Josh Biondi Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 Gosh, I would just call STI and exchange them for 4 plastic grips! they work and no headache. +1 for shooterbenedetto... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B.Diddy Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 To shed some light on the issues at hand. The key to grip failures in the key way tolerance of the frame and grip. The key ways on the sti frame are horribly oversized from the original design. (sti frames I have measured to be .644 or more) The original design was .637-.638 with the grip keys in a .636-.638. We used a moly grease when installing the grips to assist in the tight interference fit necessary for the modular grip frame design. When the keys are loose the frame rotates around the keys loading the front of the grip. The grip will not withstand this load and cracks in the thin cross section as you see in the photo. The polymer grips often did not hold this load either and cracked in a similar fashion. We have pin pointed the issue, increased the cross section width and now offer a grip with larger keys to correct the poorly held tolerance of the sti frame. Rick Dirt Diver had two early sv grips which failed due to the loose tolerance of the keys. Rick Dirt Diver can supply feedback over the long term on the grips being cut to fit the oversized keys. We have seen it correct the issue on several sti frames. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACKAL Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 I want to try out the SV steel grip but couldn't afford one now. Hope they get it all worked out before I purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el pres Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 (edited) To shed some light on the issues at hand. The key to grip failures in the key way tolerance of the frame and grip. The key ways on the sti frame are horribly oversized from the original design. (sti frames I have measured to be .644 or more) The original design was .637-.638 with the grip keys in a .636-.638. We used a moly grease when installing the grips to assist in the tight interference fit necessary for the modular grip frame design. When the keys are loose the frame rotates around the keys loading the front of the grip. The grip will not withstand this load and cracks in the thin cross section as you see in the photo. The polymer grips often did not hold this load either and cracked in a similar fashion. We have pin pointed the issue, increased the cross section width and now offer a grip with larger keys to correct the poorly held tolerance of the sti frame. Rick Dirt Diver had two early sv grips which failed due to the loose tolerance of the keys. Rick Dirt Diver can supply feedback over the long term on the grips being cut to fit the oversized keys. We have seen it correct the issue on several sti frames. This explaniation certainly makes sense. It explains why some individuals with a certain gun (frame) regularly need a new grip while others have no problems for thousands of rounds. However due to the sensitivity of the parts fit, I think I would only go with the steel model .. Edited February 7, 2010 by P.Pres Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebg3 Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 I am not trying to stir anything up here. What are some estimated round counts on Aluminum grips that have not cracked, I'm curious? EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shooterbenedetto Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 start cracking around 2-3k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werewolf45auto Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 I am not trying to stir anything up here. What are some estimated round counts on Aluminum grips that have not cracked, I'm curious? EG Read post #32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebg3 Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 I am not trying to stir anything up here. What are some estimated round counts on Aluminum grips that have not cracked, I'm curious? EG Read post #32 Interested in round counts of grips that have NOT cracked. Maybe no one can get over 2000rds without cracking... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtDiver Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 To shed some light on the issues at hand. The key to grip failures in the key way tolerance of the frame and grip. The key ways on the sti frame are horribly oversized from the original design. (sti frames I have measured to be .644 or more) The original design was .637-.638 with the grip keys in a .636-.638. We used a moly grease when installing the grips to assist in the tight interference fit necessary for the modular grip frame design. When the keys are loose the frame rotates around the keys loading the front of the grip. The grip will not withstand this load and cracks in the thin cross section as you see in the photo. The polymer grips often did not hold this load either and cracked in a similar fashion. We have pin pointed the issue, increased the cross section width and now offer a grip with larger keys to correct the poorly held tolerance of the sti frame. Rick Dirt Diver had two early sv grips which failed due to the loose tolerance of the keys. Rick Dirt Diver can supply feedback over the long term on the grips being cut to fit the oversized keys. We have seen it correct the issue on several sti frames. B. Diddy is correct, the frame key ways were a different size or several thousandths oversized. SV fit the grip to the frame and all is good today. I only have about 1k or so rounds thru the gun...weather has not allowed practice. I'll keep you updated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcin c Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 I am not trying to stir anything up here. What are some estimated round counts on Aluminum grips that have not cracked, I'm curious? EG Read post #32 Interested in round counts of grips that have NOT cracked. Maybe no one can get over 2000rds without cracking... My STI has about 15 thousand without a crack. The other gun about 5 K (both aluminium grips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.Elliott Posted April 5, 2010 Share Posted April 5, 2010 Just noticed cracks in mine under the trigger guard. I'm leaving for SC on Thursday after work so there's no time to get another one and install it before SC Sectionals and Area 6. Anyone out there have any idea how many rounds I'm likely to get before it becomes un-shootable? Please tell me several thousand rounds.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcin c Posted April 17, 2010 Share Posted April 17, 2010 Read post #32 Interested in round counts of grips that have NOT cracked. Maybe no one can get over 2000rds without cracking... My STI has about 15 thousand without a crack. The other gun about 5 K (both aluminium grips. Update to my previous post - I just noticed a hairline crack at the bottom of the trigger guard. It could had been there earlier, I just looked closer this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slickmix Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 besides all the cracked grips. can any of you guys that are shooting with the aluminum grips really feel a difference between the the plastic and aluminun? is really worth the headache. just curious. i dont have one and was think about getting one. