STI Trojan or Sentry?

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1

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Deciding on a high end 9mm 1911 to drop my tax return on if I get one. Decided on an STI as they have Very good reviews and record. I posted a thread a while back asking for input on a "Modern" 9mm 1911 with the intention of purchasing the modern equivilant of a 9mm service pistol. However, I have also taken a likeing to the more elegant models, with High polish blues and gorgeous wood grips.

So, I have narrowed it down to two models, one from, in my opinion, the "combat" pistol and one from the "Elegant" pistol classes. Argue on that all you want about my classifying, but I would like some opinion on these, and why the Sentry may be worth the extra $400. Im ot asking you to pick for me, but more or less inform me about each pistol and why one might be a little bit better then the other.

The Popular STI Trojan, More Affordable at around the $1200 mark, good following, not bad looking and more "Combat" like with its matte blued finish.
Trojan_1a.jpg

Calibers .45 ACP, .40 S&W, 9×19, .38 Super
Frame STI 1911 Government Frame, STI Stippled
Front Strap, Undercut Trigger Guard
Grips Checkered Cocobola Grip Panels
Slide Classic with STI Front and Rear Cocking
Serrations
Trigger STI Long Curved Trigger
Barrel 5.11″ STI Bushing Barrel, Ramped, Fully
Supported
Safeties STI High-Ride Beavertail Grip Safety
Single Sided Thumb Safety (Blued)
Guide Rod STI One Piece Steel
Sights STI Competition
Overall Length 8.5”
Weight Steel: 45 ACP= 36.06oz (1022.41g)
Blued Matte Finish
Finish Blued Matte Finish
Competition Approvals

IPSC
USPSA
IDPA


OR, the step up from the Trojan, the STI Sentry, A Bit more at around the $1600 mark, features a few upgrades over the Trojan such as more aggressive checkering, Steel MSH, Forged frame, stainless and more of an "Elegant" look with the high polish blued finish and stainless accents.
Sentry_1a.jpg

Calibers .45 ACP, .40 S&W, 9×19
Frame 1911 Government Forged Steel Frame,
Checkered Front Strap with Steel MSH &
Magwell, Undercut Trigger Guard
Grips Checkered Cocobola Grip Panels
Slide Classic, Flat Top with STI Front and Rear
Cocking Serrations
Trigger STI Long Curved Trigger
Barrel 5.11″ STI Bushing Barrel, Ramped, Fully
Supported
Safeties STI High-Ride Beavertail Grip Safety
Ambidextrous Thumb Safeties (Stainless)
Guide Rod STI Recoil Master
Sights STI Competition Front
STI Adjustable Rear
Overall Length 8.5″
Weight 45 ACP= 37.3 oz (1058.55g)
Finish Blued with Sides of Slide Polished
Competition Approvals

IPSC
USPSA
IDPA
SSS

So, Make your cases.
 
Personally 9mm belongs to Glock, 1911 platforms are for .45 but that just me. I also can't abide by grip serrations on the front of a 1911 slide...just looks weird. I came from the school that taught any place that is checkered or serrated are the only proper places for fingers to be on a pistol...as my fingers aren't anywhere near the muzzle, ever, I just don't understand the need for the "racing stripes". Then again that's just me, some guys put lights and lasers on their railed 1911's that always makes me shake my head but to each their own.

Of the two you've selected, I would personally go for the Sentry (without the adjustable sights and mag well) based solely on the front strap LPI. This feature makes a marked improvement in the overall grip and feel of the firearm, that and I hate the scalloped peanut (read useless and slippery) front strap on the Trojan. Both nice guns if in .45 ;)
 
Tough call but I'd opt for the Sentry myself. The forged frame, fiber optic front sight, magwell and ambi safety are all good additions and make up the price difference. I have an STI lawman set up basically the same as the Sentry with FO sight, Ambi's and magwell and I love it. Some say the forged frame mated with the forged slide will stay tighter, longer than the cast frame on the Trojan, but thats not something Id bank on, I preferred the forged frame because its checkered, the stippling on the Trojan is still pretty slick. I've handled both in person and one thing to be aware of is if your going to do a lot of holster work or use it in competition the finish on these both wear quickly, but they all do in my experience. Regardless of which one you choose I highly recommend dealing with Sean @ Freedom Ventures unless you have a local shop you deal with that sells STI, Freedom is the Canadian importer for STI and great to deal with.
 
I really don't think you can go wrong with eigther both really nice 1911's if it was my money id buy a series 70 colt but thats me.
 
skoal said:
I really don't think you can go wrong with eigther both really nice 1911's if it was my money id buy a series 70 colt but thats me.
Click to expand...

While I cant argue for or against that, finding a NIB series 70 Colt repro right now would be pretty difficult, and unless the OP likes/wants the GI styling and controls he'd be looking at a good chunk of change to get it smithed and updated with a beavertail, extended safety, sights etc.
 
no love for the Lawman in .45acp?! I know...the ammo is more $...but it IS a 1911.
 
senty, you would want to do all the upgrades it has done to it to the trojan anyway so you might as well get them right off the bat.

