As I move into this review, I am going to make a few statements on concealed carry pistols and their usefulness for defense use. Range performance, accuracy, and combat ability are important. So is handling, safe operation, and balance, which is sometimes referred to as heft.
A double-action first-shot pistol is useful for close range personal defense, but will not win many competitions. Many pistols are not double-action-only striker-fired pistols like the Glock. Instead, they are single-action pistols with some form of trigger block. They shoot well, but they are questionable for daily carry.
The double-action first-shot pistol is a handy model for those who keep the pistol at home and ready beside the bed, in the belt, or under the pillow. Grasp the pistol and press the double-action trigger. A long trigger pull both cocks and drops the hammer. The pistol fires, the slide recoils and cocks the hammer for subsequent single-action fire.
Some double-action pistols have a decocker that lowers the hammer from full cock. Others feature a safety that may be used to place the pistol on safe with the hammer cocked. These are termed selective double-action first-shot pistols. The Tisas Fatih is a selective double-action pistol.
The Tisas Fatih bears a close resemblance to the Beretta 84 Cheetah pistol. As far as I can determine, the pistol is dimensionally identical. The Fatih (Fatih means conqueror) pistol is a double-action first-shot pistol with a 13-round magazine.
The pistol features a safety that may be placed in the on position when the hammer is in the down or fully-cocked position. I don’t recommend cocked-and-locked carry with this pistol or keeping it cocked and locked at home ready, but it is an option. The safety is most useful when you are engaged in tactical movement. You may place the safety on, rather than lowering the hammer and having to run through the double-action trigger press again.
Grips
The pistol’s grips are well designed and offered good hand purchase. In fact, I would go so far as to say the pistol felt good in the hand. The size of the grip was ideal for most hand sizes.
Trigger
The trigger action is smooth. The finger begins above the trigger and sweeps the trigger to the rear. Some practice is needed to master this trigger. The single-action trigger is clean and crisp at 4.5 pounds compression.
Sights
A big plus can be found in the pistol’s sights. The sights are well designed and while snag free, they still manage to offer a good sight picture. The pistol features an external draw bar and in all respects is a clone of the Beretta 84. The pistol is like the Beretta 92 9mm in operation. A plus, is that the Tisas Fatih is supplied with two 13-round magazines. This makes for a good reserve of ammunition.
Range Testing
I test fired the pistol with several types of .380 ACP ammunition. In initial range work, I used a mix of PMC, Remington, and Winchester FMJ ammunition. I concentrated on drawing and firing at 5 and 7 yards.
The pistol came on target quickly. Pressing the trigger straight to the rear, firing double-action, resulted in center hits on man-sized targets. Once the transition was made to single-action fire, the pistol was easier to control. The sights were well regulated for the six o’clock hold at 10 yards.
The Fatih is pleasant to fire, but don’t expect the .380 ACP to recoil like a .22. Recoil is there, but not quite in the 9mm compact pistol range. As for absolute accuracy, the pistol seemed quite accurate in offhand fire.
I moved to firing from a pistol shooting rest to confirm absolute accuracy. Many small pistols are more accurate than most would think, and the Fatih proved to be one these.
I used the Hornady Critical Defense load in firing for accuracy. I also wanted to confirm the pistol was reliable with expanding bullet loads featuring an open nose, so I added the Hornady 90-grain XTP. These loads offer a balance of expansion and penetration. In other words, they do the best they can within the limits of .380 ACP energy and velocity.
Be cautious with manufacturer’s claims. As an example, each of these Hornady loads clocks at just under 1,000 fps. I have tested loads from manufacturers claiming over 1,200 fps with an 85-grain bullet in .380 ACP. The actual velocity was closer to 990 fps. There is only so much you can do with a caliber.
As for absolute accuracy, the pistol is more than accurate enough for personal defense. Five-shot groups at 15 yards averaged 1.7 inches. As my performance testing proved, a light handgun such as the Fatih will often be as accurate as a full-size service pistol.
Manual of Arms
- Lock the slide to the rear.
- Insert a loaded magazine.
- Release the slide.
- Carefully grasping the hammer, press the trigger and lower the hammer. As soon as the hammer begins to move, release the trigger.
- The pistol may be safely carried with or without the safety being engaged.
Specifications
Model: Zenith Tisas Fatih 13
Action: Semi-Automatic
Caliber: .380 ACP
Capacity: 13 Rounds
Barrel: 3.9″ Cold Hammer Forged
Operation: Short Recoil Double-Action/Single-Action DA/SA
Sights: Fixed
Safety: Ambidextrous Manual
Frame: Alloy with Steel Slide
Grips: Black Ergonomic
Finish: Black
Overall Length: 6.93 Inches
Weight: 1.5 Pounds
Conclusion: Tisas Fatih
The Tisas pistol has proven to be reliable, accurate, and handle well. For many Americans, this pistol is the ideal size for daily carry and home defense. It isn’t the most powerful handgun. In actuality, the power of the cartridge itself is the only drawback. If you are satisfied with the .380 ACP cartridge, the Tisas Fatih is an outstanding handgun.
The Tisas Fatih isn’t a pocket gun like the Ruger LCPII, but a full-size defensive pistol. It is pleasant to fire and should serve well. For concealed carry, I adopted a Galco Sto-N-Go — an affordable, but useful, holster. This is a comfortable handgun to carry.
Would you employ a .380 for home or self-defense? How would you rate the Tisas Fatih? Share your answers in the comment section.
