CK or STI 2011?

[RangerTrace]

So, I bought a CKARMS IDPA pistol from Shooters Connection which has been 100% reliable for over 3000 rounds at this point.  I was impressed enough with the pistol to order a Limited gun from Freedom Gunworks, which is the custom shop for CKARMS.  I'm only a few hundred rounds into the Limited gun, but I will tell you that the IDPA gun wasn't a fluke.  They are building super reliable, super accurate pistols in Camila GA.  Don't be afraid to buy one of the shelf from Shooters Connection or order a more custom pistol from FGW.   I'm impatiently waiting on a 9mm commander to carry at work!!  

 

Believe me, I was brainwashed to believe your pistol had to cost 4K+ to be awesome.  They don't....

[Sarge]

1 hour ago, davsco said:

this is the claim i don't understand.  sure, CK has some other name brand parts in it, and good ones, but STI's parts are the STI brand which is no slouch in the least.  a fair amount of custom guns start with STI frames.

Agreed. STI Slides, frames & grips form the vast majority of custom guns already out there. But most top Smith’s use better quality remaining parts

[ScottHC]

My CK .40 Limited needed a fair amount of tuning.  If I were to do it over again, I'd spend a little more and get custom.  

 

I love my two STIs, but I had to return one to the factory due to quality problems; the rear sight was loose.  I dropped it off at the factory and they fixed it while I waited.  Problems like this would get discovered if you bought it pre-tuned.

[JRM83]

My CK open gun has had a fair amount of issues. Most of them were fixed under warranty with a quick turn around, one was "fixed" and i am just waiting for it to fail again. Given the choice i would not buy another.

[rlrock]

My CK open pistol has been problem free with over 10k rounds through it.

 

My Brazo-tuned Edge is a whole different story. I had to replace the whole ignition system because of the lack of quality parts used from STI.

 

I would buy a limited gun from CK over an STI any day of the week. Just look at all the parts you are getting from CK - quality parts over that of STI IMO.

[fbzero]

On another note, CK posted a while back that they would have a line called "The Solution" that is more budget oriented.  Still custom-fit and no MIM parts, but less bells and whistles when it comes to fancier parts, slide cuts, stippled grips, etc.  I think the starting price for those was going to be around $2150 for a limited pistol if I recall.  IMHO, the "STI" or semi-custom choice is about to get a lot easier since you can't find much from STI for under $2500 these days.  The Hawk and Marauder are all that comes to mind.

Edited April 22, 2018 by fbzero

[RangerTrace]

I've got three of them now.  Dedicated IDPA/3gun pistol. Limited major pistol and a double stack Commander for work.  I've been extremely happy with their reliability and accuracy out of the box.

[scooterj]

3 hours ago, fbzero said:

On another note, CK posted a while back that they would have a line called "The Solution" that is more budget oriented.  Still custom-fit and no MIM parts, but less bells and whistles when it comes to fancier parts, slide cuts, stippled grips, etc.  I think the starting price for those was going to be around $2150 for a limited pistol if I recall.  IMHO, the "STI" or semi-custom choice is about to get a lot easier since you can't find much from STI for under $2500 these days.  The Hawk and Marauder are all that comes to mind.

Standard fire controls are Ed Brown. The upgrade id Extreme Engineering. 

Edited April 22, 2018 by scooterj

[fbzero]

13 hours ago, scooterj said:

Standard fire controls are Ed Brown. The upgrade id Extreme Engineering. 

Thanks for the extra info there!  Been wanting a 2011 3gun pistol, but since that's only 25% of the matches I do, I really didn't want to pay as much as I did for my Limited one.  Was pretty excited when I saw their post about these.

Edited April 23, 2018 by fbzero

[scooterj]

3 hours ago, fbzero said:

Thanks for the extra info there!  Been wanting a 2011 3gun pistol, but since that's only 25% of the matches I do, I really didn't want to pay as much as I did for my Limited one.  Was pretty excited when I saw their post about these.

You’re quite welcome 

[Hunter1998]

CK arms would be my choice, my experience guns are built tight and have good parts. Hearing long wait times on warranty work if needed at STI, have a friend waiting over 6 months on warranty work on new DVC. CK arms responded quickly when had small issues and 

explained to me how to resolve issue, very helpful. Good  luck with your decision!

[DClass]

I love my STI shoot the DVC OPeN DVC Limited and Edge for 3 gun had a Freedom Gunworks which is CK and it ran great just prefer STI

[Pcew73]

I went through this Same dilemma and went with the CK Arms Solution.  I upgraded the trigger and grip and still came in at a great price.  I bought 2 Mbx mags from shooters connection and I haven’t had a single problem with it.  I’d give Bobby a call at freedom gun works.  He’s great to deal with.  

[Gunz720]

Have had both CK builds a nice fun however STI is my choice hands down have thounds of rounds thru 4 diffrent STI gun’s zero issues never had a issue with my CK but only had one