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Gun Review: Zenith Firearms Tisas 1911 In .45 ACP

June 26, 2017 By Joshua Gillem 2 Comments

Zenith Firearms Tisas 1911

In a moment, we’re going to talk in depth about the Zenith Firearms Tisas 1911 in .45 ACP. But first, let’s pay homage to the guns that brought all of this about:

The M1911:

Table of Contents

  • The M1911:
  • Zenith Firearms Tisas 1911:
  • Tisas Zig M1911 At The Range:
  • The PC1911’s Acuracy:
  • Included with the Tisas Zig M1911:
  • Tisas 1911 Discrepancies:
  • Conclusion:
  • Stats:

One of my favorites, and to me one of the best pistols ever made, is the 1911 platform. Yes, yes, I know … they’re big, heavy, low-capacity, etc. All good arguments in a world nearly (but not completely) dominated by striker-fired, polymer-framed pistols. Oh, and then we can talk about its age, right? How can a pistol design that’s over 100 years old possibly be sufficient for self-defense?

Again, all good points. Then again, let’s not forget that the M1911 saw service and fought in every major war since its inception until it was retired. Even then, it was not replaced because it didn’t work. The old GI issued guns were tired, and the military wanted a cheaper solution.

The 1911 still works.

It works well-enough that many people still carry one for self-defense on a daily basis. I, personally, also carry a concealed 1911 from time to time. They fit great in my hand, the controls are well within reach, they’re reliable and accurate, and they also look much better than a lot of other guns out there.

Zenith Firearms Tisas 1911:

First and foremost, let’s get this out of the way. Zenith Firearms, to my knowledge, does not manufacture any firearms. They simply import them from overseas companies like Tisas, the maker of this budget 1911. They also have a custom shop, where you can get some work done. But, they are primarily an importer of Turkish firearms.

This Zenith 1911 from Tisas is the all-stainless version with an accessory rail. It retails for $599.99, and I can say that, after I pulled the pistol from the box and opened the red case, I was impressed by its look. While it took me a minute to get used to the rail, this 1911 is sexy. I flipped it around in my hands a few times, and found something that, while not the biggest deal, was certainly puzzling.

Zenith Firearms 1911

One of the grips was brownish in color, while the other was a sort of reddish color. Or, one was light, and one was dark … however you want to look at it. Either way, having two different colors of grips isn’t a tremendous problem, and definitely not a deal breaker. After all, replacing grips is an easy enough task. I tried to show the difference in a photo, but it didn’t show up so I left it out to save space.

As I usually do, I function check firearms before I sign any paperwork, just to make sure everything is in working order. I pulled back the slide, checked the chamber, released the slide, played with the ambidextrous safety, pulled the trigger, and that’s where the first sign that this was a budget 1911 sank in.

Trigger is serrated on the front.

The trigger needs work. There is a long take up and a much heavier pull than you’d expect to find on a modern-day 1911. Still not a deal breaker, however because that’s something you could train for, or adjust with a gunsmith.

Tisas Zig M1911 At The Range:

I had an up and down relationship with this pistol. As with some other guns, it required a grace period for break-in time and to figure out which type of ammunition it finds tastiest. It took a few hundred rounds of ammo to break in, and then after that point, the failures were few and far between.

Breakdown of the pistol. Overall, fit and finish is good.

In the beginning, I had multiple failures to feed on just about any brand of ammo I put in it from HPR’s hollow points down to the cheapest White Box Winchester I was able to find. It did not matter what I put in it, the PC1911 was problematic.

I do want to say here, however, that when many other 1911s require a break-in period, it’s because the tolerances are extremely tight and need to be loosened up a bit. That’s not the case with the Tisas 1911, because it seems loose enough.

It did get better with time so I’m not entirely sure what the issue was.

Zenith Firearms Tisas 1911
Internals

If you buy one of these pistols, I strongly urge you to put it through its paces before you decide whether you like it or not, because it will get better as it’s used more. My last day at the range with it, I put a 100 round box of American Eagle through it, and about 20 HPR hollow points (the same box giving me issues previously) with only 1 malfunction to report.

I can say with near certainty that the malfunctions on this Tisas 1911 have seemingly stopped after the proper break-in time.

The PC1911’s Acuracy:

So, I found that this budget 1911 puts lead on paper in a consistent low/left fashion, which could be nothing more than me still getting used to the take up and, what I’m calling a false break in the trigger. Either way, the rear sight also looks to be adjusted pretty far to the left, as well, but I never touched it.

One thing that I need to keep telling myself when I shoot this thing, is that it’s not meant to be the best 1911 pistol on the market. Perhaps it’s one of the best in its price range, but not the best of its kind. With that in mind, its accuracy is perfectly acceptable to me.

