A few months ago I bought an RIA 1911 in 9mm, telling myself I wasn't interested in starting to reload for 45 (I already load 9mm).

Fat lot of good that did. A couple of days ago I saw this one in the case at Ali-Babba's House O' Guns. I knew almost nothing about the brand, Tisas, (ZIG 1911...the Model?) other than they are made in Turkey. I liked the simplicity of the whole package, and wanting nothing more than something to punch a hole in a piece of paper, figured I couldn't go too far wrong for less than $300.00.





Like everything else I've seen good and bad on the interweb about them. They're somewhere between the best 1911 ever made, and the worst piece of junk ever apparently. This one looks like it falls in the middle somewhere, but I haven't shot it.

I think I'll hold off on reloading stuff for now.

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John 3:16 .

I hope you are wearing some good shoes, you are on a slippery slope. 1911s like to multiply.
That's a good looking basic model. If it shoots as good as it looks you got a keeper. Let us know.

Hickok45 did a decent review of the gun. You might want to look at it.

You might be right about that, since I've got two already. This isn't my first foray into this territory though. I had a Colt GM back many years ago during my IPSC phase, when I was under the spell of Jeff Cooper and his crowd.

I do think this is as far as it will go though.

I've seen the Hickock 45 video on them. It was one of the factors that tipped it from "lay-a-way" to "bring home."

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John 3:16 .

Famous last words.

Reloading .45 is a blast. If you own a .45 you do "need" to load for it.
Big case, big bullet and big results.
I know you will love it.
I almost bought an RIA .45. As a matter of fact I did but delivery of it was to slow for me and I bought a new R1 instead. That one shoots it tightest groups with my cast 230gr handloads.
Have fun!
Jim

Keep the ROCK ISLAND ,they have the best customer service of the lower priced 1911's
I have 4 + other mfg's 1911 they seem to multiply

1911's are like candy, you can't have just one. I now have 4 1911's, A Colt Gold Cup, Springfield (.45) now in a comp gun configuration, an RIA Compact .45 which I liked so much I bought another in 9mm. They are all fun to shoot. The RIA's are the best buy for the money, quality, reliability, and good accuracy for a very reasonable price.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I've got that same model, for that same price.

Made a very interesting discovery- those cheap GI mags at Sarco for around $10, they feed Blazer Brass 100% without a hiccup, and they ride flush, not poking out the bottom. Also, Sarco has some checkered double diamond wood grips for about $15.

Nothing wrong with beer-budget M1911's.
I have a full compliment of Colts and Kimbers, but have had excellent results with something I picked up as a woods-beater/truck gun - a not-seen-much-anymore Charles Daly M1911 5" .45. ( sorta deluxe Philippine pistol) Came with a Wilson mag, and that's about all I use anyway. So far, I haven't found anything it won't do as well as my Colts, except retain value.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

Hands shaking yet?

I wanted a 1911, just one. Bought a Sig and really liked it. I was happy...for a while. A deal came along on a S.A. loaded. It's stainless and the Sig is nitron. Yeah, there you go, one's black and this one is shiny. They're different so ... I have 2. Happen to notice a S.A. range officer on discount. 9mm! I don't have one of those! Now I have 3. I really like the commander size...

When you start loading 45acp (yes, you will!) get some WST. Great in 9mm and 45acp plinking loads.

At a recent handgun class, some friends tried my DW CBOB. Two of them said they were thinking about it...I just heard today that at least one them has taken the plunge!

Resistance is futile...

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Fight socialism. Never stop.

It's not how much you pay but what you get that counts. This $250 SA is the best 1911 I have ever owned and will feed anything as long as I use the Wilson mags. I see yours also came with the "reassembly scratch" so you won't need to add it. Enjoy. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

If it hadn't come with that scratch, I'd have surely added it myself before too long.

Took it to the range today and fired 50 rounds of PMC 230 grain hardball. Not a bobble one. Not much of a torture test I know, but I'll get it back to the range again before long.

It seems to shoot just a little low on the sights, something Hickock 45 commented on, which isn't a big deal to me. I'm just a fun shooter, so 7-15 yards is about my limit. I just held a little higher than I normally do and the "kill zone" on that target was taking a beating.

Reloading stuff is being assembled. The range had brass on sale, so I picked up a few hundred rounds, plus the 200 rounds of factory ammo I bought, so I'll be set up before long it looks like.

