The 1911 is undoubtedly an icon at this point, one of John Moses Browning’s most recognizable creations. With over 100 years in service, these guns are still popular with many shooters.
That popularity has given rise to some impressive, high-end, versions of the classic, while still other companies have created faithful reproductions of older models.
We can agree these types of firearms can be a lot of fun, but are they worth your time? We recently got our hands on one such model from Tisas, the 1911 A1 US Army.
The Pew Pew Crew took it out to the range and tested it to learn more. So keep reading as we cover specs, features, and share our range report!
Table of Contents
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Why You Should Trust Us
Sean Curtis has been shooting since childhood but really began to delve into guns more during his law enforcement career of over two decades. He received continued training for his roles in SWAT and as a POST-certified handgun instructor.
He began writing in 2014 for Police1.com, covering many topics, including firearms reviews. From there, his works spread to Guns.com, American Survival Guide, Gun World Magazine, and the Glock Annual.
Sean wrote freelance reviews for Pew Pew Tactical since 2018, then came on board full-time in 2021, where he soon began focusing on videos.
Tisas 1911 A1 US Army Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable
- Historically accurate
- Reliable (with the right ammo)
Cons
- Ammo finicky
- Poor sights (but historically correct)
The Bottom Line
The 1911 A1 US Army is a retro-cool pistol with military flare that won't cost you an arm and a leg to appreciate.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Tisas 1911 A1
Specs
- Caliber: 45 ACP
- Action: Semi-Auto
- Width: 1.29 in
- Height: 5.75 in
- Weight: 2.4 lbs
- Barrel Length: 4.85 in
- Overall Length: 8.5 in
- Magazine Capacity: 7+1 rounds
Features
- Forged carbon steel frame and slide
- 70-series internals
- Turkish walnut grips and plastic grips included
- Barrel Bushing tool
- 5″ cold hammer-forged barrel
- GI style sights
- 2 7-round magazines
Specification Source: Tisas USA
Tisas 1911 A1 US Army Background
The story of the 1911 is pretty cool because it marks a notable evolution in the history of firearms. During its development (late 1890s), revolvers were all the rage.
The idea of a “self-loading pistol” offered great advantages over wheel guns, so John Browning set about making it happen.
The concept of using cartridge energy to cycle the weapon was integral to the design, and .45 Colt was popular with military service at the time. Browning beautifully combined the two, creating the M1911.
During its runup to consideration for the military, the 1911 was given a huge test in November of 1910—6,000 rounds over the course of two days. It passed with zero malfunctions and was adopted by the US Army and given the designation, M1911.
The M1911 served admirably in World War I, though feedback led to some design modifications, resulting in the M1911A1. Fast-forward to current times and Tisas, a Turkish company with offices in America, has faithfully reproduced this model.
This is a super-condensed version to get us up to speed for the review. For a more detailed look at the 1911, check out A (Not So Brief) History of the Colt M1911.
Who Is It For?
This pistol checks boxes for a few different types of shooters. First off, it is inexpensive as 1911s go, so people wanting to try a 1911 may want to start here.
It’s not mil-surp, but it’s definitely retro, which has been popular of late.
Besides these points, it is a well-functioning and accurate firearm and could be used for defensive purposes, though ammo should be carefully selected — more on this later.
Fit & Feel
Few handguns have the iconic feel of a 1911, and Tisas captured this with their 1911 A1 US Army.
Interestingly, the grips on the model we tested were the real wood commonly associated with the original M1911, though Tisas included a set of plastic ones more known for the A1.
I really enjoy the Cerakote grey finish on all the metal surfaces. It’s flat, seems sturdy, and gives off an old-school military vibe.
The grips feel great, and have a nice, diamond texture to them, which grips the hand. The narrow grip fits the hand well, though the tip of the beaver tail did dig into the web of my 2X hand after a few hundred rounds (that or hammer bite).
Looking down the sights, you can imagine the struggle so many people went through to establish a sight picture. The front blade is a rounded post, and the rear is a horizontal bar with a small notch.
