My Tisas experience..

joepistol · Jul 23, 2025

I've read so many glowing reports on websites extolling the virtues of different Tisas models, though I thought I was thru buying any more firearms, ( even 1911's ) I
decided to try one. Since I'd sold a Cmdr sized 9mm 1911 ( American Classic ) to a friend, thought it was an acceptable excuse to buy a dbl. stack 9mm Cmdr from Tisas.
An online retailer happened to put one on sale, Their DS9 Duty, ( with a optitc cut already in slide).
Here's what I posted in another thread:

" Don't think I posted here about my latest1911 purchase, it was / a Tisas..Dbl stack 9mm Cmdr. size.
After picking up @ FFL, brought home & gave it a cleaning., and lubed in proper areas. Noticed it's not covered in oil like my Rock Island 1911's have been.
Looks pretty nice, no frame to slide slop, barrel seems fitted fairly well to slide @ lock-up, same with barrel bushing to end of barrel, no discernible movement
there. Gather an assortment of my 9mm ammo, 115 fmj, 124 gr poly coated, 147 gr JHP.. then head to my club's indoor range.
Arrive about 11pm on a week night..pretty much guarantees I'll have range to myself..I do tonight.
I brought along my favorite 9mm Cmdr. for a comparison.. my Bul Armory SS Cmdr , w/ bull barrel.

Set up a couple of targets, to shoot for comparison. Been sometime since I've shot my pistols, but know that I'll warm up after a few rds.
Shoot my Bul 1st, as I'm familiar with it. I'm pushing to the left a bit, but not too bad.
Try the Tisas.. Have a hang up with the mag, doesn't feed. Not a good start. I remove rnd, reinsert in mag, it chambers & fires.. but where is the hole in the target ?
I'm shooting @ 7 yds ( my usual shooting distance,) so my aged eyes can see where I hit on the target .
I notice it's very low. below the paper target .I'm aiming at the small box ,on the target..hitting the bottom of the target !

By altering my aim point, I begin walking my shots up the target.. the highesthits, I'm aiming at the extreme right corner of the top of the target.

joepistol · Jul 23, 2025

I was quite disappointed in my new gun's performance. I've never had a handgun that shot so far from the point of aim..( & I've owned some 50+ handguns)
Tried shooting different ammo, made no difference.Shooting at least 5-6" low and 5"-6"to the left ? @ 7 yds !
Went home, thoroughly disgusted. After some time, thought , "it must just be me.. got out my Lyman trigger pull gauge , measured the trigger pull weight, compared it to my Bul 9mm Cmdr.
The Bul was about .5# lighter.. that's not it.
Thought I should try the Tisas again. Did. Had the same results.
Decided to go to the manufacturer, Logged into Tisas, Then SDS Imports, went thru the websites to see what I needed to do to get some contact with them for what I considered a warranty issue. I finally found & filled out form for requesting an RMA, they asked for a lot of info, ( inc. a picture ID ! )
I sent a copy of a target I shot, explaining how far off the hits on target were from my aim point.
They sent me a RMA to ship the gun back to them. I sent it in yesterday, appreciating that I didn't have the expense of shipping it to them.
The RMA included a prepaid shipping label thru Fed EX. I was told it may be up to a month before my pistol is returned to me.
I'll report back what happens when it is returned.

Bob Lee · Jul 24, 2025

joepistol said:
I was quite disappointed in my new gun's performance. I've never had a handgun that shot so far from the point of aim..( & I've owned some 50+ handguns)
Tried shooting different ammo, made no difference.Shooting at least 5-6" low and 5"-6"to the left ? @ 7 yds !
Went home, thoroughly disgusted. After some time, thought , "it must just be me.. got out my Lyman trigger pull gauge , measured the trigger pull weight, compared it to my Bul 9mm Cmdr.
The Bul was about .5# lighter.. that's not it.
Thought I should try the Tisas again. Did. Had the same results.
Decided to go to the manufacturer, Logged into Tisas, Then SDS Imports, went thru the websites to see what I needed to do to get some contact with them for what I considered a warranty issue. I finally found & filled out form for requesting an RMA, they asked for a lot of info, ( inc. a picture ID ! )
I sent a copy of a target I shot, explaining how far off the hits on target were from my aim point.
They sent me a RMA to ship the gun back to them. I sent it in yesterday, appreciating that I didn't have the expense of shipping it to them.
The RMA included a prepaid shipping label thru Fed EX. I was told it may be up to a month before my pistol is returned to me.
I'll report back what happens when it is returned.

