I'm late to this thread, but just came across it. I bought and carried an STI Tactical 5.0 in .45 for patrol use. Great pistol, no malfunctions with HST's, and the familiarity to the Edge I shoot for competition made for an easy transition.
My only complaints were:
Weight. Besides the heft of the pistol there was the additional weight of the 15 rounds of 230 gr HSTs in the pistol and 30 extra rounds in the mag pouch. I know it's simple math, but 230 gr .45s are twice as heavy as 115 gr 9mm's.
Length: The 5" Tactical in a Safariland duty holster rides lower than say a Glock 17 or 22. I found myself banging it on the seatbelt buckle and console getting in the car.
Wound up selling the Tactical and now carry a Sig Legion SAO.
If I had it to do over with the STI, I would love to try a 4" Tactical in 9mm. Less weight with the lighter rounds....and the shorter length.
Anyone use a 4" 2011 9mm for duty ? Are there any additional concerns with the 4" over the 5" ?