1911. NIB STI Spartan V. Bore damage?!?

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vujade

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Hello.

I've recently gotten the 1911 bug after I realized how accurate they are. I have a Sig Nitron that will do a ragged hole at 25 yards (benched). I had a SW1911 that I used to cut cards in half at 10 yards for fun one handed.

I'm getting ready to get into local IDPA (and I'm interested in bullseye shooting as well) and so I was in the market for a second 1911 that I can run with. Reviews led me to the STI line of guns and it just happens that there was a local Spartan V 45ACP model available. So I took it!

I was impressed by the overall tightness and feel. Trigger is good. Action very smooth. And then I started to field strip/clean it more thoroughly. I wasn't impressed by what I saw next.

20f54id.jpg

ng63jl.jpg

What are those circular/rough marks!?! It's most prominent closer to the muzzle (that concerns me even more).

It's got copper marks along the lands (I assume from the test shot) and some dark spots that look flaky. I started to gently clean the bore with my normal routine and tools (breakfree, copper remover, break free, etc.) I've gotten the metallic flakes out (shows some of it at the muzzle in the pic) for the most part but the circular marks are of course still there.

I checked and cleaned the Sig's barrel to compare and it was polished/very very smooth. Running a patch through the Spartan 1911 felt a bit rougher. I've also cleaned my S&W and my Dad's Springfield barrels many times and never saw this kind of discoloration/roughness in the bore.

1. Will this affect accuracy? (I have not shot it yet)

2. Has anyone here had to send something to STI for warranty work and how are they? (Google sent me a few links of examples of their customer service so that's reassuring; I'm curious if that's pretty consistent)

3. I assume this is safe to shoot? I'd like to 'bench' it to see how it at least does and then if accuracy is faulty - hope their customer service takes care of me. If it shoots - I guess I'll think about if it's worth it to send it in.

4. This isn't a bad thing per se but I noticed the outside of the barrel has an almost polymer feeling coat on it. Anyone with a Spartan have that also?
 
That's unacceptable, send it back to STI.
The Spartans are made abroad and don't have the QC of guns made in Georgetown. However, they will make it right.
The last Spartan I shot, the hammer followed the slide...that's a huge safety issue. STI fixed it of course. I'm fortunate to live 30 minutes from the factory.
 
If your SIG Nitron will shoot one hole groups at 25yds why aren't you going to use it for competition? Seems like a no brainer to me.
 
definitely looks like tool chatter. Not sure what method Armscor uses in their manufacturing of barrels though. STI will make it right
 
Thanks for the confidence in STI's service. I'll go ahead and do that it.

I'm curious on at least what the accuracy is - is this safe to shoot?
 
The only time I have ever seen a problem with the STI line was with the Spartan and that's too bad my Trojan has been flawless send that back to STI they will make it right
 
Yep, that is logical.

While the Sig could likely be my bullseye gun because it does shoot so well, I wanted something I wouldn't fret about if it really started to show wear/use. I wanted something quality but one that I wouldn't treat as a safe queen. And I just love that Sig. Not logical I know, it's purely emotional. I normally run my guns but I have a few that I baby - this and a mint Winchester 357 trapper are my 2 safe queens.

The Sig's frame is also nonstandard so I wanted a more traditional sized 1911 that can fit into my holster.

I basically wanted to duplicate the performance of the Sig but one where I wouldn't mind taking it to the mud.
 
update:

I sent a msg using STI's website last night; just a little before I posted this.

I just got an email from Randy from STI; that was pretty fast! He asked for my address so that he can arrange for a pistol return. And he offered that I can send some pictures to his email as well and I did.
 
I packed up the STI into a box. The label from STI customer service arrived a few days ago. I'll ship it for the warranty work this week.

I was able to take the STI along with the SIG to the range this week. (i wanted to test it so that I can report any other issues and be able to benchmark for a before/after comparison)

Here are some groups. Standing, standard 2 hand hold:

5 yards. 3 shot groups at the bottom, 5 to the top. The center target was being used as I was adjusting the STI's sights.

