Hi-Power Jack Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 I'm new to this forum, and new to Open guns (I've been shooting IPSC with a Browning Hi-Power 9mm) I'd like to get any experiences with buying an Open gun: I've narrowed it down to the STI Trubor or STI GrandMaster, in 9mm - I plan on shooting it with factory loads at first, but like the idea that I can load major later, if I wish to. My questions: 1. Anyone happy or unhappy with their STI 9mm? 2. Any advantages/disadvantages to the Trubor vs the GrandMaster? Looks to me like most of the differences are cosmetic? or are there significant (trigger pull, accuracy, reliability) differences? 3. If the gun needs work (trigger, accuracy esp) who do you recommend sending it to your staying away from? I'm in New York State, near the Pennsyvlania, New Jersey, Connecticut borders. I'm considering either EGW in Pa, or Bedell in NY. Any others? 4. What options are a good idea to add on? Thanks for any help you can be. Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wide45 Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 Today's price on a Bedell custom gun appears to be under the cost of the Grandmaster. If I was buying a new gun, Bedell all the way. Guys like Dan Bedell, and EGW are busy. You might have to wait a bit if you bring them a factory gun to tune. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSeevers Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 Go with a reliable pistolsmith. You will end up there anyways Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 Just buy the STI from Dawson or Brazo's. You can pay them a couple bucks to go over it before it goes out the door to you. I have recently had a TruBor in my hand. Seems nice enough. I won't call it a full out custom, but for the price it is a heck of a gun. The grandmaster supposedly has a better trigger job and some more polishing, tuning etc. I don't know and have never handled one. I think if it were me I would take the Trubor from one of the big names pre tuned over the GrandMaster. Further if I really were going to consider the cost of a GrandMaster, I would definitely consider some of the other smiths that we have on this board. They do great work and can make the gun fit YOU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XRe Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 Tuned TruBor - you can have it chromed later, if you like, once you get it fit to your hand. I hate the thought of getting a gun pre-chromed before I'm able to round off the corners that bite my hand, and such... I don't know about a difference in trigger jobs between the TruBor and GrandMaster - the ones I've handled have been pretty similar. Some careful tweaking with the factory parts should net you a nice, crisp 2# trigger easily, possibly lower if you know what you're doing - but that's probably left to a good smith (and maybe top shelf parts, too...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCL Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 Let board member Jim Anglin give you a quote on 9mm open gun. For the money and lead time I don't think you will find a better gun out there.....plus they flat out run and run! I believe with 9mm major, you must be very selective on your gun builder. ccL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSMITH Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 I just looked over a brand new TruBor last night. Barrel fit was good, as normal with STI. Slide to frame fit was decent, as normal, overall it was a pretty nice gun. It doesn't run though, ejector wasn't touched other than pinning it in and the ejection pattern is way off. That is all I saw in just a minute with the gun. For what they cost I wouldn't buy one, I would have one built by a good 9mm smith. You get all the best parts money can buy, you get a hand fitted gun too. Not saying the Trubor is bad, it isn't, just saying for another couple hundred bucks I personally would get a custom gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trodrig Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 I bought a Trubore from Dawson and had him do his "Enhancement Package" to it before I got it. He tuned it and made sure it ran right before I got it. I've only put about 1000 rounds through it so far and the only hiccup I had was while working up loads and starting WAY too low. Once I got up above the 150 power factor level it's been running fine. The only thing I kinda regret is getting it hard chromed right away. If you go the Trubore route, get Dawson to go through it and hold off on the chrome until you're sure you won't want the slide lighted or something else. Trodrig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxshooter Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 (edited) I just got my new 9mm open gun built by Jim Anglin (Sailor's Custom Guns). I put 200 round thru it practicing last week without any malfunctions. I decided to shoot it at a local match last Saturday expecting the normal brand new gun malfunctions. I shot 5 stages without a single problem including a 52 round stage copied from the Monster Match. Give Jim a call. Edited November 13, 2007 by Jaxshooter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.40AET Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 Have the gun built to your specs. You'll be happier in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn jones Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 (edited) here's your deal. http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?...c=56034&hl= edited to correct: sorry, this is a 38 super Edited November 13, 2007 by lynn jones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JThompson Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 Go with a smith that has a proven track record building 9mm open guns. Trust me, you don't want to deal with a gun that doesn't run. It's a good crash course on smithing, but I like to shoot not tinker with the gun. You can pay now or pay later.... up to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunracer38 Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 I'm new to this forum, and new to Open guns (I've been shooting IPSC with a Browning Hi-Power 9mm) I'd like to get any experiences with buying an Open gun: I've narrowed it down to the STI Trubor or STI GrandMaster, in 9mm - I plan on shooting it with factory loads at first, but like the idea that I can load major later, if I wish to. My questions: 1. Anyone happy or unhappy with their STI 9mm? 2. Any advantages/disadvantages to the Trubor vs the GrandMaster? Looks to me like most of the differences are cosmetic? or are there significant (trigger pull, accuracy, reliability) differences? 3. If the gun needs work (trigger, accuracy esp) who do you recommend sending it to your staying away from? I'm in New York State, near the Pennsyvlania, New Jersey, Connecticut borders. I'm considering either EGW in Pa, or Bedell in NY. Any others? 4. What options are a good idea to add on? Thanks for any help you can be. Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgary Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Go with a smith that has a proven track record building 9mm open guns. www.jplprecision.com He'll build you a 9mm gun that is right for you, and runs-and-runs-and-runs. Bruce (happy customer...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EZ Bagger Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 - I plan on shooting it with factory loads at first, but like theidea that I can load major later, if I wish to. You're going to shoot Open Minor? If so, I'd definitely let the builder know that or you may end up with a gun that won't run. Also, make sure you're scored minor when you deserve it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcattack Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 (edited) Not to impede on someone elses post but does anyone have contact info for sailors custom or a web link. By the way; 9mm is hard to get to run correctly so make sure you get a god gunsmith. I have had a bad expierence with a 9 not built correctly; finally just bored it to 38 super. Edited November 30, 2007 by mcattack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JThompson Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Go with a reliable pistolsmith. You will end up there anyways nuff said. 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