A not-so-light once over with the new TP-9. If you’ve done much pistol work there are no real mysteries here, just some red flags.

by Chick Blood

A few months back I reported on another new Turkish import from Century International Arms, Inc. called the Stingray (American Gunsmith June 2012), a design mechanically related to the CZ-75. I relied heavily on the two articles I’d written previously on the CZ pistol in developing detailed disassembly/reassembly information to pass along to you for there was none available at Century Arms. The pistol was that new to their technical staff.

First, though, a few more specifics about the TP-9 that do show up. The pistol is chambered for the 9x19mm cartridge. It comes with two 15 round magazines, has a 4.09 inch barrel with a predicted lifetime of 30,000 rounds, an overall length of 7.1 inches, a height of 5.7, a width of 1.35, 2 sizes of interchangeable grip backs, a rear sight adjustable for windage and a MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail for clamping lighting devices or lasers to the frame.

Aside from and in addition to that it seems to be well constructed. Outer steel parts are poly coated against corrosion while helping to lubricate the slide and frame. The barrel is black chrome lined and cold forged. It features an ambidextrous decocker mounted on top of the slide just forward of the rear sight, a click adjustable three dot sight system and a cocking indicator. OK, no more sales talk. On to the goods.

Read more in our December 2012 issue. Back issues are available.

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