1911 guy here

[canik1911]

Greetings to you all!

I'm a 1911 guy who is considering to get my very first striker fired pistol. I did like the 1911, because that's what my dad's buddies introduced me to.

My very first pistol is a Browning M1911 A1 (22 LR), followed by a Rock Island M1911 A1 (9mm). I also tried shopping for a striker fire pistol (SFP).

But my plan to get a striker fire was put on hold after inquiring at a local gun store about the basic mechanics of SFPs. The people in-charge ridiculed me for asking which of the SFPs work like a DA/SA, DA-only, or SA-only.

They told me none of the SFPs work in any of the actions I mentioned. And that got me confused and disinterested (and just stuck with my 1911 guns). I was that type of person who takes the "experts" at their word, so I didn't even try googling for the answer to my questions.

Lately, when I felt the desire to look into SFPs again, I also did learn there is some validity in my questions above. Thanks to the new AI-powered google.

My question that eventually lead me to this place....
"Which striker fired pistol has the best trigger?"

I have started reading up on meaning of the model codes DA, SA, SF, etc. but I'm still confused. The current Canik model lineup are also using Mete, Rival, TTI, etc. and I didn't see any DA on their own website.

Is there a FAQ section where I could find the list of Canik pistols with DA/SA trigger system, those with SAO, and those with DAO trigger?

Thank you all in advance!

 

[TnMtnMan]

Welcome to the forum! And if you don't know-it's a good question. Embarrassing that a LGS wouldn't take the time to explain these things to you. So-you're familiar with a "single action only" with the 1911. As you know, a SAO is a hammer fired gun, you initially cock it by drawing the hammer back (or racking the slide). No choice, you have to do one of those things to make it go bang. A SA/DA can (in many cases-assume it's one equipped with a safety) be operated just like a SAO, like your 1911. Cock the hammer, and it's about like your existing guns. The difference is that you have the option of carrying with the hammer down (with or without the safety on, if it has one). The first pull is long and heavy, it pulls the hammer back as it "prepares" for that first shot and of course release it and fires. Subsequent shots are SA, just like your 1911. Personally, when I carried a DA/SA, I carried condition one (cocked and locked) with the safety on, using it like an SAO.

Functionally-your striker fired guns operated differently. Instead of cocking a hammer, it cocks the "striker", essentially the firing pin. More like how a bolt-action rifle works than a hammer fired one(such as a lever action, or even a semi-auto like an AR-15 that has a hammer). The striker is cocked back and engages "with the trigger mechanism" (not directly with the trigger sear, I'm not going to get into the gory details). Now, a "striker fired" gun functionally very similarly to your 1911. The striker is always cocked, unless you pulled the trigger, and automatically cocks whenever the slide cycles. The difference is that you have a safety on the trigger that actuates mechanism that releases the striker, it's typically a metal tab that extends forward of the trigger and moves with it.

Essentially the striker fired acts like a SAO, the difference is that you can't "release" the striker ("uncock" it) without pulling the trigger. The safety tab provides a degree of safety. Trigger pull isn't typically as "nice" and crisp as a good single action. But the Caniks are among the very best striker-fired pistols, approaching that of a 1911.

It took me a bit to get used to carrying a handgun without a safety, but frankly it becomes natural very quickly. Safeties are one extra thing to manipulate in a high-stress situation (with a defensive handgun). Are you looking for a "range gun" or a concealed carry gun? If you can swing it-I recommend a full size first-it's easier to learn to shoot well and improve your skills. Smaller, shorter-barreled guns can and do shoot very well, but take a little more effort and practice.

Hope this helps, at least a little.

 

[canik1911]

Thank you! That's very helpful and informative for me who is still a stranger to the striker fire world.

I would prefer one that can be both good for concealed carry and having fun at the shooting range. Any striker fire pistol shorter than my full-size 1911 would be very welcome.

When I go to the range, I always take my wife and teenage kids to enjoy shooting with me. So if it's something dedicated for range shooting, it needs to be better than our full-size 1911 (9mm) when it comes to taming that muzzle flip.

