New STI 1911 - for under $600!

[Preacherman]

STI has introduced the "Spartan" 1911 at a suggested retail price of $635 - and Dawson Precision has them for about $50 less! (Well, they had them - I may have bought the last one! ). Looks like pretty good value for the money, and the salesperson at Dawson said they rate them as better quality than the average Kimber, Springfield or S&W 1911. Looks most interesting!

 

[D-Man]

Can't wait to hear what people think once they get these in their hands and shoot them. If they can keep the STI name and reputation at this low of a pricepoint, they will do very well.

I admit to not caring that much for the rollmark, but for $600, I could easily live with it!

 

[daysleeprx]

The sights aren't my cup of tea either...but it looks like a good competitor for the Taurus and Springfield Loaded models.

 

[daysleeprx]

Oh, and shouldn't Correia be getting a shipment in soon? I'd love to hear what he thinks about em.

 

[kir_kenix]

i would consider getting one, but i really hate the SPARTAN etched on the slide. also not a fan of fiber optics, but hey maybe i dont know what im missing. ill let some other people buy 'em first and report back on here before i decide either way.

 

[mosttoyswins]

Nice gun, but IMHO that Spartan roll mark is AWFUL.

Other than that, looks good.

 

[sm]

Preacherman,

I await your review and range report. I am interested in the internals, specs and metallurgy.

NO MIM will mean this gun, will be akin to the OLD Kimber, and Kimber series I ( Perhaps).

Personally, I prefer the Original Gov't Model. I do have a early early Stainless Kimber Series I Target Model. First thing I did was take out FLGR and replace with GI Plug.

 

[Preacherman]

I do have a early early Stainless Kimber Series I Target Model. First thing I did was take out FLGR and replace with GI Plug.

Totally agree, Steve. That's the first thing that I'll do to mine when it arrives, even before the first range session!

 

[Cocked & Locked]

The STI Spartan pistols are made for STI by Armscor...as in Rock Island Armory fame.

...bet everybody knew that though

 

[bigsarg99]

Is this the only model of the Spartan available at this time? Id love to have this maybe with Novaks and maybe a light rail. A commander or officer model wouldnt be bad either.

 

[swingset]

My $600 Smith and Wesson isn't a rebadged, foreign built gun. You can keep the faux STI.

 

[jlh26oo]

STI is foreign built? Or just this particluar model?

 

[at-home-daddy]

Just this model, as I understand it.

 

[sm]

I understand this is foreign built - the website linked above -
http://www.stiguns.com/guns/Spartan/Spartan.html

Spartan

Crafted with classic 1911 design, the STI International Spartan is a traditional 1911 pistol with high-end standards at an affordable price.

The Spartan is built on a steel, government length, standard width frame. The grip includes a checkered mainspring housing to provide a sure grip. The controls are an STI International single sided thumb safety and high-rise beavertail grip safety. The slide features traditional 1911 styling with front and rear cocking serrations, and the barrel is 5.0" with a match grade fitted bushing. This excellent firearm comes standard with an STI Commander style hammer, patented STI trigger system, and STI sear and disconnector for smooth, reliable function.

The Spartan has a Parkerized finish and is available in .45 ACP

Bold is mine. Note that STI uses quality parts in trigger, sear, disconnector, and other internals.

My questions are : Is this gun made to USGI Specs? ( all the holes and dimensions true or "clone specs ?")
Are all the internals and such STI quality in this gun? I am not thinking STI is going to use a lesser quality part, or MIM when they have the reputation they do.

Here is the deal, Norinco's have good steel, sometime the internals are fine, need smoothing, sometime best to replace internals - but the specs are there.

Some basic guns are fine on the spec dept, just the insides are MIM.

I am happiest with a bone stock Gov't model of 1911 without curb feelers, hammers with holes, duckbutts, fuzzy dice and billboards for roll marks. Gimme a USGI/ Colt 7 rd mag, with dimple follower, hardball and good to go. FWIW I never had a problem feeding Flying Ashtrays or any other JHP in a bone stock Gov't model.

What I am trying to find out / await. if this Spartan affords a good value for the money with its metallurgy and innards.

I do not care what an item is discounted to, on sale, rebate...
I do not care about "with the features"...

