I have been trying to acquire one of the new 2024 Bul Armory SAS II TAC 4.25" handguns for quite a while now. The only way to buy one without paying more than MSRP is to order it directly from Bul Armory USA, but they are always out of stock due to being so popular. I've been on a "Back In Stock" email notification list for several months, but every time I get a notification and have a chance to log in and purchase one, they are already out of stock again. A few weeks ago, I received another email notification and was finally able to log in quickly enough to purchase one before they sold out!
I specifically wanted the non-ported version because I prefer the DSC Gunworks V-ports over the factory V8 ports. However, with this one I decided to be a little different and get V6 ports instead of V8 ports. I already have several 2011-style guns with V8 ports and several with V-Slot ports, so I figured the V6 ports might be cool and I was curious as to how they would perform. The V6 ports do not disappoint! 😁 They definitely reduce muzzle flip more than V-Slot ports without having as much of a violent concussion like the V8 ports do. They also don't get the gun dirty as quickly as the V8 ports do. It's definitely a nice compromise, which is what I was trying to achieve.
I thought the wider steel frame of this 2024 TAC 4.25 with it's new full length dust cover might make it a bit heavy, but it's actually slightly lighter than my Springfield Prodigy 1911DS and my 2019 STI Staccato P and only about 4 ounces heavier than my my aluminum frame 2022 Bul TAC 4.25.
While the slide and barrel were away getting ported, I textured the grip module in my Concealed Carry texture as well as all the other refinements that I did on my 2022 Bul TAC 4.25 grip module, which turned out identical. When I received the slide and barrel back, I installed the larger Holosun 507Comp optic and a Surefire X300 light, but I may put the new Cloud Defensive EPL on it when it finally becomes available in 2025.
Its Great, But There Were A Few Problems...
Now that I've spent some time shooting both my 2022 and 2024 TAC 4.25s, I will tell you that they were not perfect out of the box by any means. The thumb safeties on both guns are not large, but they are wide farther back towards the pivot point, so with my high grip I inadvertently and unexpectedly engage the thumb safety while shooting them fast. I don't have this problem with any of my Staccato guns which all have the same size/width thumb safeties, but the thumb safeties on the Staccatos taper back at an angle towards the rear of the levers. I realize that this is a "me" problem with my large gorilla hands and the way I grip the gun, but it's still a problem none the less. To alleviate the issue, I trimmed the thumb safety levers down to be much thinner and taper back at an angle towards the rear. They are now virtually the same size and shape as the Ed Brown thin safety levers that I've installed on my Prodigy 1911DS and my Bul Armory 3.25 Ultralight. The thinner safety levers allow me to get a really high grip on the gun with my support hand without accidentally engaging the safety lever. After trimming them down and making sure they weren't causing me any more problems, I just simply Cerakoted them black again. If I didn't point out that they had been modified, you probably wouldn't ever notice it.
Both guns also needed their beavertail grip safeties adjusted so that they would disengage sooner but still be functional. This is relatively easy to adjust if you know how to do it, and I've done this to every 2011-style gun that I've owned if I didn't plan to pin the grip safety in the fully depressed position for whatever reason.
This new 2024 TAC 4.25 also had a few fitment issues that I had to correct. The slide's inner rails had a small burr on one side that I had to remove before the slide would cycle really smoothly on the frame. It was kind of gritty feeling before I smoothed out the burr, but it is now buttery smooth and possibly the smoothest cycling 2011-style gun that I own. I also had to file a little bit on the included RMR footprint optic mounting plate. When I first tried to install the plate onto the slide, it wouldn't even go on at all until I opened up the mounting lug hole enough for the plate to press onto the slide (it's still a tight fit). Once the plate would go onto the slide, the two screw holes were not aligned properly and had to be elongated slightly so that the optic screws would thread into the the slide. The plate is made from aluminum, so it didn't take much effort to get everything lined up, but it was still a little frustrating for a brand new gun. I suspect that Bul Armory's QC may be a little off as they try to keep up with the high demand of these popular guns.
After correcting all of these issues, I am extremely happy with the guns and I am looking forward to carrying, training, and competing with them in 2025.
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