 

[TnMtnMan]

Thank you! That's very helpful and informative for me who is still a stranger to the striker fire world.

I would prefer one that can be both good for concealed carry and having fun at the shooting range. Any striker fire pistol shorter than my full-size 1911 would be very welcome.

When I go to the range, I always take my wife and teenage kids to enjoy shooting with me. So if it's something dedicated for range shooting, it needs to be better than our full-size 1911 (9mm) when it comes to taming that muzzle flip.

Are you a fairly big guy? If so it makes concealed carrying a larger gun a lot easier. Most people are more comfortable with something more compact. It's really hard to beat the Canik Mete Prime for CCW. It's a great package-"full sized" grip so it's easy to hold, control and shoot well. The barrel is modest length (I think 3.6" from memory but didn't check). It carries really well, for me. The grip texture is different than other Caniks-it is extended upwards towards where your thumb contacts the gun-a nice feature (others are smooth there). It also has some nice lightening cuts and is compensated, it's a really nice package. Another option is the Mete MC9LS, it's a similar package without all the "bells and whistles", so is a good bit less expensive. Neither are the very smallest for concealed carry, but are a nice compromise between shootability and concealability. Both are quite light, and the MC9 series is thin, which really helps for carry.

You mentioned something "better than a full size 1911 9mm for taming muzzle flip". You might look at the Rival S in the future for a range gun. It's a big, fairly heavy steel framed gun, very mild shooting. But not something for CC.

 

[canik1911]

Are you a fairly big guy? If so it makes concealed carrying a larger gun a lot easier.

Nope, but my slim build combined with loose clothing somehow helps with concealing an average size pistol. I also wear a vest 80 percent of the time.

I accept the reality of plastic pistols having more recoil than my 1911. But I know not all of them are created equal. And I'm trying to find the one that's better than average (muzzle flip mitigation) at a competitive price.

Yes, I've been looking at the MC9 LS and the current version of the Prime. I may even consider the upcoming Radian version if there's really a significant difference.

You mentioned something "better than a full size 1911 9mm for taming muzzle flip". You might look at the Rival S in the future for a range gun. It's a big, fairly heavy steel framed gun, very mild shooting. But not something for CC.

Yup, I have started looking into that as well. Thanks again

 

[TnMtnMan]

Nope, but my slim build combined with loose clothing somehow helps with concealing an average size pistol. I also wear a vest 80 percent of the time.

I accept the reality of plastic pistols having more recoil than my 1911. But I know not all of them are created equal. And I'm trying to find the one that's better than average (muzzle flip mitigation) at a competitive price.

Yes, I've been looking at the MC9 LS and the current version of the Prime. I may even consider the upcoming Radian version if there's really a significant difference.


Yup, I have started looking into that as well. Thanks again

I just came in from some range time with all 3 of my Caniks (Prime, SFT Pro, Rival S). I've been working on my technique, I'm still not good but much better than just a few weeks ago. I'm actually finding the Prime easy to shoot well (OK by my standards). Porting helps tame the muzzle flip. Honestly, I don't think you could go wrong with it.

 

[canik1911]

Nice! Thanks for sharing your assessment of the Prime.

 

[TnMtnMan]

I want to apologize for bad info. I've only owned and studied the "Mete" series and never dug into the TP9. But they do indeed list both a "single action" and "single/double" on that series. New to me, I've never seen that with a striker fired gun before.

 

[Alan]

Greetings to you all!

I'm a 1911 guy who is considering to get my very first striker fired pistol. I did like the 1911, because that's what my dad's buddies introduced me to.

My very first pistol is a Browning M1911 A1 (22 LR), followed by a Rock Island M1911 A1 (9mm). I also tried shopping for a striker fire pistol (SFP).

But my plan to get a striker fire was put on hold after inquiring at a local gun store about the basic mechanics of SFPs. The people in-charge ridiculed me for asking which of the SFPs work like a DA/SA, DA-only, or SA-only.