Front sight, rear sight, and the slide are all the same color, so there is no contrast to aid sight picture. You simply rely on equal height and spacing, then press the trigger. In short, the sights aren’t great, but they are period-correct.
The trigger was classic 1911, pulling back to a wall before breaking at 3 pounds 12 ounces on a Lyman Digital gauge. Reset was immediate, lightly tactile, and audible.
Thankfully, the 1911 A1 comes with two magazines. These are also traditional, steel, 7-rounders, with window cuts in the side and a slight toe lip on the floor plate.
How Does It Shoot?
As I ran through box after box of .45 ammo, the feelings of nostalgia provoked by the Tisas pistol were pervasive. I really used to enjoy carrying and training with a 1911.
The gun was very accurate on the macro scale, as I was able to hit steel at 50 and 100 yards. However, I couldn’t put extremely tight groups together, and this was due to the sights. They’re just a little tough to see.
Going back to .45 is also different. Compared to the relatively tame recoil of a 9mm, I had to focus more on not flinching or completing the anticipatory jerk when breaking shots.
The recoil impulse is just more. This 1911 handles it well, but it’s still more to deal with, so proper grip becomes even more important.
Reloads went well, though I was incredibly rusty with feeding that thin magazine into the narrow magwell. Magazines inserted cleanly, locked into place, fed, and dropped cleanly when called upon to do so.
Regardless, the gun fed, fired, and ejected flawlessly with the 230-grain Sellier & Bellot FMJ and Federal 230-grain Tactical HST. It would not feed Speer Gold Dot 200-grain GDHP at all.
What Sets it Apart?
A couple of points really stand out about the Tisas 1911 A1 US Army. One is the faithful reproduction that appears to match up nicely with the original.
I’m no 1911 historian, but from what I can tell, the main hallmarks of the A1 model are there. Plus, you can switch out grips to give the appearance or aesthetic you prefer.
The other notable item is the price coming in under $500. In a world where some 1911s cost tens of thousands of dollars, this one is pretty affordable.
Tisas 1911 A1 US Army By the Numbers
Accuracy
3/5
I liked being able to hit torso-sized steel at distances of 50 and 100 yards, but wish I would have been able to pull tighter groups when shooting at 7 yards. I blame this largely on the sights and my skill.
Reliability
4/5
This is a challenging rating because the Tisas ran flawlessly with most ammo during two outings with a total round count of around 600 rounds. However, it would not run at all with some defensive rounds.
Customization
4/5
This handgun has been around for so long, there are a lot of accessories out there for it. In the case of this particular model, I don’t know that you’d want to change it much since it is a retro-styled firearm.
Ergonomics
3/5
I love the grip angle of 1911s but controls such as the slide stop and magazine release cannot be reached without adjusting your grip.
Value
3.5/5
As noted above, this is pretty affordable when you consider the total 1911 market. Actual vintage 1911 A1s can start around $2,000 and go up from there but this model has an MSRP of $439, and I've seen them online for even less.
Overall
3.5/5
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Tisas 1911 A1 US Army Upgrades & Accessories
Final Verdict
The 1911 A1 US Army from Tisas is a cool throwback to a firearm that helped win two world wars. It’s a faithful reproduction of that pistol, as designed and improved upon by John Moses Browning.
The pistol is reliable with the right ammo, accurate enough, and won’t break the bank. Looking back, it makes me respect 1911 shooters who came before us a whole lot more.
What do you think of the Tisas? Let us know in the comments below. Looking for more 1911s? Check out our list of the Best 1911s for the Money.
