When we have major responsibilities–family, house, vehicle, education, etc.—we sometimes push aside our wants and keep our needs first on the list. This is as it should be.
A quality handgun is a necessity to protect our homes and our family, and if that handgun is affordable, effective and offers a package that is enjoyable to fire and use, then it will be successful. To many of us, this means the 1911 handgun.
The 1911 was introduced, no surprises, in 1911. Modern 1911s are similar in appearance and operate in the same manner. The controls are in the same place and they have a straight-to-the-rear trigger compression, slide lock safety and grip safety.
But there have been considerable improvements in the sights, metal and fitting of the handgun. We still have a grip that fits most hands well, a low bore axis and reliability. But the improvements are appreciated.
Tisas offers several versions of the 1911, which we’ll take a look at today.
Look and Fit
The basic GI-type is represented, but also a more developed pistol (with high-visibility sights of the Novak type) featuring an extended slide lock and grip safety.
The fit of the barrel to the locking lugs is good and the trigger action is reasonably crisp. No, these handguns are not going to impress visiting dignitaries by their fit and finish and they are not BBQ guns. They are affordable and they are 1911 handguns.
The Tisas 1911, sometimes called the Tisas Regent, is manufactured in Turkey. Skilled labor is demanded in building the 1911 as far as fitting the trigger action, but modern CNC machining makes the parts a precise fit.
The slide and the frame, as well as the barrel, fit together with a minimum of final fitting. This makes for greater accuracy and reliability.
Different Types, Different Features
The Tisas/Regent guns are available in several configurations. The basic and most affordable handgun is GI-type. This handgun has the typical small almost embryonic front and rear sight. These sights are faithful to the original GI-type pistols.
They are small, but precise enough for use to 25 yards or more when properly lined up. The controls are standard GI-type. The next step up is the version with an extended grip safety of the beavertail type.
This safety helps funnel the hand onto the grip frame and keep the palm on the grip safety. The slide lock safety is extended for greater speed. The sights are Novak types. These sights offer faster acquisition in speed shooting.
They also offer a good sight picture for precision shooting. The next step up is a stainless steel 1911 handgun with a light rail. Some shooters like a light rail, some do not. If you desire this type of handgun, then be prepared to pay more than the basic GI-type 1911.
Pros and Cons
I have had experienced with the Tisas/Regent line and fired more than a half-dozen examples. Most have been serviceable and reliable.
Some have needed the extractor tuned and perhaps the ejector is a bit sharp, but then again, these are handguns costing less than half of what some handguns with comparable features cost. The slide and frame are well-made and the barrel is well-fitted.
The Tisas is a good choice for those getting their feet wet in the 1911. An advantage is that the Tisas 1911 is available in the original caliber, .45 ACP, and 9mm Luger as well. The 9mm is affordable, accurate, and, in the better type of loadings, effective.
Among the loads offering the best balance of expansion and penetration is the Fiocchi XTP Extrema. I have enjoyed excellent results with this load, in both 115-grain and 124-grain weight in extensive testing.
The 9mm is a powerful cartridge that can be accurate well past 50 yards in the right hand. The Tisas 1911 strikes many of us as a good initial investment to be upgraded incrementally with a trigger job and perhaps a Wilson Combat part of two.
It would be relatively inexpensive to end up with a superior handgun.
The New Hi-Power
Recently, Browning cut the production of the iconic Hi-Power. The “Grand Puissance” (or P-35 as it’s also known) requires considerable machine work. It simply was not cost-effective to produce the pistol in Europe.
Tisas took a hard look at the Hi-Power and created their own version. This pistol is very well-fitted and finished. The finish isn’t a rich blue for a modern cerakote. The pistol is a mix of features with modern high visibility sights, but the older small-type safety.
The pistol is supplied with two 13-round magazines. The grips are very well finished and checkered. The Tisas Hi-Power is a well-fitted, reliable and accurate handgun.
When test-fired with Fiocchi loads, this handgun provides excellent results as far as accuracy and reliability go. Tisas definitely has a finger on the pulse of shooters with their line of 1911 and High Power handguns.
What do you think of the Tisas 1911? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The only question I have is why does one model comes with (1) 7 round mag. Another with (1) 9 round mag , another with (2) 8 round mags…. no consistency in mags. Now I gotta try to find a magazine from some where else (and most are “not in stock”. The majority of all pistols bought nowadays come with at least 2 magazines. This company makes a great product but then only gives one mag with it.