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shooterbenedetto Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 besides all the cracked grips. can any of you guys that are shooting with the aluminum grips really feel a difference between the the plastic and aluminun? is really worth the headache. just curious. i dont have one and was think about getting one. Mick Yes! big time. I did that and bought both my open gun and had my buddies try the STI aluminum grip open gun and the STI Polymer grip open. Difference is night and day. Has something to do with Vibration and frequency or the frame when you fire the gun. Its like shooting an Eaa or CASPIAN(all metal gun) versus XD or Glock? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtDiver Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 besides all the cracked grips. can any of you guys that are shooting with the aluminum grips really feel a difference between the the plastic and aluminun? is really worth the headache. just curious. i dont have one and was think about getting one. Mick Mick, Until you shoot an open gun with metal/aluminum or stainless steel the feel is amazing. The gun sits down in your hand, solid as a rock. You eliminate, and I mean eliminate the mag sticking or hanging up during a reload. The mag seems like it jumps out of the grip when you touch the mag release button. After having the grips fitted by SV, (I shoot a STI frame with a SV grip)the cracks have stopped...hopefully forever. I've shot about 5k thru one open gun and about 7,5k thru my practice gun. So maybe the fitting of the grip solved the problem....only more rounds downrange will tell. My OPINION and my opinion only is that you will improve your skills with the introduction of the metal grip. Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLM Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 My STI small aluminum is cracked pretty bad after about 4K. I called and talked to Chris and they are very willing to exchange it for either a new aluminum one or two plastic in my choice of colors. I like the aluminum grip but was considering the plastic to eliminate the cracking but kinda feel two isn't quite enough compensation. Anyway, are the large/normal aluminum grips cracking still? I'd try one of those instead of the small if they seem to be more durable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Cheely Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 My STI small aluminum is cracked pretty bad after about 4K. I called and talked to Chris and they are very willing to exchange it for either a new aluminum one or two plastic in my choice of colors. I like the aluminum grip but was considering the plastic to eliminate the cracking but kinda feel two isn't quite enough compensation. Anyway, are the large/normal aluminum grips cracking still? I'd try one of those instead of the small if they seem to be more durable. Glad they will exchange for plastic, but I'd want 3 or 4 plastic grips... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLM Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 My STI small aluminum is cracked pretty bad after about 4K. I called and talked to Chris and they are very willing to exchange it for either a new aluminum one or two plastic in my choice of colors. I like the aluminum grip but was considering the plastic to eliminate the cracking but kinda feel two isn't quite enough compensation. Anyway, are the large/normal aluminum grips cracking still? I'd try one of those instead of the small if they seem to be more durable. Glad they will exchange for plastic, but I'd want 3 or 4 plastic grips... Me too Matt. I specifically asked about exchanging it for plastic and he said sure I can send you two in your choice of color. Guess I should have said um, how about 3 or 4? I'm sending back a $300.00 plus dollar grip. Oh well, live and learn huh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt2ace Posted April 26, 2010 Share Posted April 26, 2010 besides all the cracked grips. can any of you guys that are shooting with the aluminum grips really feel a difference between the the plastic and aluminun? is really worth the headache. just curious. i dont have one and was think about getting one. Mick Better balanced, firmer feel when gripping, softer recoil....at least in my experience. After using the grip for over a year, I don't plan to go back to polymer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLM Posted April 29, 2010 Share Posted April 29, 2010 Do the regular size grips seem to hold up longer than the smalls? I'm about to take my small off and send it back for exchange. I'd be willing to try the regular size if they hold up better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloha Robert Posted April 30, 2010 Share Posted April 30, 2010 (edited) Can folks with shooting experience with metal grips chime in at little more on the advantages of Metal vs Polymer? I understand the Mag change advantage. Also, Some have said softer shooting or firmer grip. At first, It seems counter intuitive that stiffer grip would be softer shooting but would love to hear what folks say about it. I dont understand the better balanced concept as with a few tricks you can balance an STI anyway you want it. Also, of the folks that like the way metal grip feels, I would love to know if they favor a certain hand position over over shooters hand positions. Also if the Metal Guys favor a smoother or more textured. And thanks in advance to those early adopters who are pushing the envelope. You are blazing trails others may follow. That is kind of what racing is all about. Edited April 30, 2010 by Aloha Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgunz11 Posted April 30, 2010 Share Posted April 30, 2010 (edited) I put one on Susan's Open 9 and she loves it. The gun is flatter which I think is because the Al grip is more rigid and doesn't flex under recoil. I also put one on a 6" 9mm gun. Haven't gotten to shoot it that much but the little I have done was really sweet. I wrote a quick tutorial on fitting the Al STI grips here http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=105554 Edited April 30, 2010 by kgunz11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmine Posted May 29, 2010 Share Posted May 29, 2010 Ok...but here's the rub. How long can STI afford to keep sending "free" replacement grips...? There obliviously is a problem...I'm sorry at $ 500 a copy up here in Toronto the grip should last for years..if not a lifetime of shooting. Ciao. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack T Posted May 29, 2010 Share Posted May 29, 2010 (edited) Harmonics will destroy the aluminum. Stainless is the way to go. Those who remember when we use to shoot with the PDP3s and other aluminum scopes which would develop cracks/failure and there was NO stress in the failure area. Same thing, certain frequencies will create cracks unless isolators/dampeners are used. This was seen big time in the marine industry more so when the Detroit 2 cycle diesels were used. The harmonics would cause cracks in aluminum fuel tank mounting joints/gussets whether it had a radius or not. The tanks had to be completely isolated from the hull. I would make a WAG that the failure would be highest to lowest from 115 grain bullets to 180/200 grain because of the recoil impulse (Major PF). I remember how the Tangfoglios with a PDP3 mounted on them felt like you had a tuning fork in your hand. Get that boing, boing, every shot from the aluminum mount/optics. Combine both stress and harmonics and you are going to have a high failure rate. Sucks! Jack JT Engineering Edited May 30, 2010 by Jack T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmine Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 (edited) OK then......let STI get on the ball and give us the New and Improved Gen 2 Aluminum Grip!!!! I'll gladly buy one and put it on my .40 Eagle! Ciao. Edited May 30, 2010 by Carmine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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