To get a REAL Gun, as JMB designed it - or as close as can in Function How much is this thing gonna cost bottom line?

One "can" live with cosmetic changes - darn gun better function as JMB designed it for ME and MY use.

I hate the new Kimbers [way to much line extension] with incorrect extractors, Swartz system, MIM, and other stuff.

Now the Colt, not much tweaking, and I was impressed with out of box Springfield - Plain old Gov't models - like Tuner has shared.

Spartan being in spec, good metal, STI internals - hey some can use some help with sights, or be fine with duck butt. Function for Money.

Trick gun? Gimme a 1911 style in 9x23 .

Bone stock Gov't Model of 1911 in .45ACP is my favored 1911 style.

 

[Will Fennell]

hate to tell ya ol' buddy

sm[Steve],
I hate to tell you, but those beloved Series 1 Kimbers are chock full of MIM parts. I know, I've currently got 3 of them.......and they are now MIM free

If you are worried about such things, keep in mind that the SPARTAN from STI is built on a cast frame, and I believe a cast slide.

I do think that the SPARTAN sounds VERY interesting, and will probally make a great gun for the $$$$$ , assuming that they function out of the box.

 

[45auto]

From what I "read", the Spartan has a STI thumb safety, beavertail, hammer, sear, disconnector and trigger.

Frame is cast and the slide is "extruded", the same as all RIA 1911s now.

The Trojan has a "barstock" slide, ramped STI barrel, grip "texture", flat top slide. Perhaps, the "fit" is better...don't know. The Trojans run in the $950 range so there's going to be a $300-$400 difference between the two.

If the Spartans work, they should sell lot's!

 

[Preacherman]

From STI's Web site:

May 25, 2006 SkinnErgram #88

<snip>

A "lower end" (in price) 1911 built with many high quality STI parts, but assembled "off shore". It'll be .45ACP (what else?) only, unramped bushing barrel, full length guide rod, single sided thumb safety, and Parkerized. It's name is to be the "Spartan". (Russell Nichols from our Slide Dept. takes the cash for this suggestion.) We should have been "on the street" with this one already but I think we confused the U.S. State Department and Homeland Security (Customs) with our desire to "take ‘em out and bring ‘em back". If you order now, your lead time should be about our normal quoted period but this one is subject to slippage due to the "powers that be" in Washington . We'll keep you posted.

</snip>

From the description, seems to be a normal 1911A1 design but with a bunch of STI parts added to it. I have no problem with this at all, for three reasons:

1. If STI are going to put their name on it, it has to be of good quality, or they'll be shooting themselves in the foot. There's no way they'll put the STI brand on an inferior pistol.

2. The cost of the STI parts involved (and the gunsmithing charges to put them on) is significant, compared to OEM parts. This adds value to the gun.

3. They're charging a very reasonable price for the gun, certainly about $200 lower than Kimber, Springfield or S&W in my part of the world.

If the quality is there (and I'll know soon), then I'm happy.

 

[Correia]

I've got a bunch that are supposed to be coming in here shortly.

Preacherman, you bought from Dawson instead of me? Ouch, man.

 

[GunNut]

Change the sights to Novaks and i think the gun would be a real nice entry level 1911.

I may try one, but am really planning on saving up for a Trojan instead. I like some kind of checkering or stippling on the frontstrap, but might try skate board tape.

I look forward to Preacherman's range report.

Steve

 

[ugaarguy]

NO MIM will mean this gun, will be akin to the OLD Kimber, and Kimber series I ( Perhaps).

Steve, also hate to break it to you, but even the top of the line STIs use MIM. I e-mailed and asked about it, and they wanted to know why I was concerned about MIM internals in a 1911 . They also wouldn't tell me which internals are or are not MIM. Seems like everyone is using MIM now , except for SIG and the custom makers, so I can't really hold it against STI.

MIM aside the Spartan looks like a great deal for all the reasons Preacherman lists. I'm interested in a range report as well. My current SA GI, and the SIG GSR I ordered (Thanks Correia ) have fixed sights. The Spartan just might make a good adjustable sights range gun. I wonder if a Commander size gun with that slick STI adjustable Novak style combat rear sight will be offered if the current Spartan sells well and they expand the lineup.

