Here in the U.S., Tisas is a relatively new player in the 1911 manufacturing game, yet they offer many different 1911 configurations—from double-stack 9mm models and Mil-Spec GI-style 1911s to optic-ready 1911s and concealed-carry models.
The 1911 Stingray Carry is in the concealed carry model category and offers features typically seen on semi-custom and custom 1911 guns, yet at a fraction of the cost. Features like a bobtail frame, scalloped slide serrations, under cut trigger guard, dimpled slide stop hole in the frame, and ambidextrous thumb safety.
I know that you are thinking: You get what you pay for.
True, Tisas guns are inexpensive, but they are not cheap. I’ve run a bunch of Tisas 1911s in 9mm, 10mm Auto, and .45 Auto, and in my opinion, they are quality 1911s at a fraction of the cost of a decent factory-production model from Springfield Armory, SIG, Ruger, Colt, or Smith & Wesson.
I’ll admit, I’ve had a few with bugs with Tisas, but that’s what a break in period is all about. Nineteen-elevens are like that.
Tisas 1911 Stingray Carry Features
The Stingray’s most unique feature is its bobtail. A bobtail 1911 grip basically converts a full-size 1911 into a round-butt pistol, making it more conceal-carry friendly.
Material is removed from the mainspring housing and rear back strap, reducing the pistol’s weight and making it print less. This modification is typically a service provided by custom gun builders.
The Stingray is a commander size 1911 — full-size frame and 4.25-inch barrel — which Tisas calls a Carry model. All Tisas 1911s are made with a forged frame and slide like 1911s were originally designed and made. All Tisas 1911s also use a Series 70 mechanism, so the trigger feels cleaner compared to a Series 80 trigger that uses a lifter connected to the trigger to disengage the safety plunger. A single recoil spring is used in the Tisas so it cycles a lot like a GI-style 1911.
It comes in a hard case with two steel 8-round magazines with rubber bumper pads, and a muzzle bushing wrench. The finish is a two tone grey/black Cerakote — grey frame, black slide — and it is finished well. All the controls except for the trigger have the black Cerakote finish.
The grips are G10, with a sunburst-style texture that is not too grippy yet still allows for a good grasp. A speed groove in the left grip panel means the pistol is fast to twist in your right shooting hand to access the magazine release and drop the mag during a reload. The Tisas Stingray looks sharp and feels good in your hand.
In addition to the bobtail frame, there is an undercut trigger guard for a slightly higher grip, which means better recoil management. The grip strap is where Tisas saved on production costs. The front and rear grip straps and the main spring housing are smooth. In a 1911, especially chambered in .45 Auto, texture in these two areas is important. The pistol is manageable in recoil, but a grippy surface would have been helpful.
The slide is domed like a GI-style 1911, and the sights are tried-and-true Novak-style 3-dot sights. These sights are large and offer a nice sight picture for fast shooting. The front sight is dovetailed in place, and the rear sight is adjustable for windage.
A set screw keeps the rear sight in place. The rear sight is also flush with the rear of the slide to provide maximum sight radius. Texture is missing at the muzzle end of the slide. We’ve all been trained that we need front slide serrations and I missed them especially when doing a press check. Tisas saved on cost by omitting them.
The ambi thumb safety has extended paddles that operate with positive clicks with the flick of your thumb. The grip safety beavertail has a high sweep and a high speed bump, so even with a sloppy draw the safety was deactivated when grasped.
Both the trigger and hammer are skeletonized. The three-hole aluminum trigger is serrated, so your finger has some traction during recoil. The trigger pull weight measured a heavy 6 pounds. On the trigger press, there is about an 1/8 of an inch take-up before you hit the wall, and then 6 pounds of pressure fires the pistol. The trigger break is crisp, but the pull is a bit heavy, which is okay if the pistol is going to be concealed carried and used for defense.
Tisas 1911 Stingray Carry On the Range
Starting off I tested accuracy at 15 yards using a rest. I ran a bunch of 230-grain FMJ ball ammo through the Stingray including Blazer aluminum case and Remington UMC. For a defense load I used Hornady Critical Duty 45 Auto+P with a 220-grain FlexLock bullet.
The average accuracy across all ammo was 3.2 inches for a 5-shot group. Remington’s best 5-shot group measured 3.47 inches, and Blazer’s was 2.89 inches. Hornady Critical Duty +P had a best group of 2.90 inches. This is decent accuracy from a defense gun.
I had three FTF (Failure To Feed) jams with the Tisas, which stopped after the first 150 rounds. After that, it ran flawlessly. I also used Colt, Springfield Armory, Wilson Combat, and other 1911 magazines, and the Stingray didn’t care what magazine I used.
If I carried the Stingray, I would opt for a high-quality 8-round flush-fit magazine. The bumper pads on the factory mags make training easier on the palm, but they do add height to the pistol. The idea with Stingray is the more concealable bobtail grip.
Running modified Failure Drills really helps me to understand how a pistol will perform. This time I loaded odd number of rounds in the magazine so I don’t know when slide lock will happen. Performing a lot of reloads also help me to get know the pistol.
The slide stop was smooth to operate and the magazine dumped empties mags like the girl in college dumped you. Fast and with no looking back. A single stack 1911 magazine takes finesse to quickly insert; a slight bevel aid in reloads. The +P Hornady loads were snappy and I had to pay attention to keep my grip.
Because of the slick front and rear grip straps, I had to pay attention to my grip. If I didn’t, the pistol would move in my hand during recoil. Initially, I threw a few A-zone headshots because of the heavy trigger and my speed to fire off the shot.
When I slowed down to my normal speed, not John Wick speed, my hits were surgical.
Is The Tisas 1911 Stingray Carry Worth It?
With a street price ranging from $450 to $500, the Tisas Stingray is quite a bargain if you are interested in getting into a bobtail 1911.
My only gripe is that I wish it had some texture on the front and rear grip straps for better grip control in recoil, but I’ll just concentrate on my grip.
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