A few years ago, I tested and evaluated the Tisas PX9 9mm handgun. I found a serviceable, economy handgun based on the Springfield XD. The PX9 proved reliable with a variety of loads and handled well.
The trigger is a bit heavy. The pistol is a single-action design. The XD’s grip safety is deleted and instead the PX9 uses a manual safety. The safety is ambidextrous and operates in a positive manner. The pistol isn’t completely a clone of the XD, as the grip frame differs. With grip insert and side panel inserts as well, the Tisas PX9 has elements of the Walther 9mm striker-fired handguns. Enter the PX9 Gen 3.
Gen 3 Improvement
This pistol’s primary advantage is a new flat trigger. The trigger action is considerably better than the original with a crisp action clean break and rapid reset. The PX9 Gen 3 also features a blade lever set in the trigger face. My version has no manual safety.
The Tisas PX9 G3 9mm reviewed is the Night Stalker Gray edition. The finish is a kind of battleship gray, low key and non-reflective. The name may be a tribute to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
The pistol is available with a threaded barrel, mine has the standard barrel. The muzzle end of the slide has an attractive beveled treatment. The pistol features forward and rear cocking serrations. The controls are simple — a takedown lever, slide lock, and magazine catch. The manual of arms is simple: load, holster, draw, fire.
The slide is cut for optics a good feature on an inexpensive handgun. The Cerakote finish is nicely done. The sights are especially credible for personal defense. The rear sight is a serrated wedge type with a wide notch for rapid acquisition. The front post is a tritium dot with a brilliant orange circle. This is a great choice for rapid target engagement.
The striker of this single-action pistol is visible in the rear of the slide when cocked. The new, flat trigger breaks at 4.6 pounds. It is clean and resets rapidly. This is a very good trigger action for a striker-fired pistol. It’s also a single action, not a double-action-only type.
The frame features an accessory rail for mounting combat lights. Hand fit may be adjusted with some 20 combinations of grip and side panel inserts. The pistol is supplied in a locking hard case with a minimalist inside-the-waistband holster.
The pistol also ships with a flush fit 18-round and extended 20-round magazine. These magazines are compatible with the SIG P226 — a wise choice. A magazine loader is supplied, along with a cleaning brush and gun lock.
The pistol is a product of Tisas Trabzon Arms Industry, Turkey. The size of the pistol is comparable to the Springfield XD or Glock 19X. The pistol weighs in at a manageable 30 ounces loaded. The barrel is 4.1 inches long.
Ammunition
I began the evaluation with a mix of FMJ ammunition. The magazines were loaded using the standard procedure for high-capacity magazines. I loaded three to four cartridges, tapped the back of the magazine, and loaded three or four more, again tapping the magazine. I followed this drill until the magazine was fully loaded. Loading was smooth enough — until the last cartridge or two. At that point, I used the magazine loader.
The pistol was comfortable in the hand. Like most 9mm handguns of this size, recoil was modest. Firing quickly at man-sized targets, I found the pistol handled well and ‘homed in’ on the X-ring. Control was good and the trigger helped in this regard. However, I tended to ride my thumb on the slide lock. As a result, the pistol failed to lock open on the last shot. This took some adjustment and acclimation to correct. Each pistol has certain requirements, and this isn’t a defect. It is simply a consideration.
The Tisas 9mm was fired primarily with Remington UMC ball ammunition. I also fired a small quantity of 9mm NATO, 1988 vintage, which performed well, and a magazine full of steel-cased loads. The steel-cased loads were dirty but functioned well.
The pistol is easily centered on target and follow-up hits are not difficult. Considering the good fit, crisp trigger, and excellent sights, the pistol should perform well for the shooter who practices. Using the Federal 124-grain HST, I was able to shoot a slow fire group from the barricade firing position of 2.2 inches for five shots.
For my part, the pistol performed well in limited shooting. I found no fault, but I need to groove-in on the trigger and grip frame for the handgun to be all it can be. Just the same, the bottom line is that I can place practically every bullet in the same hole at 7 yards. The combination of a good trigger, good sights and apparent reliability are good. While the pistol is a little large (for many of us) for concealed carry, the size makes it easy to use well.
Would you sacrifice size for shootability, or do you prefer something more concealable? What role do you see the Tisas PX9 Nightstalker serving (CCW, home defense, all-around defense)? Share your answers in the comment section.