Geezer

Yes that is a possibility but it is also the custom that, excepting for a special order, the first two letters are the initials of an employee of STI or so I have been told. Clearly the best bet would be for STI to research the ser. # for me but since it predates their computer database, that would take a lot of manual searching of written records on their part which they don't seem willing to do.

It is a custom gun but the frame is STI so it should fall in some numerical sequence indicating when the frame was produced I would think.

Thanks for the response. I did speak to STI and apparently this frame predates their computer database and couldn't help me other than to say it was made before they moved their factory from Austin.

Thanks for that information, it's appreciated.

Recently I posted a request for info on the approximate age of my STI 2011 Limited gun. Pictures were requested so here they are. The only markings not shown here are on the bottom of the dust cover where it is marked: STI International Austin Texas I am trying to date this gun and would like to hear from anyone who has a 2011 with a ser. # in the 1700 range or thereabouts and knows it's age.

Thanks for the link. Very interesting read. So I gather the original 2011 was not an STI product. I'm still very interested to find the approximate date of manufacture of my STI the details of which are in the OP. Any help will be much appreciated.

I have recently purchased a custom 2011 Limited gun and am trying to ascertain it's age. It has a full dust cover, no markings on the slide. The only markings on the frame are Left side: 2011, Ser. # EM 176X Bottom of Dust Cover: STI International Austin Texas USA No other markings. I spoke to tech support at STI but it predates their computer database so they couldn't help me. I'm wondering if any one has a similar gun with this approximate ser. # and knows it's dob, or has owned it for at least 20 years. Also interested in knowing when the 2011 was first introduced. Thanks Jack

That sir is a matter of opinion!

For ICORE I use 160 gr. RN Bayou Bullet, 2.7 gr Tight Group, Fed Primer, 1.174 OAL which chrono'd at 780 fps with SD=7 in a 5" 627 at 42 deg. F 2.9 gr gave 815 fps SD= 15 3.0 gr gave 830 fps SD= 8

STOP!! Bill N. is right--don't put Slide Glide or any other grease in a revolver action, especially one that you might need to rely upon for self-defense. Do yourself a big favor and don't take your gun apart. Seriously. Clean the gun externally, including brushing the chambers and bore, make sure everything is clean and dry under the extractor, and that's it. Maybe put one drop of synthetic motor oil on the yoke barrel where the cylinder turns. I wouldn't even put oil in the action--you really don't need it on a carry gun. FYI, in case anyone was wondering, I do follow my own advice on this! My primary carry J-frame (a S&W M-337) has never had its sideplate off! The yoke screw has never been loosened, the factory threadlocker is still in place. The gun functions perfectly, the DA is heavy but perfectly fine for a carry gun, and I know it's going to function in the unlikely event that I ever need it. That's my advice. I agree 100% Leave it alone. It certainly doesn't need tinkering with at this point. I bought my first revolver 40 years ago, and currently own and shoot dozens of them. Never have had the need to take the side plate of any of them and they all shoot 100% reliably. You wanna tinker go work on your car or truck

I've never used that powder but 2.9 gr. Titegroup under a 160 gr.RNL Bayou Bullet with an OAL of 1.174 I got a 130 PF out of my 5" SW 627

Yes and no. You've reduced your OAL by 23% but you have a greater reduction of trapped/effective volume. The volume in the case under the bullet base. And that's exactly why I was concerned and started this post.

Thanks for adding your input Tom, this info is very helpful. I've settled on an OAL of 1.20 in the short case which is a reduction of 0.35" or about 23% from my 38 spcl load. So if I reduce my powder charge by 23% to 3.0 it should be a good start point. In your case you dropped your OAL by 15% and your powder by 11% to achieve the same PF. So I might have to bump it up above 3.0 but it seems safe to start there.

Yes of course. I think this would be a potentially dangerous load in such a short case, Just really looking for validation on that and perhaps a starting point to use. I'm thinking start at 3.3 gr. Hodgon lists a MAX load of 2.7 gr under a 135 gr LRN and an OAL of 1.135 which leads to a PF of 102,600 I'm thinking this might be conservative since this is an old cartridge and might be fired in an old gun. Under the 135 gr bullet the PF should (by interpolation) be 125,000 using 3.3 gr of TG I'm just not sure how to factor in the longer OAL and heavier bullet.