I am a big fan of Tisas pistols. I am certain this endorsement is one sought my Tisas marketing and will be oft quoted in their marketing campaigns.
While far more influential keyboards have commented on the Tisas 1911 line, there have not been that many Internet electrons spent on the PX-9 series of polymer-framed, striker-fired mid-sized semi-autos.
Reportedly using the Springfield XD as inspiration, the PX-9 ensures its place in the shooting world by its use of Sig 226-type mags. The Gen2 I fired the first time came with two 15-round magazines.
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And here I should digress to note that the current version of the PX-9 is the Gen3. The Gen2 and Gen3 differ, as far as I can tell, by the addition of a trigger safety on the Gen 3 that is lacking in the Gen 2. The Gen 3 comes with two 18-round magazines. The Gen 2 came with two 15-round magazines. The 18-round mags use an extender, the 15-rounds are flush-fit.
Finally, the Gen 2 accepts Smith and Wesson M&P9/40 Fullsize sights. The Gen 3 accepts Glock 17 that will co-witness with standard height sights with most optocs.
The Gen2 came with an OWB holster, the Gen 3 came with an IWB holster. While I have not tried carrying either, external examination has me favoring the Gen 2’s pistol-locking system that detaches the weapon by pressing a small lever, to the IWB holster that uses friction-fit and takes some effort to free the pistol.
Being a bear of very little brain, I engage in first-fire sessions with considerable conservatism. The pistol was field-stripped, wiped down with Ballistol and lubed with 0-W20 synthetic motor oil. Which, after belatedly reading the Lubrication section of the manual, is a no-no. In bright red letters, the manual say to “not use any oil other than gun oil. Other oils deform parts of your gun and make your gun fail.”
The Gen 2 manual also warns: “The product will not be covered under warranty if improper or non-standard cleaning and gun oil is used.”
What ARE standard cleaning solutions? Please feel free to comment.
All of this is interesting, but it doesn’t answer the question: How does the PX-9 perform?
For the 50-round first test, I loaded both mags with five rounds of Winchester 9mm FMJ cartridges. With two different shooters, the pistol had no failures of any kind. The spent cases ejected predictably over the right shoulder of the shooter.
The trigger is wide, with significant travel before hitting the wall, approximately 3/8ths inch. The trigger breaks cleanly with just a hint of creep before the striker releases. Reviews list the trigger pull in the 4.5 pound range.
Point of aim accurately reflected point of impact. I did not find, firing from a two-handed hold, the holes appearing other than where they were intended, within my skill circle. Meaning: errors were mine, not the pistol’s.
I was most surprised by the gentle recoil. There was very little muzzle rise, the pistol came easily back on target. This is a very soft-shooting nine, possibly due to the dual recoil springs. You can spend a lot of range time with the PX-9 and not feel beaten by the experience.
What is the role of the PX-9? It is large enough for range work. The claim is that any XD holster will fit, so there are carry options. I don’t see this as an EDC for MY purposes, it is larger and heavier than my Kahr, although with significantly more ammo available in the pistol. I don’t IWB or appendix carry - if I did IWB carry, the PX-9 is light enough to be a good companion I would think.
What does the PX-9 offer over others in this size and build? Is it yet another plastic fantastic? Yes, the PX-9 is not breaking any new ground. It is a very standard polymer-frame single-action 9mm. The selling point is price. I got my Gen2 as a Philippine National Police overstock for $200. The current production Gen 3 is in the low-mid-$300s, depending on what features you want.
I won’t say the PX-9 is good for the money. I will say, regardless of price, I am finding the PX-9 to be an excellent pistol in terms of fitting my hand, ease of shooting, build quality and the accessories that are included.
If a Springfield XD-type pistol is in your area of consideration, the Tisas PX-9 is a very serious contender in that space. The price simply makes it a no-brainer.
Sources:
Tisas PX-9 Gen 3 9mm Review - Budget Tactical :: Guns.com.