I'm really sorry to hear of your problems with the Tisas. I have two Tank Commanders in 45, and they seem to be fine. I've had no problems so far. I haven't shot them a lot, but the times I have shot them they worked fine. My black one shoots great, I've had it longer, and shot it a bit more. At 50' off a bag it outshot my Colt Govt which is a good shooter too. My silver one seems to shoot just as well. I'm far from a great shot, but these make me look a lot better. I hope Tisas can fix whats wrong, or replace it for you. Fingers crossed here.

joepistol · Jul 24, 2025

Thanks, Bob. The barrel lock up is snug, as is the barrel bushing. I've wondered if the issue is the barrel link or lugs ..but stopped in yesterday to talk with my gun guru, Doug Jones, but he wasn't there. Spoke to his "apprentice" ...."Jr." and his first thought was "It's the barrel crown,". Said it must be that, for it to be off so much @ a close (7 yd) distance.. I'm curious as to what SDS / Tisas says...........& does.

Bob Lee · Jul 24, 2025

joepistol said:
Thanks, Bob. The barrel lock up is snug, as is the barrel bushing. I've wondered if the issue is the barrel link or lugs ..but stopped in yesterday to talk with my gun guru, Doug Jones, but he wasn't there. Spoke to his "apprentice" ...."Jr." and his first thought was "It's the barrel crown,". Said it must be that, for it to be off so much @ a close (7 yd) distance.. I'm curious as to what SDS / Tisas says...........& does.

Hi Joe, I remember Bill Laughridge said one time he did a Colt Commander for a customer and it would not group, He couldn't figure it out at first but finally he decided to recrown the bbl. Bingo fixed it! When I send out a gun for more than sights I always try to remember to ask to have barrel recrowned at 11 degrees. It's cheap and it may not always help but it never hurts lol. Good luck, hope it's something easily fixed.

joepistol · Jul 24, 2025

Just got an email from SDS Imports stating they'd received my Tisas & sent it to their gunsmiths for evaluation, & if needed, repair.
Along with.." we have an estimated 30 business day turnaround time for warranty RMAs..."
I'm waiting...almost patiently.

Bob Lee · Jul 24, 2025

joepistol said:
Just got an email from SDS Imports stating they'd received my Tisas & sent it to their gunsmiths for evaluation, & if needed, repair.
Along with.." we have an estimated 30 business day turnaround time for warranty RMAs..."
I'm waiting...almost patiently.

You do learn patience waiting on a smith for sure

dennishoddy · Jul 24, 2025

I'll be interested in hearing the resolution of the issue you're having. It sucks to get a new firearm that won't group.
I don't have any Tisa's and haven't fired one either. Are the sights fixed?

joepistol · Jul 28, 2025

Yes it has fixed sights. This model is "optic ready", meaning it's got a removable plate on the slide where an optic can be mounted. It's the RMR format, & I considered getting a Holosun 407 red dot for it.. (& still might) I thought I'd give the factory a shot @ correcting the sight issue before adding more $ into the pistol.
Years ago,I bought an Aimpopint ( ? ) red dot & tried it on an AR (223).. decided I didn't like that it wasn't good for precision shooting ( dot was too big) covered more of my target that I wanted. It's still in the box it came in, stored away. I probably should find it & remove the battery..it's been more than a few years.

A friend had issues with his Kimber 1911, & he has a red dot on it. I was trying to trouble shoot his pistol, and didn't like the red dot on his Kimber either. I'm believing there must be a learning curve in getting used to using a red dot vs iron sights, so I'm still up in the air about whether I try one.