Included with the Tisas Zig M1911:

It’s often the little things that count, right? In the case of this Zenith Firearms Tisas 1911, you get a plastic case (with cutouts for the gun, mags, tools, and even little holes for your ammo), 3 eight-round magazines, some cleaning tools, and a cable lock. I can appreciate them sending 3 magazines with this gun, because they can get expensive.

gun case
The holes cut into the padding are for rounds of ammo.

Tisas 1911 Discrepancies:

I’m not sure where to insert these things, but these are little issues I had with workmanship. First, the set screw on the rear sight had worked itself out and was loose during my last range session. Even now as I sit here and type this with the handgun in front of me, I feel the rear sight, and there is some play in it. If I were to keep this gun, It would need some sight adjustments done.

The grips are two different colors, which is really nothing more than an annoyance. While it’s not like one is green and one is red, they are two different shades of brown. One is lighter in color, and the other is darker. Honestly, if I were to buy this pistol I’d end up changing the grips anyway, so this isn’t that huge of a deal.

It is a good-looking 1911

Early on I experienced many failures to feed and a few ejection stoppages. I attribute this to being a thirsty, new 1911 and after time the stoppages all but ceased to exist in a 120 round period on my last range trip with only 1 malfunction to report at that time.

I would usually holster and carry one of my test pistols and report back how it acts as a concealed carry piece, but I didn’t quite feel it was up to the challenge early enough on, and my time is sadly over with it, now.

Finally, one of the grip screws worked itself loose on me while shooting. This is not that big of a deal, but one does expect screws to be tight on a new firearm.

Zenith Firearms

Conclusion:

I can say that, while the Zenith Firearms Tisas 1911 isn’t necessarily the best 1911 pistol out there, if you’re in the market for a new one and don’t mind breaking one in (and tightening all the screws) without spending several hundred dollars more, this may be a good handgun for you.

After all, it does have some premium options, like front slide serrations and an accessory rail, which could be a plus for some. Do you own any of Zenith’s Firearms? If so, let me know in the comments below.

Stats:

  • Price – $599.99
  • Caliber – .45 ACP
  • OA Length – 7.64 inches
  • Barrel Length – 4 inches
  • Weight (Empty) – 2.13 pounds
  • Height – 5.3 inches
  • Operation – single action
  • Sights – dove tailed
  • Capacity – 8+1
  • Colors – stainless (matte finish)
  • Includes – a rugged plastic carry case, a factory cleaning kit, a keyed cable lock, three (3) magazines, and a 5-year warranty


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Filed Under: Gear Reviews, Gun Reviews Tagged With: .45acp, 1911, 1911 pistol review, concealed carry, gun, handgun reviews, pc1911, self-defense, self-defense lifestyle, tisas 1911, zenith firearms

About Joshua Gillem

Josh is a lifelong practitioner and student of the gun. He grew up shooting/hunting with his dad, and was given his first gun, a 12 gauge shotgun, when just a small boy. After high school, he joined the Marines where his love for firearms blossomed as he qualified with an M16A2, an M9, and a 240G. Josh has been writing about firearms and tactics for several years, is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, and believes that each individual person has the right to self-defense by any means necessary. Currently residing in gun-friendly Pennsylvania, he carries a concealed gun on a daily basis, even in his own house.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michael says

    May 7, 2019 at 4:10 am

    I have a Tisas 1911 GI service model, bought from Buds years ago when they were pushing them. I also had problems with stove pipes using reloads, wad cutters every round or every other. However when I switched to Winchester white box ball I had no problems. I have about 300 rounds in it and am satisfied that it runs on well on Winchester ball. It still messes up on reloads but not Winchester ball, it eats what it likes and that is what I feed it now. I am not going to deal with any other ammo as it has its purpose and ball is fine with me. I put rubber grips on it and it feels good in the hand. I pulled it apart and it looked fine as I did not need to do anything as the feed ramp was slick and very little issues as far as metal speckles. when cleaning. The machining on it is just as good if not better than the standard US Military GI models used in the military back in the 60s
    1911s used in the military(Colts, Springfield’s, Remington’s) at the range would not run smooth unless the oil was running down your hand, down your arm and dripping off your elbow, as well as splatter all over your face, uniform and shooting glasses. It would run like a top after 200 rounds. Field strip and clean on the range. You would have lots of brass speckles, metal speckles and carbon build up to clean off, cleaned so well took off the bluing in areas Then oiled it up good again and wiped it off and fired another 300 rounds, the stoppages had stopped. So a break is needed. Also you put it in the vice and clamped it down taking care of the slop and rattle, You now had a fine shooting weapon, that was now your pistol and you know what you were capable of. Shooting the size if a fist at 25 yards and hitting a target at 50 yards could be done with the right stance and 2 handed grip.

    Reply
    • Josh says

      May 7, 2019 at 10:50 am

      Thank you for sharing your experience.

      Josh

      Reply

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