2ldaa7o.jpg

15 yards. Sorry it's only 15 yards but I had to go to a different range and that was the furthest for handgun. These are all 5 shot groups (the Sig on the left has 2 bullets in one of the holes). The center target - I was playing around with the STI and trying different point of aim.

zwjj9g.jpg


The Sig is still a tad more accurate but I'm so used to that gun. The STI held it's own considering it's handicap. It also has a really sharp part of the grip safety that would eat into my hands. I included a note for STI to look at that also. At the end of just about 50 yards, it was painful to shoot and likely affected the groups.

I'll report when it returns back!
 
frankiestoys said:
I have to be honest with you my Trojan out shoots my Sig any day of the week
Click to expand...
Yes, my first choice was a Trojan as well but couldn't afford it at the moment. Eventually I'll get both. I have a thing for Greek/War movies like 300. =)
 
Gun was returned to me today! This is what was on the packing list:

"I replaced the barrel, blended the grip safety, tuned the extractor, set the over travel and refinished the pistol. Test fire 3 mags no malfunctions."

Wow, I didn't even ask for all the extra work; I'm impressed that they went that far (like the extractor/over travel work). I look forward to testing it out. Gun is tight. (and the replacement barrel is much nicer. It's not the matte finish but very sharp chrome). Fit is again perfect. I just hope it shoots just as well as it now looks.
 
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Wow, I didn't even ask for all the extra work; I'm impressed that they went that far (like the extractor/over travel work).
Click to expand...
They are a good company to deal with.

I do find it a bit interesting that you mention two things they did, which are pretty easy, but don't mention the much more labour intensive ones...especially blending the grip safety....that is really impressive
 
blended the grip safety
Click to expand...

I'm not expecting you to see the blending, but from memory can you now find what is smoother and take a picture of that? I'm curious as to how much smoother it is.
 
STIBob2_zpsf6674448.jpg
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Here is my Spartan. I'd need to take a closer picture, look in person.. I think the factory fit is adequate, but curious to see what they do.
 
I'm interested also.

A properly blended (as opposed to fitted) grip safety, should have the upper surface create a continuous line with the top of the rear tang...when the safety is at rest.

When the safety is depressed, the bottom of the beavertail should create that same line with the bottom of the tang/frame...it should feel like a solid piece without any lips or raised edges. STI does a pretty good job on their American made 1911s, but the Filipino made ones sometimes aren't quite as nice
 
The gun is the same (I just changed the grips tonight). I'll admit, I guess I don't know enough about 1911s to appreciate the details for a grip safety. The first picture shows where it has that sharp edge/not flush so it would be painful to shoot. the last 2 pictures are the after pictures after their work. It feels very smooth/seamless now.


Before:
2cdxxd5.jpg

After:
whh5r7.jpg

w8kd1f.jpg
 
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Hello. I'm trying to visualize this. Does this what you describe:

A properly blended (as opposed to fitted) grip safety, should have the upper surface create a continuous line with the top of the rear tang...when the safety is at rest.


b64x03.jpg
 
9mmepiphany said:
I'm interested also.

A properly blended (as opposed to fitted) grip safety, should have the upper surface create a continuous line with the top of the rear tang...when the safety is at rest.

When the safety is depressed, the bottom of the beavertail should create that same line with the bottom of the tang/frame...it should feel like a solid piece without any lips or raised edges. STI does a pretty good job on their American made 1911s, but the Filipino made ones sometimes aren't quite as nice
Click to expand...
Ok. after playing with it a bit, I understand what you're saying 9mm.

When the grip safety is depressed, it's still not a perfect line. It still breaks but it's no longer sharp. I just checked my other 1911 (a Sig Nitron) and it's likewise; it's a little less pronounced on the STI now but it's still not a perfect-no breaks line. I'm going to be fondling other and more expensive 1911s now to see how 'smooth' this can be.

But - i'm happy. it no longer cuts my hands when I shoot. I'll report after the range.
 
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