Canik 55 Stingray-C

I picked this gun up about 3 years ago and it has been a great gun. I am glad I took a chance on it.

Here is the video review on this gun.

Let’s start by stating this. The Stingray-C is a Turkish copy of the CZ-75 Compact. Now that’s that is out of the way we can move on.

The Stingray, from what I have found, accepts the vast majority of CZ-75 parts including magazines. I have yet to test out just how universal parts are but I have heard good things about almost all parts being interchangeable.

Canik 55 (the C is pronounced as a J) is a Turkish firearms manufacturing company and a defense contractor. They have been releasing more weapons into the market – or have been more visible than in the past. I don’t remember seeing them in store until about 4 or 5 years ago and even then they were a novelty. It’s possible in some circles they were well known but I never got to shoot one, until I took a chance on one when I saw it go on sale. I just wanted a new 9mm that was on the cheaper side for use when camping but I got a good firearm for a great price.

Like the CZ-75 the Canik 55 Stingray has a slide that sits inside the frame. This is the first gun I have ever owned with that feature and it is a bit odd to me. Every pistol I have shot up to this point has the slide outside the frame, and I have no proof to back this up but I feel that in a dusty environment it would jam faster than say a Glock. I feel that with that much of the slide in contact with the frame it would take less dirt to jam it up. A Glock and 1911 have less slide to frame contact so if I had to guess it would shed dirt better. On the other hand, the Canik’s action is very tight because of the amount of contact between the frame and slide. I think with some tweaking it could be a true tack driver – not that it is not accurate now. I would put this gun up against stock Glocks all day for accuracy.

The specs –

Caliber: 9mm (also .40 auto)

Barrel length: 3.75 inches

Overall length: 7.1 inches

Overall width: 1.4 inches

Overall height: 5 inches

Weight: 2.245 lbs. unloaded

Sights: Adjustable 3-dot, steel (Mine did not have the adjustable sights)

Capacity: 13 rounds, up to 26 rounds with extended mags

So you will notice it says it comes with adjustable sights – that was off the webpage from the store I bought it from. When I got there I found no adjustable sights and also no night sites that I had read came with it. Even after a few attempts to contact Canik to buy some night sights I still heard nothing so customer service is lacking. I need to try some CZ sights to see if they fit but it has been on the back burner as the gun is more of a range gun than anything else. If I planned to carry it (doubtful due to weight) then I would worry more.

The gun does have a loaded chamber indicator that is very nice. It slightly elicited off the slide and allows for a quick finger swipe rather than needing to look down so see if there is a round chambered. I like it because it is made to be un-obtrusive and even when holstered it should not interfere with any function.

For use in the dark, say as a bedside gun, the raised loaded chamber indicator is great. You can grab the gun and quickly finger check for a round before even turning on the light. It also has an accessory rail that allows a weapon light or laser to be mounted, again lending itself to being a great nightstand gun.

The grips that come with it are cheap plastic, they do have traction and do work fine. I don’t have any true complaints about them other than they just look and feel cheap. They work well but I would like to find something a bit more refined and less swap meet looking. I am going to try some CZ grips to see if they fit once I find a set I like.

The finish on the gun is great. I have bounced it off the truck bed, had the gun bouncing around in a case with no foam or just general use that causes wear and tear. I have yet to actually nick the finish there are scuff marks but nothing that has not polished out after a few minutes. I wish all my guns were that solid. I have a few guns with a finish that has been damaged even when being careful. From holster wear to just nicks and scratches during routing shooting and handling. The ruggedness is great – this is a gun I will take camping and know it will function and I don’t have to worry about damaging a safe queen.

The trigger is decent. It’s about par with mid-range guns and its nothing impressive. I do like it and its functional. It’s smooth without too much play but it is a bit heavy. Again for the price your paying for the gun the trigger is great. You can do some work to it but I think it’s fine where it is. Others who have shot the gun have not commented badly on it other than its a little heavy. But if that’s the worst that they can come up with I see it as a win. Its no 1911 trigger and will never be but it’s functional without being sloppy.

As for accuracy, it has eaten every type of ammo I have fed it wth good results. Wolf grouped just as well as the federal and Winchester I put through it. I have to say this gun is absolutely consistent. If its 115 grains it’s going to feed and function flawless and be on target. I have not tried heavier bullets because – why? 115 grain works and its the most common round found in stores so I don’t see a reason to branch out. It’s accurate and that’s all I need to know.

I feel this is a good buy. For the price its everything I wanted and a little extra. The lack of adjustable sights or night sights is annoying as every add said the gun had them. I feel that its something that should be addressed and something you should confirm before buying. The accuracy is right where it should be and its extremely consistent. I also wish it weighed a bit less but it is an all metal gun unlike the Glock, XD’s or M&P’s. I would recommend this gun to everyone from novice to experienced shooters. The manual safety is a plus for newer shooters who may not yet be comfortable carrying a gun like a Glock with no mechanical safety. If you see one on the shelf pick it up – you won’t be disappointed.