9mm 1911's

swede62 wrote:

crossedcannons45 wrote:

swede62 wrote:I'd lke to try the EMP that Springfield Armory makes.

I want one for a BUG

I really like the way they feel. They are hard to get a hold off though.

They sure dont give them away.

i have heard from several folks that the emp was very picky on the ammo it liked mainly had stove pipe issues unless you used +p rounds, but these were 40 cals not 9mm.

Rbelote wrote:

swede62 wrote:

crossedcannons45 wrote:

swede62 wrote:I'd lke to try the EMP that Springfield Armory makes.

I want one for a BUG

I really like the way they feel. They are hard to get a hold off though.

They sure dont give them away.

You'll get no argument from me!

3/27/10

re: STI Guardian 9mm


Well, it finally arrived. See below. Picked it up this morning.

I began this search for a 1911 platform Commander-size (or if you speak Para-ese, Lt Colonel size) 9mm last fall. First made efforts to get a Kimber Pro Carry II or the Para LTC with, for whatever reasons, no luck. So I settled (I do not mean that to suggest third choice in quality, rather third up, or thereabouts, on the price scale) on the STI Guardian (see at: http://www.stiguns.com/guns/Guardian/Guardian.php).

So let’s open the box and see what we’ve got. First thing that strikes me is that at the price they’re asking it comes with only one magazine. That’s sorta tacky if you ask me. Beyond that it is a fine looking pistol.


Here are the specs:
Caliber: 9mm
Frame: 1911 Officer Frame, STI stippled front strap, undercut trigger guard
Stocks: Checkered cocobolo grips panels with STI lettering
Slide: Stainless steel Classic Commander Flat Top with STI rear cocking serrations
Trigger: STI Long Curved Trigger
Barrel: Bull Barrel, 3.9 inches, ramped and fully supported
Safeties: STI High-Ride Beavertail Grip Safety, single sided thumb safety
Guide Rod: STI Recoil Master
Sights: 3 Dot (white) Tactical Adjustable Sights
Overall length: 7.5 inches (190.5mm)
Weight (empty): 32.4 ounces (1,007.75 grams)
Finish: Stainless steel slide with polished sides, blue steel frame

I think there are a couple of important contrasts to be drawn here between the STI and the aforementioned Kimber and Para. While the Pro Carry does have a bushing-less match grade bull barrel, it is saddled with a fixed rear sight. The Para LTC has a bushed barrel and a rear sight adjustable for windage. The STI, on the other hand, has the best of both worlds – bushing-less bull barrel and a rear sight adjustable for windage and elevation. The STI is also rated 4oz heavier but that could be just a little more steel to grab onto.

One last comment. Like so many of the owner’s manuals you get with a firearm, the one accompanying the STI is about as arcane and user un-friendly as you can get. I don’t know who writes this stuff but they sure can leave those of us who are mechanically challenged way back in the dust. Oh well, that’s my problem.

So, I’ll have to start thinking about a couple of spare magazines. Apparently the 9mm mag that fits this gun is made by Metalform magazines. May have to contact them - http://metalformcompany.thomasnet.com/viewitems/pistol-magazines/9mm-caliber?&forward=1

If the weather cooperates, I’ll go out to the range on Tuesday. Maybe I’ll have something to report back. Wish me luck.

Man, that's is nice!

Ed that's a good looking gun. We need more pics of it. You going to bring it to the M&Gll? Hint hint.

Let us know how it shoots.

March Gun Tests magazine had a test of the Kimber Aegis, Sprinfield Loaded and STI Duty One. All got good reviews with the STI coming out on top for a dialy carry gun.

STI has a great gun. I have two with extensive gunsmith work on them.

3/28/10

re: STI Guardian 9mm – Additional Observations

(This could well develop into a multi-post topic)

The STI spec’s include “3 Dot (white) Tactical Adjustable Sights”. Now keep this in perspective. These STI white-dot sights are not night sights as are the Trijicon’s on my Khar T9. Speaking of which, it’s my intention for the STI to replace my Khar T9.

Now, I don’t know a lot about this but it’s my opinion the STI would qualify in IDPA as an “Enhanced Service Pistol Division (ESP)”. The IDPA rule book shows that one of the permitted modifications include, “Factory installed cone style barrels on pistols with a barrel length of 4.2” or less.” The STI spec’s show the barrel as a “Bull Barrel, 3.9 inches, ramped and fully supported”.

As I wrote above, weather permitting I’ll tote it over to the range Tuesday morning. May have something to report at that time.

And, as time goes on I may add to these comments.

Re: STI Guardian 9mm


On 3/27, I posted, in part, referencing the new STI, “If the weather cooperates, I’ll go out to the range on Tuesday. Maybe I’ll have something to report back. Wish me luck.”

Well, talk about deflating one’s ego.

I went Tuesday and ran the first box through the 9mm. Well, you know the old saw – “Gotta get it broke in”.

Went back again this morning – sunny, temperarture in the mid to high 50’s, breeze from behind, lovely morning. Ran the second box through the thing.

Shot from the bench, 5 rounds, 50 feet.

So what’s your excuse this time, you may ask. First one I can come up with is the ammo – crummy (there’s another story there) circa-1974 Pakistani 124 gr FMJ 9mm.

Getting a little more consistent. Not super but it is showing some improvement.
But as you can see, I (and it) have got a ways to go.

Will get back at it early next week.

Is it giving you reliability issues?

Xd357 wrote:Is it giving you reliability issues?

No, not really; i.e., the Pakistani-stuff in the STI. The Pakistani-stuff in my Khar T9 (that I am replacing) did. I do not fault the Khar.

