The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: fullautovalmet76 on September 28, 2010, 09:47:43 PM
-
I feel like a kid at Christmas! 8)
I ordered a STI Spartan (45 ACP) today from Dawson Precision. This will now be three, count 'em, three 1911s I now own! ;) For the money, this 1911 is probably the best out there in my very limited opinion on 1911s....I plan to use it in competition (L10/SS/CDP). I'm having Dawson make some changes to it and can't wait try it out.
I found out that Dawson Precision is largest distributor in the world of STI pistols. I know of one distributor who says that sometimes Dawson has more STIs on hand than STI! And you can probably guess that the Spartan is STI's biggest seller too.
I ordered some extras for it and I'll have pics and a range report in a few weeks.
I can't wait!!
-
Enjoy your new blaster! Looked at one in 9mm this past weekend and almost walke away with it..which would have made 8 for me.
Richard
-
I almost ordered one a couple of years ago. It was spendy then and I ended up paying less for a Sig I'm very happy with, but it would be really nice to have one some day. I will live vicariously through your range report.
-
Good deal, they make them just up the road. Got a friend who's mom works there. Trying to get the friend's price, but as good a friend as I am that's probably double the retail price. :P Don't forget a range report on that one.
-
Congrats FullAuto.
It might be a good time to mention the great experience with the folks at STI I've had just today.
I'm designing a logo/badge for our new shooting league. Some of the members want a picture of an open gun on it. I refuse just to rip off any picture from the net, but last night sent emails to 6 "open" gun manufacturers asking permission to use their pictures. STI, wrote back first thing this morning and granted permission. They are even forwarding high-res copies to me to make my design neater and cleaner.
I have never considered buying STI or even buying an "open" gun,.............. until today. +++ in my book.
-
Congrats on the STI addition to the 1911 family, FA.
**As a side note, I've often wondered why STI hasn't capitalized further on their nylon 2011 grip design with a modular set-up (similar to the Sig 250?). You could have one frame, with serial number, and several different interchangeable grip designs allowing variety of uses.
-
**As a side note, I've often wondered why STI hasn't capitalized further on their nylon 2011 grip design with a modular set-up (similar to the Sig 250?). You could have one frame, with serial number, and several different interchangeable grip designs allowing variety of uses.
More profits selling separate guns.....
-
[Maybe we should start a separate thread............ON HECK...........HANG ON..........STRONG CROSS WINDS.....oops OFF TOPIC]
Speaking of the Sig 250. Don't like the idea. Sure it looks so neat. From a larger armory view it is. One "frame" that's easy (and legal) to build up many variations for the troops. But for an individual...nah. If I want a small carry gun and a larger tactical/target gun. separate guns is the way to go. No reconfiguring to go to the range, then reconfiguring for CCW.
-
I've shot the STI in 9mm. It was a very nice shooter. Shot very accurate.
-
I just ordered the Spartan 9mm last night. Already have 3 .45 1911's.
-
After looking at a bunch of 1911's about 6 months ago I decided on a STI Duty I. It was by far the best new gun purchase I've made in years. I had a friend buy a 1911 from a well hyped company that also builds nice 1911's. He paid a nearly 3 times what I paid for my Duty I ($1099 for me $3025 for him) and my STI shoots circles around his pistol. I have another friend who bought a Double Star at the same time and the quality looks to be similar but the STI shoots better. I think they are right at the top when it comes to 1911's. If they would only leave the big engraving off the slide they'd be perfect.
-
I just ordered the Spartan 9mm last night. Already have 3 .45 1911's.
You won't be disapointed. It was the only 1911 style pistol that I have seen that feed all ammo. Most I have seen wil only feed the ammo that they like. It feed everything. If I had the money and was in the market for one it's the only brand i'd buy.
-
I'm looking forward to it. Dawson is putting one of their .100 front sight on it.
Any ideas for some aftermarket magazines?
-
Wilson 47DE for me ;)
Addict
-
Wilson 47DE for me ;)
Addict
A bit more than $600 for that piece.
Les Baer Concept V for me. Oh, that's right, it's already in the safe...
-
Keep reading and talking to folks that are getting them, and it's all positive. The Springfield EMP 9mm lists over $1200.00
:o
Seems MB wrote about the STI pistols here pretty recently also with a favorable review. Congratulations.
-
Picked up the Spartan and will hopefully get to try it out this Friday, schedule permitting. Initial impressions are positive with the slide/frame fit having no slop. Pressing on the barrel hood gives no movement. Unfortunately, they only supplied one magazine.
Doing a bit of dry-firing to get things started........
-
Got a call from Dawson today. Mine is held up while Dave Dawson does some final tweaks to the gun. They told me they only work on 3 pistols a day and Dave will not let one leave unless it is "perfect" by his standards. If he will do that for a $600 1911 like mine, I can bet he gives the same attention or more to his more expensive stuff too. I'm impressed....Stay tuned....
-
Ive owned a Spartan in 45 for about 7 months and it is a great gun for the money. It is a deadly accurate pistol, mine will bench 5 shots at 20 yrd. into sub MOA (which is better than my Dads STI USPSA SIngle Stack Shot). It is a remarkably tight but slick slide to frame fit, feels like a custom really. I have around 8000 rounds thru it and its still tight. Great crisp trigger without creep. Ive used it in USPSA Single Stack all this year and love it. But as with all things there are a couple negatives, though they are minor.
The two bad things I encountered is: (1)- they will not reliably feed SWC. Before anyone says it I know a non-ramped barrel was designed for hardball. Over the years gunmakers have made the non-ramped barrel suitable for SWC. All Im saying is the non ramped barrel configuration in the spartan is not enhanced to feed SWC, at least mine wasn't. (2) The polymer mainspring housing. I dont like the feel of the checkering on it and the fact the spring retainer pin hole started to oblong under the tension. Luckily they are trivial and easily remedied, get the barrel ramp angle changed to feed SWC and buy a SS mainspring housing. (Both of which I did).
-
I finally got the Spartan 9mm out and ran a few rounds through it. Didn't do any accuracy testing, but rather fired it to get it started breaking in and have some fun. It fed my lead 125 gr. roundnosed handloads like butta'. The funky shaped magazine can shave a bit of lead off of the bullets if one isn't careful when loading the mag though and the mag lips are a bit rough on the fingers. I forgot my UpLULA and it would have no doubt made loading easier.
-
Had a chance to handle a STI at a gun show recently. Really loved the feel of the grip in my hand. Unfortunately I did not have the extra funds set aside so I passed it up. Really regret it.
-
I received the Spartan two weeks ago and took it to the match the following Saturday. Since it was the maiden voyage it was a little stiff but after the second stage it was no longer having problems; wish I could say the same for the shooter..... ;)
It ran WWB 230 gr. ball just fine. I plan to get to the range in the next couple of weeks to see what it can do as far as shooting groups at 25 yards. It's already zeroed for 25 yards but I want to see how it groups my loads. Don't worry pics and range report will be coming...
Stay tuned....
-FA
-
Another 1000 rnds and it'll be just fine! ;)