So I'm looking for a Commander

[NorthBorder]

A 1911 in 9mm to be exact. I have never had a commander size 1911 so I may try to remedy that. To be honest, I have no real need for one other than for range day. So, I would like to find one in the low cost category which to my thinking would either be a Tisas or Taurus. If ya'll could relate some experience with these or other brands/models I would be grateful.
I'm not unfamiliar with the 1911 platform. I have had several full size 1911s in the past and currently have two.

 

[horsemen61]

A commander in 9mm will be an excellent range toy!

 

[JTQ]

The Tisas guys generally seem to be pretty happy with their choices. The advantage to the Taurus would be, if you want a firing pin safety, it will have a Colt style Series 80 firing pin safety. The Tisas won't.

The two 1911 points I always try to make (the 1911 is not a Glock, I'm not counting this one, but I need to say it anyway)...

1) Choose a gun with the sights you want. Not all 1911 sight dovetails are the same. You may not be able to get the type of sights you want for all 1911 sight dovetails. Getting what you want to start will save you money, time, and aggravation.

2) Decide if you want/need a beavertail grip safety. Not all grip safeties are beavertails and not all grip safeties fit on all frames without grinding on the frame/grip safety. Once again, choose correctly at first and save yourself some money, time, and aggravation.

 

[redneck]

I recently bought a Tisa B9 carry model as a project gun. I only have about 50 rounds through it but I am really amazed at the quality for the price. I could be happy with the gun right out of the box, but am going to continue with my original plans for it.
It does not feed hollow points well at this point, but with range ammo is 100% reliable. It sounds like the JHP issue could be as simple as a mag change, or a more complicated problem. I have been too busy with work to dig into that after my initial test firing. If you just want the gun as a fun one for the range, it is an excellent choice.

 

[Charlie98]

I've had 2 Taurus 1911's... and while they looked good on paper, I had issues with both, to include a poorly heat-treated slide, and one that shot so far left, it was uncorrectable. I wouldn't buy a Taurus 1911 to use as a doorstop, let alone a range or carry pistol.

 

[Balrog]

I like 4 and 4.25 inch 1911s, but when I look at the magazine of my 9mm 1911, I see nothing but wasted space.

 

[CajunBass]

If you're just looking for an inexpensive 9mm "commander" size 1911, I don't think you need look any further than Tisas, the "Tank Commander" model specifically.

The Tank Commander is an all steel gun, which while heavy for a carry gun maybe, at the range that extra weight translates into less perceived recoil, especially in 9mm. I'm not going to tell you it "feels like a 22" or anything like that, but if you're used to poly frame 9mm's you're in for a surprise with this one. Very soft shooting.

Came in a nice plastic case, with two 9 round mags. Sights are improved over the GI type sights found on the "tanker" model. The finish is a nice grey/green cerakote, with nice, if not real fancy, wood grips.

What else to say? Well, it just shoots. It did malfunction a couple of times (stovepipe ejection) the first day at the range, but I had forgotten to clean and oil it before heading out and it was DRY. Keep it oiled properly and I doubt there would be any problems.




I think I paid around $400 for it from Bud's last fall.

You can get the same gun in 45 of course, but I really like the 9mm, especially for a range gun. Ammo is cheap (er) even if you reload, and less recoil.

 

[Tallball]

I shoot my 9mm 1911 on almost every range trip now.

I owned a very good Tisas 1911, and I've only had one defective Taurus out of a dozen or so.

 

[loadedround]

Take a look at the Ruger Commander in either 9mm or 45 ACP. Probably one of the better 1911's on the market today. I own 2 of them myself, a 45 and a 9mm.

 

[KY DAN]

I would recommend Tias, I do not have any experience with the 9mm 1911 versions I do have some with the 1911 45 acp.

My biggest "gripe" NOT PROBLEM is the losses extractor which throws my brass in every imaginable direction.

I plan to fit an oversize firing pin plate abs a cylinder and slide tool steel extractor and that should fix my "gripe".

Out of the box Tias rocks

 

[Coyote3855]

I have a Ruger LW Commander in 9mm. Very nice pistol with no issues. I have heard good things about Tias and would not hesitate to buy one especially as a range gun.

 

[Riomouse911]

Tisas are very few and far between here in Ca. so I have little experience seeing them. The interweb reviews have been pretty positive up and down their product line, which leads me to believe they’re ok guns to buy and shoot.

I do have a RugerSR 1911 4.25” .45, and as @loadedround posted above it’s s great shooter.
My commander sized 9mm is a Springfield Ronin. It, too is an excellent gun to shoot; soft recoil, very accurate and reliable all day long. They are pricier than a Tisas, but I think they are great.

Once you get a 4.25” 9mm 1911, be it a Tisas or other brand, I doubt you will be disappointed. Once you get one, post again to let us know what you think and how it shoots.

Stay safe.

 

[Old Dog]

Not gonna lie. The OP lost me at "a Commander in 9mm."

While I am forced to acknowledge that a lot of folks have jumped onboard with the 1911 in 9mm concept, I am one of the dinosaurs that believes the 1911 shines in .45 ACP while there are so many great 9mm alternatives out there.

