1911's to many to choose

finish is a big thing, I need to retake pictures since its been another 2.5k since i took these but this is my spartans finish at 6k

Saftey by Brennan Sheremeto, on Flickr

Muzzle by Brennan Sheremeto, on Flickr

Spartan by Brennan Sheremeto, on Flickr
and there is more on top of the slide but no pictures of that. Its a pretty crappy and weak parkerizing.

they both need a trigger job and sights. yes the spartan comes with a FO front sight, but its crap and should be replaced; mine isn't yet, but I did beat the crap out of it with a file to make it better, as soon as I can get my hands on a dawson sight its going in. STI in their wisdom decided that they should have a different sight cut (novak) on the spartan than all their other guns just to make it more annoying to get sights for.

all the parts on the ruger are metal, which is a plus. both frames are cast so thats moot. Im torn on the front slide serrations because I dont like how they look but I always rack my slide at the front so that's going to come down to the person I think.

accuracy wise I didn't do extensive stuff with the one I tried, but it grouped the same as usual with my spartan and I didn't have any issues missing targets I would have have hit with the spatan.

lifetime wise, I dont own one so I cant comment on the ruger like I can comment on the spartan but hopefully someone with 5k+ on theirs can comment for me.

I'll do a whole big (well bigger, this is big as is) write up and comparison on a ruger if someone wants to lend me one and donate the 500-1000 rounds of ammo (you get professional quality pictures out of it if you do!) but sadly I cant afford the ammo since I spend enough on my practice ammo each month.

but In summary, the ruger seems about equal in everything except finish and looks and it beats the spartan on both counts there.
 
They're all from the Philippines http://forum.m1911.org/archive/index.php/t-87778.html, so my comparison isn't completely unfounded. Where's the evidence that STI's frames and slide outclass the Fillipino counterparts? Things like triggers are relatively cheap and easy to replace, but the slide/frame not so much. This is why I always focus on these parts first. Other buyers may differ, but this is my reasoning.

Not to say that they're all equal, but RIA and basic STI models are from Armscor, which is pretty comparable by many reports to the SAM/Iver Johnson manufactured models. Except for STI, all of these are very competitively priced, so I can certainly understand the love for Rock Island, especially in the States. STI might do a lot more modification and finishing (maybe not based on heaven's post above) than these other brands, but it's debatable whether they're worth prices in the same range as all-American and all forged (except minor for minor parts) models from real manufacturers like Kimber, S&W, SIG, Springfield, etc.

As for SIG MIM parts, we are discussing the one claim that the STI is vastly superior to the SIG's internals, which are all forged. I reiterate that I trust forged, American made parts over polymer parts from who knows where. As a consumer, I have to ask myself what is available in a particular price range, and what does it offer that others do not? At $1,000 plus, STI's competitors offer mostly American and forged construction.
 
Internal parts on the STI guns are fitted and usually made in the USA. They are importing the slides and frames from Philippines.
That's it. As far as I know only Spartan is entirely made by Armscor, but still using the STI parts.
Obviously You never seen any STI gun inside. If You would You could see the difference between RIA and STI gun right away.
Fit and finish plus quality of the parts are way above the guns from Armscor. Still Armscor guns are good choice IMO.
Again SIG internals are not all forged. They are not making any secret out of it.
 
Pistolwhiptricks said:
I also recommend looking at STI. The STI Trojan and Spartan stack up against 1911 2-3x their price point. The STI Spartan is IMO still the best sub $1000 1911 based on features and custom hand fitting.
Click to expand...

I agree!!!

Picture045.jpg
 
I have to add my 2 cents and a picture of my work in progress. A Springfield GI is what i could afford and had Dlask tinker with the trigger and a few other things to make it better. ;)

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