Tisas 1911A1 and 1911A1 "Tanker" (Commander size)....
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Snowdog
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I don't have many 1911s but I've owned a few and inspected/fired many. Of my "budget" 1911s (RIA GI model, RIA Tac 10mm, Tisas), the Tisas has impressed me the most. The fit and finish seem to be ahead of the RIA GI model and on-par with the RIA 10mm. I believe I paid around $350 for mine as well and it's one of my better firearm purchases. I think you'll be impressed with Tisas.
As for function, so far it has fed everything just fine. One thing that impressed me is that it feeds my 165gr RN and 185gr SWC reloads whereas my Kimber Classic Customs sometimes chokes on. I also have some Federal white box 230gr JHPs (an overrun for some agency) that EVERYTHING chokes on except for my S&W Shield and this Tisas GI model. Accuracy is a smidgeon better than the RIA due to the better trigger and just a step behind the Kimber.
Tisas GI model top, RIA GI model below
As for function, so far it has fed everything just fine. One thing that impressed me is that it feeds my 165gr RN and 185gr SWC reloads whereas my Kimber Classic Customs sometimes chokes on. I also have some Federal white box 230gr JHPs (an overrun for some agency) that EVERYTHING chokes on except for my S&W Shield and this Tisas GI model. Accuracy is a smidgeon better than the RIA due to the better trigger and just a step behind the Kimber.
Tisas GI model top, RIA GI model below
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RetiredUSNChief
Member
I believe I saw one of these at a gun show a while back and was very impressed with the fit and finish.
I wouldn't mind picking one up at that price and trying it out. Contrary to the opinion of some people, I don't believe the 1911 itself has "issues" like some claim. If it did, the design wouldn't have lasted over a century of widespread and popular use. The design is ultimately functional and well tested over the last century-plus. Any company that makes a 1911 and actually stays true to the design ought to have a good product, functionally speaking. There's actually nothing about the design that requires expensive manufacturing processes, so the nominal price ought not be sky high in the first place.
The only thing that would keep my from buying one is that I already own a 1991A1, since they first came out in 1991. It, too, was meant to be an entry level, budget-sensitive gun and it's served me well for over three decades.
Give it a go and post us a review!
I wouldn't mind picking one up at that price and trying it out. Contrary to the opinion of some people, I don't believe the 1911 itself has "issues" like some claim. If it did, the design wouldn't have lasted over a century of widespread and popular use. The design is ultimately functional and well tested over the last century-plus. Any company that makes a 1911 and actually stays true to the design ought to have a good product, functionally speaking. There's actually nothing about the design that requires expensive manufacturing processes, so the nominal price ought not be sky high in the first place.
The only thing that would keep my from buying one is that I already own a 1991A1, since they first came out in 1991. It, too, was meant to be an entry level, budget-sensitive gun and it's served me well for over three decades.
Give it a go and post us a review!
jar
Contributing Member
Seen them, bought them, also bought the Enhanced Carry. Brother-in-law not satisfied with taking my little sister, he took the Carry as well.
U.S. Army (full size series 70)
Tanker (Basic Gi sights and no beavertail GI Commander):
Enhanced Carry (Upscale but still 70 internal Commander):
They have all been flawless so far, only issues have been with a couple Wilson 920 magazines.
U.S. Army (full size series 70)
Tanker (Basic Gi sights and no beavertail GI Commander):
Enhanced Carry (Upscale but still 70 internal Commander):
They have all been flawless so far, only issues have been with a couple Wilson 920 magazines.
Blkhrt13
Member
I’m looking for one of the Tankers. It will be a fun gun. I’m going to do some basic appearance mods. I have done lots of research and seem zero complaints on the web.
CapnMac
Member
Well, they have to be "just awful" since they are never in the LGS case or at the Gun Shows 
The Turks build excellent firearms. And, they are giving the Filipino builders a fair run for the money, too.
Pretty sure the scarcity of them "in the wild" is due to their popularity.
And, I'll be eyeballing for Commander-sized version tomorrow at the FW gun show, too.
The Turks build excellent firearms. And, they are giving the Filipino builders a fair run for the money, too.
Pretty sure the scarcity of them "in the wild" is due to their popularity.
And, I'll be eyeballing for Commander-sized version tomorrow at the FW gun show, too.
weisse52
Member
I have the Tanker.
No problems with any of rounds I have fired in it. I like…
No problems with any of rounds I have fired in it. I like…
jar
Contributing Member
Well, they have to be "just awful" since they are never in the LGS case or at the Gun Shows
The Turks build excellent firearms. And, they are giving the Filipino builders a fair run for the money, too.
Pretty sure the scarcity of them "in the wild" is due to their popularity.
And, I'll be eyeballing for Commander-sized version tomorrow at the FW gun show, too.
The "enhanced" Carry Tisas is certainly worth the extra fifty or so dollars. It has Novak style three dot sights, skeleton trigger and hammer and a wonderful beaver tail. With forged steel frame, slide and barrel, polished feed ramp, under 4 pound trigger it plays way above it's weight.
chamokaneman
Member
I got the B45 Full size model recently. Only have a hundred shots through it (PMC 230gr RN FMJ) but so far it's had no hiccups whatsoever. It's seems pretty accurate too. The one I got had an ambi safety and fiber optic front sight so it was a little more than $350 but no too much more. Great pistol for a decent price as far as I'm concerned.
Thanks guys!
One more question; since these guns are based on the "70 series", does that mean that they have finger type barrel bushings?
weisse52
Member
No. Regular solid bushing.
I think when gun makers say 70 series they just mean it doesn’t have any type of FPS like a series 80 or the Swartz safety. I have only seen the finger bushings on the original Colt 70 series.