They told me none of the SFPs work in any of the actions I mentioned. And that got me confused and disinterested (and just stuck with my 1911 guns). I was that type of person who takes the "experts" at their word, so I didn't even try googling for the answer to my questions.

Lately, when I felt the desire to look into SFPs again, I also did learn there is some validity in my questions above. Thanks to the new AI-powered google.

My question that eventually lead me to this place....
"Which striker fired pistol has the best trigger?"

I have started reading up on meaning of the model codes DA, SA, SF, etc. but I'm still confused. The current Canik model lineup are also using Mete, Rival, TTI, etc. and I didn't see any DA on their own website.

Is there a FAQ section where I could find the list of Canik pistols with DA/SA trigger system, those with SAO, and those with DAO trigger?

Thank you all in advance!

Hi @canik1911
Just checking in, how are enjoying the forum?

 

[canik1911]

Hi @canik1911
Just checking in, how are enjoying the forum?

Not much activity here. I check almost everyday hoping to get an update on the new Canik pistols which were expected to be released late March or early April. It's already May.

 

[Alan]

Not much activity here. I check almost everyday hoping to get an update on the new Canik pistols which were expected to be released late March or early April. It's already May.

Yeah the forum is still new and growing. It will catch on.
But as regards the new Canik pistols, I will be on the lookout for any updates

From what I see, the Canik Mete MC9 Prime Radian and several other highly anticipated models from Canik’s massive 25-product 2026 lineup are beginning to hit the market as of May 2026.

 

[Badersk]

Greetings to you all!

I'm a 1911 guy who is considering to get my very first striker fired pistol. I did like the 1911, because that's what my dad's buddies introduced me to.

My very first pistol is a Browning M1911 A1 (22 LR), followed by a Rock Island M1911 A1 (9mm). I also tried shopping for a striker fire pistol (SFP).

But my plan to get a striker fire was put on hold after inquiring at a local gun store about the basic mechanics of SFPs. The people in-charge ridiculed me for asking which of the SFPs work like a DA/SA, DA-only, or SA-only.

They told me none of the SFPs work in any of the actions I mentioned. And that got me confused and disinterested (and just stuck with my 1911 guns). I was that type of person who takes the "experts" at their word, so I didn't even try googling for the answer to my questions.

Lately, when I felt the desire to look into SFPs again, I also did learn there is some validity in my questions above. Thanks to the new AI-powered google.

My question that eventually lead me to this place....
"Which striker fired pistol has the best trigger?"

I have started reading up on meaning of the model codes DA, SA, SF, etc. but I'm still confused. The current Canik model lineup are also using Mete, Rival, TTI, etc. and I didn't see any DA on their own website.

Is there a FAQ section where I could find the list of Canik pistols with DA/SA trigger system, those with SAO, and those with DAO trigger?

Thank you all in advance!

CaniK used to make a DA/SA based off the Walther P99. They had a decocker. You loaded the chamber, pressed the decocker and it had a long pull, 8lb or so, trigger press that pulled the stricker back and released it. Once fired, and the slide cycled it was now set in SA mode with a light trigger. These were the TP9, TP9V2 (which I own), and the TP9DA. I don’t know if they produced anymore after that.

 

[skyrep]

I too am a 1911 Guy and own a few of them in different configuration. I usually carry my Dan Wesson ECO due to being able to concealing it well. However, i do also carry the MC9 Prime for carrying concealed. The Prime has one of the best triggers out there. Will not be getting the Prime Radiant because of the the Original Prime.

 

[Fanik]

All the folks who I have seen that review the differences in the Prime and the Prime Radian all seem to say the same thing:
If you already have the Prime, there may not be enough difference in felt recoil between the Prime and the Prime Radian, however, if you don't already have the Prime, hold out for the Prime Radian, because there is some notable difference in the felt recoil and the flat-shooting aspect of the Radian if they are shot back to back at the same time... I had someone that really wanted my Prime, so I sold it to them, and just picked up this Radian but have not had a chance to get to the range yet.

However, have been carrying the HK VP9SK for years and these Canik triggers are right on par with what I'm used to, plus you get an awful lot of gun for the money from Canik!