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John 3:16 .

I'd love to come across a $250 SA 1911!! that thing looks great!

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John 14:6, Luke 21:11

1911 fever is contagious!! My 81 year old father, after seeing my 1911, informed me he now wants one as well. Don't think he's strong enough anymore to handle one in .45. Maybe I'll buy him one in a .380.

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Get off my lawn!

Maybe you should shoot some of those before buying another.

M1911 clones have become so much of a standardized commodity that there's very little difference in quality among the many manufacturers worldwide - even the "budget price" makers. For most recreational shooters, the lower-priced models will normally fill the bill if snob appeal is not a factor. Remember the Chinese Norinco "Model of the 1911"? Before their importation was blocked, I think they sold for less than $300. But most reviewers felt that they were among the best-made of the M1911 clones, and maybe as good as a true Colt.

Oh, I'll get around to that one of these days. I'm in no big rush.

I don't really remember the Norinco's, but I didn't pay much attention to guns and shooting for a number of years. I do however remember reading/hearing that Rock Island Arms were junk. Still do from time to time.

Not too long ago I read that if you didn't spend at least $1,200.00 for a 1911, you were going to be disapointed.

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John 3:16 .

I have one. The finish ain't much and the insides are rough and full of tool marks, but the darn things run like a top.
The big attraction to them was the steel they were made of. Rumor was that they were forged from recycled railroad track.
Many a fine custom 1911 was built from these cheap chinese imports.

I heard a lot of good things about the RIA guns. Seems that most people were quite happy with them. So when I ran a cross a used one in .38 Super at a really good price, I grabbed it.
Oh Boy! What a jam-o-matic! Couldn't get through two rounds without hanging up. I finally came to the conclusion that they built their .38 Supers using 9mm slides. I opened up the breech face just a tad, tuned the extractor, replaced the sights and springs and now its totally reliable and a fine shooter.
Just to be fair, I've never heard of such problems with RIAs .45 or 9mm guns.

BTW: Cajun Bass, you don't have a .38 Super yet, do you? (hint, hint)

Granted that spending more will get you a better trigger, a nicer finish and maybe a little more accuracy. But there's also a bit of snobbery involved there.
Most of the mid-range priced guns will serve you very well and are more accurate than most of us can shoot.
And many of the cheap imports are are proving to be good value for the money. Only time will tell how well they hold up.

I picked up a well used, ridden 1911a1 norinco for $300. I installed a surplus USGI barrel with a nm barrel bushing and a FLGR. I machined the disconnector ramp. That takes the bump out of the slide. She shoots cloverleafs and clusters at 25 yds using wolf ammo. The norinco has a forged frame and slide. It's one of the best platforms for a build.

The auto ordnance ww2 army 1911a1 and the SA USGI mil spec are two good quality 1911's for a affordable cost.

We have one "Turkey Gun" here in 9mm amongst over a dozen of all brands from $999 to $2500+. I have seen them shoot this thing for about 6 months now since it came in from Bud's. Guess which of all the 9mm 1911s I have NEVER seen fail? Yep...Mr. Turkey. Biggest failing is the sights...SMALL..but shoots to POA.

I got a Norinco from a friend who couldn't pay me the money he owed and felt guilty. I was happy to wait but he insisted. Anyway, it was good. Shot better than my Colt. I sold it. Please tell me why.

Right now I have 5 1911 pattern pistols. A Series '70 45 that's been engraved and had a S&W sight put on back in 1975, a Series '70 Gold Cup, a Colt Super, an TIA Super, and a Colt 22 upper on a Daly lower (the Dolt).

The only fixed sight 1911s I have are the two Supers. I don't have a plain Jane 1911 in 45 ACP. Not sure if that bothers me.

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No life story has happy end.

No, no 38 Super's...yet, but I do think I'll be able to resist that siren's call.

I've got enough ammo to load with what I've got now.

BTW. I've had both the TISAS (45), and the American Classic (9mm) to the range in the last couple of days. No problems at all with either one.

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John 3:16 .

I bought a used FireStorm 1911, a very early serial number Philippines production gun. I put an LPA fully adjustable target sight on it and still have under $350 in the rig. She'll eat anything I feed her, including cast lead and the accuracy is very good.