I dont like the look of front serrations on a 1911 either, but ill never own a competition pistol without front serrations, actually you could just have front ones with no rear ones on my competition guns.
 
I'm currently debating the exact same 2 STIs in 9mm. I'll be watching this thread closely to hear people's opinion. I'm surprise to hear SlimTim say that the finish on both of the pistols will wear down quickly. I was under the impression that the finish on the Sentry is a step above that of the Trojan, (which as I've heard is known to wear off quickly), and would last considerably longer. Is this a wrong assumption? SlimTim, do you have first hand experience of this?

Thanks,
Cal.
 
For those that think a 1911 should have more classic lines and be in 45, I agree with you in a sense. I am saving that combo for when I can track down a colt series 70. Unfortunately these seem to be quote rate so ill grab the premium shooter in nine for now.

I am leaning towards the sentry, only reason I'm looking at the Trojan is the slightly better price.
 
calvados.boulard said:
I'm currently debating the exact same 2 STIs in 9mm. I'll be watching this thread closely to hear people's opinion. I'm surprise to hear SlimTim say that the finish on both of the pistols will wear down quickly. I was under the impression that the finish on the Sentry is a step above that of the Trojan, (which as I've heard is known to wear off quickly), and would last considerably longer. Is this a wrong assumption? SlimTim, do you have first hand experience of this?

Thanks,
Cal.
Click to expand...

Blueing of any sort is not the toughest of finishes, it is gorgeous looking when done rigt but as finishes go for toughness it is only above parkerizing. If you are worried about finish wear (personally I like it on my working guns, it gives them character) then pay the extra for hard chrome, that will never wear.
 
In my debate on the same 2 I broke it down like this: (Prices from freedom ventures)

Trojan: $1,200.00
Sentry: $1,630.00

To modify the Trojan up to the Sentry, add:
Single Stack Mag Well With Steel Mainspring Housing, +$80.00
Recoil Master #6, +$81.00
Ambi-Dextrous Thumb Safety, +$52.00 (Stainless on the sentry vs blued on the trojan)
___
For a total Trojan cost of $1413.00.

This leaves the difference in cost between the forged and cast frame, and the STIppling vs the Sentry's checkering to make up the remaining cost difference of $217.00

Is the forged frame and checkered front strap worth $217.00. I'm a bit torn myself. I prefer the undercut on the Trojan to the slightly sloped undercut of the Sentry.

Thanks,
Cal.
 
Oh, and I believe if I'm not mistaken that the grips differ between the two models. The Trojan has thin grips (which I very much like), and the Sentry has larger swelled (for lack of a better term) grips.

FWIW I used to own a Trojan in 45ACP, but after a fiasco with the vendor I sent it back. It was a beautiful machine while I had it, and I've dreamed of having another STI since then.

Thanks,
Cal.
 
calvados.boulard said:
This leaves the difference in cost between the forged and cast frame, and the STIppling vs the Sentry's checkering to make up the remaining cost difference of $217.00

Is the forged frame and checkered front strap worth $217.00. I'm a bit torn myself. I prefer the undercut on the Trojan to the slightly sloped undercut of the Sentry.

Thanks,
Cal.
Click to expand...

Cast or forged will probably never matter to most people, but having a frame checkered after the fact will cost 300 bucks or more. Checkering is better, but if the cost difference is the deal breaker and you end up finding the Trojan too slippery you can always grip-tape it. Doesn't look as nice but it works.

Also, so far as I can tell the undercut on both guns is functionally pretty much the same.
 
I went trojan and am happy with the choice. Wasnt able to try the sentry to compare but I like the way it shoots. Only thing I changed was added a magwell and new grips. havent shot it enough to see how the finish will hold up, so far not a scratch.

sti.JPG
 
relliott said:
Sentry.
Checkered front strap, forged frame and slide, mag well ambi safties. For the extra few bucks you can't go wrong.
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Definitely prefer the front strap checkering. The STIppling on my STI Trojan gets slippery. Also I ended up putting on a magwell and recoil master guide rod anyhow.

BTW - STI now has a 3 dot sight option for the Trojan. Not sure if it's available for the Sentry. If not, the Dawson Fibre Optic front sight is a good upgrade.
 
calvados.boulard said:
Have you actually held both pistols? At least in my hands there is a distinct difference in feel between the 2 undercuts.

Thanks,
Cal.
Click to expand...

Not side by side I haven't. But I was fine with either one.
As well, I think the undercuts may have changed slightly over time on some models as STI has made different adjustments to their lines. I'm pretty sure I've seen some older versions of the Trojan that didn't seem to have any undercut at all.
 
The new STI forged frame has an undercut, my lawman has it. If you buy a new production Sentry it should have it as well.
 
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