STI Spartan 1911 impressions and range report

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HighVelocity
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STI Spartan 1911 impressions and range report

Post by HighVelocity »

Yesterday, I picked up a barely used STI Spartan in 45acp from a friend and fellow CHL forum member. I have seen them, but not handled one before this one. The first thing I noticed is that the fit of the slide to frame, barrel to slide and barrel bushing is very tight. Noticeably tighter than any mass produced 1911 that I have handled and miles ahead of any in this price range.
The trigger did seem to have just a little creep in it at first. When I got it home, I took it straight to the bench and completely disassembled it. Internally, it looks good. A little rough in some places but nicely polished where it matters. No tool marks on any contacting surfaces that I could see. After a thorough internal inspection, I commenced to tailoring it to the way I like it (I am a chronic tinkerer and cannot leave anything along). A Fusion 25 LPI checkered mainspring housing and magwell was added, along with a 19lb ISMI mainspring, 14lb Wolff variable recoil spring, a righteous tweaking of the sear spring, adjustment of trigger over travel screw, replace orange fiber optic rod with bright red, Smith and Alexander magwell cut rosewood grips and polished hex head screws. Lastly a generous helping of skateboard tape on the front strap. Whew! I also cleaned up the sear and hammer to eliminate the tiny bit of creep mentioned before. It now has a nice crisp break at 4lbs. :coolgleamA:

This morning, I took it to the range and put some lead downrange. The camera phone pic below is from the first 8 rounds fired @ 10 yards offhand. Ammo was PMC factory 230gr FMJ. The sights were dead on at 10 yards as adjusted by the previous owner. Not a single click up/down, left/right was required. I fired 20rds of the factory PMC, 50 rounds of my 200gr Lead Semi Wadcutter handloads, 20rds of 230gr Berry's plated rd nose handloads and 20 rds of Bear Creek 200gr Moly coated semi wadcutters. Not a single hiccup. :thumbs2:

Image

For a competition ready out of the box blaster, you cannot beat the STI Spartan.
I am scared of empty guns and keep mine loaded at all times. The family knows the guns are loaded and treats them with respect. Loaded guns cause few accidents; empty guns kill people every year. -Elmer Keith. 1961
Reysc
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Re: STI Spartan 1911 impressions and range report

Post by Reysc »

I have always known that they are great 1911 but people think I am just biased because of where it was made. Nice range report HV!! Next time I will let you try my RIA TACTICAL..RIA GI and RIA Compact Tactical.. ;-) ;-)
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flintknapper
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Re: STI Spartan 1911 impressions and range report

Post by flintknapper »

Curious why the 14lb. recoil spring, seems like you would be right on the ragged edge of battering the weapon with factory ammo. Are your handloads reduced loads?

Great looking gun, a definite "keeper". :thumbs2:
Spartans ask not how many, but where!
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Re: STI Spartan 1911 impressions and range report

Post by HighVelocity »

Thanks folks.
flintknapper wrote:Curious why the 14lb. recoil spring, seems like you would be right on the ragged edge of battering the weapon with factory ammo. Are your handloads reduced loads?

Great looking gun, a definite "keeper". :thumbs2:
The 14lb spring may be a tad light for factory ammo but it's perfect for my handloads, which is mainly what I'll feed it. I use factory 230 ball as a benchmark for accuracy testing when I buy a new gun. Even with the 14lb spring, the factory ammo felt mild though.
I am scared of empty guns and keep mine loaded at all times. The family knows the guns are loaded and treats them with respect. Loaded guns cause few accidents; empty guns kill people every year. -Elmer Keith. 1961
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Re: STI Spartan 1911 impressions and range report

Post by jbirds1210 »

flintknapper wrote:Curious why the 14lb. recoil spring, seems like you would be right on the ragged edge of battering the weapon with factory ammo. Are your handloads reduced loads?
An evil question to ask an avid competitive shooter :smilelol5:

Very nice gun HV.

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flintknapper
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Re: STI Spartan 1911 impressions and range report

Post by flintknapper »

jbirds1210 wrote:
flintknapper wrote:Curious why the 14lb. recoil spring, seems like you would be right on the ragged edge of battering the weapon with factory ammo. Are your handloads reduced loads?
An evil question to ask an avid competitive shooter :smilelol5:

Very nice gun HV.

Jason

Well, I thought I already knew the answer. Most competitors these days (that reload) do so at the minimum power factor. But...you never know. ;-)

I like a 17 lb. spring in a 5" 1911....but every gun/shooter is different.
Spartans ask not how many, but where!
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HighVelocity
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Re: STI Spartan 1911 impressions and range report

Post by HighVelocity »

I shoot 173PF handloaded ammo in my 45's. This exceeds the 165PF requirement for CDP in IDPA and Major in USPSA. Most factory 230gr FMJ is 190+ PF, which is significantly more power than is required for gun games. This extra power of course, results in extra recoil and more wear and tear on the gun.
I am scared of empty guns and keep mine loaded at all times. The family knows the guns are loaded and treats them with respect. Loaded guns cause few accidents; empty guns kill people every year. -Elmer Keith. 1961
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Re: STI Spartan 1911 impressions and range report

Post by KinnyLee »

My Springfield Loaded came with 14lb recoil spring. I've since changed mine to the 16lb spring. :headscratch
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