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%s Reviews

TISAS Classic 1911-A1 45ACP 5" GI BLACK
[TZM11BL]

by Horace S
Date Added: Friday 18 September, 2015

This is the review/range report I posted on two forums but edited WRT the price which doesn't include my transfer fee. Unfortunately, the pictures I put up won't show.


The 1911A1 bug bit me... again. I like the basic GI models so that's what I looked for. I also appreciate value. I make a clear distinction between "cheap" and "inexpensive".


I'm old enough to have lived through the days when all Spanish pistols, the Ballester-Molina, Argentine 1927, Norinco 1911 and Rock Island pistols - among others - were "junk", made with soft metal etc. All of that "wisdom" turned out to be so many road apples spread by people who likely never owned one. (The Spanish pistols made by the cottage industry in the 1920's, many copies of S&W revolvers, were actually poor but the Astras and Stars are quality guns) Having already owned a couple of RIA 1911's, their GI model was high on my list. Then, my research turned up the name "Tisas".


There are many reviews of the Tisas 1911 on the internet, especially on you tube. Other reviews are written reports. The majority are overall positive with a number of minor complaints; small sights, shoots low, heavy trigger, hammer bite and grip safety hurts the hand web. Compliments include great fit and finish, accurate, reliable etc. With that in mind, lets look at what I got for a total of $363.47 from Bud's. The pistol is made in an ISO9001 and NATO quality factory in Turkey.


The Tisas 1911A1 came in a padded hard blue plastic case with the usual manual, cleaning rod, a fired case and one 8 round Mec-Gar magazine. The pistol has a beautiful black Parkerized finish. The grip panels are light smooth Turkish walnut. The slide is marked "Zig M 1911" on the left side. The right side is unmarked. OTOH, the frame has a warning stamped on the left side that I could do without. The right side of the frame has "Tisas" and the serial number. Under the dust cover is the importer's stamp. Controls are typical 1911A1 GI style. The safety is positive with just the right amount of tension. I really like the hammer which has the old style wide checkered spur. The barrel is stainless and lockup is tight as a drum. The chamber has been nicely throated.


Field stripping is straight forward and the same as any other 1911. Fit of all parts is excellent. The finish inside shows care has been taken to make it right. I've read that the recoil spring is 17# and that seems to be so. The slide is milled from bar stock while the frame appears to be an investment casting. There is a casting line on the area between the ramp and the dust cover. No matter, the frame looks to be a quality product. There was lots of oil on the inside so I wiped it down and lubed the rails and barrel link with grease. You'll notice in the pictures that I also replaced the smooth grips with nice rosewood double diamond grips. Re-assembled, it was time to go to the range.


All cartridges used were handloads using 200 grain SWC or 225 grain RN cast bullets that I cast. The bullets used can be seen in the composite picture above. The target below shows the first seven shots I fired from the pistol at 40 feet two handed, standing. My POA was the X-ring so it shoots about 1 1/2 inches high... about perfect IMO. I know that many younger shooters would have done better but I'm North of 70 and don't think that's such a bad group for an old man.


The trigger breaks at about 5 pounds. It's crisp and clean without any creep whatsoever. Excellent, IMO. I didn't find the sights to be a disadvantage although they're typical GI and not target or modern "combat" sights. Firing just over 50 rounds, I suffered no hammer bites or discomfort from the grip safety. I couldn't be happier with the way it shot.


Bug-a-boos? The only one was with the factory mag. I loaded one from the mag and put seven in the factory mag. On the first shot, the slide locked back. The seven subsequent shots functioned perfectly. It's the only time I tried the factory mag and everything before and after was with GI issue 7 round mags that worked perfectly. The factory mag will go in a drawer and stay there while I use GI mags.


Complaints? The mag release button must be depressed a little more than most 1911's I've shot and some mags don't free-fall from the mag well.


Conclusions? While just over 50 rounds isn't a definitive test upon which to make a firm determination, I will say that I'm truly impressed with the quality of the Tisas 1911A1. It may be the least expensive 1911A1 on the market but it shows all the hallmarks of being the next underrated bargain out there. I can see it going up in price as people find out just how good they are.



Last edited by doubs43; Today at 01:39 PM.

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