When I saw my test model Canik SFx Rival-S for the first time, I was wowed by the glittery chrome finish set off by the deep front and rear slide serrations and barrel ports on the sides and top of the slide. Impressive looking. I also assumed it was probably too pretty to function like a workhorse 9mm. This pistol was ready for a display case or a gun safe, right? 

Wrong, Brian. So very wrong.

Soon after I started flinging 9mm bullets down range, the Canik SFx Rival-S proved itself one of the most accurate 9mm semi-automatics I’d ever used. It functioned like a champion, too, from the sights that came to my eyes so easily, to the crisp trigger, and to zero malfunctions in 200 rounds.

Which makes the pistol handsome as heck, accurate as hell, and extremely functional. It’s also offered for two-thirds the price (or less) of what I assumed it would cost based on that first look.

And while the pistol is designed for competitive shooting, and no doubt excels in this venue, the Canik SFx Rival-S will be equally proficient as a home defense handgun. It is also a fine choice for the recreational shooter who wants custom-gun accuracy for a reasonable price.

   

Four Options

Imported exclusively by Century Arms, Inc, and sold under the Canik USA line, the Canik SFx Rival-S is manufactured in Turkey. There are actually four versions of the pistol.

My test model was the chrome-finished Canik SFx Rival-S. Canik USA also offers the Canik SFx Rival-S with MO2, sold with a red-dot mounted on it. The Canik SFx Rival-S Dark Side is the same pistol but with a black-on-black nitride finish for those who for aesthetic or tactical reasons do not want that glittering chrome. An optic-equipped Dark Side with MO2 is available, too.  

The MSRP of the chromed pistol with optic is $1,099.99, the Dark Side and optic at $1,049.99. The standard chrome, my test pistol, comes in at $949.99, the Dark Side at $899.99.

Heavy Metal

All versions feature a forged steel frame. With a steel slide and 5-inch barrels these are heavy 9mm’s. The non-optic versions weigh in at just under 43 ounces unloaded. 

Single action, the pistol features a striker-fired trigger sporting a bladed safety. The trigger on my test Canik had approximately one-quarter inch of take up before engaging the striker mechanism and then broke at a very clean 2 pounds, 13 ounces of pull on average. The trigger reset very quickly, too, on my test model.

The rear sight was fully adjustable for elevation and windage, with a generous notch. The front sight sported a red fiber optic that was immediately visible and easily fit within the notch. The pistol is also optics ready. More on that later.

More Features

Made of polymer, the grips wrap around the back, with a sandpaper-like texturing throughout that grabbed my hands very well. The wide front strap features deep checkering cut into the steel frame for additional purchase.

A 1913 Picatinny accessory rail under the barrel provided for easy mounting of weapon lights and lasers. The rail has four slots and, no surprise, is steel. Some shooters have expressed concerns that lights and lasers attached to poly accessory rails on poly-framed pistols can loosen because the poly can “flex” a bit under various conditions like excessive heat. The stout metal rail on this pistol should allay any such worries. 

Located at the very back of the slide and under the rear sight, a striker status indicator shows when the striker-firing mechanism is cocked and ready to fire. The indicator’s red tip protrudes out when the striker is ready. 

The pistol comes with two 18-round steel magazines. I loaded my magazines by hand and the first 17 rounds snapped in easily. That last round required a little extra muscle to go into place but didn’t require a mag loader. Although, a mag loader was included with the Canik SFx package. 

The 12-Yard Test

To evaluate the pistols’ capabilities, I shot from a table and shooting bags at my outdoor range. The tables at my pistol lanes put me approximately 12 yards from my targets. 

For 9mm ammunition, I used American Eagle Syntech range loaded with a 115-grain poly-coated bullets, the new Assured Stopping Power (ASP) self-defense rounds from Nosler, featuring a 115-grain jacketed hollow point, and Winchester USA Ready range with a flat-nosed full-metal jacket bullet also weighing 115 grains.

My first five shots of the Winchester grouped at just over an inch. Dumb luck, I figured. But my second group was slightly tighter. A number of groups later, I switched to the Syntech range. Same sized groups.

For this rest shooting, Syntech’s best was .70-inches for five shots, with an average of 1.20-inches. USA Ready’s top cluster pegged in at .90-inches, with an average at 1.25-inches. Nosler ASP made three 1.0-inch groups.

Next, I shot the Nosler ASP at 7 yards offhand at silhouette-type targets. More accuracy! My best groups at this distance came in at .75-, 1.20- and 1.35-inches.

My first opinion of the pistol had utterly reversed itself. The good-looking SFx was a top shooter.       

Going Long

Next test for the SFx Rival-S was at 25 yards, also shot from a rest. 

I shot larger groups here, and definitely pulled my share of shots. But it was clear to me that if I did my part, the SFx was a 2-inch or better handgun at this distance. 

Winchester USA’s best five shots came in at 1.45 inches, with a flyer above the main group. Other groups were in the 2.0- to 2.25-inch range. Nosler’s best was a 1.6-inch group, while Syntech made three groups at 2.15-, 2.25-, and 2.30-inches. 

And my shooting accuracy came via open sights and my senior eyes. With a red-dot? I assume even better groups are very possible. The pistol is cut for a red-dot and Canik supplies several optic plates of varying optic footprints.

Selling the Chrome

Competitive shooters will be a prime market for the Canik SFX Rival-S, including those customers who want to enter the sport for the first time.

“The SFx Rival-S is built for everyone, including the entry-level competition shooter,” said Adrian Lopez, marketing/trade show coordinator for Century Arms, Inc. “The gun itself has tons of features for enhanced shooting, including being optics-ready, a flat-face 90-degree break trigger and interchangeable back straps. We give you everything you need to jump into competition shooting without breaking the bank.”

Sales staff will get many inquiries based on the pistol’s looks alone, but the pistol, of course, must be seen. Make sure you prominently display the chrome model.

Also suggest this pistol for those customers looking for a home defense option or who simply want an accurate and reliable handgun for recreational shooting. The enhanced shooting features that make this a prime competition unit are also what shooters in general need and want.  

Specifically mention the rather softer recoil pulse created by the pistol’s weight and balance, for example. Also note that the many accessories (see below) included with the Canik allow a general shooter to tailor the pistol to their specific needs.

Marketing Help

The SFx Rival-S was featured in numerous print and web articles and YouTube reviews when it launched in 2023. The pistol continues to generate a good deal of coverage, too. The pistol also won the prestigious “Handgun of the Year” at the 2023 Industry Choice Awards.

Dealer Info

“Canik USA is traditionally sold through distribution and buy groups,” said Lopez.  “However, any dealer can contact Century and open a dealer account. There are no dealer status levels.

“Century Arms/Canik USA participates in sales training with a number of our distributors to include participation in sales events like the recent Rural King Field Day, where we educated sales staff on our firearms. We offer incentives during individual distributor sales events as well.”

Century Arms/Canik USA assists with dealer events and giveaways throughout the year by sending out swag items like shirts and patches. 

Accessory Bonanza!

Somehow, some way, Canik USA sells the SFx Rival-S with an amazing number of accessories included. 

Inside the water-resistant Tier 2 Travel Case, there are four optic plates with the chrome version (five with the Dark Side), an additional fiber optic front sight post, three grips of varying sizes, and three magazine release extensions.

There are also two extra aluminum magazine base plates for the two 18-round mags, a mag loader, a custom holster, Canik’s Punch & Tool Kit and a cleaning kit, plus a gun lock and owner’s manual.

A first-rate pistol that comes with all these accessories and sells for well under $1,000? This should be a very easy sale!