PumpGunGuy Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I am intrigued by the thought of a 1911ish high capacity 9mm. What have experiences been with these two? Does anyone have experience with both? Are there other ~$2000 options I should consider? Thanks, Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWFAN Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 What do you want to do with it ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PumpGunGuy Posted October 3, 2011 Author Share Posted October 3, 2011 I shoot some USPSA, and steel, but mainly it is unsanctioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWFAN Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I'd look at the STI Eagle, Edge, or Tactical 5.0 unless you really want the shorter barrel. Shooters Connection has a great selection of STI's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsr1238 Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Don't forget Para, the 18-9 retails for $1200. If you just want a steel hi-cap 9mm and want to think outside 1911's, I'd also look hard about CZ. There's a lot of options with CZ and they're way below your $2000 budget. Personally I'd look at the CZ SPO1 shadow, or 75 longslide, they have singl-action models too if that's why you wanted a 1911. You can get Mec-Gar 19 round mags for $29 at gregcotellc.com Don't get me wrong, I love 1911's especially the STI's DWFAN recommended, but CZ's are also outstanding at a lower price. Too many great guns, too little time and money. Good luck in your decision, hard to go wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwx40x40 Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I have one of the older STI 9mm 4.15 Tactical with Aluminum frame. It shoots very,very well for a short barreled gun. So well in fact, that I have shot some of my best Steel Challenge scores with it. The quick handling coupled with match grade accuracy makes for quick transitions and good hits on distant steel. I do not have a spec ops Wilson, but I have also shot with a custom built STI with a 5" bushing barreled ,lightened slide,Springfield 9mm top end and I was surprised that I shot the 4.15 better. Only compared one set of Steel Challenge scores with both guns. Could have been a fluke, but the short gun sure indexes well. Just my .02 worth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quack Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 i'd get the STI since it has aftermarket support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duane Thomas Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Another option would be the STI VIP. This is a slightly smaller gun than the 4.15" tactical. with 4" barrel and grip slightly chopped for greater concealment. It's available in .45, .40 and 9mm. The 9mm article sample piece I had in was very nice indeed. Totally reliable, wonderful handling qualities. Bench rest accuracy was in the acceptable range (i.e. decent-but-not-hugely-great) which is what I'd expect for a factory gun versus a hand-built custom piece. My one caveat would be that the slide cocking grooves on STIs in general are quite sharp, and can be actively dangerous if you shoot with a straight thumbs grip. Inside 50 rounds with the VIP those cheese grater slide cocking grooves had ground through the callous on my right thumb, were down into flesh, and I was smearing blood back and forth along the slide with every shot. If this had been my gun instead of an article sample piece its slide cocking grooves would have had a moderate but early appointment with a buffing wheel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steel1212 Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Another option would be the STI VIP. This is a slightly smaller gun than the 4.15" tactical. with 4" barrel and grip slightly chopped for greater concealment. It's available in .45, .40 and 9mm. The 9mm article sample piece I had in was very nice indeed. Totally reliable, wonderful handling qualities. Bench rest accuracy was in the acceptable range (i.e. decent-but-not-hugely-great) which is what I'd expect for a factory gun versus a hand-built custom piece. My one caveat would be that the slide cocking grooves on STIs in general are quite sharp, and can be actively dangerous if you shoot with a straight thumbs grip. Inside 50 rounds with the VIP those cheese grater slide cocking grooves had ground through the callous on my right thumb, were down into flesh, and I was smearing blood back and forth along the slide with every shot. If this had been my gun instead of an article sample piece its slide cocking grooves would have had a moderate but early appointment with a buffing wheel. I don't think there is a better carry gun. Its small enough to be easily concealed but I get 17 rounds of forty fun in mine with a International basepad and grams follower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duane Thomas Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Although STI states the VIP 9mm's mag capacity as 17 rounds, both of the standard, flat-bottomed mags included with my sample gun would easily take 19. Actually I found that, with considerable effort, I could fit 20 - and the gun would in fact feed the top cartridge off a 20-loaded mag after firing the chambered round, but snapping the mag into the gun became a real effort. As far as I'm concerned, these were 19-round mags. The folks at STI seemed absolutely amazed when I told them this, BTW. "Wow, you must have really strong hands." Like I was somehow forcing two extra rounds into a mag that shouldn't be able to take them. Nope, loading 19 into these mags was just easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45 Raven Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 (edited) Duane: Could you provide some information on the STI pistols? I am currently considering the purchase of a 5.0 Tactical in caliber 9mm. My two questions are: 1. Have you found the STI pistols to be reliable and durable? (I am thinking of my purchase for steel shooting competition). 2. How is the STI customer service and support? 3. Could you explain the differences in the 126mm and 140mm magazines besides the obvious dimensional difference? Does the 126mm magazine fit the pistol reasonably flush? Are you aware of any functionality/reliability differences in the two different size magazines? Thanks very much, Ken Although STI states the VIP 9mm's mag capacity as 17 rounds, both of the standard, flat-bottomed mags included with my sample gun would easily take 19. Actually I found that, with considerable effort, I could fit 20 - and the gun would in fact feed the top cartridge off a 20-loaded mag after firing the chambered round, but snapping the mag into the gun became a real effort. As far as I'm concerned, these were 19-round mags. The folks at STI seemed absolutely amazed when I told them this, BTW. "Wow, you must have really strong hands." Like I was somehow forcing two extra rounds into a mag that shouldn't be able to take them. Nope, loading 19 into these mags was just easy. Edited October 7, 2011 by 45 Raven Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quack Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 I've never had to use customer service, but i hear they are pretty good. as far as durability, i don't have any concerns with my Edge or Tactical. Here's a pic of my Tactical 4.15 9mm, no magwell and a 126mm mag, so you can see how the mag fits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shooter545 Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 I have an STI 9mm Tactical and the CZ mentioned above and love them both. I use the STI for multigun and the CZ for just general shooting. Own them both and love them both, you will be well served by either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45 Raven Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Guys: Thanks very much for your help in answering my questions. The photo was especially helpful. Now I'll ask yet another question: When purchased new, do the STI pistols typically need trigger work? I like a 3 3/4 to 4 lb. crisp trigger on my 1911 pistols, if that is any help in understanding what I mean when I inquire about trigger work. Are there any special tricks to STI trigger, or are they configured like a Colt, Springfield, etc.? Thanks again for your help. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quack Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 (edited) My Edge and Tactical were both under 4#'s from the factory. Edited October 10, 2011 by Quack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45 Raven Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Thanks very much for taking the time to answer my questions. Much appreciated. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torreyintahoe Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 I recently bought a used STI Tactical 4.15 .45 acp and initially had feed problems with it. I called Randy at STI and he had me send it back with STI paying for shipping. I had it back in three weeks with the problem resolved. I could not be happier with their customer service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45 Raven Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Have an STI 5.0 Tactical on order and expect it to arrive next week. I have seen and heard much discussion about the recoil master. This pistol comes with one installed. Are there any reasons why I should consider removing it and replacing it with a different guide rod? What are the advantages/disadvantages of the recoil master? Thanks, Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWBooth Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Raven, In my opion, I would leave it in. I think that they work very, and do a good job on recoil reduction. All of my STI's still have them in place. The only problem with them is at about 20K rounds they should be replaced, as should the standard recoil spring. I think that they do a good job.--JWB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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