Canik METE MC9LS
- Graham Baates
- Aug 23
- 5 min read
*Some of the external links found on this website are affiliate links. Those links use cookies to generate revenue and fund continuation of this website. By clicking an external link you are consenting to a temporary cookie, by purchasing from that link you are supporting this website. To opt out of cookies do not click external links.
Here it it, the 16th Canik review by GBGuns meaning every model in production as of the time this was written has been covered, and The Canik Guide is once again complete. The Canik METE MC9LS is an extension (practically and physically) of the MC9 micro-compact line. One of the things that sets the MC9 line apart is that although they are thinner than the standard Canik models, they can still accept standard Canik magazines.
The MC9 got a longer grip with the MC9L, the MC9LS keeps that longer grip and adds some stretches the barrel out to 3.64" for a longer sight radius, less-jumpy recoil impulse, and making the gun dimensionally the same as the Canik METE MC9 Prime, though not of the same weight.
What Is It? The Canik METE MC9LS provides users a micro-compact thin pistol with a full grip and only slightly-compromised ballistics akin to the Sig P365XL and HS Produkt (sold as "Springfield Armory" in the US) Hellcat PRO. Unlike those two, however the Canik METE MC9LS uses thumb-friendly regular Canik magazines that skip the struggles of "stack-and-a-half" style magazines.
Who's It For? Initially I'd say the Canik METE MC9LS is meant to be a carry gun for those wanting something slim, but that they can also get their whole hand on. After shooting the MC9LS I think the gun goes s step beyond that because the on-range cahracteristics feel more like a regularly-sized pistol than a compromise in the name of concealment. Between the hand fit, recoil impulse, and ease with magazines this is a "micro" I'd be comfortable taking to high round-count course. For those who don't attend training courses this could easily be the "one gun" to serve both as carry and a range gun; an attribute I remember seeking when shopping on a budget before reviewing firearms became a major part of my life.
Take a closer look at the Canik METE MC9LS and what all comes in the box in the tabletop video below. Rumble Link I appologize for the camera white balance being slightly off and making the tan appear green.
Specifications:
WEIGHT: 23.77 oz
CAPACITY: 17 rounds
FRONT SIGHT: White Dot
REAR SIGHT: Blacked-Out Dot
CARTRIDGE" 9mm Luger
MAGAZINE TYPE: Canik Sub-Compact Size Magazine
MAGAZINE INCLUDED: 2 x 17 Round Magazines
FINISH COLOR: Black
ACTION TYPE: Semi-Automatic
FRAME MATERIAL: Polymer
OVERALL LENGTH: 6.75”
BARREL LENGTH: 3.64”
HEIGHT: 5.43”
WIDTH: 1.14”
MSRP: $499.99
Prices around the web as of 23AUG25
Click links for current pricing and availability
After reviewing 15 other Canik models I of course had a pretty good idea of what to expect from the METE MC9LS, but to waive it off wouldn't be fair to you or the gun. The fair thing would be to follow the same review protocol used on 500+ other guns including:
Cold Shots: Truly my first shots through the gun.
Full Magazine +1: Suprisingly some modern guns still struggle with this. It's a test of how much play is in the magazine as well as how the slide cycles with pressure. This is also when I do my best to learn the trigger.
What's For Dinner™: A test to see what ammunition the gun will eat. Does the gun feed the round from slide lock, will it cycle and feed another round of the same type, does the slide lock to the rear on empty, and is there any notable point of impact change with different loads.
For this gun the following ammunition was used:
Priced and linked where found at the time this article was written
95gr Magtech JSP $21.85 / 50 at Widener's
100gr Sellier & Bellot XRG $13.34 / 25 at Target Sports USA (see review HERE)
100gr Federal BallistiClean Frangible (no longer listed by Federal)
100gr Blazer Reduced Recoil $17.89 / 50 at Palmetto State Armory
115gr Sig 365 JHP $19.99 / 20 direct from Sig
124gr PMC SFX JHP $24.85 / 50 from Widener's
124gr Federal Premium HST $39.95 / 50 from Widener's
135gr Hornady Critical Duty $29.85 / 25 from Widener's
147gr Winchester Defense JHP $25.85 / 50 at Widener's
165gr AMMO, Inc. /stelTH/ $21.25 / 50 at Target Sports
Standard range ammunition was Norma 124gr $12.82 / 50 at SportsmansGuide
Sights & Trigger Control: on a 6" spinner target at a distance of 12-ish yards. We got this from Titan Great Outdoors and use it to gauge how learnable the trigger is and usable the sights are for forced, timed, precise shots.
Practical Accuracy: Five shots from a distance of seven yards at a one inch target. This isn't so much about printing a tight group as it is a culmination of the shooting experience and time for to collect thoughts prior to making a conclusion.
After Shots: Final impressions and reflections from the range session.
See the process with the Canik METE MC9LS in the Shooting Impressions video below. Rumble Link
Ammunition seen in Shooting Impressions video was made possible by our Patrons and supporters of our ammunition savings account through Ammo Squared.
On the range I was surprised. I've long-known Canik to make good pistols, but the stars must have aligned for me that day, or maybe it just fit my hand ideally, because performance was stellar. If you didn't watch the full range video, take a look at this clip.
It was also on the range where I can to the conclusion the Canik METE MC9LS is the new "norm" for those wanting one gun they can both carry and enjoy on the range; a position previously held by the "Glock 19" size category of guns.
What about the Canik MC9 Prime? The MC9LS and MC9 Prime are the exact same size category, but they are not the same gun. The Prime's enhanced traction, lighter slide, magazine well (for large hands) and ported barrel make it behave differently on the range. The Prime behaves more like a competition gun; ready to be run hard and fast. It's not that the MC9LS isn't able to do that, the MC9 Prime just afford some advantages for that application. I'd love to carry the MC9 Prime, but am personally not a fan of ports on a carry gun. I'd love to see a version of the prime using the barrel of the MC9LS, if the texture on the MC9 Prime doesn't prove to be too aggressive for carry (a very subjective standard).
What a great review! I originally purchased the initial MC9. I obtained the threaded barrel, adding about an additional 1/2 inch to the barrel. Added a Harrington Arms Compensator. Added a Loc Grip brass backstrap That not only added a little weight and balance to the frame, but also increased the length of the backstrap. I THINK it's performance may equal or exceed the MC9 LS. If you were at all interested, I am happy to send it to your FFL. I think people who own the initial MC 9 might be interested in how to upgrade it without having to purchase the Prime or LS. My email is at iCloud SkiFlyFightCopDoc