Faulkner
Member
Nice writeup on pages 70-71 in the December '21 American Rifleman on the Tisas made 1911A1 US Army, imported by SDS Imports. By the time I saw the writeup, though, I'd already seen them a few days earlier in the glass case at my local gun store and didn't see the post by jeffrefrig until after one had come home with me.
I had seen Hickock 45's review, as well as a couple of other YOUTUBE reviews before I laid out the cash, and the overall consensus was they were definitely a good bang for the buck. I'm also old enough to remember back in the day when I passed on several bargain priced Norinco M1911A1's when they were still being imported new, and I've regretted not getting one then. I decided if the Tisas panned out as good as what I was hearing, and the price was right, I wasn't going to pass this time.
The LGS had in stock two 1911A1 US Army versions, basically USGI clones, and two "Tanker" versions, which is a Commander sized 1911A1. My buddy behind the counter said they'd initially had eight of the full size and four "Tanker" versions shipped in the previous week, but they were selling pretty good and these four were all that was left. I asked him to pull one of each out on the counter for me to handle, but I have to admit the "Tanker" really caught my eye, especially since I already have a couple of full sized 1911's.
One thing on the full sized USGI clone is the American Rifleman article indicated it was Parkerized with a hint of olive drab coloration, but to me it appeared to have a bit more than a "hint" of OD. The "Tanker" version has a dark charcoal, not quite but almost black, color to it's finish. The USGI clone is a dead ringer for my 1943 Ithaca with the exception of the flared ejection port and the mag well is flared a bit as well, both of which I think is a plus. The "Tanker", also sported a little larger safety lever and a wider hammer spur.
In the end, the "Tanker" version came home with me. I've always wanted a Commander style M1911 and decided this was as good a chance to get one as any. Once I got it home I stripped it down to check the internals. One of the YOUTUBE reviews indicated that his had some rust issues on the inside, probably from shipping over salt water, but mine was well lubed with no indications of any rust at all. I was impressed that the slide markings "1911A1 TANKER" were clear and crisp, while the frame import markings and serial number had a pleasant subdued look to them.
I noted the feed ramp on the frame was well polished and overall the gun locked up tight. The trigger felt just about the same as on my USGI Ithaca, and as can be seen in the side by side comparison the sights are USGI minimalist. Personally, I don't (yet) have a problem with USGI 1911 sights. You can also see in the bottom photo the comparison in ejection ports with my USGI Ithaca up front with the standard port, the Tiisas "Tanker" flared port next, and a Springfield, Inc. 1911A1 with a fared port in the rear.
I'm looking forward to getting it to the range for a test run, but will probably be after the first of the year before I can break free for some range time.
I had seen Hickock 45's review, as well as a couple of other YOUTUBE reviews before I laid out the cash, and the overall consensus was they were definitely a good bang for the buck. I'm also old enough to remember back in the day when I passed on several bargain priced Norinco M1911A1's when they were still being imported new, and I've regretted not getting one then. I decided if the Tisas panned out as good as what I was hearing, and the price was right, I wasn't going to pass this time.
The LGS had in stock two 1911A1 US Army versions, basically USGI clones, and two "Tanker" versions, which is a Commander sized 1911A1. My buddy behind the counter said they'd initially had eight of the full size and four "Tanker" versions shipped in the previous week, but they were selling pretty good and these four were all that was left. I asked him to pull one of each out on the counter for me to handle, but I have to admit the "Tanker" really caught my eye, especially since I already have a couple of full sized 1911's.
One thing on the full sized USGI clone is the American Rifleman article indicated it was Parkerized with a hint of olive drab coloration, but to me it appeared to have a bit more than a "hint" of OD. The "Tanker" version has a dark charcoal, not quite but almost black, color to it's finish. The USGI clone is a dead ringer for my 1943 Ithaca with the exception of the flared ejection port and the mag well is flared a bit as well, both of which I think is a plus. The "Tanker", also sported a little larger safety lever and a wider hammer spur.
In the end, the "Tanker" version came home with me. I've always wanted a Commander style M1911 and decided this was as good a chance to get one as any. Once I got it home I stripped it down to check the internals. One of the YOUTUBE reviews indicated that his had some rust issues on the inside, probably from shipping over salt water, but mine was well lubed with no indications of any rust at all. I was impressed that the slide markings "1911A1 TANKER" were clear and crisp, while the frame import markings and serial number had a pleasant subdued look to them.
I noted the feed ramp on the frame was well polished and overall the gun locked up tight. The trigger felt just about the same as on my USGI Ithaca, and as can be seen in the side by side comparison the sights are USGI minimalist. Personally, I don't (yet) have a problem with USGI 1911 sights. You can also see in the bottom photo the comparison in ejection ports with my USGI Ithaca up front with the standard port, the Tiisas "Tanker" flared port next, and a Springfield, Inc. 1911A1 with a fared port in the rear.
I'm looking forward to getting it to the range for a test run, but will probably be after the first of the year before I can break free for some range time.
Attachments
Last edited:
