sides. A target is placed 7 yards downrange. On command, you draw and fire six rounds as rapidly as solid hits allow. Following your sights during recoil is crucial. When done properly, the front sight is never stationary… you just “ride” the recoil long enough to confirm the front post is back in the “A” zone and send another round into the target. The CANiK TTI Combat allowed me to generate times in the 2.5- to 2.8-second range.

The IDPA 5×5 classifier is another good indicator of how well you and the handgun meld together, especially if you track your performance with different handgun styles. The target is 10 yards away. Four strings of fire are used to generate a total time with penalties for anything out of the “A” zone. String 1 is draw and fire 5 rounds freestyle, String 2 is draw and fire 5 rounds strong hand only, String 3 is load 5 rounds into a magazine, draw and fire, then perform an emergency reload and fire 5 more rounds, and String 4 is draw and fire 4 rounds into the body and 1 round to the head, freestyle. The CANiK TTI Combat helped me generate times in the 22- to 24-second range for the IDPA classifier.

I felt I was letting the TTI Combat down at times during all the drills. The times recorded with the TTI Combat were some of my best, of late, and impressive considering it’s still a relatively new partnership between me and the weapon. You could tell the TTI Combat MECANiK 03 combo wanted to go faster, but my abilities were not up to it. This is a credit to the weapon. The MECANiK 03 sight combined with the compensator and TTI Combat ergonomics, minimizing muzzle flip, allowed for superior sight tracking between shots. The TTI Combat’s trigger pull was another significant advantage. The TTI Combat magwell behaved like a funnel during magazine changes. There were no reliability issues during the high-volume, fast-paced drills.

FINAL WORD

A few quick observations based on time spent on the range with the TTI Combat: CANiK advises that the MECANiK 03’s concave face housing is designed to rack the pistol with one hand if needed, without touching the lens. I do not favor this method. Why use your optic to leverage the slide open? Take advantage of the aggressive front and rear slide serrations to get the job done. However, be mindful of your hand placement when manually racking the slide. Do not grab too far forward on the slide near the comp. Two bad things can happen—you might pinch your hand between the slide and comp, or the slide might not move as you’re grabbing the compensator instead of the slide.

Lastly, concerns of blinding muzzle flash when using a compensator were not confirmed. Slow-motion videos and burst photography did not reveal this phenomenon. You could definitely see the gas cloud of muzzle blast directed upward, which counteracts muzzle flip—but no ignition.

The CANiK TTI Combat will be recognized as a combination of positive features found on striker-fired predecessors as well as many innovative tweaks, thanks to the TTI collaboration. Many may ask what the TTI Combat offers to shooters compared to other polymer-framed striker-fired handguns already on the market. Red dot compatibility and a compensator are certainly nice touches. The TTI Combat benefits from lessons from both CANiK and TTI, combined with a manufacturer intimately familiar with quality weapon production and how to tastefully improve upon a platform.

SPECIFICATIONS

Canik is coming out swinging in 2023, expanding their striker fired handgun stable. Recent additions such as the Rival S and, our focus here, the Mete MC9, give a sense of what a creative roll Canik has been on lately. The Canik and Century Arms partnership burst on the scene in 2012 here in the U.S. The Canik handguns are designed and manufactured in Turkey by Samsun Yurt Savunma, one of Turkey’s biggest defense contractors since the late 1990s. Canik quickly became well known for their manufacturing and import efforts related to handguns.

Many imports are “one and done” affairs. The Canik lineup has thrived. This is a testament to Canik quality. For example, the original TP-series of pistols were the first standard-issue polymer frame pistol of the Turkish Police Force. The initial TP9 offerings distinctly resembled the Walther P99. While certainly similar in appearance, the TP9 was not a pure clone with different frame/slide and barrel dimensions. During weapon trials, we’re told the TP9 handguns underwent 50,000 round endurance testing multiple times without having to change out any damaged or failed components to keep them functioning as intended.

With such a grounding in quality, Canik is not afraid to innovate. There are currently 21 Canik variants listed on their website. The Canik Mete (pronounced Met-Ay) MC9 is the newest entry and the main focus of this article. The Mete name pays homage to a legendary Turkish hero. The MC9 was developed over three years going through different aesthetic and internal modifications until Canik was ready to present it to the consumer.