Canik is comparable in price and quality and they throw the “beenies” at you with a couple of mags, a holster, cleaning kit, etc.
Come on Tisas. You got a great thing here. I need a mag a 7 round 9mm mag! How can I get one?
Thanks,
Jim
Hi Jim,
We have a number of 9mm 1911 magazines in stock here!
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/parts-and-accessories/parts-by-gun-model/1911/magazines/9mm/?srule=relevance
-Alex
I’ve been a 1911 fan for years and have bought and sold many. The nicest were Dan Wessons but have enjoyed guns from Kimber, Sig, Smith and Wesson, and others. Over time I came to the conclusion that I like the mil-spec GI type reproductions the best as a simple matter of personal taste. They don’t need many improvements to satisfy me. I’ve sold most of the modern design 1911’s I own. The latest purchases for me have been 1911a1 Tisas. I’m very pleased with these guns! The fit and finish are great. I didn’t give Tisas the time of day for years because of the low price. I guess I figured the guns would be very inferior. I was wrong.
I have the Carry model with rail. I was very disappointed my first time at the range. I had numerous failure to chamber. Then I noticed the gun was not actually jamming, but the slide lock was engaging.
When I got home I got on the internet to see what could cause the slide to lock prematurely. I found a video that said it could be caused by the nose of the bullet pushing the lug on the slide stop and to look for a copper line on the lug where the bullets in the magazine were rubbing. Sure enough my slide stop lug had the telltale line of copper. A few licks with a fine file solved the problem, and the great thing is my gun doesn’t seem to care what type of magazine I use. I have the original mag, a Wilson Combat and a ProMag and they all work flawlessly. My first 1911 and I love it.
This is a high quality handgun at a ridiculous prices. I had reservations because “how good can a $399 1911be?”. Well I’m so grateful that I decided to buy it. I’ve shot hundreds of rounds through this gun and have experienced a handful of misfires and jams but never a single issue with new ammunition, only with reloads. My particular guns does not seem to enjoy reloads. It is otherwise a fantastic pistol. Sights are dead-on from the factory. Components are high quality. Disassembles with ease for cleaning. Shoots like a dream (with new ammunition. Worth twice the price in my opinion.
I just purchased the railed version, I paid full retail, cause pistols are hard to come by now. But I wanted another pistol I paid 500 for mine. It’s brand new in the box. I have a kimber (sucks) I have had a colt, and I own a ruger and a rock island. This cheap, 1911 has a tighter fit, and smoother action than my ruger, and kimber. I was extremely surprised that when I went to the range with it I fired 150 rounds of fmj. I fired 5 full boxes of different kinds of hollow points not a single jam. And even after 220 rounds of ammunition there’s not a single bit of wear showing on the rails or any of the other internals. In my honest opinion Turkish made guns, are made extremely well. I paid 1000 dollars for my kimber. It jams no matter what magazine, or ammo I use. I’m seriously thinking about selling it to buy two more tisas! These guns in my honest opinion should cost 7-900 dollars they’re that good. Rock island sucks compared to these guns!
As a 1911 enthusiast I own an original Colt blued civilian 1911 made in 1913, Colt commander and smith and Wesson SS 1911. Thoroughly enjoy the design and trigger. As a WW2 re/enactor buying a WW2 PARKERIZED 1911a1 is cost prohibitive. I heard of the TURKEY 1911a1. Really how good could it be 🤨
Absolutely PERFECT👍 The price, quality, fit and finish, function and accuracy. My favorite plinker🇺🇸⚔️
I’ve had a Zig M1911 for over 2 years. Stainless steel, serrations on slide front and back. Well made, good finish (except maybe a few spots on the inside) chromed barrel. Works fine, I can’t recall the last malfunction I had with it. I usually tolerate a few malfunctions in the first couple of hundred rounds on a new gun. I’ve put a few thousand rounds through it (probably more) and it’s very reliable. Only problem is the front sight gets dirty with sooth after the first fifty rounds or so. I use different kinds of cheap ammo… Winchester, Remington range bucket and the black box. Still works fine.
I have owned a Tisas zig M 1911 for several years and put, maybe, 5 hundred rounds through it.
I haven’t experienced a malfunction with this pistol.
An inexpensive gun, less than $400, but we’ll worth the money.
I’ve owned the Tisas 45 acp for several years now. I’ve ran a ton of ammo through it. And I’ve used ammo of every kind. The only malfunction I had was the very first magazine when it was new. It had a failure to feed, but nothing at all since. It is in fact accurate, tight fitting and pretty good quality.