But if I was to get a 9mm 1911, it would have to be a Colt.

 

[Charlie98]

Once you get a 4.25” 9mm 1911, be it a Tisas or other brand, I doubt you will be disappointed.

I've got 2 4.25" 1911's... they make the 5" feel like a boat oar. It's my preferred barrel size... 4" give or take... in just about any pistol.

 

[bannockburn]

I'm a big fan of the Commander size gun and more specifically those made by Colt. Actually I like to start with one in .38 Super then add a 9mm. barrel assembly along with 9mm. magazines. Gives me a chance to heat things up with hotter .38 Super reloads and still have less expensive 9mm. ammo for more practice time at the range.

 

[bernie]

I recently bought a Tisas 9mm Commander. I am having some issues right now, but I believe that I will get these worked out. I sure do like the Commander in 9mm. It is a great training tool.

 

[Riomouse911]

I recently bought a Tisas 9mm Commander. I am having some issues right now, but I believe that I will get these worked out. I sure do like the Commander in 9mm. It is a great training tool.

What is it doing?

Stay safe.

 

[bernie]

It is not extracting/ejecting. The fired case will be partially out of the chamber. But the slide will pick up the next round in the mag on the way forward. I am going to shoot it again tomorrow and get some photos of it and then will contact Tisas about it.

 

[Pudge]

Never tried a Tisas, had a Colt Commander aluminum frame 9m that I could not shoot well. Had good luck with a full sized RIA, so I got a CS .45 (3.5" barrel), that I really like. I shoot it well, it carries nice and it's been flawless in operation. If I found an RIA configured how I wanted it, I'd buy it without hesitation.

 

[trackskippy]

I have two Tisas 9mm's, both GM's. One I got new, and with mags it likes, has been reliable. The one I got used, was having the same problems bernie is having, and with a replacement extractor and good mags, it seems to have straightened out.

Id try tuning the extractor if it keeps up. And mags do seem to make a difference. The MecGar 10 round match mags seem to work the best.

I also have a Colt Commander in 9mm, and it has the traditional ramp in the frame and not on the barrel, and I do think this is the better setup than the barrel with the ramp on it.

I also have a Tisas Tank Commander in 45, and its been fine. Ive been considering getting one in 9mm, but Im really in no hurry. I do think they would have been better off if they had stayed true to the Colts design with the barrels.

 

[drband]

I have two Tisas 9mm's, both GM's. One I got new, and with mags it likes, has been reliable. The one I got used, was having the same problems bernie is having, and with a replacement extractor and good mags, it seems to have straightened out.

Id try tuning the extractor if it keeps up. And mags do seem to make a difference. The MecGar 10 round match mags seem to work the best.

I also have a Colt Commander in 9mm, and it has the traditional ramp in the frame and not on the barrel, and I do think this is the better setup than the barrel with the ramp on it.

I also have a Tisas Tank Commander in 45, and its been fine. Ive been considering getting one in 9mm, but Im really in no hurry. I do think they would have been better off if they had stayed true to the Colts design with the barrels.

Colt first produced the commander in 9mm. See below: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_Commander

To their credit, they also released the other variants in the first year of production.

 

[Bartojc]

I have no idea what the price of a Tisas or Taraus is. I have shot a Tisas at the range once while in a conversation with the RO he let me try his. Seemed solid. He saw me shooting my SA RO Elite Commander and asked about it. FWIW I have over 7000 rounds of 9mm through my Springfield Armory. Likely a bit more than a Tisas though.

Jeff

 

[Mot45acp]

My Tisas 9mm commander is a single shot. Rounds nose dive perfectly perpendicular into the feed ramp regardless of brand of magazine. Wilson, Tripp, Checkmate, Mecgar and a few others I can't remember.

 

[drband]

My Tisas 9mm commander is a single shot. Rounds nose dive perfectly perpendicular into the feed ramp regardless of brand of magazine. Wilson, Tripp, Checkmate, Mecgar and a few others I can't remember.

Check extractor groove & tension.

 

[trackskippy]

My Tisas 9mm commander is a single shot. Rounds nose dive perfectly perpendicular into the feed ramp regardless of brand of magazine. Wilson, Tripp, Checkmate, Mecgar and a few others I can't remember.

Ill second the check the extractor.

I at first tuned the one that came with, or at least was in the gun when I got it (used), and that helped, but I ended up replacing it, twice, and that seems to have it working now.

I bought a cheap replacement at first, and that didnt seem to want to stay tuned. I replaced that with a Wilson "Bulletproof" extractor and after getting it tuned, its seems to have got it, and its been holding up OK now.

One thing I noticed after getting them tuned is, the nose diving stopped right away. You may want to try that first with whats in the gun and see how it goes before you put out any more money.

I ended up spending the money and getting a tool to do it, which is a lot easier than using the by guess, by golly method using the extractor channel in the slide, or at least you have more control and repeatability doing it once you get it set. Its not necessary, but it does make it easy.

Id also still recommend the 10 round MecGars over their standard versions. They seem to be a better design and dont occasionally puke rounds out of the mag and gun as your shooting, which also sometimes tie things up.