This could have been my post had Joe not posted first. I use but rarely carry a RIA "GI Series" Officers model, accurate and reliable, today I would buy the "Rock series" for the better sights.Tough choice.. I own a few RIAs, no Tisas.. only 'cause of "timing" I really don't need ( or even want) another 1911
Don't shoot those I have enough as it is. here's my thoughts on the subject of RIA vs Tisas:
The RIAs were the 1st cnc-machined, made in the Philippines 1911's to come on the market..so tried one & it was good enough that I bought my 1st Officer sized 1911, ( which was also a RIA ) Both purchases were years before I heard of Tisas. The Tisas supposedly has a forged frame, which is better than cast, but in almost 50 yrs shooting 1911's , can't say I ever had an issue with any cast frame. As they are entry level priced, I'd probably try a Tisas...with the same attitude I had toward my first RIA purchase..if I don't like it, sell it. You won't lose much if you don't like it & want /need to sell it.
Truth is, you may get a gem or a lemon with either purchase.. & I'd say the odds are about the same with either brand.. My experience would be you'll probably be happy with whichever one you chose.
BEST CHOICE...TISAS or ROCK ISLAND 1911A1 MIL SPEC.
- Thread starter BIGDAVE101
- Start date
A34
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My RIA has been rock solid. No experience with TISA, but would not buy one based on Turkey's hated of us. I wish I could do that with Chinese products, but that ship has sailed. Almost everything is Chinese made now. However, my suggestion is to see what used 1911 you can buy based on your budget that is a higher grade pistol. Like a used Springfield or maybe a higher end RIA over the GI one.
Years ago I worked in a sporting goods store, and we sold every RIA we had come through the delivery door. They were straight up GI style guns, and people loved them. I don't remember ever having any come back for problems either. This was early 2000's so take it as you like. Only guns we had come back were a couple Taurus ultarlite 38's. As I remember Taurus' customer service was lacking back then.
As of today I have a Tisas Tank Commander in 45. I haven't had a chance to shoot it much, but so far no problems. I also own Colt, and Springfield 1911's. Love 'em all.
I just bought a Rock Island Tac Ultra FSHC 10 mm. The fit and finish was a 10 out of 10. Only put 50 rounds down range so far, but the worst thing I can say about it is it only comes with one mag. 45 bucks and I had a second mag in my hand.
Attachments
As to your question of Tisas vs Rock island...
I have a Tisas Yukon 10 mil 1911. It's good but I would say that the fit on the Rock is a 10 where the Tisas is a seven. I've already had to send it back, they put a new slide and Barrel on. Right now the replacement barrel is starting to have some slop in it on the lock up so who knows what will happen. The Rock is fitted well. Much better than its price would demand.
I have a Tisas Yukon 10 mil 1911. It's good but I would say that the fit on the Rock is a 10 where the Tisas is a seven. I've already had to send it back, they put a new slide and Barrel on. Right now the replacement barrel is starting to have some slop in it on the lock up so who knows what will happen. The Rock is fitted well. Much better than its price would demand.
seagiant
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- 111
Hi,
Why?
You have been sold out as an American Citizen by your own "Leaders", and...
Even have a phony President now in the White House, and his Obama Retreads back to their destruction of the Nation.
A $400 Pistol from Turkey, is the very, very, very, least of our troubles!!!
Time to wake up, Boys and Girls!!!
Late to the party.
Tisas: Forged internals, wide variety of GM, and Commander sized guns. Some Alloy Lowers. Very well executed. No, Officer's or Defender sized guns (currently). Never have dealt with CS
RIA: MIM internals. GM, Commander (limited choices...no alloy Commanders). Officer's sized in Alloy and Steel. I have dealt with CS many times on my Guns as well as Client's guns. Lately, kind of cumbersome (too many layers to get to a shipping tag). If the Warranty issue is a fitting problem good outcomes. If the problem is manufacturing process related...fahgedaboutit
Tisas: Forged internals, wide variety of GM, and Commander sized guns. Some Alloy Lowers. Very well executed. No, Officer's or Defender sized guns (currently). Never have dealt with CS
RIA: MIM internals. GM, Commander (limited choices...no alloy Commanders). Officer's sized in Alloy and Steel. I have dealt with CS many times on my Guns as well as Client's guns. Lately, kind of cumbersome (too many layers to get to a shipping tag). If the Warranty issue is a fitting problem good outcomes. If the problem is manufacturing process related...fahgedaboutit
I own both a Yukon and a ultrattack 5 in. Both in 10 mm. Have had to send the Yukon back as it was sloppy and getting sloppier. They replaced the entire top end including a new barrel. After a couple 100 rounds the barrel is not locking up like it should. Not real impressed with the quality. The Tac Ultra seems to be high quality with very good fitment. It is heavy. I recently found the grips chipping and within a week of notifying Rock Island by email, I had new grips in my hand. I really like the Tack Ultra.
