What happened to the STI lineup?

I've seen used Trojans at $1550, 1650, 1800 and 1995 on the EE lately. Looks like owners are trying to cash in on the new $2249.00 pricing at Freedom Arms.

Makes the Black Friday sales of 3-4 years ago when they were $1050 BNIB look like a hell of a deal in retrospect. Then again, even 1911's that used to be 700-800 3 or 4 years ago are now pushing $1100-1200
 
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skoal said:
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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Gotcha...
 
skoal said:
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.
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Oppertunists, and bottom feeders

i sold my last Trojan for $850, and it was nicee, but nowhere as nice as a Colt or Springfield with the same finish
 
Looks like they are focussing heavily on the tactical and competition / 2011 markets. Too bad as I liked their classic 1911s (Trojan, Range/Target Master, Sentry). Would love to see a run of toned-down DVC Classics without the slide cuts, comp well or Ti gold barrel.

But as pointed out the demand for 2011s is high, and STI has and is setting itself up as a dominant player. Probably a very good business decision. Compared to 1911s, not a lot of manufacturers are in this space although the numbers are growing.
 
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madcow said:
Oppertunists, and bottom feeders

i sold my last Trojan for $850, and it was nicee, but nowhere as nice as a Colt or Springfield with the same finish
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The finish is universally garbage on the 1911's unless they get hard chromed,that would be a really good price for a Trojan and I'm guessing it sold quickly.
 
Too many 1911 manufacturers, and more coming out of the woodwork monthly, not many 2011 manufacturers yet. Do the math.

how many Ed Brown, Lees Baer, Wilson, Nighthawk, even Cabot wide frames? STI, Svi, Remington, Para, and Rock Islan. Also, look at where their main market is? The USA, the land ofhthe non-neutered 2011
 
skoal said:
The finish is universally garbage on the 1911's unless they get hard chromed,that would be a really good price for a Trojan and I'm guessing it sold quickly.
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I wouldn't go as far as saying "universally garbage" on the finish. Not everyone gets a lot use use out of their pistols, shoots competitively with lots of holster draws, etc. But I do agree STI could have chosen a more durable finish on their 'blued' pistols. Hard chrome is in a different class but was a $250 option at the time if I remember correctly. I actually like the way the finish has worn on my Trojan; given it character. The finish on my Ranger II seems to be holding up better.

If the day comes I feel the need to refinish my pistols, I'll probably send them out to be hard chromed.
 
One has to assume that the profit margin on the single stack 1911’s wasn’t high enough given STI’s relatively low sales volume. I've always felt that STI’s single stack guns were the best kept secret in the 1911 world. It's wasn't that long ago that you could buy a brand-new Trojan for $1200-1300. And the craftsmanship that you got at that price was much closer to the $3,000+ semi-customs than it was to similarly priced guns from the likes of Kimber, Springfield, S&W, Colt, etc. I'm not sure why single stack STI's weren't selling in higher numbers. Maybe they weren't marketed enough, or perhaps STI's somewhat odd design and naming choices had something to do with it. Many people disliked the oversized serrations, billboard roll marks, and lack of finishes other than basic matte blue (unless you wanted to go with the very expensive and custom order only hard chrome finish). Also, STI Trojan is probably the worst-named product in the firearms industry. If your company name already shares an acronym with "###ually Transmitted Infections", why on earth would you name your product after the most popular brand of condoms?
 
Siggy Stardust said:
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.
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You nailed it squarely. They couldn't compete with with the likes of SAM on quality for ordinary 1911s. They had to go all fancy pants to stay in business. They were always great makers, but my SAM thunderbolt is a match for them at 1/2 the price.

I sold my Trojan and kept my Thunderbolt. Similar quality, but I only needed one and selling my STI put more bucks in my pocket.
 
My Trojan was a great value at $1250.00, but at $1000.00 more? No less gun but just too much more money. I wanted a Premier but bought a pristine Ed Brown on the EE for $2000.00. STI are moving in the 2011 direction. I have an Edge too but no emotional attachment to the 2011 for me! STI has a plan and it doesn't include me it seems. Happy to have my Trojan!
 
Quite frankly have not been watching STI pricing for a couple of years, I was dismayed with the decision to go upscale / up price I can see STI customers walking to other brands because of it..
 
Yep...think you might be right...glad I already collected my sti’s in advance of the run on pricing...that said..I do like 2011’s too..
 
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