39 Leave a Reply
With 40+ years of experience in firearms, I know my guns. I am drawn to most SIG's with unbeatable quality and performance, but the TISAS picks up where they left off. You simply CANNOT get a better value for the money. I ran this against my SIG STX and it was hard to declare a winner. The retro looks are breathtaking, you can just see this sitting in General John J. Pershing's holster. The Turks smacked it up to the Moon with styling, quality and value...TISAS really has their act together. I did have trouble with my HP reloads chambering the first round, but factory ammo shot was flawless. 1911's are known for accuracy and this is right there with the best of them. The trigger is arguably perfect...classic blade crisp light break with minimum take-up and reset. I will even stick my neck out and say this is one of the best guns of all time simply because of the ultra-low price point. Nothing else can touch it, PERIOD.
I purchased one here in Connecticut I've shot about 320 rounds from four U.S. manufacturers. The supplied magazines delivered the ball ammo without flaw! It did jam a few times though when I tried to feed it hollowpoints. I purchased a couple of Wilson combat magazine and that jam problem disappeared! The tolerances on this gun are tight and it functions and delivers good groups as is. I AM VERY HAPPY WITH THIS GUN !!!
Maybe if they included much better magazines (i.e. Wilson Combat) for let's say another $30.00 to 40.00 then in my opinion, it would be an EXCELLENT GUN!
I like a good 45 ACP and when the funds become available this might just fit the bill. I am not concerned about the use of defense ammo in this style of pistol. It was made to shoot ball ammo. I just like retro/vintage military pistols.
Great pistol. I got the Tisas 1911A1 "USMC" .45acp version.
Has nobody corrected you, the original testing was NOT done in 2010, geez...
Thanks Craig, that typo is my fault, good catch. Corrected.
Review is spot on. I love old military firearms, and this one fits the bill. Nice retro unit, and the price is awesome. I ran several boxes of Armscore 230 gr FMJs through it with no problem, other than a few misfeeds in the beginning. Once it broke in, it performed flawlessly. I also tried Norma MHPs with no problems whatsoever. Considering some of the reviews, I wanted to make sure this self-defense load would work when I needed it. The sights are pure retro, but do require practice -- especially with my older eyes. I carry it on occasion and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for this purpose. Just be sure to make sure it feeds your load of choice and definitely run a few boxes through it to break it in and get a feel for how it operates. But the main reason I bought it was for the pure fun of it!
Thank you, Richard, for the kind words and for sharing your experience with this firearm.
I own two of these now to go with a colt 1991A1 and a Remington 1911.
I bought one two yrs ago and had to order walnut grips to make it
look good, a month ago, I bought one and now it comes with walnut
grips and the plastic ones are in the box. It came with two mecgar
mags. Makes no sense the Turks could reproduce a 1911 perfectly but
farmed out the mags to Italy. I consider both of the tisas 1911s to be
beautiful reproductions of a weapon our troops carried nearly 100 yrs.
I might buy another some day-lol. Oh, I fired a few mags with 230gn ball
ammo and it cycled perfectly every round. I'm old so no use to claim any
accuracy pblms might be gun related.
I own a very similar gun, the Tisas 1911 A1 Service, and I love it! This review is spot-on. I too, am no 1911 historian, but as far as I know, the 1911 was originally never intended to run anything but ball ammo. So while the problems with defensive ammo are good to know for anyone who might consider using it, I really don't see it as a fault of the gun. Maybe just a limitation of the 1911's design? Mine has performed flawlessly using nothing but FMJ, and it's a great gun at a great price!
I think that's a great explanation Tony. Modern ammunitions should not be held against the 1911.
I’m not sure the purpose of the review was to disparage the weapon but advise the potential purchaser. And that’s the job of the writer, which I think he accomplished well
I have a Tisas and really like it, but I have a question about another 45. I have a Springfield
sub-compact 45 and I really like it. However, when I look in the website, it does not exist.
Is there something wrong with it? Should I care. Thank You.
Are you talking about the XD4? Which website?
Great Review! Being a Marine, I own the USMC version. Same gun, just stamped "M 1911 A1 USMC". It is definitely a hoot to shoot! I also own a Tisas "Duty" 1911 .45, full size, without the rail. Both guns perform with no hiccups as long as I'm feeding them 230 grain hardball ammo (any brand) I really enjoy shooting both guns and I'd definitely recommend Tisas as an affordable option to get your hands on a solid shooter!
