427Cobra Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 I have narrowed it to 2, STI Trojan, Springfield Range Officer, resale value doesn't matter, is the the STI a 400 dollar better gun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDW174 Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 STI has another frill or two. I've shot the 9mm SA RO. Softest shooting 9mm I've ever fired, and accurate to boot. The trigger had a bit of take up play and was slightly creepy in the letoff, but it still wasn't that bad overall. Haven't fired the STI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
427Cobra Posted July 25, 2014 Author Share Posted July 25, 2014 No matter which one I get, a trigger job will be the first order of business, got to get some Tripp mags too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe D Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 IMO no. I know the STI faithful will say it is. I have worked on and scratch built 1911s for decades. There are things I don't like about both. Nothing major. My recently acquired 9mm RO is a pretty darn well made gun. Of course I had to "tinker" with it. You will need a FL guide rod, extended mag release and possibly a different thumb safety. Everyone's hands are different. The stock grip safety is not bad. Both guns are more than accurate enough. Neither is in the same universe with a scratch built Bullseye 1911. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe D Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 You don't need the high $$$ Tripp mags. Load it long, 1.200" and use the $20 Check Mate 38 Super mags. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
427Cobra Posted July 25, 2014 Author Share Posted July 25, 2014 Thanks Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluemooncricket Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 Do you plan on competing with it? If so, which games are you interested in. I just got an R.O. for Steel Challenge, IDPA, and probably some single stack minor. I need to develop a load for it because what was working for my M&P's isn't giving me the accuracy I'd hoped for. This pistol seems like a solid blank canvas to build on. Most of the time I change sights, grips, and triggers anyway. Btw, I just received some Dawson 10 rd. mags and though I havent had a chance to try them, they look promising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJH Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 I like the Springfield loaded but, shoot a Armscor because it was cheaper and seems to run good. The STI is good too. One thing you might check on is metalform mags. cabelas had them on sale for $25 and so far they have been perfect. While I kept my 45, my 9 is my favorite gun to shoot, get one and enjoy. Later Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
427Cobra Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 Same games Blue, and thanks for the tip on mags RJH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OPENB Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 Have you looked at the STI Spartan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe D Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 The RO can be had for the same price as a Spartan. The Spartan is just an Armscor with a pretty face. I have owned one, along with a RIA Tactical. Both in 9mm. They are both decent guns. This one looks to fit between the plain Tactical and Spartan.http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/716005906/Rock+Island+Armory+51623+TAC+1911+II+FS+9%2B1+9mm+5%22 The Metalform mags can be modified a little to work even better. I cut the little flared lip off the front and installed some Tripp followers. They would actually hold 11 rounds after doing that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc88 Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 (edited) I have 2 Trojans. Great guns and very accurate. I run them with Dawson mags and never a problem. Absolute pleasure to shoot. I doubt you can go wrong either way though. If you get a Trojan run your ammo a little long at 1.145-1.150 OAL. You'll. here about feeding issues with 9mm 1911's. I've had no issue with round nose or flat nose bullets at this length. Shooting a 147gr 132000 power factor out of a Trojan is sweet. Good luck. Edited July 27, 2014 by doc88 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe D Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 Doc, 1.050" is a really short OAL. Did you mean 1.150"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc88 Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 (edited) Doc, 1.050" is a really short OAL. Did you mean 1.150"? Sorry. Brain fart Yes I do mean 1.145-1.150. Thanks for the correction. Edited July 27, 2014 by doc88 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OPENB Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 The RO can be had for the same price as a Spartan. The Spartan is just an Armscor with a pretty face. I have owned one, along with a RIA Tactical. Both in 9mm. They are both decent guns. This one looks to fit between the plain Tactical and Spartan.http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/716005906/Rock+Island+Armory+51623+TAC+1911+II+FS+9%2B1+9mm+5%22 The Metalform mags can be modified a little to work even better. I cut the little flared lip off the front and installed some Tripp followers. They would actually hold 11 rounds after doing that. I've not seen the RO for $625 to $699. They are $799 around here. Still, a great deal for a TRP with an ugly face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 I have an STI Trojan + Tripp mags, runs fine. In a custom-built pistol there would be several things to change, but hey, for the money? Great pistol, great mags. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Don't forget about the Kimber guns. I bought one a few years ago and put a Dawson magwell, mag catch and narrow front sight on it and it is fantastic. I just tweaked the leaf spring and installed a 15 lb mainspring and have a nice 2 lb trigger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe D Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Bill, my first choice will always be a Kimber. A 9mm Stainless Target is in the $1,100 range. I had one. Actually a friend and I have swapped it back and forth several times. I installed a Kimber .40 barrel to go along with the 9mm barrel. Kimber uses the same breech face for both. I own a couple of .45 Stainless Target models. One I shoot in ESP with 130 PF loads. I think the RO has a better stock grip safety design. I fitted an Ed Brown safety to the ESP gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
427Cobra Posted July 27, 2014 Author Share Posted July 27, 2014 Kimber is not a option, period. Nothing in my house will ever have New York on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc88 Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Kimber is not a option, period. Nothing in my house will ever have New York on it. Not a Kimber fan either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe D Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 What about a Clakamas model? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locomotion Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 (edited) I shoot SS Minor with an STI Trojan 9mm and Tripp Mags. Gun runs great. I own the Spartan in 9mm and .45 ACP. All guns had a little internal "smoothing" and Tripp chromed/coated the Spartans. Added Super slim VZ grips and short curved triggers. Pretty accurate and the slide to frame fit is great on all. I can't stand a gun that rattles which I've felt at times with a Kimber Edited July 28, 2014 by Locomotion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twodownzero Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 What about a Clakamas model? All Kimber 1911s, regardless of what they say on the frame, were and continue to be built in New York. Before the company moved its FFL, there are some that have Clackamas, Oregon on them, but all Kimbers come from the same place. Back on topic, I have an STI Spartan and I have shot many, many thousands of rounds through it. My only complaint is that it will not feed my beloved 147 grain flat point so I use 135 grain round nose (.38 super style) bullets in it. I also have a Springfield EMP which will feed anything. If I had it to do all over again, I would get something with a ramped barrel. The two mentioned in this thread both have ramped barrels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EkuJustice Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Running a spartan here and it just runs like a champ. I am using the Tripp mags for 10 Round. But the 9 round Springfield mags work great as we'll. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 weigh it with a mag in it before you put a FLGR in. I had to take them out of 2 of my 9's to make weight for SS. I've worked on both and for the money their both good guns. STI may be finished a little nicer and some internal parts are better but not 400 better. Try and get both in your hands think you may find that the STI is a little smoother but 2000 rounds later that won't matter. SA is a good choice for the money, that said I would probably buy the STI FWIW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now