STI/SVI Frame width, 10mm durability

[EdipisReks]

hello. long term lurker, new member here. with ohio recently passing a concealed carry permit law, i've been looking at buying a handgun for carry. i've shot plenty of 1911s, and i really like the way that they feel and shoot. however, with the hopeful sunset of the AWB, i've been looking at hi-caps, and the STI/SVI frames look promising. how does the width of one of these guns compare with a single stack with standard stock widths? also, i am looking at a 10mm, having shot a friends lightly customized delta elite with doubletapp 180 gr ammo and absolutely loving it. how do the poymer framed handguns hold up to this cartridge, and how is recoil? thanks!

 

[Sean Smith]

I've shot a friend's older SV Infinity 10mm a bunch, and he has literal buckets of hot 10mm ammo through it. It has held up just fine. The grip is considerably fatter than an single-stack 1911, however. Recoil isn't bad, the lighter weight is a negative but the fat plastic handle is a pretty good recoil sponge.

A single-stack would be alot easier to conceal.

 

[EdipisReks]

thanks a lot, Sean. hmm, i think i might just go with a Delta Elite when i have the dough, then. maybe something along the lines of that sweet yost that you have, or Stealthier's over at pistolsmith.com. thanks!

 

[MoNsTeR]

The STI/SV grip feels larger because of the wide frontstrap, but the overall width is actually only a tiny bit more than a single-stack with normal grips. I'm at work so I can't take the measurements, but if no one else posts them I'll do it when I get home.

 

[EdipisReks]

hey, thanks a lot, MoNsTeR.

 

[Correia]

As was pointed out they are only actually a little wider. (I believe) but they feel much wider because of the shape. I actually like shooting the poly double stack 1911s better because they fit my hand better, therefore I shoot them better. I carry mine in a Rosen pancake holster whenever I can wear a coat or an untucked shirt. On the down side, spare magazine suck to conceal once you are used to carrying single stack magazines.

 

[EdipisReks]

thanks, Correia. i didn't think about the size of the spares. definitely more food for thought.

 

[Sean Smith]

It depends on how you define "wider."

At its widest point, a 1911 grip might be "sort of" close to as wide as a 2011 grip if you are using fill-sized grip panels. But the 2011 grip is alot wider and more "square" all around, while the 1911 grip tapers off alot more as you approach the front/back of the grip.

There is no magic free ride. You don't double the number of rounds in the magazine without substantially increasing the volume of the grip.

 

[MoNsTeR]

My single-stack with standard grips measures 1.26" across, my SV Scott grip measures 1.29". It's definitely true that the circumference and thus the subjective feel is much larger. However, if your concern is concealability, I don't know if that matters very much relative to the maximum width.

 

[EdipisReks]

thanks guys. this is really good advice and gives me a lot to think about. i think the next thing i need to do is hunt one of these guns down and see how it fits me. thanks.