Posted: 6/26/2010 2:24:46 AM EDT
| What's the opinion on the STI 1911 family? The forum seems to be dominated by the discussion of Springfields and Kimbers. For us early stage shooters what may be acceptable alternatives? I'm asking from the context of someone with less than a thousand rounds of 1911 under the belt. I'd love to bullshit you about my prowess but at the moment my 30 yard MOA is occasionally in meters. A local shop seems to have some fair prices on a couple of STI's. I realize I may be calling in a fire mission on my position but so be it. I ain't as smart as most of you but I do have an interst in learning. I currently have a S&W Commander. I'm in the market for for a full sized 5". Whatever I purchase, my assumption is that it won't be my last as I gain experience. |
| STI is a good manufacturer but their QC can be a bit spotty. I have seen several factory STI's with FTF, magazine issues, etc. Now, other mfg's can be said to have similar problems as well. I own 6 Kimbers and for some reason one of them had feeding/extraction issues and I had to send it back to the factory. Kimber and STI are like most all other major manufactures and they will fix a problem with your gun but it does not make it less frustrating. I assume you are talking about single stack magazine models? |
| I'll start by saying a buddy of mine who is a competitor uses a lot of their pistols. Upon his recommendation, I bought a Ranger II. From the first magazine I had nothing but trouble. Multiple FTF, FTE. The extractor and slide stop broke on the first range trip. Sent it back to them, they said that they fixed it. Got it back, and still had the same issues. I sold it with full disclosure. Now, did I get a lemon? Perhaps. Every company can make one. But I'll stick to Colts, for now. |
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Quoted:
STI is a good manufacturer but their QC can be a bit spotty. I have seen several factory STI's with FTF, magazine issues, etc. Now, other mfg's can be said to have similar problems as well. I own 6 Kimbers and for some reason one of them had feeding/extraction issues and I had to send it back to the factory. Kimber and STI are like most all other major manufactures and they will fix a problem with your gun but it does not make it less frustrating. I assume you are talking about single stack magazine models? How many STI's have you fired or owned? I have 3 and never had a issue. My friend has 1 as well and is just like all of mine shoot better and function better than anyone I know or have seen in action. The single stack model's do come with a shit mag as far as I think but a couple of Wilson's fix that which is what everyone usually go to anyway's. even my spartan will out shoot the Wilson combat I used to have and its a $680 gun... I have had 6 kimber's over the last 15 years 3 of which were the biggest POS for what I spent. I think the KImber of Oregon blow the pants off a Kimber from Yonker New York. STI's I own STI Spartan STI Escort STI 2011 Tac in 40S&W |
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STI makes an amazing 1911. They are truly up there with the top manufacturers. I would not go as far to say they are better than Springer considering Springer's custom shop is arguably the best out there even better than wilson, eb, nh, and baer.
I own 2 STI's and they are flawless much like my SA's |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
STI is a good manufacturer but their QC can be a bit spotty. I have seen several factory STI's with FTF, magazine issues, etc. Now, other mfg's can be said to have similar problems as well. I own 6 Kimbers and for some reason one of them had feeding/extraction issues and I had to send it back to the factory. Kimber and STI are like most all other major manufactures and they will fix a problem with your gun but it does not make it less frustrating. I assume you are talking about single stack magazine models? How many STI's have you fired or owned? I have 3 and never had a issue. My friend has 1 as well and is just like all of mine shoot better and function better than anyone I know or have seen in action. The single stack model's do come with a shit mag as far as I think but a couple of Wilson's fix that which is what everyone usually go to anyway's. even my spartan will out shoot the Wilson combat I used to have and its a $680 gun... I have had 6 kimber's over the last 15 years 3 of which were the biggest POS for what I spent. I think the KImber of Oregon blow the pants off a Kimber from Yonker New York. STI's I own STI Spartan STI Escort STI 2011 Tac in 40S&W I owned 1, it was a 2011, have shot a few others. I sold it after a few years to upgrade to an SV. The STI's are fine, as I said, in traveling around to shoots I have seen every kind of pistol fail, even my beloved SV. The point I was making is similar to Kimber, STI has small QC issues but they will make good on it. There is an old article in shooting illustrated on a gun STI sent to be tested, had many issues, but STI fixed it no problem, I will see if I can dig up the issue... As far as one gun out shooting the other, unless you are getting hand fit custom shop barrels with 2lbs triggers and match adjustable sights they will all be in the same ballpark. I posted this photo earlier but depending on what I am shooting, heavy metal, steel, 3 gun etc, these are my current carry and competition pistols. 
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Ive never owned or fired an STI but can relay this experience from about 3 months ago.
I walked into my local gun store and noticed they were now stocking STI products. I quickly picked out a Trojan 5.0 model to inspect and upon ejecting the magazine noticed that the mag release had become lodged in the unlocked position making it impossible to reinsert the magazine (it would just fall right out). That being said- every 1911 manufacturer is going to have QC problems here and there. As long as their customer service is helpful you're GTG. Other than that experience I've never heard anything but positive reviews from friends who own STI products and I believe their CS is top notch too. |
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I own two STI pistols, a Trojan 5.0 and a Tactical 4.15, and have never had a problem that I didn't create myself. They have both been flawless. Both are tack drivers. My favorite is the Trojan, and it still rides on my duty belt.
I hate to hear that anyone has ever had an issue with their STI. I know the guys here in Georgetown, and they work hard to put out a great product. Their customer service is top notch. I have no issue recommending STI to anyone... |
| STI is a solid company with a solid product. Like any other company, the more you spend the better the gun you are getting. There isn't a company in the world that doesn't have an unhappy customer floating around somewhere because shit happens. I think the reason that you don't hear more about STI on this forum is because it is hard to find a dealer that actually stocks STI's in a lot of places and gun guys like to get their hands on whatever they are purchasing. Thus, more kimber and springfield guns fly off the shelves because they are on the shelves locally. |
