Guns & Outdoors Forum

So, Palmetto State Armory had the Tisas 1911 on sale the other day for $299. Being a sucker for cheap poop, I bought one with plans to make something goofy. It showed up at my FFL yesterday. I have to say I am impressed with this thing:
I ran about 150 rounds of mixed bag FMJ and HP ammo through it just as a function test with another mixed bag of magazines (everything from CMC shooting stars to the one that came with my Marlin Camp Carbine), and it ran flawlessly. Here are the first 2 mags worth put in rapid fire offhand at 10 yards: If you are looking for a bone stock 1911A1 configured pistol with minuscule sights and even a lanyard ring (and don’t mind Turkish made stuff)- this is a solid choice.

Oh, and PSA has it on the same deal again today:
https://palmettostatearmory.com/sds-19 ... 655158560

I only have a handful of 1911s left. Just don’t use them much anymore, so I scaled down the platform. But, that’s a good deal on a seemingly functional firearm.

My first “real” pistol was one of the Norinco 1911s that I bought around 1990 before Chinese import guns were banned. I would equate the Tisas to the old Norinco guns. Same config, the Norinco finish and trigger are better, but the Tisas has a really smooth action. I’d put it between my Kimber and my STI- better that the Kimber but not as good as the STI

bullsi1911 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 18, 2026 5:47 pm My first “real” pistol was one of the Norinco 1911s that I bought around 1990 before Chinese import guns were banned. I would equate the Tisas to the old Norinco guns. Same config, the Norinco finish and trigger are better, but the Tisas has a really smooth action. I’d put it between my Kimber and my STI- better that the Kimber but not as good as the STI

Wow that says a lot for gun that only cost a couple hundred bucks.

bullsi1911 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 18, 2026 5:47 pm My first “real” pistol was one of the Norinco 1911s that I bought around 1990 before Chinese import guns were banned. I would equate the Tisas to the old Norinco guns. Same config, the Norinco finish and trigger are better, but the Tisas has a really smooth action. I’d put it between my Kimber and my STI- better that the Kimber but not as good as the STI

I had a Norinko back in the early 90s as well.

Good find! The CMP has a "most correct" WWII 1911A1 reproduction produced by Tisas and sold through the CMP, for what that's worth. I think it's your gun with different markings.

I've been tempted a few times by deals like that one but I keep convincing myself to pass. I think it would become a black hole for me experimenting and upgrading.

Those old Norinco's became rather desirable guns. Turns out they were VERY well made forged steel guns (not a lot of those around anymore) that have survived the test of time as they came form the factory AND are fantastic base gun for good customs.

I had customized my Norinco after I got it. Was wearing it at the LGS I worked at and a regular customer came in and saw it. He offered to buy it from me for more than I had in it………so I sold it to him.

.

One of my minions picked up one of those for the same price a few years ago and brought it to me to inspect.

For 300 bucks, I went through that gun HARD looking to find something wrong with it. . .and couldn't. It was as if they were reading some kind of pre-shipping / deployment G.I. inspection checklist. Everything that should have been staked down was; extractor tension perfect; trigger pull about 5-6 pounds (where it should be); shot hardball to the sights; nicely finished ON THE INSIDE.

As I recall, it had a widened ramp to make it more HP and SWC friendly, but yeah, an EXTREMELY creditably copy of a mid-WWII Colt.

So, what’s the “project”?

CPJ 2.0 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 19, 2026 12:21 am So, what’s the “project”?

Well, with the NFA SBR stuff going on, I was wanting to do something like this: https://www.sarcoinc.com/1911-wood-sto ... -housing/
https://www.sarcoinc.com/1911-holster- ... -harness/
https://www.sarcoinc.com/1911-lightwei ... -package/
But all the stock sets are sold out. So, I have a placeholder on the way to try out a stocked 1911.

Fun and easy to undo.

bullsi1911 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 20, 2026 12:46 pm

CPJ 2.0 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 19, 2026 12:21 am So, what’s the “project”?

Well, with the NFA SBR stuff going on, I was wanting to do something like this:
IMG_3315.jpeg
https://www.sarcoinc.com/1911-wood-sto ... -housing/
https://www.sarcoinc.com/1911-holster- ... -harness/
https://www.sarcoinc.com/1911-lightwei ... -package/
But all the stock sets are sold out. So, I have a placeholder on the way to try out a stocked 1911.

Oooooooooooo……..

Me likey

My first "real" pistol was a WWI 1911 and I wish I hadn't sold it to a collector. Love the 1911 and 1911A1 platform. It's stopped a lot of enemies over the years so I'd bet it's got the Glock beat in sheer numbers.

My first pistol was a colt 1991a1, dang I wish I had it back.

I may have to order one

Warm memories of the 1911 lovingly maintained locked and cocked under the seat of my father’s truck.

Ya know. . .if you're gonna SBR a 1911, Springfield is now selling AOS Operators with threaded muzzles. . .and they are sexy - VERY Marine Recon Just sayin'...

Who was it who once said something to the effect of, "if GI sights were good enough for Alvin York, then they should be good enough for you..."?

Luv my Tisas! The inside finish is incredible - compared to my CZ-75BD, there's just no contest.

https://rumble.com/v7e31ei-tisas-1911a1.html

Ok your project now has my attention…