The pistol is simple to fieldstrip and easy to maintain. Barrel-to-slide fit was excellent. The Tisas Fatih isn’t a lightweight hideout like the Ruger LCPII Max, but it was easy to handle and quite accurate. 
The pistol follows the lines of the Beretta 84 pistol closely. This is the manual safety of the Tisas Fatih in the safe position. Many will appreciate the safety, others ignore it. When you consider everything else you carry on a daily basis, a light, but accurate and reliable, handgun is desirable. 
The Tisas Fatih is well made of good material and has proved to be reliable in testing. The white dot sights provided a good aiming point.
Follow up to my post of Dec. 26, 2022:
I purchased the “Thin Grips” from LOK for my Tisas Fatih. As warned by LOK and noted by other posters, there was an issue with the fit on the lower screws but I decided to take on the project to “make it fit”. My 3 hours of filing and sanded paid off. The grips now fit precisely and look very nice. More importantly , the reduced thickness in the grips gives the gun a near perfect feel in my hand.
IMHO, it has made a very good gun even better. I’m at about the 800 round mark, with at least 10 different brands of ammo, and zero malfunctions. I still have trouble believing a gun this good could be at such an attractive price point.
Always wanted an 84 Cheetah and couldn’t find one affordable. Stumbled upon, read all reviews, then bought the Fatih. Fantastic little gun. Shoots high, functions flawlessly and kicks like a small mule, just like the reviews advised. Looked for Pachmayr grips for it but they no longer exist in the real world. Luckily found a set for the Browning BDA, notched them for the safety and recoil is tamed. Now to file the sight to get on the bullseye and done. Buy one you’ll love it!
I bought one a few months ago. Love the firearm but not the grips so I ordered custom turkish walnut grips from KSD and they are fantastic!
Tried to share a pic but——
I recently purchased my tisas 380 cause I couldn’t afford the beretta 84.. I feel in love with this gun.. and currently have it in the shop getting cerakoted the same color as the new beretta 80x cheetah. Only thing I have found on the tisas 380 was the very stiff spring.. once I get enough rounds through it I’m hoping it lightens up. Other than that very happy and satisfied with this purchase.
I really like the gun and enjoy shooting it. During the first box of 50 rounds, I had one failure to fire. However, because of the SA/DA trigger I was able to pull the trigger again and the round went off. I have shot 100 rounds of 2 different brand bullets without any issues.
I tried to install LOK Grips for the SDS Imports Tisas Fatih but the bottom screw hole did not line up on the left side grip. The owner of LOK Grips suggested that I have the grip mount modified because some of these guns had the grip mounts off by 1mm to 2mm. 🙁 I returned the LOK grips for a full refund.
I will have to check out Beretta 84B or 84BB grips for grip mount locations. I may have custom wood grips made or just live with the original Tisas Fatih grips.
If anyone knows of grips that work send me an email.
Just picked up my Fatih at my local gun store. The moment I put this gun in my hand, it was pure love. I have never owned a gun that fit my hand as perfectly as this one. Feels like it was custom made for me. Can’t wait to get it out to the range. My PX-4 might just have some competition!
I’ve had my Fatih about a month but have only run 4 mags, each loaded with different brand name factory loads, and had no issues. The fit, finish and function are excellent- Remarkable for this price point. I dislike the “dot-over-dot” sights but the guns accuracy at 25’ is better than my skill set. I would categorize this as a very good gun. However, a lot of 380 caliber buyers (like me) are hoping for less felt recoil and easier slide manipulation compared to 9mm or larger ammo. This gun does not give either of those desired attributes. I like the gun, and plan to keep it, but I have to say in all honesty, my Hellcat Pro has easier slide manipulation and no more felt recoil. With proper holster, I think the Fatih is a safer gun “for me” to carry. I will always be a revolver lover but the extra capacity here is to compelling to pass up.
Reserving for a .380 for personal carry Retired LE and was impressed by your review.
I had a Beretta 84 some 30 plus years ago which I foolishly sold as I was young & thought to have more robust cartridges. Now that I’m on the downward slope I regret that move. Were they available here in California I’d certainly be in the market for this. I do have a Sig P238 but would prefer the larger size of the Tisas . . . or my old Beretta!
This is the best article I’ve seen on this pistol. I learned of this model just over a week ago during a range visit. I was in the market to replace my EDC Ruger LCRX 9mm snub-nose. I have a Beretta 92 22lr and a 9mm clone, which I prefer to either of my revolvers. However other than the Rugger, the others are just too big for EDC. I’m older, 60 ish, so I learned to shoot pistols with hammers and both revolvers and SA/DA semi auto feel natural to me. This mini version of the 92, AKA 84 clone felt like a great fit for me. I only have abt 100 rounds through it, but love it. Accurate and easy to shoot. Good capacity, weight and size that makes it easy to put 10 out of 10 center mass from 30′ and 9 of 10 from 45′. Even on the 1st shot, DA hit the bull from 10 yards.
Blowback
Keep checking it will be back in stock
It’s Blow Back
Blow back or locked breech?
Is this pistol locked breech or blow back?
Enjoyed the article and would like to know if there is a price range for this pistol? Also easy to order or who carries or imports this model? Thanks again for your help and enjoyed the article. Well written and right amount of detail and tech specs!!
Normally, we do. However, we are sold out. ~Dave
Excellent pistol