Turkish firearms have long been popular, lower cost options for lots of American gun buyers. Among the leaders in the Turkish gun making industry is Tisas. The company was founded in 1993 and they’ve have earned a good reputation for affordable and businesslike firearms based on proven designs.
There are a lot of CZ-75 and 1911 clones in the world. Tisas manufactures a well turned-out Browning High Power clone. The Zigana PX-9 is a close copy of the Springfield XD with some important differences. The pistol loads, operates, fires and feeds like the Springfield XD and anyone familiar with one will be able to use the other…to a point.
The PX-9 9mm resembles the XD a great deal — they fit the same holsters — but the design on the left face of the slide is more similar to FN pistols.
The PX-9 features am ambidextrous manual frame safety and dispenses with the grip safety many Springfields are famous for. There’s not trigger safety blade, either. These measures are almost surely contribute to the pistol’s low cost.
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At most outlets the Zigana PX-9 retails for $299. An internet search found examples as low as $279. At that price the pistol’s worth a hard look. The pistol has been vetted in at least one institutional trail. Over six thousand have been ordered by the Philippine National Police.
The PX-9 features the same easy take down as the Springfield XD. Rotate a lever and the slide may be removed from the frame.
The pistol is a single action design and the trigger pull is heavy by most standards at 7.25 pounds. The initial press meets a wall and then breaks fairly cleanly.
When the pistol is cocked the striker is visible from a small hole in the rear of the slide. The sights are very good examples of standard combat sights. The serrated rear sight is open enough for rapid acquisition and the front post is highly visible.
A surprise on the PX-9 is a tritium insert in the front sight. That’ is a very nice touch on a pistol in this price range.
The ambidextrous safety lever is a bit stiff moving to the ‘on’ position but a quick swipe of the thumb easily disengages it when you need it. It’s tight enough to be trustworthy. Ambi safety levers are subject to rubbing on seatbelts and clothing. This one doesn’t. It’s nicely recessed, just enough to avoid snagging while leaving it easily available for your thumb when needed
The pistol ships with two magazines, a speed loader, and a paddle holster. The paddle-style retention holster (plastic rather than Kydex) offers excellent adjustment, practically 360 degrees worth. It features a locking component that must be released to draw the handgun. With a bit of practice the draw isn’t difficult, but be sure that you do plenty of reps at the range. The holster, even if only used as a range holster, is a another nice touch in a $299 pistol.
It’s also worth noting that the Zigana PX-9 will take SIG P226 magazines so getting more mags — you can never have enough — won’t be difficult.
I lubricated the long bearing surfaces and barrel hood before firing. I loaded the two magazines with fifteen rounds each of Federal Syntech. The factory magazines were stiff to load when it came to the last three or round cartridges, a good thing. The pistol was fired at man-sized targets at 5, 7, and 10 yards.
The PX-9 never failed to feed, chamber, fire or eject. It’s remarkably comfortable to fire even for a 27-ounce (empty) 9mm. The pistol fired a couple of inches low when I went too fast on the trigger. The supplied grip insert is large and round, perhaps better results would be realized by changing the grip insert. By consciously correcting the grip I was able to put rounds into the X ring on demand.
I also used several all-copper loads from Lehigh Defense. Recoil was lighter, especially with the 90 grain 1250 fps load. After firing two hundred rounds I had no need to rub my wrist. The experience was very pleasant.
I settled down and fired the pistol for absolute accuracy. I used the Bullshooter’s shooting rest. A 7.25 pound trigger is less than ideal for long range accuracy. I had previously made a number of fast chest hits at 25 yards so I expected to stay on the target at least.
I used three loads and fired three shot groups with each. These were the LeHigh Defense 105 Fracturing Hollowpoint, the Federal 115 grain Syntech, and the Hornady 115 grain Critical defense. I took my time and took every advantage I could. The five-shot groups were around four inches, with the Syntech at 4.2 inches and the Critical Defense a slightly tighter 3.7 inch- little difference statistically. During the next range session I added a +P load. The Black Hills Ammunition 115 grain TAC +P averages 1160 fps with its all copper bullet.
I ran a magazine through the pistol with good results firing at 15 yards off hand. I also had on hand the Syntech Defense 138 grain 1070 fps load. A full magazine ran just fine.
The Zigana PX-9 has ran really well with a broad range of bullet weights. That’s pretty much all you can ask in a duty size semi-automatic handgun. The PX-9 isn’t a tackdriver — not with that pull weight — but it isn’t a water hose either.
For the price the PX-9 is a very capable defensive firearm and a good, affordable choice in a home defense pistol. It handles quickly, is reliable and features a tritium front sight as well as an accessory rail. In times when good guns are increasingly expensive or can’t be found at any price, the Tisas PX 9 is a very good buy.
Specifications: Tisas Zigana PX-9 Pistol
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Single Action Locked Breech
Safety: Ambidextrous manual frame safety
Magazine Capacity: 15 rounds
Sights: Fixed, Tritum front sight
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Weight: 27 ounces
MSRP: $299 (about $299 retail)
Ratings (out of five stars):
Reliability * * * * *
No problems at all with either range or personal defense rounds after hundreds of pulls of the trigger.
Accuracy * * *
With the PX-9’s heavy pull weight trigger, accuracy is average. It’s minute of bad guy and will put all the bullets center mass at seven yards. But not as accurate as CZ 75 or even a GLOCK.
Ergonomics * * * *
Overall good. The grip frame is perhaps a bit large for its 15-round capacity. Trigger reach is easy for the average size hand.
Concealed Carry * * * *
With a proper holster (and XD holsters are plentiful) the PX-9 — which is slightly smaller than a GLOCK 19 — carries well.
Overall * * * *
This is a remarkably good pistol for the money. The reliable Tisas Zigana PX-9 packs 15+1, takes SIG P226 magazines, fits in XD holsters and costs under $300. That’s a very attractive combination.