bishop414 Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 (edited) Looking for some sage advice on 1911's. Have narrowed my search down to STI Duty One, .45cal 5". It seems STI has just released this with choice of frame, steel or aluminum. What are the pros/cons? Specs on gun: Frame STI 1911 Frame with Integral Tactical Rail, ‘Grid’ style Front Strap Checkering, Undercut Trigger Guard Grips STI G10 Grip Panels Slide Classic, Flat Top with STI Front and Rear Grid Cocking Serrations Trigger STI Long Curved Trigger Barrel 5.11″ (12.97cm) STI Bushing barrel, Ramped, Fully Supported Safeties STI High-Ride Beavertail Grip Safety Single Sided Thumb Safety (Blued) Guide Rod Recoil Master Sights STI Ramped Front STI Ledge Style Rear Overall Length 8.5” (21.59cm) Weight 37.2 oz (1054.60g) Finish Blued Matte Finish Gun will be used for USPSA single stack, camping and back up home defense gun. Thanks for your input. Edited April 18, 2014 by bishop414 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Postal Bob Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 A steel frame is heavier, therefore helping to reduce felt recoil. It's also more durable than aluminum for a gun that will be shot a lot. Aluminum is lighter, and therefore lends itself well to a gun that will be carried all day. For uspsa use, I would only go with a steel frame. You're going to be putting a lot of rounds through that gun. And the steel will hold up better, along with helping to reduce recoil. And for the few times you might take it camping, the heavier weight won't matter much for such limited carrying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbullet Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 If for competition use, you will be shooting alot of ammo and for longevity, I would suggest a steel frame over aluminum. If its purely a duty gun, it wont be shot as much as and they are a plus in humid conditions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilBunniFuFu Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 For what you say you are going to use it for I would take a steel frame over an aluminum one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lneel Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Yup, steel over aluminum for this use case. We add tool steel rail inserts for our aluminum frame but I still wouldn't recommend it for a competition gun. Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick88 Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Well thats interesting, I would have never thought that an svi aluminum frame would not be recommended for competition use. At what round count does the aluminum show excessive wear over the steel frame? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishop414 Posted April 19, 2014 Author Share Posted April 19, 2014 Thank you all for the input. See you on the range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmine Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 Steel is whats needed for a high round count gun. Steel is real Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audia6 Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 Steel all the way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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