Thanks Devil Dog, and thanks for your service.
Hey Steve. Does the USMC version have a flared wide spur hammer?
I have this 45 and love it at the range. I shot pretty much everything through it except for hollow points. Maybe that’s the issue. I save those pricey hollow points for my carry and defense guns anyway.
Safe practice Sam. A couple people have said they are carrying this defensively. My hope is they tested it with those rounds first.
As a 1911 historical nostalgist, I purchased one of the last production Remington mil-specs years ago. I love it and carry it in cold-weather months. That said, if I wanted a second such replica, I would not hesitate to buy a TISAS. You just can't have too much of a good thing.
Well said and hail Emperor! I'm currently reading your Meditations.
What sold me on this company's 1911s is that since late 2022, other than the recoil spring plug, there are no MIM parts!
Proof positive, the results seem to hold up.
I own this firearm and shoot it very well. If you don't have anything in the .45 category and just want something that chambers this round, this is a great answer to that question, imo. The trigger is fantastic and the full metal gun feels really good in the hand. PSA runs this one regularly on special too.
Great point Mark. I certainly had some nostalgia from back in the day. And the pricing is pretty fantastic for a decent 1911.
I have one and have not any problems with it being finicky with ammo . I love mine , 1911a1 Army. I picked up mine for 259 used .
Hopefully that was an incident isolated to the gun I tested, but I think the point is, folks should test with defensive ammos if they intend to use this gun for that purpose. You got a great deal!
Being an infantryman 40 years ago I was strictly a rifleman then and 1911s were for others in the platoon.I actually am impressed with the Tisas and plan to buy one for my wife.I really enjoy the platform,and at this price,I can see others on a budget can easily do so.This is nice review and I found it very informative.I think some people may equally enjoy Tisas,if not 1911s and not break the bank doing so.
Couldn't agree more John. The world of 1911s is so steeped in history and options, many of which are extremely expensive. I'm glad there are some quality options like the Tisas out there for everyone to enjoy.
Nice
Thanks Walt.
Thank you for the review. All of my pistols are 9mm, but have entertained getting a .45, and for the price, this is a classic to consider. I had hoped for more information about the ammo issues, besides the one brand that wouldn't feed, and some defensive rounds, as noted in the ratings. Can anyone expand on this?
I believe “some” of the issues is the design was to feed fmj and not hp ammo.
That's what I drew from his comments. Which is fine with me, this wouldn't be a CCW, so it's not a deal breaker. Thanks!
Clyde, in the video I referenced carrying a 1911 on duty some years ago. It served me well for years until I switched agencies and had to use frangible ammo at an indoor range. The failures to feed were staggering, and I had to switch weapons. I think it's a simple matter of modern ammos not working as well with this older design. My 1911 worked great with duty (defensive) ammo, but choked on the frangible. At a minimum, anyone considering a 1911 for defensive purposes should try it out withe the ammo they'd like to use and make sure it's a reliable match.
Thanks for the clarification, thankfully I won't have to use handgun frangible ammo (yet..., my range requires it for 5.56). Love the looks of this, guess I'll have to pull the trigger on it (pun intended), the price is so sweet.
Really enjoying my Tisas Army. I agree that hitting torso targets at 50 yards is doable, while getting tight groups is a challenge. It’s truly a combat pistol, not a target pistol.
The Army gobbles up 230g hardball all day long. The sights are what they were back in the day. One step above point shooting. Still, the Tisas Army will get the job done if I do my part.
Every firearms collection should have one mil-spec basic 1911. Of course my Tisas Army led to a Tisas Carry and a Tisas Raider. Solid performers all and the Raider outperforms my Springfield Operator in accuracy and reliability.
Thanks Pete, that's a great way to put it--"One step above point shooting". You can't compare this gun with modern, defensive pistols, but once you accept that, you can appreciate the quality it has.
2010...or...1910 ???