A few years ago, I tested and evaluated the Tisas PX9 9mm handgun. I found a serviceable, economy handgun based on the Springfield XD. The PX9 proved reliable with a variety of loads and handled well.
The trigger is a bit heavy. The pistol is a single-action design. The XD’s grip safety is deleted and instead the PX9 uses a manual safety. The safety is ambidextrous and operates in a positive manner. The pistol isn’t completely a clone of the XD, as the grip frame differs. With grip insert and side panel inserts as well, the Tisas PX9 has elements of the Walther 9mm striker-fired handguns. Enter the PX9 Gen 3.
Gen 3 Improvement
This pistol’s primary advantage is a new flat trigger. The trigger action is considerably better than the original with a crisp action clean break and rapid reset. The PX9 Gen 3 also features a blade lever set in the trigger face. My version has no manual safety.
The Tisas PX9 G3 9mm reviewed is the Night Stalker Gray edition. The finish is a kind of battleship gray, low key and non-reflective. The name may be a tribute to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
The pistol is available with a threaded barrel, mine has the standard barrel. The muzzle end of the slide has an attractive beveled treatment. The pistol features forward and rear cocking serrations. The controls are simple — a takedown lever, slide lock, and magazine catch. The manual of arms is simple: load, holster, draw, fire.
The slide is cut for optics a good feature on an inexpensive handgun. The Cerakote finish is nicely done. The sights are especially credible for personal defense. The rear sight is a serrated wedge type with a wide notch for rapid acquisition. The front post is a tritium dot with a brilliant orange circle. This is a great choice for rapid target engagement.
The striker of this single-action pistol is visible in the rear of the slide when cocked. The new, flat trigger breaks at 4.6 pounds. It is clean and resets rapidly. This is a very good trigger action for a striker-fired pistol. It’s also a single action, not a double-action-only type.
The frame features an accessory rail for mounting combat lights. Hand fit may be adjusted with some 20 combinations of grip and side panel inserts. The pistol is supplied in a locking hard case with a minimalist inside-the-waistband holster.
The pistol also ships with a flush fit 18-round and extended 20-round magazine. These magazines are compatible with the SIG P226 — a wise choice. A magazine loader is supplied, along with a cleaning brush and gun lock.
The pistol is a product of Tisas Trabzon Arms Industry, Turkey. The size of the pistol is comparable to the Springfield XD or Glock 19X. The pistol weighs in at a manageable 30 ounces loaded. The barrel is 4.1 inches long.
Ammunition
I began the evaluation with a mix of FMJ ammunition. The magazines were loaded using the standard procedure for high-capacity magazines. I loaded three to four cartridges, tapped the back of the magazine, and loaded three or four more, again tapping the magazine. I followed this drill until the magazine was fully loaded. Loading was smooth enough — until the last cartridge or two. At that point, I used the magazine loader.
The pistol was comfortable in the hand. Like most 9mm handguns of this size, recoil was modest. Firing quickly at man-sized targets, I found the pistol handled well and ‘homed in’ on the X-ring. Control was good and the trigger helped in this regard. However, I tended to ride my thumb on the slide lock. As a result, the pistol failed to lock open on the last shot. This took some adjustment and acclimation to correct. Each pistol has certain requirements, and this isn’t a defect. It is simply a consideration.
The Tisas 9mm was fired primarily with Remington UMC ball ammunition. I also fired a small quantity of 9mm NATO, 1988 vintage, which performed well, and a magazine full of steel-cased loads. The steel-cased loads were dirty but functioned well.
The pistol is easily centered on target and follow-up hits are not difficult. Considering the good fit, crisp trigger, and excellent sights, the pistol should perform well for the shooter who practices. Using the Federal 124-grain HST, I was able to shoot a slow fire group from the barricade firing position of 2.2 inches for five shots.
