Canik Rival S - 20k Rounds Later: A Shooter-Tested and Match-Winning Perspective.

Written by Michael “Double Mike” Moreno

In February 2023, shortly after its release, I got the Canik SFx Rival-S as my main competition gun for USPSA and IDPA. I was looking to switch platforms to a steel-framed gun after shooting the polymer Rival and TP9SFx previously. Canik’s announcement of a steel-framed variant of their Rival platform made this upgrade a no-brainer for me.

So now at the end of 2024, I have just over 20k rounds spread across two Rival-S guns and have been fortunate enough to win a number of major matches this season. It turns out that your name does not have to be Nils Jonasson to win with a Canik!

To optimize or compromise?

So you got your Rival-S, but how should you set it up? In USPSA do you go with a full-fledged Limited Optics setup, or stay a bit more modest in Carry Optics? If you cross into IDPA, now you have an additional rule set to consider when setting up your gun(s). A number of great options for the Rival-S have come to the aftermarket since the platform’s initial release. Grips, triggers, magwells, thumb rests, optics plates, specialty guide rods – there are almost too many options to choose from when deciding how you want to build out the gun to your liking. 

Mike’s Build List with Links…

My preferred division in both USPSA and IDPA is Carry Optics. I could have set up my guns differently if I chose Limited Optics in USPSA, or if I chose to have one gun set up for IDPA and one gun set up for USPSA. But what is most important to me is going to every match with two guns and having a backup immediately available without having to swap any parts in case something goes awry. So I chose to compromise and build out my guns in a way that would be legal in both sports. Here’s the full build list of how I run my Canik SFx Rival-S:

Gun: Canik Rival-S

Frame:

• No magwell

• Lok G10 Palm Swell grips

• OEM medium magazine release button

• OEM trigger

• Rune Tactical trigger return spring

Slide:

• Arise MFG Aegis optic plate

• Trijicon SRO 5 MOA

• Rune Tactical delrin guide rod and 15lb recoil spring

• Sprinco safety plunger spring

• Sprinco 29N (6.5lb) striker spring

• CZ 75 extra power extractor spring

Magazines:

• OEM magazine tubes

  • IDPA: OEM spring/follower - Taylor Freelance +0 base plates

  • USPSA:

    • MBX Ultra Max spring/follower (direct add-on option with Henning +4)

    • Henning +4 base plates (runs 23+1 with MBX Ultra Max)

    • Taylor Freelance +4 base plates (can run 24+1 with MBX Ultra Max)

Total weight 43oz with an unloaded magazine

Ammo selection:

The Rival-S can be picky when it comes to ammo selection. If you load your own ammo like I do, cartridge overall length is the key to consistent performance. From my own testing and information gathered from others, this is a good range for OAL that works consistently in most of the Rival-S guns. 

• Cartridge OAL range 1.115”-1.135” (goal 1.125”)

Factory ammo recommendation - CCI Blazer Brass 124gn. In the few hundred rounds I bought this year, I did not have a single failure with this ammo and the OAL was within the range listed above. 

Click here for more information on choosing ammo for competition!

Other options:

• LOK Grips magwell Compared to the OEM magwell, the LOK magwell is bigger, and does not interfere with a two-handed grip like the Canik magwell can if you have XL hands. 

• LOK medium brass/aluminum grips If you prefer the medium OEM grips, the LOK options are nearly identical in size with a texture upgrade. Avoid brass if you’re planning to compete in IDPA due to the weight limit.

• Freedomsmith triggers are a great option for smaller hands needing a shorter length of pull. If you have XL hands or long fingers, you may prefer the stock trigger.

• Rune Tactical stainless steel guide rod and the W74 tungsten guide rod are similar in weight, with the W74 coming in 1.1 oz heavier (and about $50 more expensive) than the stainless steel rod from Rune Tactical. 

• CZ 75 extra power extractor springs solve the failure to extract problems the Rival-S guns tend to have. Rune Tactical just came out with an extra power extractor spring, but I haven’t tested those yet. 

• Taylor Freelance +0 base plates - For the 2023 Rival-S guns, Taylor Freelance has specific base plates to prevent over insertion of magazines. For 2024 and later guns, the standard base plates are recommended by Taylor Freelance.

• Taylor Freelance & Henning +4 base plates - Both manufacturer’s base plates will fit the USPSA 140mm magazine gauge, and both come with versions that were designed to prevent over insertion of the magazine. When paired with the MBX spring/follower, the Taylor Freelance plate can cycle 24+1 if your ammo/springs are tuned just right. I have not been able to get the Henning base plates to cycle 24+1 at all, but 23+1 works with both MBX/Rune Tactical springs.

Also, haven’t seen the original Rival S Review as well as the shoot out video… see it below!