1911 frame size question.

[Dryft]

Hey y'all,

I posted the other day about narrowing down some purchase options, and have decided to pick up an STI Spartan to add to the collection. It'll be a jack of all trades 1911 - some carry, range, maybe informal competition.

Here's the thing: I have definitely decided that a Commander length is the longest I'm willing to go on this one, but they also make the Spartan in an Officers... :banghead:

Some basic differences, directly from the STI website:

Spartan III
Frame: Officer
Barrel: 3.24"
Overall Length: 7.34"
Capacity: 6+1

Spartan IV
Frame: Commander
Barrel: 4.26"
Overall Length: 8.01"
Capacity: 6+1

Now, am I missing something, or shouldn't the Officer frame have a lower capacity? They don't give a "Height" measurement, so I can't tell.

Now, accuracy - obviously the barrel length is an 1.02" shorter, but the overall length is only 0.67" shorter. Why is this? Obviously mechanicals can't be shrunk, but why the difference there?

Shootability! Obviously a shorter barrel and overall length result in a shorter sight radius - how do y'all feel about this?


Basically, it comes down to I'd like some opinions on this one! Everyone has preferences - what are yours?

 

[tipoc]

Looks like all the Spartan series guns have the short frame and a 6+1 capacity in 45acp of the "Officers" sized guns.

Traditionally "Commander" sized guns have the same size frame as the 5" "Government Model" guns but a shorter slide. These offer 7 or 8+1 capacity depending on the magazine used. Looks like the Lawman series may offer this. Or the Ranger II.

Look where they say "full size frame" with Commander length slide.

tipoc

 

[smalls]

Are you looking at the same calibers? If I remember right you were looking at 9mm? Those have a 9+1 capacity.

Edit: just looked, and it does list that for both the IV and III. But it also lists an 8+1 for 9mm, so I'm thinking their info is wrong on the website.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Shootability!

I wouldn't be as concerned about the sight radius as the reduced reliability when you go with a barrel/slide shorter than 4.25"

 

[RSR]

+1 to tipoc's advice

Well said tipoc.... Dryft, STI makes great guns for the money. Truly a top notch production gun. Buy one before they raise their prices. This raise seems to be the trend. Hmmmmmm......I'd be happier with the commander size IMHO.

 

[jfrey]

Go with the 4.26 in.barrel and you won't be unhappy. I have 7+1 Wilson mags for my Commander with the Officers frame and they work great. That combination makes a fine carry gun and works well at the range too.

 

[Dryft]

Hey y'all,

Thanks for the opinions - the decision has been made! Going with the Spartan IV in 9mm.

Smalls - Yup, STI's website is incorrect. (Considering your average high school student can build a website, there's something almost off-putting about a gun company that has incorrect information about their own guns on their own site!) How do you feel about the STI trigger? I'm not a fan of skeletonized triggers, but I'm going to run it for a while before making my mind up on it.

I'm going to be purchasing it from Thunder Mountain Custom, who is a full stocking dealer for STI. The owner, Mike Chasse, has an excellent reputation, and they do a full fit and finish check, fine tune it, test fire and sight-in, tune the trigger to desired pull weight, and have answered every question I've posed to them. (They'll also install, free of charge, any additional parts at purchase - which is pretty cool.)

That kind of service is tough to beat, and I very much appreciate that in a business.

Thanks again to everyone for their opinions - I can not wait to get this pistol.

 

[smalls]

Trigger is better than expected for what I paid for it. Not the best, but it's smooth and crisp.

If I were you, I'd order and have them install a new front sight if you have the dough. Maybe check out their fiber optic or night sight selections, since they'll install it for no extra cost.