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Virtue,Liberty & Independence

I believe there's a lot of truth to this.
Maybe it's because I own "just" a Tisas and I want to think my gun is good; or maybe it's because my brother owns a couple Colts, and SO FAR, the Tisas holds it's own quite well.

Sure, I could spend a lot more money on another brand. I could triple my price and get a CZ 1911, which looks nearly identical from 10 ft away.

I still have the Norinco I bought new in 1992 or so. They were only imported for about three years. At the time there was a lot of criticism about the fact they were "Chinese copies". But besides Colt there were only one or two other 1911s on the market. Not like today!

I bought mine because I just couldn't afford even the cheapest Colt- and in those pre internet days you just shopped what the LGS had or could get. The Colt 1991 was twice the cost of a Norinco.

My experience with my Norinco is the same as Grayfox, the finish is pretty basic, but it just eats every cartridge you feed it. Well worth the $250 I paid in 1991!

My Argentinian ... pretty basic

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Halfway and one more step

I have two 1911's with one being a stainless Colt Government that has a hand fitted barrel bushing. competition trigger, and Novak combat sights. The second 1911 I have is a custom Norinco 1911.

Colt 1911 Government


Norinco 1911

Unfortunately for southpaws, the budget 1911's hardly ever come with factory ambi safeties, and the aftermarket stuff is always inadequate. I've got two 1911's, a Sig TacOps, and a Springfield that the agency provided NIB for training and then let us purchase when the duty versions, which were a little more tricked out, arrived after the course. Got a real deal on that one, and it is slicker than goose excrement on a flat rock . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

SWEET !
That's exactly what I would get , just go back to basic's.

Reloading for the 45 acp is pleasant...I've always enjoyed the 45 acp in 1911 .
It was my first semi-auto .
I've owned several with bells and whistles...even the first stainless model , the AMT Hardballer... but the basic , no frills , 1911A1, with fixed sights and arched mainspring housing is still my favorite, my basic was stolen in 1995 and I still miss it....
.You did just fine !
Gary

I bought the two toned Tisas a few years ago, had Ed Brown trigger and hammer installed and a 4lb trigger job. Shoots every bit as good as my Smiths and Ruger SR 1911. Nothing wrong with an inexpensive 1911, you're going to like it I bet. This is the way it came from the factory before the upgrades.


'IMG_1613.JPG

And in addition to my old Norc I recently bought a Ruger SR1911. I like the way it looks and it's pretty good shooter as well!

Me too - that's my only .45 (or 11.25?) as well! I have been thinking about the Tisas as well - but like others said - they rate somewhere between horrible and excellent...

I can only say this: I own a Tisas, and while it's not handcrafted and fit from a master smith in some Valhalla, there's nothing wrong with it either.

It's a cast frame, forged slide (from what I remember), shows good combat accuracy, the finish appears to be as good as anything else you will get off the rack. No failures for me with 230 gr PMC and Blazer Brass fmj, gonna try the Freedom rds next (I got in on the 500 rds for $113 deal). It hasn't been finicky with mags yet, being fine with the 8 rd Mecgar it came with, a Chip McCormick, and a couple of Sarco bargain mags.

Tisas doesn't seem to be a very old company, it's probably a completely modern factory with CNC machines.

I think the "it's a terrible piece" reviews come from folks who are a little biased in their opinions. It's not a Les Baer, but it IS a completely acceptable 1911. Playing back and forth with my brother's Colts (he has a Series 80, and a USGI), everything is within specs and fits.

Nice gun. Be careful, I started with a RIA. They multiply... Or get sold to get other ones.

My issues with the Tisa 1911s is consistency across pistols. You can get one that runs and is a great value but then you can take another one out of the box which won't get you through a mag.

My buddy had one and it would not run. It was the extractor. I had to fit it and then it ran for a bit but then started to fail. Took a Ed Brown part out of the parts bag and it ran 100%.

I agree that mags make a difference. I have never been a fan of Mecgar 1911 mags, love their other mags but not the 1911s. I like Chip McCormick and Checkmates because they offer solid value and run 100% in my guns.

Wilson are great but IMHO way overpriced when you consider that Powermags run about 50% of the Wilsons. Most failures in 1911s can be traced to mags and extractors IMHO. This holds true for Tisas 1911s too.

Well, I've had the Tisas out to the range a couple of times. Only 100 rounds through it, but I've had one bobble. I had to "tap" the slide one time to fully chamber a round.

