v1911 Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 Looking to replace my polymer grip with an aluminum one. Right now my choices are STI and PT. I've read about the STI having breakage issues but I'll be running 9mm (minor) so I'm not concerned about durability. Looking for some feedback on the pros and cons on these two choices. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B45C22 Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 Both are fine. STI's have a history of breakage and might require fitting. The PT should slide right on and be more durable. Go that route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctay Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 To be fair they both may require fitting. The older sti ones had cracking issues if people just slapped them on without proper fitting. A friends properly fired sti aluminum grip has lasted years and thousands of rounds. Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calvinc78 Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 I had the newer STI black grip that I put on a newer steel master. Fit prefect. Slid right on. No fitting needed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjs375 Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 Just put on my PT grip today, just had to blend the mag release. I have the aggressive texture and it fit great. It changed the feel of the gun and it feels great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 Just put on my PT grip today, just had to blend the mag release. I have the aggressive texture and it fit great. It changed the feel of the gun and it feels great. Cost? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waktasz Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 $425 last I heard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RippSpeed Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 I've had 3 Black STI grips cracked... Had them warranty it and replace with polymer grips. All the STI aluminum grips were fitted correctly where they would just slide on and off. And all of them cracked at the same general area; right above the mag release. Right where the grip meets the frame. 1 = was on my open gun lasted a only 2 matches 2 = lasted for 5k rounds and had stress cracks 3 = lasted only 4months and I could see daylight on it I gave up on aluminum ... And placed an order for a couple of Ti grips from PT... I know PT's aluminum should be alittle better 7076 vs 6061 aluminum... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v1911 Posted May 17, 2014 Author Share Posted May 17, 2014 Is the STI grip the exact profile as the polymer? That may be a deciding factor. I wasn't a hug fan of the original grip so I had mine sent out to Jim at APS and he worked his magic. While the PT grip is more expensive, I wonder if the shape and texture makes up for it. I realize that the 7076 is also stronger, but that's not a selling point for my needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RippSpeed Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 I cannot say anything about the PT grip yet. I have fondled the grip at a local match but mine has yet to be delivered.The STI on the other hand is definitely slimmer in profile than the polymer grip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biloxi23 Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 My PT aluminum grip has been on for 3000+ rounds. It was easily fit, though the mag well was a very tight fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaeOne3345 Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 (edited) STI aluminum grip is garbage. Even the "updated" black one. So far I love my PT aluminum grip. It is much beefier in the area that cracked on my STI grip. Edited May 20, 2014 by JaeOne3345 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sudden Death Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 (edited) STI / smooth texture only P / T (3) different textures STI / known to crack P / T Has not had one to crack yet STI / only comes on aluminum P / T comes in (4) flavors : aluminum , Ti, carbon steel, stainless steel Edited May 20, 2014 by Sudden Death Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Donald Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 OK, who is PT, Google doesn't work when searching for PT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mberry Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 (edited) OK, who is PT, Google doesn't work when searching for PT.Phoenix Trinity. They have a Facebook page with some photos and there are a lot of photos of their grips on Lone Star Innovations builds in the vendor section. I have a build in progress by Glenn at LSI using their aluminum grip with the aggressive texture. Edited May 20, 2014 by Mberry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Donald Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 OK, who is PT, Google doesn't work when searching for PT.Phoenix Trinity. They have a Facebook page with some photos and there are a lot of photos of their grips on Lone Star Innovations builds in the vendor section. I have a build in progress by Glenn at LSI using their aluminum grip with the aggressive texture. Thanks, I've heard of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaeOne3345 Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v1911 Posted May 21, 2014 Author Share Posted May 21, 2014 ^^ That's damn sexy! What texture is that? SD, you seem to be an authority on PT products, does the grip readily accept the SV trigger bow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjs375 Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 v1911, the grip is made for the SV trigger bow, it dropped right in on my grip, everything was a straight change over from my plastic grip to the PT grip, needed to blend the mag release and fit the magwell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EngineerEli Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 (edited) OOPS, Delete. Edited May 21, 2014 by EngineerEli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicholastheczar Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 (edited) Glenn at Lone Star is building me a 3 gun pistol using the PT frame and Ti aggressive grip. No worry of that thing slipping out of your hand! Edited May 21, 2014 by nicholastheczar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaeOne3345 Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 To be fair they both may require fitting. The older sti ones had cracking issues if people just slapped them on without proper fitting. A friends properly fired sti aluminum grip has lasted years and thousands of rounds. Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk My black anodized STI grip slipped on, and had no interference issues. It still cracked prematurely. I ran mine on a limited gun. Not sure how an open gun would hold up. Max Michel told me his eventually crack as well but he just replaces them or used them until they become an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rack&roll Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 My biggest beef with the STI alum grip is that the magazine can jam if you don't reload PERFECTLY. And I mean it is almost immobile when this happens. Is there any way to relieve the inside of the grip to alleviate this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaeOne3345 Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 That happens with the PT grip too, but less frequently. You have metal on metal vs metal on polymer. It only happens in dry fire. I have never had it happen during a match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v1911 Posted May 23, 2014 Author Share Posted May 23, 2014 I wonder if ceracoating both the mag and grip would alieveiate that to some degree? I'm already going to have to coat my mags due to the acidic levels in my skin oils. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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