Posted: 12/18/2008 4:27:15 PM EDT
| im considering purchasing my first 1911, mostly just for range use/plinking. I am looking at the STI Spartin (wich i can get for $600) and the kimber custom 2 ($700). I am just wondering wich 1911 you 1911 guys would suggestand why? |
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+1 for STI - I wanted thier 9mm Trojan 2 summers ago, couldn't get it in time, so I went with a Kimber Aegis, good gun, I would have perfered the STI for it's reputation.
+ STI won't sell in CA, so I figure we should give them a bump for haveing moral standards. |
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Quoted:
I HATE the STI billboard too... HATE But when your rollmark looks like a girl named Kimberly scrawled most of her name with a Martha Stewart Engrav-o-matic on it before having to sit down and pee, you are definitely throwing stones from your glass house. Lol. Great statement. The STI billboard is the only thing that really keeps me from getting one. I'd pay extra to have the slide blank, or just a simple "STI" on one side. It makes the gun look cheap. |
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Quoted:
I HATE the STI billboard too... HATE But when your rollmark looks like a girl named Kimberly scrawled most of her name with a Martha Stewart Engrav-o-matic on it before having to sit down and pee, you are definitely throwing stones from your glass house. At least it's small. I, too, would rather have a less busy slide. But it isn't horrible (to me). |
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kinda a tough call...
generally, btw a STI and a kimber, i'd take and recommend a STI hands down the STI Spartan IS a nice 1911 for the money imo; a few things that do 'quirk' me about em: the frame (cast) and some other major components are made in the PI...not exactly my 1st choice for a quality built firearm base h/w, the STI backing and tuning DO turn it into a fine, reliable shooter the target sights, while nice, are not what i prefer; ditto the plastic face trigger the spartan is a fine handing 1911 though, and for the right price, i would not have any reservations of owning one as to vs the kimber custom II...component wise, the kimber holds its own––quality built frame, parts, etc (considering); h/w, i've personally become dissatisfied w/ some of kimber's recent QC and i dont prefer the swartz safety in em for the price comparison, i'd opt for the STI |
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Quoted:
whats the deal on the sti? i heard the frame is built in the phillepenes and it is assembled in the us? Is there any truth to that? And wich has a beter fit and finish? as far as i know, the frame and slide (and a few other various parts, MSH, etc) are made by armscorp, who manf it in the philippines...one of the main reasons why the STI is so affordable STI does some in house work on em; i'm assuming they "assemble" (or at least disassemble and reassemble em) in the US fit and finish wise of the spartan vs the kimber: the kimber's better imo; the STI is more of a smoother parkerization while the kimber is more of a trad. buleing type finish fit wise, both are pretty tight; but the STIs Spartans i shot/handled had the LPA sights slightly off centered and some slight mis-fittings on the MSH and grip safety area (nothing major) the finish on both suck in the wear dept.––both will wear fast with any sort of use the trigger pulls on both the kimber and sti imo are top notch for production grade guns; the STI being a little better imo here is a source: http://ezine.m1911.org/STISpartan.htm bear in mind: the spartan is NOTHING like STI's higher end lines––in overall quality, fit, finish, and workmanship |
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Quoted:
But when your rollmark looks like a girl named Kimberly scrawled most of her name with a Martha Stewart Engrav-o-matic on it before having to sit down and pee, you are definitely throwing stones from your glass house. WOW. I wouldn't have put it quite that way, but it does sum up my feelings on the kimber. I'd go with the STI over the Kimber. Although the Kimber roll mark is not my only dislike for Kimber. |
| The Spartan is a good gun with all STI internals which is a huge plus over any MIM parts in the Kimber. That doesn't necessarily mean MIM is all bad, just that you are less likely to have parts breakage with the STI internals. However, I do not like the huge Spartan on the slide. The only thing uglier is the Rock Island slide, or maybe the ORM Colt slides. I found a NIB Spartan at one of the gunshops I frequent for $499.00. It has been in the case for a LONG time. I thought about it, but can't get past the huge lettering. I'm not crazy about the girly Kimber lettering either, but I don't mind it nearly as much. The Spartans are made entirely in the Philippines and shipped back to STI here in Texas where they give them the once over. STI is a great company and will stand behind the Spartan like they will their high end guns. I have had good luck with all Kimbers I've owned, early ones as well as Series II's. IMO a lot of the trouble Series II guns have had have been due to people damaging the Schwartz parts during disassembly. I would rather have an early Kimber, but will take any all forged steel, all American Kimber before I would take the Spartan. Just my .02. |