What happened to the STI lineup?

Siggy Stardust

Siggy Stardust

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It's been a couple years since I perused the full range of offerings from STI on their website, but when I did yesterday I was shocked and somewhat disappointed to see that it has changed substantially from not that long ago.

No doubt that they make some of the best 1911s around, but it seems now that they've really narrowed their focus to super expensive, mega, high-end race guns.

I have Sentry in .40 that I wouldn't trade for the world and it still remains the gun that I can shoot just a little better than all the rest. I see now that STI only has one offering remaining in the 1911 format, while the rest are all 2011 framed models.

That being said, with a couple minor exceptions, it would seem that they've virtually done away with all their "normal" models. Among the website listings, there are no more Trojans, Sentinels, Sentries, Rangemasters, Perfect 10s, etc. to be found.

Does anyone know the story, here? It seems before that they produced a wide array of carry guns that LE or military could use, but no more.

I can certainly understand business is business and the desire to narrow focus or take things in a new direction, but really - this is like finding out Santa Claus is announcing his retirement.
 
I welcome the change. Many manufacturers make 1911s but only a few make 2011s. If you’re looking for a more inexpensive model the hawk 5.0 is only $1500 usd. I’ve had 3 sti 1911s and my next gun will probably be a marauder. The 2011 is a great design especially for the USA, double the mag capacity and the same size. Also lots of the 2011s are designed for carry or tactical
 
Thay have probably dropped manufacturing out of country (Philippines) and have all the work done in the U.S. and that will drive the prices up substantially.. I miss the Spartan
 
STI is moving upscale and wants to tap the premium market buyers & serious competitors who like the 1911/2011 platform.

Why compete with all the companies making or importing $1000.00 1911's when you know your lower end product has so much competition? Plus, the low end 1911's are really pretty good production. STI's basic guns will now be out of reach to most and it appears that they are okay with that...
 
hatman1793 said:
STI is moving upscale and wants to tap the premium market buyers & serious competitors who like the 1911/2011 platform.

Why compete with all the companies making or importing $1000.00 1911's when you know your lower end product has so much competition? Plus, the low end 1911's are really pretty good production. STI's basic guns will now be out of reach to most and it appears that they are okay with that...
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This is exactly what my gut was telling me, but I never really heard any official word. It's like, one day I check the STI website and half of their models are gone.

An awful lot of lower cost 1911s on the market now, between the likes of SAM, RIA, Tisa, etc. I wouldn't be shocked at all to learn that some them made in the Phillippines are even handcrafted by the same folks that used to build STIs back in the day.
 
I have a Remington R1 enhanced threaded barrel that I’m quite happy with. How would these older entry STI’s compare to that? Say the Trojan for example?
 
I'd pick the Trojan in a heartbeat although the Trojan was not entry level at the time the Spartans were but from a shooting perspective little difference in accuracy..the fit on the Trojan is nicier
 
silverfoxdj said:
I'd pick the Trojan in a heartbeat although the Trojan was not entry level at the time the Spartans were but from a shooting perspective little difference in accuracy..the fit on the Trojan is nicier
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Have to agree about the Trojan....and I can’t understand why they stopped making the spartan...have both..really very little difference between the two...spartan represents great value for a semi custom 1911..still better than my Taurus, Para, Sam, Ruger etc...jmho
 
Import said:
Have to agree about the Trojan....and I can’t understand why they stopped making the spartan...have both..really very little difference between the two...spartan represents great value for a semi custom 1911..still better than my Taurus, Para, Sam, Ruger etc...jmho
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The Spartan was made totally in the Philippines and final finished in Texas perhaps the pressure to bring jobs back to the U.S. had something to do with it.
 
silverfoxdj said:
There probably are quite a few in the used market but sad to see these pistols not in the system any longer
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Yeah but now even used prices are comparable to brand new Colts and springfields their great guns but not at the price they are or recently where.
 
silverfoxdj said:
You referring to the discontinued line or new STI's
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Discontinued more so the Spartan,Trojan and ranger the 2011 are really in a league of their own. I've had all 3 of the above mentioned and their were awesome guns however $1400 for a used spartan is the same as a new colt competition their nice but not that nice. The Trojans are the same with them commanding over $2k in the used market their just not worth it anymore when you look at what's in the price range brand new.
 
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