I think when gun makers say 70 series they just mean it doesn’t have any type of FPS like a series 80 or the Swartz safety. I have only seen the finger bushings on the original Colt 70 series.
That is my take in it too. And yes most manufacturers use a solid bushing. I haven't seen a finger bushing in a long time and only on Colts. The fingers were known to break off at times.
CapnMac
Member
Inconvenient times, too. Mind, for me, it took around 2.5-3K rounds, and it was only after the fragment got into the recoil spring that things slowed down.
For those unfamiliar, this is a collet bushing:
There is a rounded bearing surface on each of the four "fingers" that remain in spring contact with the barrel.
On mine, the break occurred on the 7:30 "o'clock" finger, just a bit forward of the tangent point of contact (suggesting, to me, that it fatigued at the "flex point." Mine "failed clean" and the other three fingers were holding the barrel.
Back to the topic at hand, it's near time for me to head to Will Rogers and the show to see what I can see.
CapnMac
Member
Ok, all you enablers
$444 OTD (and a most excellent comida at Mercado Juarez afterwards, after stopping by Defender Outdoors)
Two mags, hard case, cleaning brush and bushing wrench
Not bad, but the flat MSH has to go
And, It's likely getting prettier stocks.
It's been far too long since I had a Commander in the inventory.
Lots of Girsans and SDS/Tisas at the show, most in the $550-600 range. More than one Loaded Tanker, too--but the bells & whistles were not worth the $650-725 sticker prices.
(And I did stop by the LGS before rolling over to FW, I'm loyal to my LGS that way, and it gives a good comparison for ammo prices.)
$444 OTD (and a most excellent comida at Mercado Juarez afterwards, after stopping by Defender Outdoors)
Two mags, hard case, cleaning brush and bushing wrench
Not bad, but the flat MSH has to go
And, It's likely getting prettier stocks.
It's been far too long since I had a Commander in the inventory.
Lots of Girsans and SDS/Tisas at the show, most in the $550-600 range. More than one Loaded Tanker, too--but the bells & whistles were not worth the $650-725 sticker prices.
(And I did stop by the LGS before rolling over to FW, I'm loyal to my LGS that way, and it gives a good comparison for ammo prices.)
That’s mostly true. I do have a transition Series 80 colt that has the collet bushing (the “finger bushing”). Colt did not like to throw away perfectly good parts.
I also own a Tisas carry model. I haven’t shot it a lot but it seems like a solid gun
Mark_Mark
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Gun Shows are not the bargain places they use to be. Loaded T-Sauce goes for right at $525 +\- a few bucks. I bought my T-Sauce A1 full size for $315 … $350 out the door
35 Whelen
Member
I found out about the Tisas 1911A1 a few weeks ago when they were on sale for $299 delivered at the Sportsmans Outdoor Superstore. I already have a Colt Series 70, but I just couldn't pass this deal up.
Upon arrival, the cursory disassembly (I forgot to remove the firing pin and extractor) was performed.
The trigger pull, at 5.5-6.0 lbs. was a tad heavy for my tastes. Not wanting to get off deep in lightening it, I polished the bow of the trigger which brought the pull down to a consistent 4.5 lbs. The slide release was a bear to operate requiring two thumbs. This was corrected by polishing and slightly beveling the rear and top of the release.
I didn't much care for the grips so I found a set on eBay that were inexpensive and look better.
I didn't have a lot of time to shoot it, but grabbed some handloads with a 200 gr. SWC, and it fed those bumpy bullets perfectly. This group was offhand at 25 yds.
Yesterday I had a little more time and loaded/tested some Hornady 230 gr. XTP's to +P level (1010 fps). This load is very accurate and shot to the sights at 25 yds. This is group was fired offhand at 25 yds.-
The only other thing I intend to do is put a set of Meprolight tritium sights on it. The OEM sights are a bit small for my aging eyes. Other thanh that I'm very pleased with this pistol!
35W
Upon arrival, the cursory disassembly (I forgot to remove the firing pin and extractor) was performed.
The trigger pull, at 5.5-6.0 lbs. was a tad heavy for my tastes. Not wanting to get off deep in lightening it, I polished the bow of the trigger which brought the pull down to a consistent 4.5 lbs. The slide release was a bear to operate requiring two thumbs. This was corrected by polishing and slightly beveling the rear and top of the release.
I didn't much care for the grips so I found a set on eBay that were inexpensive and look better.
I didn't have a lot of time to shoot it, but grabbed some handloads with a 200 gr. SWC, and it fed those bumpy bullets perfectly. This group was offhand at 25 yds.
Yesterday I had a little more time and loaded/tested some Hornady 230 gr. XTP's to +P level (1010 fps). This load is very accurate and shot to the sights at 25 yds. This is group was fired offhand at 25 yds.-
The only other thing I intend to do is put a set of Meprolight tritium sights on it. The OEM sights are a bit small for my aging eyes. Other thanh that I'm very pleased with this pistol!
35W
lincen
Member
Saw these on sale last month and could not pass them up. $319 shipped to my FFL. Add the $15 transfer fee and it’s $334 each. Both are full sized but the bottom one is in 9mm. I switched out the original plastic grips on the 9mm so I could distinguish them on the shooting bench/table. Both were accurate and had no failures with a variety of ammo. I have five other 1911’s, two Colts, two Rugers, and one Springfield. Obviously the sights are better on the newer ones but at that price, I could not ignore them.
The 9mm may get better sights but the 45 is so much like the original 1911A1 that it will remain as received.
The 9mm may get better sights but the 45 is so much like the original 1911A1 that it will remain as received.
weisse52
Member
I am lucky in that I have never gotten slide bite. But I do trim the hammer spur a bit and “break” the edges of the grip safety to further ensure I will encounter issues in the future.
Mark_Mark
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gotta try that! were’s my dremel!
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