Meet the TAC-9 from Sol Invictus Arms

You are probably already unknowingly familiar with Melbourne, Florida-based Sol Invictus Arms through their AR components but get ready to meet the all-new TAC-9 pistol.

Sol Invictus has long produced rugged, and reliable components such as barrels and lower parts kits that are OE for several brand-name AR manufacturers – for example, they ship a whopping 30,000 LPKs a month. However, when it comes to making their own all-up guns, they have had a more pockmarked past, having attempted to bring the AA-12 shotgun back to market in 2018 before federal regulators gave the project a thumbs down. Now, SI is back with the TAC-9 pistol.

A tube gun that uses AR trigger groups, the TAC-9 is a fully mature design that just hit the market in production format (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

Sol Invictus Arms marketing manager Michael Rivera talked to Guns.com at this month's inaugural Shooting Sports Showcase in Alabama about this exciting new 9mm handgun.

Compact and modular, the TAC-9's name is an ode to the old-school TEC-9 pistol of Miami Vice fame, although the two share nothing but a caliber. Using as many AR internals as possible, the TAC-9 is immediately familiar to anyone who has experience with America's favorite black rifle, that is, until you get the upper disassembled.

The TAC-9 has a billet aluminum AR-style lower with a tubular steel upper that recalls memories of the STEN, Sterling, and M12A. (Photo: SI)

It is a closed-bolt blowback action with a reciprocating charging handle.

Interchangeable rear trunnions allow the user to go either pistol-only, add a side-folding stabilizing brace, or even a standard AR-15 buffer tube. This could prove especially appealing for those looking to Form 1 a TAC-9 into a short-barreled rifle (SBR). (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

The pistol currently ships with a rear cap that has a short M1913 rail installed. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

While Sol Invictus tells us the TAC-9 can be made in almost any barrel length – keep in mind they make their own barrels in-house – standard models right now use 5.5- and 8.5-inch barrels, creating a pistol that is 14 to 17 inches in overall length. Carbine versions with 16-inch barrels and an AR format buttstock are also on the table.

The TAC-9 runs Glock mags. We put rounds through a South Korean-made aftermarket mag last week with no issues. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

Using double-stack 9mm Glock mags, which are readily available, the pistol has a capacity that runs from 10-round state-limited sticks to 100-round Beta double drums. Riviera said this was key in the gun's development as they had been approached by law enforcement agencies about a compact gun for motorcycle officers that could accept their regular duty mags. The same concept applies to the consumer market as well, with buyers who already have a 9mm Glock and a stack of mags and ammo more likely to find the TAC-9 appealing.

A full-length top M1913 Pic rail allows for mounting of optics, BUIS, and accessories. The abbreviated handguard has a few M-LOK slots for a hand stop, laser or lights. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

The barrel, bolt, and steel receiver all have a Nitrided finish for excellent corrosion and wear resistance. Riviera said they have a shop gun with a registered M16 fire control unit that is a heck of a lot of fun and has upwards of 10K rounds through it.

MSRP on the TAC-9 is $750 and Sol Invictus tells us they are now making 500 production guns a month, so expect to see more on these neat little pistols in the very near future. Of note, they say 10mm and .45ACP variants are well past the idea phase as is switching to a 1x28TPI thread pitch on the muzzle device.

To see more on the TAC-9, check out the company's propaganda video, which starts off 1993 radical and includes lots of gratuitous footage of the select-fire shop gun in action.

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