How does the build quality, fit, and finish of the high end STI's compare to the "semi-custom" guns like Wilson Combat and Nighthawk Custom? I've got an STI USPSA single stack on the way, and also a Nighthawk GRP (neither are here yet). Are they in the same league?
STI 1911 - build quality
- Thread starter UncleWalther
- Start date
STI bluing
I agree with Paulinski about the STI bluing quality.
My brand new Targetmaster started showing wear on the slide right after I practiced holstering it at home in a Hogue Universal Powerspeed holster. This holster uses magnets to hold the gun in place and the slide is only in contact with the plastic. It is by no means IMHO anywhere near being a hard wearing holster. The gun was only 2 months old and it had not even gone to the range.
You can see pics of the holster here:
http://www.borelliconsulting.com/recevals/huntfish/hoguepsholster.htm
I talked with a STI rep at the SHOT SHOW about this problem and he suggested that I send the gun back via their Canadian distributor for rebluing if I am not happy with the finish. I did just that and when I received the gun back, an accompanying letter from the distributor says holster wear is not covered under warranty and the work was done as a favor to me.
I have used this holster with my Glock without any problem. The distributor countered that the Targetmaster is a target gun and not designed for carry or severe holster use. But what I experienced was not severe holster use, just very light use in practice mode at home!
You can have STI hard chrome the gun for around $300-400 but I just don't believe having to spend extra $ to fix something that I see shouldn't have been there in the first place. Using a non-contact holster like CR Speed may be a good idea.
I have not spend enough time with my Targetmaster to offer an opinion on its overall quality but, other than the bluing, the initial impression is very good.
I agree with Paulinski about the STI bluing quality.
My brand new Targetmaster started showing wear on the slide right after I practiced holstering it at home in a Hogue Universal Powerspeed holster. This holster uses magnets to hold the gun in place and the slide is only in contact with the plastic. It is by no means IMHO anywhere near being a hard wearing holster. The gun was only 2 months old and it had not even gone to the range.
You can see pics of the holster here:
http://www.borelliconsulting.com/recevals/huntfish/hoguepsholster.htm
I talked with a STI rep at the SHOT SHOW about this problem and he suggested that I send the gun back via their Canadian distributor for rebluing if I am not happy with the finish. I did just that and when I received the gun back, an accompanying letter from the distributor says holster wear is not covered under warranty and the work was done as a favor to me.
I have used this holster with my Glock without any problem. The distributor countered that the Targetmaster is a target gun and not designed for carry or severe holster use. But what I experienced was not severe holster use, just very light use in practice mode at home!
You can have STI hard chrome the gun for around $300-400 but I just don't believe having to spend extra $ to fix something that I see shouldn't have been there in the first place. Using a non-contact holster like CR Speed may be a good idea.
I have not spend enough time with my Targetmaster to offer an opinion on its overall quality but, other than the bluing, the initial impression is very good.
