Short review of my STI tour...

[mrvmax]

I set up a trip to visit the STI facility in Georgetown while I was in the Austin area earlier this week. Since I'm an FFL they let me come by Monday morning and gave me a tour of the place. When I first arrived Jay opened up the safes and let me look over their handiwork. I was able to play with every model they made, including the AR's and 10-22's. It's nice to be able to read about products but it's even better to get the chance to handle each of their firearms. I was able to ask questions also and Jay stood by ready to answer.
There are several things at STI that impressed me (especially being a Texas based business). First off, they are employee owned and I think that fact will always result in better products (at least in my opinion). They also allow any employee to stop a gun from shipping out if they see anything they do not like about it. Once again I think this results in better quality. I like the fact that they make the majority of their own parts, with the exception of springs and pins. I was able to see the process of cutting out slides, frames and smaller components like hammers.
Like and good 1911 it helps to have parts hand fit. I saw this being done in different stages of the assembly. They make their parts slightly over-sized and fit them to the frame during assembly.
I wasn't too interested in double stack 1911's (or 2011's as they call them) until I held theirs. I have had double stack .45 1911's before and they were massive in girth. The STI 2011 is less than 1/8" larger in circumference that a single stack 1911. The grip size is barely larger than what I am used to.
The Ranger III is a neat concept for the law enforcement that are not able to carry in condition one. Disengaging the safety moves the hammer from down to the rear position and ready to fire - all with one motion. Pretty neat concept.
There was too much to see and my memory is too bad. I will definitely be buying and STI as soon as I can drum up some funds. Which one I am not sure, their double stack 3" Total Eclipse would make a fine carry gun, with 10 plus one of .45 ACP in that small package it would be ideal for me. I guess the current 18 weeks wait for direct factory order tells how popular they are right now. If anyone needs and STI just let me know, I'd be glad to hook you up with one.

[A-R]

sounds awesome

I really need to get over there and do one of their tours. only about 15 miles from my house

[OldCannon]

I own an STI Spartan and love it. Better than other 1911's costing hundreds more (by a long shot).

[A-R]

I own an STI Spartan and love it. Better than other 1911's costing hundreds more (by a long shot).

hey lkd, do you notice any significant difference between your Spartan (roughly $650 new I think) and a Trojan (about $1000 new). Only significant difference seems to be front -strap texturing and I think someone mentioned the trigger is a bit nicer in Trojan but not greatly so. also Trojan is available in hard chrome for extra $300 whereas Spartan is not even an option. And of course Trojan is supposedly 100% American/Texas made, whereas Spartan frame and slide are imported from Phillipines.

Anything else you remember or know of as major differences that justify and extra $350 for Trojan model?