Hello everyone. I have a question for you 1911 aficionados. I've decided to finally get a 1911 and have heard good things about STI. Not sure if I want the full size or commander length model. Could use some opinions from anyone who owns or has shot an STI as to how they like them etc.? Was thinking of either the Duty One or Lawman models.
STI 1911 Advice Needed
- Thread starter jperos
- Start date
For a .40 or .45 version the full size both gives you a little more metal up front to hold down the recoil and makes the sight baseline a little longer so you can see small sighting errors more easily. Both of these factors will aid you in shooting more accurately if the rest of your basics are up to snuff.
On the other hand I'm sort of lusting after a commander size gun in 9mm. It would draw from a holster for my action shooting a little nicer thanks to being shorter and the lighter nose of the gun doesn't kick all that much with 9mm.
As far as shooting them goes you can't go wrong. STI's at the Trojan and up price level are nicely tuned right from the factor. But take note that with names like "Duty One" and "Lawman" that these models MIGHT be set up with a heavier trigger pull on purpose. That's fine if this is what you want. But if it isn't I'd suggest a little research into the trigger setups on these two models.
For example I've shot an out of the box STI Rangemaster and the "stock" trigger felt as nice and sensitive as the nicest custom 1911 I've tried. So it's not only possible but likely that STI sets the trigger to suit the intended use of the gun.
On the other hand I'm sort of lusting after a commander size gun in 9mm. It would draw from a holster for my action shooting a little nicer thanks to being shorter and the lighter nose of the gun doesn't kick all that much with 9mm.
As far as shooting them goes you can't go wrong. STI's at the Trojan and up price level are nicely tuned right from the factor. But take note that with names like "Duty One" and "Lawman" that these models MIGHT be set up with a heavier trigger pull on purpose. That's fine if this is what you want. But if it isn't I'd suggest a little research into the trigger setups on these two models.
For example I've shot an out of the box STI Rangemaster and the "stock" trigger felt as nice and sensitive as the nicest custom 1911 I've tried. So it's not only possible but likely that STI sets the trigger to suit the intended use of the gun.
STI makes some of the best 1911's out there. I would suggest a full-size model with a standard recoil spring and bushing, chambered in .45ACP for optimum reliability. The Trojan is a great value for the money but Lawman and Duty One are great too if you want a forged frame and fixed sights.
My Ranger 2 is quite snappy compared to a full size 1911. Keep this in mind, and since this is your first 1911, I would go full length for better control. These are outstanding guns that have a full warranty through Freedom Ventures should anything go wrong. My only complaint about STI guns is the sharp hammer they all come with, but otherwise they are fantastic.
I would go full size as well....I have had a few and still own a couple.
I only look to STI now when I need a new 1911. I prefer the single stack models and they have proven through many thousand rounds to be very reliable and te fit and finish is very well done.
The Lawman is a great traditional 1911 with everything you need...all the new forged frame
models now have the high undercut trigger guard like the Trojans..this is a feature I really like.
FYI...Wanstalls has your Lawman in stock!
I only look to STI now when I need a new 1911. I prefer the single stack models and they have proven through many thousand rounds to be very reliable and te fit and finish is very well done.
The Lawman is a great traditional 1911 with everything you need...all the new forged frame
models now have the high undercut trigger guard like the Trojans..this is a feature I really like.
FYI...Wanstalls has your Lawman in stock!
My first two handguns were a STI Trojan and a Target Master, both in 45 acp. Love them both and very reliable. They both came with excellent crisp triggers (Trojan measured at 5 pounds, the Target Master measured at 4 lbs). I really like the Dawson fiber optic sight option on the Trojan - makes sight acquisition very easy. I am a little more accurate with the Aristocrat sights on the Target Master though.
Couple of small nits:
- don't like the STIppling on the front strap of the Trojan. I find it still pretty slippery. Much prefer the checkering that is on the front strap of the Target Master
- the full length guide rod and recoil spring that comes with the bull barrel on the Target Master is a bit of a pain to reassemble. The Recoil Master in the Trojan is much easier (so is the std 1/2 length guide rod and spring in my Norinco 1911)
- the stock wood grips look great, but I found them a little slippery. Some nice aggressive VZ grips really help.
Couple of small nits:
- don't like the STIppling on the front strap of the Trojan. I find it still pretty slippery. Much prefer the checkering that is on the front strap of the Target Master
- the full length guide rod and recoil spring that comes with the bull barrel on the Target Master is a bit of a pain to reassemble. The Recoil Master in the Trojan is much easier (so is the std 1/2 length guide rod and spring in my Norinco 1911)
- the stock wood grips look great, but I found them a little slippery. Some nice aggressive VZ grips really help.
heavenIsAlie
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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beat the crap out of my spartan regularly (16k rounds so far) and it have only had to replace one part on it (hammer strut... i should dig up the picture but the hole in it was no longer round)
I have both a Ranger II and a Trojan in .40. The Full size models will be better if you ever decide to shoot IPSC. However if just for plinking then either works great. The Ranger is a fun pistol to shoot but maybe not quite as accurate. You will not go wrong with STI. Even if something does happen, Freedom Ventures who is the distributor will take care of things for you.
in a similar spot. i'm stuck between a rangemaster and a trojan 6.0. kind of leaning towards the rangemaster because i keep hearing it is very accurate but sounds like the trojan is probably as accurate (and more than me anyway) and the 6" barrel is intriguing. suspect you can't wrong with any sti.
