Canik TTI Combat 9mm Semi-Automatic Review

Taran Butler Rises Again To Produce A Race-Ready & Personal Defense Masterpiece

An unprecedented collaboration with Taran Tactical Innovations (TTI) in the form of the Canik TTI Combat is the latest Canik offering. Canik handguns are manufactured in Turkey by Samsun Yurt Savunma, one of Turkey’s biggest defense contractors. 

Canik is the type of company that is always pushing the envelope by combining/adding features based on end-user feedback—albeit for competition, tactical, law enforcement, or personal defense customers. The new TTI Combat proves this and holds extra weight thanks to TTI involvement. In interviews, Taran Butler indicated his familiarity with Canik thanks to years of competition success highlighted by Canik pro shooter Nils Jonasson. Taran did not hesitate when an opportunity to collaborate with Canik presented itself. After nearly two years of development and testing the TTI Combat was ready for its 2024 SHOT Show debut.

Taran Tactical Innovations & Evolution

The TTI Combat is a premium Canik model. Taran’s own multi-discipline world champion competition pedigree plus custom shop producing custom enhanced pistols, rifles, shotguns, and components based on this experience lends credence to the TTI Combat that is hard to resist. This doesn’t even mention Taran’s prominence as the go-to mentor of Hollywood stars providing cutting-edge gun skill training with a distinct flare perfect for the screen. 

Picking up and manipulating the TTI Combat reinforces the good vibes created by its unique TTI-guided aesthetics via slide serrations and cutouts. The light, short reset 90-degree breaking aluminum flat trigger leaves no doubt that the TTI Combat is not your standard Canik—hell it is not your typical polymer striker-fired handgun either. The Canik TTI was created to compete and defend. 

What The TTI Combat Package Includes

Time for a deep breath to list the various TTI features. The TTI Combat arrives with a frame style spec’d by Taran Butler, aggressive grip texturing, integrated flared mag well with removable aluminum competition mag well, and an integral railed dust cover. A double undercut triggerguard allows for the shooter’s hand to sit as high as possible. This assists in limiting muzzle flip during recoil due to the low center of gravity. 

Did I mention Canik’s first-ever compensator is also present on the TTI Combat? This is also based on Taran’s input with an ingenious attachment method that eliminates the need for a threaded barrel—good news for those living in jurisdictions that prohibit such evil things. The TTI’s compensator is machined in a way that gives a unified appearance with the slide and frame. This allows the TTI Combat to fit into a wide array of available holsters that already exist for the Canik lineup.

The TTI Combat arrives with a ported and spiral-fluted 4.6-inch barrel, flat-faced aluminum 90-degree break trigger (a flat-face trigger with a 90-degree break is less likely to pull sights to the right or left), 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 back strap size options, a low profile optics cut for mounting Canik’s Mecanik optics as well as mounting plates to accommodate the Trijicon SRO and many others. 

TTI Combat On The Range

A variety of 9mm loads were tested with the TTI Combat including Federal, Hornady, and Black Hills Ammunition. The TTI was fired one-handed, including the use of the non-dominant hand, to verify no sensitivity in terms of reliability. Premium self-defense JHP and target 9mm loads including 115-, 124-, and 147-grain bullets were utilized. The TTI Combat digested everything I fed it. Finicky is not an endearing trait with a competition or personal defense handgun. Nearly 450 rounds were put through the TTI Combat for this article. 

Echo Valley Training Center’s (EVTC) on-site Hesco Shoot House and 360 Range were ideal test locations. A premium is placed on a quick-handling handgun such as the TTI Combat with multiple rounds fired in quick succession the norm. The natural pointability of the Canik TTI Combat comes into its own in this realm. Magazine changes were done to get a feel of manipulating the TTI Combat and verify how quickly it could get back on target. Shooting was smooth, and the Mecanik 03 red dot was a breeze to mount and run.

Ready For The TTI Combat?

The Canik TTI Combat balances size to firepower for multi-role capability. The ability to mount a red dot only increases its appeal. With the TTI Combat, Canik’s and Taran Butler’s attention to detail is instantly sensed. Crucial items such as grip ergonomics, trigger, and maximizing getting the shooter’s hand as near the bore axis as possible are seamlessly interfaced between handgun/shooter. Years of experience allow for Canik and Taran to take the nebulous concept of “feel” and translate the TTI Combat as being one of the best out-of-the-box shooting pistols on the market.  

Specifications: Canik TTI Combat

CALIBER: 9mm
ACTION: Striker-fired, semi-automatic
BARREL: 4.6 inches
OA LENGTH: 7.85 inches
WEIGHT: 29.3 ounces
SIGHTS: Adjustable HIVIZ fiber optic with slide cut for mounting red dot
FINISH: TTI Bronze
CAPACITY: 18+1, 21+1
MSRP: $950
Website: canikusa.com/tti-combat

Performance: Canik TTI Combat