A Turkish HK? Canik Elite SC and HK P2000SK

[usp9]

I've owned my P2000SK for about 15 years. I love this gun. It is the perfect pistol for me. Every control is where I want it, the grip fits my hand, I can see the sights and they line up naturally. The trigger, (DA/SA), is perfect. I shoot it well. It has never failed. I even like and enjoy the distinct clinks the barrel makes when I put the gun together. Music to my ears. Yes, I am a grade A, dedicated HK fanboy.

That said; I recently bought my second Canik, a TP9 Elite SC. I must confess that I am impressed beyond all expectation with this HK imposter. There are differences of course but must wonder if the designers had a picture of the HK on their bulletin board under a sign that said "OUR GOAL"



The dimensions are quite close. The Canik is a bit longer, a bit wider and a bit heavier... all by little amounts. All of this "a bit bigger" translates into a longer barrel and two more rounds in the basic magazine. The biggest difference in the Canik, and the reason I bought it, is that it has a cut out for a micro optic and is striker fired. HK offers the striker in the P30SK.

The Canik trigger is quite good with a Glock like safety in the trigger, unopposed take up followed by a short, light, crisp let off. The reset is very short. Shorter than the HK's. Almost too short maybe for a carry gun.

As you can see I put a laser on both to give a fair test since I can't mount a red dot on the HK. Wish I could. Both guns point well. The grips feel similar but the finger bump on the HK makes the grip feel rock solid. Not as much on the Canik. I shot both equally well which was a surprise since I just bought the Canik.

The HK is ambidextrous. The Canik almost so but with a changeable mag release. The Canik comes with a 15 and a 12 round mag. The HK will take a 15 round mag but it isn't included. The guns essentially weigh the same.

If you like the HK product line then you will like and appreciate the Canik offerings. They started off rough a few years ago but they recovered and improved. My other Canik is a TP9 sfx that I've had a bit over two years. IMHO, Canik is giving HK a run for the money in both quality and their price points. High praise from the fanboy here. I'm still wedded to my HKs but my eyes have wandered and I feel like I'm cheating. Canik... my girlfriend.

 

[triplebike]

I also have a Turkish HK copy, a Sar ST10. It's almost an exact copy of the HK USP. The ST10 is a fantastic 9MM firearm and every bit as good as the HK USP and I believe it's build is higher quality. Mine has 1000's of rds fired and has never missed a beat. It also looks like the day I brought it showing no wear whatsoever. The Turkish firearms are top notch in every way, only wish there politics were as good. That aside the Turks make formidable firearms that quality wise are right up there with the best. Price wise they are a much better value.

 

[HankC]

Canik part availability is very limited when I considered one and decided to skip.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Sorry, had to jump in here to say that Canik is NOTHING like a hammer-fired HK. But if you look really closely, you'll notice the Canik is very similar to another German gunmaker's pistols: Walther's P-99 and PPQ series guns. As I understand it, the resemblance to Walther has to do with an actual working relationship between the 2 companies at some point over the years.

Anyway, glad you like your Canik. For the most part I've heard good things about them. Good reliability, accuracy and generally solid usability for a reasonable price. The biggest complaints I've ever come across have been about the painted-on finishes showing holster wear very quickly. The comment about parts availability is one I hadn't run into before, but does make sense. I predict that pistol will give good service for a very long time in stock trim.

Also, the HK P-30 series is a hammer-fired action; the VP-9 is the striker-fired system.