Talk Me Out of a Tisas

[Diamondback]

My FFL said something about questions with Turkish metallurgy, granted he was also really big on Fusions and trying to sell me on those.

[Slater]

The Turks make 1911, CZ 75, and Hi-Power clones. Most of the feedback I've heard has been overwhelmingly positive, so they must be doing something right. Their shotguns seem to be more hit-or-miss.

[Bret]

Sample size of one, but I have a Turkish Vepr shotgun clone that runs 100% while my actual Russian Vepr shotgun misfeeds every once in a while.

[DoubleW]

It’s made in Turkey. That’s the only reason you need not to buy it. Go buy a $400 bottle of bourbon or $400 worth of ammo/mags/gear instead.

[Gary1911A1]

I found this video while researching them. https://youtu.be/mFv-IQTJCu0

[Grip]

I ordered the railed commander “duty” 9mm last night for $384 shipped.

There is a well known 1911 smith on a 1911 forum that has dissected 3 of his own tisas 1911’s. He says the metallurgy is excellent. He also discovered that the only MIM part on the gun is the hammer.

I purchased mine as a project to mess around with. See what i can get for $1,200 spent max.

Sights, grips, Wilson magazines, better springs, GI “nub” safety, 10-8 flat trigger.

[G woody]

There's the old saying, "work like a Turk". I have a Weatherby over/under Trap in 12 gauge (made in Turkey). I have shot thousands of rounds thru the shotgun without any issues!

[Pappabear]

Andy, did you ever buy one? I would have tried to talk you out of it but maybe it worked out for you. You can get lucky and buy a cheap gun and it runs like a horse, if your lucky.

PB

[Bullz]

I think this story is a little funny so I'm going to share it... I bought one of their green GI models in 45 auto a few months before covid hit. Brand new and on sale, it cost about $300 out the door. The reason I bought it was because it was the one piece of kit I was missing to compete in "Wild Bunch" competitions at my local range, which I thought would be fun. But in the back of my mind... how can anyone build a quality 1911 for $300??? let alone sell it for that...

I figured... heck... it's $300 for a beater gun and do I really care what happens to it at that price??? It's easy and cheap enough to fix a broken hammer or whatever... and if it breaks in competition, one of the guys will drop me a loaner to finish out the day. I have some pretty expensive cowboy action guns that get thrown on tables and banged up, generally abused... this is peanuts compared to those. On paper, the build quality of the TISAS is in league with 1911 that are 2x to 3x the price... most of the gun is forged (all the important stuff) with a CHF barrel. It seemed like a much better way to go than getting a CMP reissue, for my purposes anyway.

Anyway, as I said, covid hit and the competitions froze. They're doing the matches again, but I still haven't gotten around to participating in the wild bunch stuff.

About the gun: I've put about 2,000 rounds through mine so far, just playing at the range. The trigger could use some work, but the gun is incredibly accurate. GI sights are perfect from the factory and the gun will print everything in (or touching) the X ring at 25 yards - but the trigger forces me to be extremely deliberate to do it. The price and the fact that it's made in Turkey causes me to continually expect something to break but the thing just keeps running and running. Not a single jam or hiccup of any kind so far. I wish I would have bought two at that price. I've been using mostly Wilson combat mags, with a few other brands thrown in here and there.

Now, it might just be the shape of my hands, but the edges of the metal on the grip and back of the gun were a little sharp. Everything on the gun is excellently machined, but just has hard edges. After a few hundred rounds, the area around my thumb knuckle would be cut and bleeding. So I spent some time rounding out all the edges on the gun that would make contact with my hand... this took the finish off the gun in those areas. It gives it kind of a tasteful worn look (which kind of fits the era look anyway) and makes it much more comfortable. However, I was concerned about corrosion. It's been since 2019 and nothing yet... I think the gun is made of stainless steel.

Anyway... if you want a 1911 that you can beat the crap out of not get heartburn, I think it's pretty awesome. Cost wise, at some point, I would start considering Ruger or a couple other brands for a little more money. But I'm of the opinion now that the Tisas is an excellent value at $300 - $400. I keep toying with the idea of buying another one... don't really need it though.

[Bullz]

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