 

[sm]

Will,

Yes I know the Kimbers have MIM, still something unique about this one. Recall the OLD Kimbers, back before popular? This Target Model Series I and and The Steel regular model gotten later "differ". We laid them out, gun buddy is checking and it seems the Target got the "old parts" ( not MIM) and the regular the new MIM. We think Lady Luck smiled on me.

Reg one someone really really wanted it, and it has the good internals and all now, and used as a Carry Gun .

Target is my Bargaining Tool. I just have to be patient. One fellow was wanting to make a deal with me for this one : http://www.stiguns.com/guns/Trojan5/Trojan5.html

I am waiting for him, or some others to let go of some old Colts. Gov't Model of 1911 , Commander, and I am playing hard to get for a Steel Combat Commander like I bought myself for a HS grad gift in '73.

I dangle the carrot (Target I) I even let them shoot it from time to time. I have come real close...just I have to let marinate, keep dangling, and be patient.

I gotta chance, one wife really really wants my Target I. Being the Southern Gentleman I am, I let her shoot it as much as she wants.

My gun buddy is aware of all these, actually he gets a kick out of us. Husband knows she wants the TI , and his wife and I are alike in being cool, sneaky, playing it down. We all know each other, husband knows he is not going to win.

Has to do with me letting his wife not only handle, but shoot a 28 ga shotgun, even gave her shells to shoot, even let her take it home.
This only days after she got her Model 64 3" RB HB she had to have because I had let her shoot one, and let her take that one home.
And about 2 weeks before we found a Beretta 303 in 20ga. and let her shoot, and take home

"You let the wife bring that Target I home I am in big trouble and I forgot how to change the combo on the safe where she cannot get into it".

I reminded him that safe was her safe. Wife is standing there, being cute, cuddly, smiling...
Gun buddy is choking on his tea.

I am not bad - just consistent.

 

[Hawk]

Steve, also hate to break it to you, but even the top of the line STIs use MIM. I e-mailed and asked about it, and they wanted to know why I was concerned about MIM internals in a 1911.

I read this somewhere as well. Speaking for myself only, I really don't care. MIM is just another process to be done right or not depending on who is doing it.

Kinda like the "It's not the arrow, it's the indian" philosophy.

I'm one of the rare ones that personally had a Kimber MIM part go south, so my 2 Kimbers have been de-MIMed. However, I've never had, nor have I heard much about, problems with S&W MIM or STI MIM. In the specific case of certain of STI's 2011s, they're race guns, fer cryin' out loud - if MIM works for that crowd, I've got no issues.

I suppose it's possible that S&W, STI and Kimber all get their MIM from the same jobber and apply the same QC, but based solely on comparing my STIs to my Kimbers my informal bet is that this is not the case. Stress not on MIM, friend SM.

I'll be making a trip to Dawson in January and will try to check out one of the Spartans at that time - assuming they haven't turned up locally by then.

 

[Preacherman]

Well, here's an initial report (not yet a shooting report, I'm afraid).

The gun arrived today. On first inspection, it's very impressive indeed. The finish isn't great - standard parkerized - but adequate. Sights are excellent, adjustable target rear and fiber-optic front. I'd prefer a wider rear notch, but for range use, the existing narrower notch works fine. The trigger is absolutely outstanding, probably the best I've ever felt on a sub-$1,000 1911 out of the box. My gun dealer and his gunsmith both tried the trigger and asked the same question immediately - "Who did the trigger job on this gun?" Needless to say, it was right out of the box like that - superb work! The slide fits the frame very tightly, the barrel locks up like a bank vault, and generally I'm very impressed indeed. For about $600, I've not seen a better 1911 - I'd certainly rate this Spartan as better than the entry-level Kimbers or Springfields.

I'll get it to the range sometime soon and let you know how it shoots, but frankly I'm not expecting any problems. With a tight fit and lock-up like this one has, I'll be very surprised if it's not capable of sub-2" groups at 25 yards from a rested position. I don't see anything not to like.

 

[Browns Fan]

Preacherman, are the frame and slide cast?

 

[D-Man]

Preacherman - look forward to the range report.

Before then, any chance you can add pictures?