Sidearms & Scatterguns Does STI Rule?

[woodsrunner]

I'm in the market for a 1911. The first one I ever wanted was a kimber warrior, and I got scared off by bad reviews, but other people say they love them and have had no problem. I'm looking to spend around $1000 to $1400 for a 1911. I've read plenty of topics and STI seems to be the winner over kimber and most springfields, but it seems the TRP is in the STI class. I'd prefer to get one with a rail so I could put a light on it. I'm no expert with 1911's and I won't notice subtle differences. I kind of want to get a kimber since they seem to rule the group that I'm around and all they can say is how good they are. Should I be ignorantly blissful and get a kimber warrior or raptor? Or should I head another route with a TRP, STI duty one, doublestar or dan wesson? How are the companies for customer service? My friend says kimber had great customer service and others say its down the drain. I'm also up for replacing a few parts on a gun I get right away, especially if I get an STI since the trigger is supposed to be plastic. I'm looking for constructive thoughts.

Thanks,

Jim

 

[deadly0311]

Re: Does STI Rule?

Jim the STI is a fantastic choice and I wouldn't sweat the polymer trigger.

Likewise with a 1400 dollar budget I'd try and find either a TRP Operator or Dan Wesson Pointman and rock on.

 

[jcm331]

Re: Does STI Rule?

I have a Kimber Warrior and a STI Lawman. Both have been 100% reliable (1000+ rds).

I like the finish on the Kimber better than the STI. However the Kimber is loose compared to the STI. I enjoy shooting both pistols, would give STI the edge though. The trigger on my STI is amazing, the Kimber is decent. Also you should not have to replace anything on your new gun right away.

Of the ones you listed I would rank in priority to buy
1) Dan Wesson Specialist (probably the most expensive)
2) TRP
3) STI duty one- only #3 because I just don't like the way it looks otherwise I would rank higher
4) Kimber
5) Doublestar.

 

[longrange223]

Re: Does STI Rule?

have had several kimbers & one sti,never had a problem with either one but the sti is a little tighter,had bushing jobs done on the kimbers & they were just as accurate as my sti

 

[Shoottothrill]

Re: Does STI Rule?

I got the TRP with the light rail and it is buy far the best .45 I've ever had. It's a great value for the money.

 

[Helidriver]

Re: Does STI Rule?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 78steeler</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I got the TRP with the light rail and it is buy far the best .45 I've ever had. It's a great value for the money. </div></div>

I've got the same gun and I agree.

 

[woodsrunner]

Re: Does STI Rule?

If I can go without the rail, does the STI trojan basically stand next to the TRP? Or is the TRP ahead by a little with a few more options on it? I do like the ambi safety and the magwell. Also I would love to hear some more thoughts on the Doublestar.

Thanks Guys

 

[excess]

Re: Does STI Rule?

The Trojan is a fine weapon. A ton of people are buying the Trojan for USPSA Single Stack competition guns. Ambi safeties can be ordered for a $45 upcharge. Most of the stocking dealers order Trojans with the ambi safeties so they should not be hard to find.

 

[Downzero]

Re: Does STI Rule?

TRP Operator has a bull barrel. If you want to shoot USPSA Single Stack, keep in mind that the TRP Operator is not legal due to the bull barrel and its weight. The TRP (non operator) has a bushing barrel and is 100% legal for Single Stack and a fine choice.

The STI Trojan is a cut below the TRP, in my opinion, because of the chainlink STIppling on the front strap. The Trojan is still a fine 1911 and unmatched at its price point; no comparable, American-made 1911 exists at the $1k price point unless it has an external extractor, which is a deal breaker for me.

If you want to compare the TRP to an STI, I suggest that you compare it to the STI Lawman or similar. The STI Lawman has 30 LPI frontstrap checkering, whereas the TRP has 20 LPI. If you don't plan on carrying the gun and prefer the sharper checkering, pick the TRP. Otherwise, the Lawman's 30 LPI should do you just nicely, and is a little softer on the hands. I believe both TRP models come with a Smith and Alexander style magwell, which is a nice feature to have.

My competition gun is an older Kimber with 30 LPI checkering on the frontstrap, similar to the STI Lawman. I actually prefer the sharper checkering myself, but I've shot this Kimber for so long that old habits die hard.

At this price point, it's really hard to go wrong. The guns available at $1k-1.4k are very nice and hard to distinguish from each other except by little features such as magwell, sight cuts and style (adjustable or not), checkering, etc. Both manufacturers make a solid gun that far exceeds the fit you'd expect from a manufacturer like Colt or Taurus.

 

[woodsrunner]

Re: Does STI Rule?

I'm not planning on shooting any matches with it and it wouldn't be something that I would carry on a normal basis. It could be something that I would put on for a hike on my property. I'm starting to lean towards the trying to find a gently used TRP.

 

[Mile High Shooting]

Re: Does STI Rule?

Depending on your budget, the Springfield MC Operator and LW Operators would most likely fit the bill. They're a silent contender in the railed 1911 market that are very nice guns around the $1k range. Think of them as a TRP lite.

That said, the Dan Wessons, TRPs, STIs (model dependent), and S&W E-series guns all make for nice guns with a little tweaking in the $1500 and under range.

-Sean

 

[woodsrunner]

Re: Does STI Rule?

The Springfield MC Operator does seem nice. I'm really reaching at the top end of my budget right now, because its.. Oh if I spend another hundred I can get this or another two and I can get that. I'm thinking that I don't really need to do that since I won't be out there abusing it. I'm currently looking around at used guns to see what I can get that way. I've found a couple nice Dan Wesson's in my price range. One is a valor and the other is a specialist. I think I'll pass on the duty one from STI, I still can't get over its looks.

 

[woodsrunner]

Re: Does STI Rule?

Anyone with Dan Wesson experience do you think there is a difference between the Specialist and the Valor besides the rail?