daysleeprx
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Here are some images "borrowed" from a gunbroker auction:
New STI 1911 - for under $600!
- Thread starter Preacherman
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USBP379
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No additional posts in over a month?
Well, I guess I'll contribute:
I bought a Spartan from Thunder Mountain last week. I visited with Mike at the SAR show and was going to get a Spartan while there but got tied up with other things (other purchases) and couldn't make it back to his table before the show closed. Anyway, I looked at three guns that he had there at the show and all three looked identical with regard to overall fit and finish. That's something right there, as many "cheap" 1911's will vary quite a bit from pistol to pistol.
The gun I bought is tight. It takes just a little "pop" to get the gun open and there's virtually no play between the frame and slide. The trigger's a little heavy but certainly crisp and smooth. I've only had time to fire 100 rounds through the gun but that 100 rounds consisted of ball, LSWC and flat points. I used the Novak mag that came with the gun and a couple Wilson 8-rounders. As expected, the gun fired each time the trigger was pulled and I had no issues with slide lock or the like. The sights were set slightly to the left from the factory but a couple clicks with a screwdriver fixed that.
Upon disassembly, I found that the ignition parts are all STI. The magazine release, firing pin and slide stop look to be Armscor parts, as are no doubt some of the other little parts. The bushing is very tight and the barrel and FLGR are chromed. When the frame and slide are put together without any other parts in the gun, there's a little more wiggle between the frame and slide but both parts still mate very well. The barrel is throated and the feed ramp is very well polished. The frame is missing the little bowtie cut on the vertical impact surface for the bottom barrel lugs.
Overall, probably the best 1911 for the money currently available. Yeah, it's made of imported parts but it's backed by STI!
I guess I should get some pictures up to add to my review. But my gun looks just like the one pictured above.
Well, I guess I'll contribute:
I bought a Spartan from Thunder Mountain last week. I visited with Mike at the SAR show and was going to get a Spartan while there but got tied up with other things (other purchases) and couldn't make it back to his table before the show closed. Anyway, I looked at three guns that he had there at the show and all three looked identical with regard to overall fit and finish. That's something right there, as many "cheap" 1911's will vary quite a bit from pistol to pistol.
The gun I bought is tight. It takes just a little "pop" to get the gun open and there's virtually no play between the frame and slide. The trigger's a little heavy but certainly crisp and smooth. I've only had time to fire 100 rounds through the gun but that 100 rounds consisted of ball, LSWC and flat points. I used the Novak mag that came with the gun and a couple Wilson 8-rounders. As expected, the gun fired each time the trigger was pulled and I had no issues with slide lock or the like. The sights were set slightly to the left from the factory but a couple clicks with a screwdriver fixed that.
Upon disassembly, I found that the ignition parts are all STI. The magazine release, firing pin and slide stop look to be Armscor parts, as are no doubt some of the other little parts. The bushing is very tight and the barrel and FLGR are chromed. When the frame and slide are put together without any other parts in the gun, there's a little more wiggle between the frame and slide but both parts still mate very well. The barrel is throated and the feed ramp is very well polished. The frame is missing the little bowtie cut on the vertical impact surface for the bottom barrel lugs.
Overall, probably the best 1911 for the money currently available. Yeah, it's made of imported parts but it's backed by STI!
I guess I should get some pictures up to add to my review. But my gun looks just like the one pictured above.
orionengnr
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$635, plus sights, and we're talking entry level?
Hmmm...I've bought three Kimbers, two Colts and four Paras. The most expensive one just barely broken that price ceiling.
They have come and gone (I always find something I want more) and yeah, I buy used.
My "entry-level" 1911 was a $300 Charles Daly. Bought it just over a year ago. Yes, they are still out there...
combatantr2
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STI & ARMSCOR TEAM UP
From what I know on the spartan model - SLIDE is from armscor, frame is by STI. Assembled by ARMSCOR, and yes frame and slide are cast.
But of course all is backed-up by the STI company.
From what I know on the spartan model - SLIDE is from armscor, frame is by STI. Assembled by ARMSCOR, and yes frame and slide are cast.
But of course all is backed-up by the STI company.
Texfire
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Any variants with an ambi-safety for us southpaws? Inquiring minds want to know.
Phil DeGraves
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Looks a lot like the Taurus.
Correia said:
How so that it will be a Kimber killer? This pistol is made in the same country as the "famous" Charles Daly, RIA and Armscor. Very few of the successful competitors from that country use firearms that are made in their own backyard (that tells you about the quality of their products). I would wait and see before I'll call it Springfield/Kimber killer.
Zundfolge
Member
The slide and frame are made by Armscor but the internals and most imporantly the assembly are pure STI.
daysleeprx
Member
Because 1911s are like Lay's...you can't have just one 
Zundfolge
Member
You're already taken care of so this ain't about you.
I have no 1911s and am not going to be able to spend a grand on any gun for quite some time ... I buy a gun or two a year and they are usually in the $500-$600 range.
I'll get a Spartan over a Springfield Loaded any day (also a brand new in box Springer Loaded is going to cost about $750 or more).
