Rather-B-Huntin Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 I'm narrowing down what kind of Limited gun I want, and have pretty much decided on an STI Eagle (money is a consideration, so that's why. I know a custom gun is better, but it's nearly twice the cost). I'm not sure though whether to go 5 or 6 inch? I like the Eagle over the Edge because the Edge feels too front heavy and I seem to transition better with a standard dust covered framed gun. Will a 6 inch mess up the characteristics I like about the 5 inch Eagle (lighter front, better "swing")? Would like opinions from those with experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Cheely Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Factory 6" is too heavy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Hello: Get the 5" Eagle with a bushing barrel and you can shoot USPSA and IDPA. Learn to shoot it then decide if you want a 6". The 6" slide can be made just as light or lighter than a stock 5" slide. The only difference is the distance between the sights. I would also shoot a 6" pistol to see if it is what you want/like. It also dpends on what type of shootingh you do. Hope this helps. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry White Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 If you like the eagle over the edge and have to have a factory gun go with the 5in bushing gun. As Matt said the 6in factory guns are just too heavy. In a custon I would( and did) go with a Benny Hill fat free 6 in.---------Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reneet Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 (edited) Benny Hill fat free 6 in.---------Larry +1 I've got a STI Edge and Benny Fat Free 6". My STI Edge sits in the safe and only gets used as a loaner. Should probably sell it or convert it to a 6". Totally agree with Matt . . . Factory 6" too heavy. Edited May 5, 2009 by reneet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bofe954 Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 (edited) The custom vs factory price isn't as far apart as you think a lot of times. Especially if the factory ends up not working 100%. The 6" Eagle is about $1850, add in magwell, fiber optic and reliability package you are in low 2's. A lot of smiths could build you a gun in that ballpark. You might save a few hundred bucks, but I think saying a custom is double is a little off. A 6 inch Brazos package right off the website is 2900 and it's ready to go, hardchromed, lightened slide. Benny Hill's limited guns are supposed to start at $1895. I know a guy that bought a 5 inch Bedell recently and it was in the $2500 ballpark. Edited May 5, 2009 by bofe954 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasmap Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Factory 6" is too heavy. I completely agree with Matt on this. Either get a 5" (which is perfectly fine) or expect to pay for a 6" gun that has been worked over or built by a gunsmith. If you buy a 6" factory gun you will end up sending it to a gunsmith anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al503 Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 The 6" Eagle is about $1850, add in magwell, fiber optic and reliability package you are in low 2's. A lot of smiths could build you a gun in that ballpark. You might save a few hundred bucks, but I think saying a custom is double is a little off. I thought about an Eagle in 9mm to shoot limited minor and steel (if I ever shoot a steel match). Decided to go with a Brazos in 9mm with a full dustcover (internally lightened) and hollow guiderod. I like the looks of the full dustcover better. A stock 5" Eagle runs about $1750. Add a FO front, magwell, drilled and tapped mag release, mag button, trigger job, reliability package, flat top the slide, hard chrome and I'm right about where a limited SC runs. On the other side, if you don't need all that stuff, then you'll be a little ahead going with the Eagle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgerat Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 or just buy the 5" caspian that Jim Anglin is selling on USPSA classifieds. 1650 with 5 mags, chrome, full custom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shutr Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 So once you have decided that a 6 inch is the way to go, now it's bull barrel or bushing. Do you really save that much weight with a bushing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Cheely Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 So once you have decided that a 6 inch is the way to go, now it's bull barrel or bushing. Do you really save that much weight with a bushing? Yes, unless you severely flute the bull barrel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little_kahuna Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 To begin, I shoot a 6" by Benny Hill (grip by Larry ) and i couldn't imagine shooting limited with anything else. But since you're thinking of a 6" eagle, there are a few options imo. A bushing barrel is the only choice on a 6". I would send the slide to Gans or someone and get it cheaply lightened. He does slide cuts and stuff for cheap, like $60 . Most of the time, the balance of a 6" isn't just right for you, so you may end up wanting to send it to a gunsmith to get it cut up anyway. You may like it just fine though, but if you must go factory, then 6" cheaply lightened will work just fine. -Reliable -Comfortable -Accurate -Managable If it does the above... then you're fine. Just practice more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasmap Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 To begin, I shoot a 6" by Benny Hill (grip by Larry ) and i couldn't imagine shooting limited with anything else. But since you're thinking of a 6" eagle, there are a few options imo. A bushing barrel is the only choice on a 6". I would send the slide to Gans or someone and get it cheaply lightened. He does slide cuts and stuff for cheap, like $60 . Most of the time, the balance of a 6" isn't just right for you, so you may end up wanting to send it to a gunsmith to get it cut up anyway. You may like it just fine though, but if you must go factory, then 6" cheaply lightened will work just fine. -Reliable -Comfortable -Accurate -Managable If it does the above... then you're fine. Just practice more. I have a 6" bull barrel that Matt Cheely built and I am positive that a bushing would be awesome and just as good by a competent builder like Benny Hill but the feel of the lightened bull barrel and slide is awesome and I have no doubt that a bull is a viable option. I won't be selling my 6" gun anytime soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chirpy Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 (edited) If I was younger and had it to do over again, I'd go with a 6" "fat free" of some kind. That being said, I have had a chance to handle, but not shoot several standard 6" guns and don't find them too heavy. Would have liked to have been able to shoot them on a few transitions to be sure. JMHO Richard Edited May 6, 2009 by chirpy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpeltier Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 I prefer the 6". I am not sure at what weight a 6" is considered too heavy as some have mentioned, but my caspian 6" slide is a smidge lighter on the postal scale than my Kimber 5" slide. Must be how Caspian cuts them or something. I am no GM so I may not be a weight weeny yet and the unlightened slide works great for me for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little_kahuna Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 To begin, I shoot a 6" by Benny Hill (grip by Larry ) and i couldn't imagine shooting limited with anything else. But since you're thinking of a 6" eagle, there are a few options imo. A bushing barrel is the only choice on a 6". I would send the slide to Gans or someone and get it cheaply lightened. He does slide cuts and stuff for cheap, like $60 . Most of the time, the balance of a 6" isn't just right for you, so you may end up wanting to send it to a gunsmith to get it cut up anyway. You may like it just fine though, but if you must go factory, then 6" cheaply lightened will work just fine. -Reliable -Comfortable -Accurate -Managable If it does the above... then you're fine. Just practice more. I have a 6" bull barrel that Matt Cheely built and I am positive that a bushing would be awesome and just as good by a competent builder like Benny Hill but the feel of the lightened bull barrel and slide is awesome and I have no doubt that a bull is a viable option. I won't be selling my 6" gun anytime soon. Definitely a sweet setup, but since he's planning on going factory, i just assumed that he would want to pay to have a bull barrel fluted or anything. It'd be cheaper to achieve the appropriate weight with a bushing. Aesthetically, I like the look of the (fluted) bull barrel guns with the bottom-front of the slide cut off. It looks aggressive. lol. Such as this. MCG I also like the "sleekness" of my Benny Hill 6." Lol, shoot i just like guns Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocket35 Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 IDK..I have handled some 6 bushing guns without lightening and thought they weren't too heavy. But then again I like a heavier 6" than some. My Cheely built blaster runs in the 37oz ballpark with a bull barrel. I has been lightened quite a bit though. It tracks good and shoots really flat with 220 S&S bullets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little_kahuna Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 It tracks good and shoots really flat with 220 S&S bullets. You shoot 220 grain bullets? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benny hill Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Get a factory 6", turn down the barrel to bushing, a few lightning cuts & presto , a lightweight 6". Not as good as a custom build but nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little_kahuna Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Get a factory 6", turn down the barrel to bushing, a few lightning cuts & presto , a lightweight 6". Not as good as a custom build but nice. He Hath Spoken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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