However, in the first 100 rounds the STI did fail to extract (WWB 9mm) twice. May be an anomaly. If that repeats too often (what ever that will come out to be) I’ll be on the horn to Georgetown TX.

Re: More on the STI

I posted 4/1, “Getting a little more consistent. Not super but it is showing some improvement. But as you can see, I (and it) have got a ways to go. Will get back at it early next week.”

Well, was back at the range this morning – temperature high 60’s, overcast, very breezy from the right rear quarter.

Am 150 rounds into the break-in right now (Note: The STI owner's manual is silent on any suggested break-in). I think it is settling down reasonably well.

Had one more stoppage in the 3rd 50rd run. Sitting here trying to recall I think it was a failure to extract, maybe not. I do recall at the time wondering if I had limp-wristed. If so it could have been an ejection failure and my fault. Oh well, need to write these things down.

I haven’t panicked yet on the extraction issue. I hoping this is just an anomaly.

So here is the next proof target – 50’, from the bench, 5 rounds. That 5th round is buried in the hole at 6 o’clock in the black. I’ve looked carefully at the grease rings and I believe that's the case. Can’t explain the flyer at 5 o’clock. That’s a 1 inch grid on the target.

If the weather cooperates I’ll be out again tomorrow or Friday. Maybe we can squeeze it down some more.

Coming right along.

Re: STI 9mm – MORE

I wrote yesterday, “If the weather cooperates I’ll be out again tomorrow or Friday. Maybe we can squeeze it down some more.”.

Did get out to the range this morning. This time up to Whitetail Ridge Outdoors (http://www.whitetailridgeoutdoors.com/) – temperature in the high 50’s, breezy, cloudy, and cool.

Am now 200rds into the ‘break-in’.

In a word, no real improvement. No target to show. They got torn up. Shot two sets of 5rds “for the record” (so to speak). Each set had essentially the same result: 3 in a cluster (virtually touching) with a flyer to the right and a flyer to the left. Still using the Pakistani stuff. Will be through that soon.

Will probably go out again Tuesday morning and get serious (had a friend along today; hard to get serious). Wish me luck. I’ll try to avoid the caffeine (not very likely) and maybe get a bit more steady – more accuraetly, a bit less shaky!

Re: STI Guardian 9mm

The saga continues. Some side issues developed.

This past weekend disassembled the STI and gave it a good cleaning. In the process I noticed that a cross-pin in the rear sight was working itself out of the sight (see the picture - it's not focused well but you can see the pin protruding from the left side of the rear sight). This is at the 200rd mark.



So I cranked up ye olde computer and shot them a message on Saturday afternoon:
“The rear sight (TAS) on the subject pistol has a small cross pin at the forward end. That cross pin has begun to work itself out (200 rounds into break-in). It is protruding out the left side (viewed from the rear of the pistol) about 1/8 inch. Can I tap it back in place? Should I be concerned about losing that pin? Any suggestions?”
Now, I realize that the solutionj is relatively self-evident. However, being grossly warranty-cautious I wanted something in writing from them before I got down to fixing it.

Heard back from the STI warranty department this afternoon. They wrote, “You can drive or tap the pin back into the sight then take a small punch and put a small detent on the edge of each side of the hole.”

Thank you. Just wanted it in writing.

BTW, while I was at it I asked a couple of additional questions.

The first was, “The owner’s manual, page 10, discusses ammunition saying, “…can be safely fired using factory specification standard velocity ammunition”. Do I conclude from this that I should not use factory manufactured +P 9mm?”. Their warranty department replied, “You can (shoot) plus P ammo in the pistol I just don’t recommend a steady diet of it.” That’s fine. I don’t plan to make a steady diet of +P’s. OK, so I’m paranoid regarding warranties. It crossed my mind that this is a question that needs to be asked at the front end before plopping your money down, depending of course on your primary intended use.

The second question I asked was, “As far as I can see the owner’s manual is silent regarding a ‘break-in period’. Any recommendations or guidelines on that?”. Their warranty department replied, “Break in period recommendation is any where from 500 to 1000 rounds.” Well at the 200rd level I’ve got a ways to go. Will be out to the range in the morning.

I'M willing to bet your groups will tighten up with some good ammo.
Thanks for the report.

RIA started making the 1911 9mm and 38 supers in know. I havent ever met someone who had a really bad problem with theres. I talked to several people who said they bought used ones from anywhere between 350-400 dollars but I guess that depends on how good you are on cutting a deal with the person your getting it from. But I have on the RIA

Re: STI Guardian 9mm – And the beat goes on


Was out to the range this morning. At best am progressing through my break-in period. No epiphanies in target results to report other than my .45 still out-shoots the STI 9mm. Oh well.

So, with nothing else to report from the range let me add this little tidbit. In late March I posted to this thread, regarding the STI, “…it’s my intention for the STI to replace my Khar T9”.

I’ve been asked so here’s the Khar T9 (OK, I know it’s not a 1911 9mm but I thought I’d stick it in here anyway)….

Re: Continuing the STI’s Break-In


As I wrote today in my post to “My New Mousegun”, went to the range this morning, Whitetail Ridge Outdoors (see at: http://www.whitetailridgeoutdoors.com/), high 50’s, broken clouds, and a stiff breeze from behind us. Purpose, in part, was to continue the break-in on the STI 9mm.

Well, I’m 350 rds into that break-in. And I’m having problems getting it to settle down (or is it more correct that I’ve got problems settling myself down?).

So here we are, 10 rds, 50 feet, from the bench. I’ve still got a ways to go (obviously – guess I didn’t have to write that, sort of self-evident) but I think things are improving.

BTW, if anyone is keeping score, I’ve shifted over to Swiss (military?) 9mm.

Hope to go back out this week again and will continue to work with the STI.