Old Bill
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December 16, 1773,
E.E Hale
"I am but one person. I cannot do everything, but I can do one thing. I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do."
E.E Hale
For the 2nd time, I reached out to Tisas about my Yukon repair status. To be clear, SDS is invisible until I ask them, but whatever.
They apparently agreed with my assertion that the barrel lock up was unacceptable. They replaced the entire top end according to the email.
I received a statement from "Ryan" that he will "personally ensure your firearm is shipped today 10/29."
That was 2 days ago and I have not received confirmation of shipment with any email/tracking number.
I guess that you get what you pay for...
Well sais sir.
Soundwave1984
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- Feb 15, 2025
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- 5
Before my RIA GI .45 ACP 1911 was stolen by not being returned, I used it for ``12 years. It ran like a top with Wilson Combat 47Ds and WTM mags, The only jams it had was CMC RPM 10 round mags. Upgrades? Painted sights, forged slide stop, and Hogue finger groove rubber grips. Planning to get a TISAS because its now forged.
I like my Tisas' I just ordered a new RIA GI from PSA today!
Dusty Stone
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Just picked this one up today...., I'll be headed to the range later tonight or early tomorrow morning 
joepistol
Well-Known Fanatic
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 familar with it. I'm puishing 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 chanbers & fires.. but where is ithe hit on 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. I'm aiming at the small box ,on the target..hitting the bottom of the target !
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 familar with it. I'm puishing 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 chanbers & fires.. but where is ithe hit on 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. I'm aiming at the small box ,on the target..hitting the bottom of the target !
joepistol
Well-Known Fanatic
As shown in the copy of the target above,, my shots were very low.
.I tried walking the shots higher , by altering my aim point, to limited benefit.
Can't say I've ever had a pistol shoot so far from my point of aim
I tried the other bullet weights , on differernt targets, no change
. As I shot more,my Bul target improved, the Tisas targets didn't.
All bullet weights tried shot very low. I was very disappointed to find this happen.
After a few failure to chamber rds, when I began shooting the Tisas, it quickly began feeding, firing, & ejecting cases as it should.
Just not hitting anywhere I was aiming. Though the rear sight is drift adjustable, my concern is with how low the rds are hitting from my aim point.
.not something I can quickly / easily correct.
First thought is I need to contact Tisas & see what they say..
Not very impressed with the Tisas so far, none of my (3) Rock Island 1911s have had this issue.
Nor any of the more than a dozen 1911's I've owned has ever had this issue.
.I tried walking the shots higher , by altering my aim point, to limited benefit.
Can't say I've ever had a pistol shoot so far from my point of aim
I tried the other bullet weights , on differernt targets, no change
. As I shot more,my Bul target improved, the Tisas targets didn't.
All bullet weights tried shot very low. I was very disappointed to find this happen.
After a few failure to chamber rds, when I began shooting the Tisas, it quickly began feeding, firing, & ejecting cases as it should.
Just not hitting anywhere I was aiming. Though the rear sight is drift adjustable, my concern is with how low the rds are hitting from my aim point.
.not something I can quickly / easily correct.
First thought is I need to contact Tisas & see what they say..
Not very impressed with the Tisas so far, none of my (3) Rock Island 1911s have had this issue.
Nor any of the more than a dozen 1911's I've owned has ever had this issue.
Nice! Looks just like mine did till I changed the grips to Herrett full checkered wood. Hope it works well for you. Mine has only been out once but it ran fine and is way more accurate than I am! At least I enjoyed the outing lolJust picked this one up today...., I'll be headed to the range later tonight or early tomorrow morning
View attachment 38670
I'm so sorry to hear that about the Tisas. I hope they take care of your problem. Both of my commander sized ones shoot great! I had the same problem with shooting low with my M1 carbine Tuesday. Centered but quite low at 25yards. Thing shoots great groups nice, and I lowered the rear sight and got it pretty much centered now. Very cool gun. Military one.
392heminut
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I own both, along with Colt, Springfield, STI and Para pistols and have been gunsmithing the 1911/2011 platform for40 years. I don't think you can go wrong with either the RIA or the Tisas, but if I had to choose I would go with the Tisas. The internals and the fit seem to be better than the RIA, but not by a whole lot.