I got two magazines off E-bay for cheap. Both ex-GI I would imagine, or at least Colt factory...they're marked "Colt 45 Auto" anyway. It was one of those two I was using when that happened. No idea if the mag caused it or what. It didn't happen again.

I changed the grips out. I didn't care too much for the smooth wood ones, so I picked up an again, cheap, set of rubber ones off E-bay. Much better for shooting.

So far, so good.

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John 3:16 .

Yeah I am not knocking them. I have considered getting one as a learning tool. Better to screw up a $300 gun vs a $1000 one when learning to fit beavertails, checker grip straps etc...

Hope it conitues to shoot well for you.

I bought a RIA compact 1911 about a year ago for about $400. Didn't shoot it for the longest time, and put it up for sale. Then, I finally decided to shoot it. It's no longer for sale!

I started reloading when I fell in love with my billboard 1911 as I knew I wanted to shoot the heck out of it and couldn't afford factory ammo. I now can reload for .38/.357, 44, 9mm and .45ACP. In my experience .45 ACP is WAY more pleasurable to reload than 9mm. But I don't use a progressive press, so YMMV.

My Norinco $400.00 Sports model 45 has been every I could hope for. I have both the Norinco mags and some Wilson combat type. They both work flawlecly in this gun and it 100% reliable as well. I also installed a set of Lps on this gun and it shoots as accrate as my m41 or m46.

It is so true about 1911s multiplying. I have numerous in three different calibers. I liked 38Super so much after buying a high polish Para in that caliber on a whim, that I then bought a DW Guardian in 38Super. That is now my favorite carry gun. She sports a pair of Sarge's real ivory's. 38Super has become my favorite 1911 caliber. Try it, your gonna love it... Why it really never caught on is beyond me.

The RIA 1911's are quite good enough for most shooting. The only thing the basic model needs is better sights. I like the parkerized finish on the one I bought. It is being used for a Marvel .22 upper these days so I never got around to getting better sights.

I sure like my RIA Compact 45. Heavy sucker, though; I wouldn't like to pocket it. The daughter of a friend had one and let me shoot it. Next gun show I had one of my own. It lives next to my computer as you can see, so if I'm at the computer late at night and there are 'noises off', I'll have something more than my fists when I go to investigate. It eats anything it's fed, including light target loads with a 175 gr SWC cast bullet. This is an old photo: it now has checkered grips and Novak night sights.

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They are a problem since they multiply like rabbits . I've been casually looking for a Commander size in 9mm. That was interrupted by stumbling onto a 4" 686 a couple weeks ago at a give away price . Not to fear since there's a gun show coming to town in two weeks !

Did I ever show this one off? I don't think so.

I did sell the Rock Island and picked this one up. American Arms Classic II, in 9mm. It has all the "goodies" that the cool kids had back in my IPSC days. Extended magazine release and safety, beavertail grip safety, skeletonized trigger and hammer, lowered ejection port, three dot sights and probably some other stuff I don't even know what is. The slide glides like it's on rollers. And it shoots just fine, although I haven't shot it a lot.





Not bad for just under $400.00 I didn't think.

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John 3:16 .

How about this for basic/budget 1911s:

Last night I watched a recording of Midway's "Tale's of the Gun", featuring the 1911.

One guy on the show (didn't see who he was) recounted buying a 1911A1 mail order from the NRA in 1962. Price? $15.

The postal clerk was so impressed when he told her, she asked him to bring in the ad so she could order one.

I have Colts, Argys and RIAs as well. I bought a Daly brand new a few years ago because it was all tricked out and looked real nice. I bought it in spite of the bad reviews at the time.

Its my most reliable and most accurate 1911.

I took a TISAS as payment for work.I was owed, major problem was the barrel thickness varied. It's a decent frame to build on. I personally would spend $75-100 more for an RIA or a MetroArms, had a Metro Firestorm everyone thought was a Llama piece of junk. It was accurate as any 1911 I've had ever. I no longer carry 1911's regularly since 7+1 I feel undergunned. After being involved in a firefight & using 28 rounds. I switched to either a 10+1 not working and 15+1 working.
Our private protection has gone to M&P .45 compacts. & fn 5.7 for the ones that deal with politicians. Up until 3 years ago privacy specialists didn't even carry other than pepper spray and ASPs. Now clients demand it. Were talking people that despise the 2nd amendment in public, but want armed staff. Go figure but its a living.