Just wondering what's the deal with STI guns, they advertise as being high end well crafted guns, and their price point certainly high enough to suggest that. But when you talk to people the perception seems to be that they are unreliable, and are constantly jamming, so am I missing something. Why pay $4k for a gun that's just going to be so temperamental.
STI reputation
- Thread starter welder179
- Start date
Well, I can't speak for others, but my STI Single-stack 5" Tactical has been 100% so long as it is kept reasonably well-lubed. The need for lube is simply a function and reality of snug tolerances resulting in single, ragged-hole 8-round groups @ 10 yrs. Yes, my pistol has tight tolerances with a Slide to Frame fit that closes like a fine vault door. That is what enables such groups. You can't have one without the other. But to suggest that STI guns are "too tight" for reliable operation seems a real stretch by someone with an axe to grind. My pistol simply does not bear that out - it has been an excellent, extremely accurate and reliable performer. And boy, does it perform!!
Not really the perception I get from talking to folks who shoot STIs, nor has that been my experience but maybe things have changed?
Their older single stack range was reasonably priced and was well regarded. I had a Rangemaster that was very accurate and reliable. I currently have the Perfect 10 and it is also rock solid.
STI have definitely moved into the competition double stack market over the last couple years. This range is more expensive, but not crazy (compared to SVI e.g.) and has a dedicated following. Maybe some of the comp guns are a little more finicky to set up.
Their older single stack range was reasonably priced and was well regarded. I had a Rangemaster that was very accurate and reliable. I currently have the Perfect 10 and it is also rock solid.
STI have definitely moved into the competition double stack market over the last couple years. This range is more expensive, but not crazy (compared to SVI e.g.) and has a dedicated following. Maybe some of the comp guns are a little more finicky to set up.
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- Location
- West Quebec
My Trojan in 9mm has been flawless and my cheaper Spartan in 45ACP the same..
Got Juice?
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Peoples Republik of Kanukkistan
STI's out of the box are GREAT firearms (I own a few)
That being said, there are some tweaks that competitive shooters add to their guns to customize them to their liking. (something that 1911/2011 owners tend to do with the plethora of parts out there)
IE on my open gun, 357SIG. Bigger comp than a factory T2. I have added an AFTEC extractor and kept the stock one as a spare. Cylinder and Slide Warpspeed lockworks. Kept the stockers as spares. Why? 2.2lb trigger wether hot or cold, and a reset that needs to be felt to be believed. Different Grip for smaller hands, Extended mag release etc etc etc
None of the mods make my gun any more or less reliable, but it makes it a Bespoke gun. Built to MY specifications.
Never yet had an unreliable STI. You most likely have run into people like myself with modified guns and assumed we replace parts for reliability. I can assure you that is not the case. We simply customize the guns to our own liking.
That being said, there are some tweaks that competitive shooters add to their guns to customize them to their liking. (something that 1911/2011 owners tend to do with the plethora of parts out there)
IE on my open gun, 357SIG. Bigger comp than a factory T2. I have added an AFTEC extractor and kept the stock one as a spare. Cylinder and Slide Warpspeed lockworks. Kept the stockers as spares. Why? 2.2lb trigger wether hot or cold, and a reset that needs to be felt to be believed. Different Grip for smaller hands, Extended mag release etc etc etc
None of the mods make my gun any more or less reliable, but it makes it a Bespoke gun. Built to MY specifications.
Never yet had an unreliable STI. You most likely have run into people like myself with modified guns and assumed we replace parts for reliability. I can assure you that is not the case. We simply customize the guns to our own liking.
Sakoman .308
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
My one STI ran excellent.
Everyone I talk to nicknames them jam-o-mattic. And the couple I've seen being used I have not seen run through a match without having to clear a couple jams. These are the higher end DVC models (hense me stating the $4k price tag) so I'm just curious as it doesn't seem like they are the most reliable option from my exposure. Mind you there seems to be a cult following for CZ here.
I am in no way trying to soil their reputation, it could be simply as stated that the ones I've seen have been garage customized by their owners, or the ammo is bad. In which case it's clearly not an issue with STI's quality. But rather then get info from my small circle in the world I like to get as much info as I can from where I can
I am in no way trying to soil their reputation, it could be simply as stated that the ones I've seen have been garage customized by their owners, or the ammo is bad. In which case it's clearly not an issue with STI's quality. But rather then get info from my small circle in the world I like to get as much info as I can from where I can
Got Juice?
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Peoples Republik of Kanukkistan
Welder, they are quite precisely made, but do have the inevitable 1911 quirks. Mag fitting and follower and ramp issues are not uncommon on any 1911/2011 platform. Mag tuning, good followers and consistent ammunition are your friends. One thing that none of my STI's like are reloaded ammo that does not pass the gauge test.
I purchased a casepro as some brass has been fired over 20 times... the extractor 'nick' can cause issues that the casepro solves.
As a rule, sloppy tolerances eat anything, but why feed a Ferrari 89 octane? Most problems can be traced to ammo and mags. Possibly feed ramp.
Edit: My GLOCK40 10mm will fire things that will stop my STI 10mm from firing. Does this make the GLOCK better? No, it is simply looser tolerances. And better mag design in the GLOCK.
I purchased a casepro as some brass has been fired over 20 times... the extractor 'nick' can cause issues that the casepro solves.
As a rule, sloppy tolerances eat anything, but why feed a Ferrari 89 octane? Most problems can be traced to ammo and mags. Possibly feed ramp.
Edit: My GLOCK40 10mm will fire things that will stop my STI 10mm from firing. Does this make the GLOCK better? No, it is simply looser tolerances. And better mag design in the GLOCK.
I shoot with 2 guys that both run DVC's for at least 2 years now and they both shoot at least 1 match a month and have never seen either one have any issues what so ever.
Agreed! I have finished figuring out my reloads for this gun. Now I have to find a shark to attach it to. A frickin' shark. I do prefer the single stack though... And the gun did seem to like 165 grain Winchester white box ammo... Cancel the shark, back to the Lock N Load...
I shoot STI's... a lot! In the 100,000 to 200,000 range in the last decade. There have been some quality issues with a select few models of STI's that the company stands behind and replaced the entire gun for. My round count is obviously high, and yet they replaced the chipped slide on one of my guns at no charge (gunsmithing and shipping included). There are other guns that are as good as STI but STI's warranty and service are not going to be surpassed.
Without knowing the exact situation of the shooters with "jam-o-matic" STI's, my first inclination would be to look at the ammo, next the mags, and finally the gun itself.
If someone wants to sell their "jam-o-matic" STI's cheap, there will be a lineup of people jumping on the opportunity to buy them.
-ivan-
Without knowing the exact situation of the shooters with "jam-o-matic" STI's, my first inclination would be to look at the ammo, next the mags, and finally the gun itself.
If someone wants to sell their "jam-o-matic" STI's cheap, there will be a lineup of people jumping on the opportunity to buy them.
-ivan-
