1911s of the STI variety

[Davon]

Well I've got a Springfield Mil-Spec and it's nice but I see now after I've had it for a year or so I'd like something a bit more. The list includes; forward slide serrations, dovetail front and rear sights, beavertail grip safety, and an extended thumb safety.

I was looking at STIs Spartan and I think that pretty much sums up what I'm looking for in a single stack 1911 but I have no experience with STI.

Anybody had any experience with STIs or have any other recommendations? Also, this pistol may be used for USPSA if any of you think that may affect suggestions.

Pic of current 1911 for the hell of it.

http://lightvice.com/stuff/CRA_8162s.jpg

[Miso Beno]

Oh me oh my how I love your photography.

I'm not a huge fan of STI for various reasons including the fact that they use Armscor parts. I believe Springfield makes a few guns are similar to what you're looking for, but they will run you a bit more. Also, have you looked into the S&W options and getting your Milspec worked on a bit?

[Davon]

Oh me oh my how I love your photography.

I'm not a huge fan of STI for various reasons including the fact that they use Armscor parts. I believe Springfield makes a few guns are similar to what you're looking for, but they will run you a bit more. Also, have you looked into the S&W options and getting your Milspec worked on a bit?

Thanks Miso <3. Could you elaborate on not liking STI? Is Armscor the parts maker for Rock Island Armory too?

I guess I should have included it my original post but I bought my Mil-Spec new and after about 800 rounds shot through it is just now starting to function around 100%. I had about 5-6 FTEs and 50 or so failures to return to battery in the first 300 rounds I shot out of it (mostly Wolf with some WWB). The slide to frame fit was so tight I had to put the gun with the top of the slide facing down on a heater to be able to remove the slide from the frame the first time. Even after the 800 rounds I've put through it, the slide still has a tendency to hang up a bit when I cycle it slowly. While this hasn't put me off entirely from buying another Springfield 1911, it has made me look around a little bit to see what else is out there.

As far as getting work done on it, the list is too long I think to make it cost effective as compared to selling it and buying something that has the features I want from the factory.

I've heard good things about S&Ws 1911s but with MSRPs starting at $1,200 that's just a bit too much for me to put into this 1911.

I guess what it comes down to is I need some good arguments not to buy an STI.

[Miso Beno]

Never believe the MSRPs.

S&W 1911 (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_39_71/products_id/15086) for $838 Shipped to your favorite FFL.

S&W 1911 (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_39_71/products_id/15086) for $813 Shipped to your favorite FFL.

Also, selling your 1911? Shoot me a PM. :3:

Back to STI:
I don't care for STI because they consistently use lower quality parts and "clean them up" instead of investing the money in good quality parts to begin with. I also understand why you would consider a STI over a S&W. The $180 price difference is nothing to scoff at and to be honest the STI will most likely get the job done. My biggest concern hangs over the fact that its very easy to screw up a casting and it takes a reasonable amount skill to perform a good casting (Caspian uses Ruger castings, Norinco and Imbel both chose to use forgings).

Castings are great for mass production but require a lot of attention during the casting process to make sure everything is OK.

Forgings on the other hand, are inherently stronger due to their grains structure, and don't suffer from the manufacturing issues that plague castings (microfractures, inclusions, voids, etc) and have a spectacular grain structure in the material. Unfortunately forings are slower to make and generally cost more to produce which is why most budget manufacturers choose not to do them. (Except Norinco but that's because their cost of labor is zilch.)

All in all, I PERSONALLY think the S&W is worth the extra $200 because it represents a higher level of quality, workmanship, and is (theoretically) stronger.

Edit: throw away that garbage Springfield Armory mag. Those suck pretty bad.

[Davon]

Ha, shieeeet shows what I know about 1911s. Well then it looks like I'll be looking at getting a Springfield Loaded or S&W something equivalent. Convince me to get the S&W (or not).

[Miso Beno]

To Speak in generalities:
Springfield Pros: Great customer service, accepts traditional parts, should have a good trigger, should be in the 750 range, forged slide and frame

Springfield Cons: Not American, Sza will hate you forever

Smith and Wesson Pros: Great customer service, well made product, should have a good trigger, forged slide and frame,

Smith and Wesson Cons: There are a few wonky parts in the gun (extractor)

-------------------------
A link to a Parkerized Springfield:
Springfield Parkerized Loaded (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_24/products_id/43756) - It's parkerized so it may need to be worked in before you're happy with it.

[Fang]

Additional Springfield cons: They don't give a crap about spec and use a bunch of MIM parts.

[Miso Beno]

Additional Springfield cons: They don't give a crap about spec and use a bunch of MIM parts.

Pretty much everybody stopped caring about spec 20 years ago. Interestingly enough everyone started using MIM parts around then too. Hmm.

[Clinotus]

I like the STIs, their race guns are pretty cool. I think though its the end result and not so much the bells and whistles.

[Fang]

I was pretty impressed by the STI raceguns at SHOT last year. Their smiths definitely knew how to play with the balance of forces to get a specific result; for instance, they had a gun with a lightened slide and very light recoil spring paired with a small-radius firing pin stop and heavy hammer spring, all to minimize recoil.

[Clinotus]

I was pretty impressed by the STI raceguns at SHOT last year. Their smiths definitely knew how to play with the balance of forces to get a specific result; for instance, they had a gun with a lightened slide and very light recoil spring paired with a small-radius firing pin stop and heavy hammer spring, all to minimize recoil.

This is the exact thing I was thinking of. The STI we handled with the modified slide and frame was a dream. A lot of thought and wisdom went into its design and modifications. I can't find the pictures however. :cry:

[Miso Beno]

I'm sure their race gun department is a bit different than their conventional 'budget 1911' team.

[Danube]

A buddy of mine has a bunch of the STI race guns. Some of them are so tricked out that they look like trinkets, but man do they perform!

I'd get the Springfield. Cheaper and easier to deal with.

[Miso Beno]

A buddy of mine has a bunch of the STI race guns. Some of them are so tricked out that they look like trinkets, but man do they perform!

I'd get the Springfield. Cheaper and easier to deal with.

Well, the STI Spartan was actually a cheaper handgun. My issue with relates to it's Armscor origins.