For my part, the pistol performed well in limited shooting. I found no fault, but I need to groove-in on the trigger and grip frame for the handgun to be all it can be. Just the same, the bottom line is that I can place practically every bullet in the same hole at 7 yards. The combination of a good trigger, good sights and apparent reliability are good. While the pistol is a little large (for many of us) for concealed carry, the size makes it easy to use well.
Would you sacrifice size for shootability, or do you prefer something more concealable? What role do you see the Tisas PX9 Nightstalker serving (CCW, home defense, all-around defense)? Share your answers in the comment section.
Federal’s 124-grain HST exhibited good performance. 
The PX9 features a striker-fired action. Note: The red-tipped striker is in the cocked position. 
Both the frame and slide are nicely beveled. Optional grip inserts and side panel, a flared magazine well, and speedloader are included in the package. A tritium sight insert is a big advantage. 
The PX9 features a blade-type trigger safety. 
The Inforce combat light is a good fit for the Tisas PX9 G3 9mm pistol. 
Disassembly is simple enough. 
The hardcase package included a minimalist inside-the-waistband holster. It isn’t badly made at all. 
The PX-9 handles well, it is downright easy to use. After a fast run, the author found he missed less at high speed than with most handguns, if that makes sense… 
A bright, front tritium insert surrounded by an orange dot is a great all-around combat sight. 
The Tisas PX-9 is a soft-shooting pistol offhand. 
The rear sight face is serrated. Note: The red-tipped striker is in the cocked-firing position. Fit, finish, and overall design seem good. 
The author found the Tisas to be a PX-9 G3 a reliable handgun.
I own this gun and love it. I did not buy it for a CCW. I knew it was not designed for that purpose. Regardless I like it a lot. It is inexpensive but very reliable and simple to disassemble to clean. I said year ago id never buy a foreign gun. I changed that now. The trigger alone will change your mindset of Turkish weapons.
I have been around guns since I was 10 years of age . My Dad taught me how to handle all firearms and we enjoyed hunting squirrels & dove especially ! I received my first gun at age 10 , a double barrel 20 gauge shotgun for the dove fields . Dad had many 22 rifles to hunt squirrels , so I would usually use a single shot that belonged to his grandfather . I bought my first pistol at 20 years of age , a revolver . When times(society) had gotten more crazy , with the mass shootings , I looked hard into a semi-auto pistol . I researched many brands and decided on a compact 9mm for concealment. I target shot with it for about a month , but was have troubles with my grouping ! My hands are not huge but my little finger was hanging off the grip along with an inch of hand also . I hit the computer hard to find a bit larger 9MM with a larger grip , and that’s when I came across the Tisas PX9 . I saw it was made in Turkey and my wife works for a Neurologist from Turkey . I called him to ask if he knew of this company and surprisingly he knew exactly where the company was , how long it had been manufacturing firearms , who they supplied , so much information that I decided to take a chance and purchased one on-line . The appearance , the magazine size , multiple magazines , and cleaning materials that came in the very nice plastic carrier was a plus ! The multiple side panels & back straps made the grip more comfortable to have a stable grip with this pistol ! I’m not one to spend lots on much of anything I don’t know much about , so along with my first 9mm pistol , the Tisas PX9 was exactly what I was looking for ! I made the purchase and gave a local gun shop that I knew for the shipment to be delivered . Both young men were very interested when I went to pick up the Tisas and it was registered at their gun shop . Neither one of them could believe I purchased this pistol for $303.78 . They both thought it would be almost double . I have practiced with both pistols and probably 600+ rounds each , and am very satisfied with my grouping , with the TisasPX9 , and am better with the first but nowhere near as much improvement as with the Tisas . Simple to operate , have had 0 problems with many different brands of ammo & loads , break down is very simple , and a BONUS was the cost ! I am so happy with this pistol ! Many guys have made a comment of the price I gave for this pistol !
Mark D
Middle Tennessee
Looks like the BRG9 I just picked up. They retail for $250.