Form Follows Function

The Canik MC9 is a slim, petite, sub-compact polymer handgun chambered in 9mm. Dimensions lend it to pocket, ankle, belly band, or other deep cover methods of concealed carry. With that said, let’s lay out what the MC9 consists of – chambered in 9x19mm with an ammunition capacity of 12+1 and 15+1 (both magazine options included in the standard packaging). The MC9 has an overall length of 6.1 inches, width of just 1.12 inches, height of 4.52 inches with flush fitting magazine inserted, barrel length of 3.18 inches, unloaded weight of a mere 21.2 ounces. The Mete MC9 comes optic-ready, milled to accept Shield RMS optics. This is a British manufactured sight. Shield has over 30 years in the firearms industry with tens of thousands of red dots sold to the British military. Other optics sharing the Shield footprint are SIG’s Sauer Romeo Zero and Holosun’s 507. Each Mete MC9 comes in a hard case and includes the two magazines mentioned, an inside the waistband holster that can be converted to outside belt carry, three backstrap options, tool kit and punch, speed loader, magazine pinky rest, and a cleaning kit. The Mete MC9 will be initially offered in black, flat dark earth (FDE), and two tone black/FDE. All three models carry a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $439.99.

For description purposes, the MC9 can be compared to a Glock G43 in terms of size. However, the Mete MC9 arrives in a hard case with two magazines that indicate something different is afoot—one, a 15 rounder and the other a flush-fitting 12-round magazine. This is a significant improvement over the G43’s 6-round magazine with the MC9 maintaining nearly the same dimensions of the G43—including height and width. This capacity increase is wrought by proprietary metal Canik magazines. The Mete MC9 shares the same magazines as the Canik TP9 Elite SC. In fact, it accepts all Canik magazines including the 18-round variety found with its Rival Dark Side and Rival S big brothers.

Canik enhanced the MC9’s polymer frame via texturing pattern, lengthened backstrap skirt, and a streamlined and extended beavertail. These things were done so that the MC9 would feel like a larger framed handgun when fired. Accurate strings a fire with multiple rounds placed on target bears out Canik’s design philosophy. The MC9 trigger pull measured just over 5 pounds. Reset length is minimal with a positive, tactile feel.

Evaluation

A variety of 9mm loads were tested with the MC9 including Norma, Federal, Hornady, and Black Hills Ammunition. The MC9 was fired one-handed, including use of the non-dominant hand, to verify no sensitivity in terms of reliability. Premium self-defense JHP and target 9mm loads including 65-, 108-, 115-, 124-, and 147-grain bullets were utilized. The MC9 digested anything fed to it. For example, the cutting edge (pun intended) Norma NXD 65-grain load, known for reduced recoil thanks to its light bullet and high velocity, had no issues. Finicky is not an endearing trait with a personal defense handgun. Nearly 400 rounds were put through the MC9 for this article.

PERFORMANCE

Echo Valley Training Center’s (EVTC) onsite Hesco shoot house and 360 range were ideal test locations. A premium is placed on a quick handling handgun such as the MC9 with multiple rounds fired in quick succession being the norm. The natural pointability of the Canik MC9 comes into its own in this realm. More of a point shooting or flash sight picture was used along with one handed firing grip while moving off the “X”. I found this to be a more realistic way of analyzing what the MC9 brings to the table considering the role it was designed for—concealed carry personal defense.

Considering the Canik MC9’s design intent as an everyday carry (EDC) handgun, most drills purposefully started by drawing from concealment. Scenarios involving plate racks and dueling trees were run. Engaging targets from behind cover or on the move was incorporated into testing. Magazine changes were done for the dual purpose of getting a feel of manipulating MC9 and verifying how quickly it could get back on target.

Final Thoughts

The Canik MC9 is a near perfect blending of concealed carry compactness while maintaining performance. The ability to mount a red dot sight only increases its appeal. With that said, I was somewhat surprised by my preference of keeping the MC9 iron-sighted. This stems from maintaining as compact a profile as possible. I found under the right circumstances, the MC9 could be considered for pocket carry, especially without a red dot mounted. This is quite an upgrade over any of the miniature .380ACPs on the market.

Many will find the handy nature of the MC9 make it indispensable; not being able to leave the house without it. It will become their primary carry weapon by default based on performance, especially in summer months or under social conditions where discovery of a concealed carry weapon is untenable. The reliability and accuracy of the MC9 evaluated here leads the author to believe it should be considered by anyone pondering a concealed carry handgun.

The Canik Mete MC9 balances size to firepower for the concealed carry practitioner. The MC9 is a compact handgun that pushes the envelope past “safe” norms, while still maintaining real world application. With the MC9, Canik’s attention to detail is instantly sensed. Crucial items such grip texture, trigger, and maximizing getting the shooters hand as near the bore axis as possible are seamlessly interfaced between the handgun and the shooter. Years of experience allow for Canik engineers to take the nebulous concept of “feel” and translate it to being one of best shooting pistols on the market right out of the box.

SPECIFICATIONS