Tisasusa.com
Gun Review: Tisas Zigana PX-9 9mm Pistol - The Truth About Guns
While far more influential keyboards have commented on the Tisas 1911 line, there have not been that many Internet electrons spent on the PX-9 series of polymer-framed, striker-fired mid-sized semi-autos.
Reportedly using the Springfield XD as inspiration, the PX-9 ensures its place in the shooting world by its use of Sig 226-type mags. The Gen2 I fired the first time came with two 15-round magazines.
And here I should digress to note that the current version of the PX-9 is the Gen3. The Gen2 and Gen3 differ, as far as I can tell, by the addition of a trigger safety on the Gen 3 that is lacking in the Gen 2. The Gen 3 comes with two 18-round magazines. The Gen 2 came with two 15-round magazines. The 18-round mags use an extender, the 15-rounds are flush-fit.
Finally, the Gen 2 accepts Smith and Wesson M&P9/40 Fullsize sights. The Gen 3 accepts Glock 17 that will co-witness with standard height sights with most optocs.
The Gen2 came with an OWB holster, the Gen 3 came with an IWB holster. While I have not tried carrying either, external examination has me favoring the Gen 2’s pistol-locking system that detaches the weapon by pressing a small lever, to the IWB holster that uses friction-fit and takes some effort to free the pistol.
Being a bear of very little brain, I engage in first-fire sessions with considerable conservatism. The pistol was field-stripped, wiped down with Ballistol and lubed with 0-W20 synthetic motor oil. Which, after belatedly reading the Lubrication section of the manual, is a no-no. In bright red letters, the manual say to “not use any oil other than gun oil. Other oils deform parts of your gun and make your gun fail.”
The Gen 2 manual also warns: “The product will not be covered under warranty if improper or non-standard cleaning and gun oil is used.”
What ARE standard cleaning solutions? Please feel free to comment.
All of this is interesting, but it doesn’t answer the question: How does the PX-9 perform?
For the 50-round first test, I loaded both mags with five rounds of Winchester 9mm FMJ cartridges. With two different shooters, the pistol had no failures of any kind. The spent cases ejected predictably over the right shoulder of the shooter.
The trigger is wide, with significant travel before hitting the wall, approximately 3/8ths inch. The trigger breaks cleanly with just a hint of creep before the striker releases. Reviews list the trigger pull in the 4.5 pound range.
Point of aim accurately reflected point of impact. I did not find, firing from a two-handed hold, the holes appearing other than where they were intended, within my skill circle. Meaning: errors were mine, not the pistol’s.
I was most surprised by the gentle recoil. There was very little muzzle rise, the pistol came easily back on target. This is a very soft-shooting nine, possibly due to the dual recoil springs. You can spend a lot of range time with the PX-9 and not feel beaten by the experience.
What is the role of the PX-9? It is large enough for range work. The claim is that any XD holster will fit, so there are carry options. I don’t see this as an EDC for MY purposes, it is larger and heavier than my Kahr, although with significantly more ammo available in the pistol. I don’t IWB or appendix carry - if I did IWB carry, the PX-9 is light enough to be a good companion I would think.
What does the PX-9 offer over others in this size and build? Is it yet another plastic fantastic? Yes, the PX-9 is not breaking any new ground. It is a very standard polymer-frame single-action 9mm. The selling point is price. I got my Gen2 as a Philippine National Police overstock for $200. The current production Gen 3 is in the low-mid-$300s, depending on what features you want.
I won’t say the PX-9 is good for the money. I will say, regardless of price, I am finding the PX-9 to be an excellent pistol in terms of fitting my hand, ease of shooting, build quality and the accessories that are included.
If a Springfield XD-type pistol is in your area of consideration, the Tisas PX-9 is a very serious contender in that space. The price simply makes it a no-brainer.
Sources:
Tisas PX-9 Gen 3 9mm Review - Budget Tactical :: Guns.com.
Tisasusa.com
Gun Review: Tisas Zigana PX-9 9mm Pistol - The Truth About Guns
