STI Edge - Worth it, or not?

[Hostile Amish]

Brazos Custom says 1,974 dollars, and I'm saving up to get a high-quality double-stacked 1911 pistol (or 2011, whatever they're called). I found the STI Edge and thought it looked pretty good, but is it really worth the 2,000-some dollars? Has anybody ever bought or handled one of these pistols? Thanks in advance.

 

[P. Plainsman]

I can't speak to STI in particular because I can't always differentiate the brands of that type of gun when I see them in use.

With that said:

Man, do those shmancy IPSC-ed up double-stack 1911s ever jam a lot in competition. It's just crazy! I see dudes losing 5, even 10 seconds on a stage (that's an eternity) because they keep having to reduce FTEs or failures to go into battery.

In contrast, I may hate the grip angle on Glocks, but they won't trip you up during a stage. Based on what I've witnessed I'd honestly rather shoot Limited with a bone-stock, $500 Glock 23 than a "racy" .40 1911.

I'm mystified. Maybe all the guys I see using these things at matches have kludged up their own guns for competition purposes, making them unreliable. Maybe it's all a statistical fluke. Etc., etc. but I know what I see with my own eyes.

What I see is jams. Significantly more mechanical failures than other types of pistol.

 

[71Commander]

P. Plainsman. What a crock of dog dropping.

I don't know where you shoot at, but these shooters aren't traveling thousands of miles to shoot tournaments only to have their guns malfunction. I'm an RO who shoots every Sunday between April and November. I see thousands of shooters every year and can count the malfunctions on ONE HAND. I'm traveling to Georgia in April to shoot/work Area 6. I'm taking my STI 40. Why would I waste a thousand dollar if my gun didn't work.

BTW. I've seen three Glock 40's KB.

I have three STI's. Two of them are Edge's. All three run 100%.

 

[Quack]

i just bought an Edge last week and took it o the range yesterday. i will say YES!!!
my trigger is crisp and measured 2lbs 8oz from the factory. it VERY accurate at longer ranges, even more accurate than my G24 w/ 9mm KKM and lighter trigger. put 300rds through it yesterday w/o a hiccup.
build quality is greater than my TRP or EMP. the Edge is nicely fitted.

if you are in the market for a nice double stack 1911, i think STI is the way to go.

also prices should be about $1749 from Brazo4 or Dawson.

 

[mr. e]

I've been shooting IPSC with an STI Edge for about 3 years. I don't shoot tournaments, but I shoot with the local clubs several times a year.

The Edge has a great trigger, is very reliable, and plenty accurate with WinWB 180 gr. loads.

I've had 0 (zero, zip, nada) problems with FTEs or FTF over a couple of thousand rounds and have had absolutely no work done to its out of the box state to increase its reliability, accuracy, or to improve its trigger.

It's big and heavy and soaks up the recoil from the 40 auto round, which makes it very controllable for the follow up shots required for most IPSC targets.

The 17 round mag capacity also allows a lot of flexibility when trying to determine how to approach a course of fire.

I got mine from www.shootersconnection.com

If I didn't shoot IPSC, the Edge would be too big for other uses such as concealed carry. It's bigger even than the full size 1911 style 45s.

The Browing HP would be a better large frame semi auto for carry, and there are many other reliable 40 autos in smaller sizes.

 

[GLI45]

Worth every penny!

I bought an Eagle 6.0 in .45 last November and it was the most I had ever paid ($2,000) for an individual handgun. While waiting for it to come in did I worry that it might not be everything I expected? Sure I did. When it came in I made my first, somewhat nervous trip to the range. After putting the first ten rounds down range I was one very happy STI owner. What a gun! Beautifully balanced, smooth as warm butter, incredibly accurate, and WHAT A TRIGGER! I don't know where you are hearing about problems with double stack 1911s having feeding or ejection problems, but I doubt it was with STI. I have had no problems with mine. As an added bonus you won't find find any better folks to deal with than the group at STI. Spend the money and sleep soundly.

PS: I am preparing to order my second STI and this time around I'm not the least bit worried.

 

[skinewmexico]

I'd be shocked to see an Edge from Brazos not run, assuming you were running the ammo in it that it was built for. I do see a lot of cheaper 1911s choke in IDPA though.

 

[71Commander]

If I didn't shoot IPSC, the Edge would be too big for other uses such as concealed carry. It's bigger even than the full size 1911 style 45s.

The slide is the same as is on a single stack Gov't 1911 and if you measure the grip at the widest part, You will see that they are the same width.

 

[mr. e]

Commander,

The Edge has an extended magwell for quick mag changes in competition. It adds a lot of width to the base of the grip.

Also the double stack 40 grip seems a lot wider than that of my single stack Kimber, although I'll defer to your assertion if you've actually measured it.

e

 

[HZOX221]

YES!!!!

If the gun is set up right and mags are tuned to the gun, you will never question the $$$ spent.

 

[71Commander]

My STI Edge 40 with full magwell.



My Edge 45 with Krebs magwell

 

[mr. e]

OK, so I had to check this out. While I was reloading some ammo tonight, I pulled out the caliper to compare the Kimber and the Edge.

The Kimber slide measured 0.910" thick, while the Edge measured 0.928". It doesn't seem like much, but it's enough to keep the Edge from fitting into my Kimber holsters.

You're right about the grip thickness. AAMF the Kimber was slightly thicker. The Edge isn't as tapered, however, so it has a slightly larger girth. It's grip is more square in section with rounded edges while the Kimber is more of an oval section.

It sure feels a lot bigger.

 

[71Commander]

The Edge won't fit in the Kimber holster because the Edge has a full length dust cover. The STI Eagle will fit though.

 

[mec]

The one I shot in .40 S&W was very user friendly and accurate. Also totally reliable with all ammunition tested. Even so, it would be a good idea to buy your pistol from Londrigan and hedge your bets by having him do his enhancement package

 

[RH45]

Even though I own Colts, S&Ws, Les Baer, Ed Brown, Wilson Combat, and, yes, even Kimbers and Glocks, I shoot my 9 STIs more than the rest, WITHOUT issues, and LOVE them.