Monkeybear
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No one said "Sell you Springer and buy a Spartan!"
All that was said was that if you are looking for a 1911, the new Spartan is a solid pistol and a good deal. Apparently you are not looking to buy a 1911 so any recommendation on a good 1911 to buy dose not apply to you.
I sell guns for a living. I've sold plenty of Springfields and Kimbers, and have owned a bunch of each. So I know a little bit about them.
After getting a couple of the first Spartans, I just ordered 20 more.
Just my personal opinion, but that's where I'm putting my money.
If you've already got a 1911 that you like, great. I don't see why some folks in the gun community get this weird brand loyalty thing, where if you hapen to like a competitor's gun, it is some sort of personal insult. Most of my first time customers don't have a 1911 at all, and for $600 bucks, this thing is awesome.
I'm not really a big Kimber fan anymore, and I type that as I have one on my hip. The prices have continued to rise, and the number of problem guns that I've seen brought back has continued to go up. Once again, not a personal slam on Kimber on anyone who owns one.
I'm not a Taurus 1911 fan either. Just haven't used one much, and haven't really been gee-whized about them one way or the other.
For the money, and for the features, I think this is a great 1911.
It looks like their biggest problem will be supplying the demand, keeping the quality up to standards because of the "volume", and without raising the price! No doubt the prices will "creep" up.
If I'm correct, it looks like it's about $200-$250 retail cheaper than a similiar Kimber or Springfield??
If I'm correct, it looks like it's about $200-$250 retail cheaper than a similiar Kimber or Springfield??
Bart Noir
Member
From STI's website (thanks to Preacherman):
From combatantr2:
The frames are the serial numbered this-is-a-gun part. So I am thinking that those who say that the frames are made by Armscor, are in error.
Bart Noir
Who maybe will watch that new movie 300 in a couple of months, and then rush to buy a Spartan.
From combatantr2:
The frames are the serial numbered this-is-a-gun part. So I am thinking that those who say that the frames are made by Armscor, are in error.
Bart Noir
Who maybe will watch that new movie 300 in a couple of months, and then rush to buy a Spartan.
I phrased that badly, let me restate the question. I apologize, when I read that again it sounded too antagonistic and I didn't mean it like that.
What is so great about this product that it's going to kill the Springfield and Kimber models? I'm genuinely curious. What I was looking for was someone to say "Look I have both and this is specifically why it is better..."
It looks cool, but I am curious why it stacks up so well against the lower end models of other makers. Is it just a better value relative to its cost, is it just a niche that hasn't been addressed yet, or is it the same thing that's just as good for less money? The only post in the thread that seems to address the question is Preacherman's post in #23.
What is so great about this product that it's going to kill the Springfield and Kimber models? I'm genuinely curious. What I was looking for was someone to say "Look I have both and this is specifically why it is better..."
It looks cool, but I am curious why it stacks up so well against the lower end models of other makers. Is it just a better value relative to its cost, is it just a niche that hasn't been addressed yet, or is it the same thing that's just as good for less money? The only post in the thread that seems to address the question is Preacherman's post in #23.
Lloyd Smale
Member
heres my take on it. One from an owner of a trojan. They claim all the internals are the same in both guns and are fitted with the same care. If so its the best bargin on the market in a 1911 hands down. My trojan is fit as well as 1500 dollar guns and is the most accurate 9mm 1911 ive ever shot and that includes a les baer and even a 952 smith I had for about a year. I just wish theyd make them in 40 as ive got enough 1911s in 45 and have never had a .40 in a 1911 and would like to play with one. I own and have owned many kimbers and springfields and in the under 1200 dollar price range id take a trojan hands down over any of them.
Thank you Lloyd Smale, that's what I was wanting to know, stuff like that. There's a lot of posts in the thread that says "This thing is great! STI is great!" etc. and I'm sure it's true, but I'm dumb and don't understand why unless someone points it out to me why it is so.
Lloyd Smale
Member
just the facts. IVe got few predudices because like i said you look in my safe and youll find kimbers springfields colts dectonics and stis and i shoot the crap out of all of them. Theres not a 1911 in the safe that has under 20000 rounds through it with the possible exception of the dectonics and its over 10000. IVe gone through alot of 1911s if they dont run there out the door. Ive had good and bad from all the manufactures and have some clue as to what makes a good one. My sti is one of them and so is every other sti ive seen.
go over to the M1911 form and they have a review of one they got in.
Sounds pretty good.
http://ezine.m1911.org/STISpartan_frame.htm
Sounds pretty good.
http://ezine.m1911.org/STISpartan_frame.htm
I still remember when the Valtro first came out, it was also dubbed as "Kimber and Springfield" killer. Bottom line, Kimbers and Springfields are still alive and well even after the Valtros "invaded" the U.S. If I'm not mistaken Valtros are made in Italy, and, IMHO, are heck a lot better than Spartans which are made in a country where the locals would rather patronize pistols made by CHICOM than the ones made locally in their own backyard.correia said:
I see where you're coming from though. You sell guns for a living and will build up whichever give you the most return. I guess your profit margin is higher selling Spartans than Kimbers and Springfields.
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