STI Trojan 5.0 options

[.cheese.]

I've decided on buying the STI Trojan 5.0 as my first 1911.

Here is the standard specs:

Caliber: 9 m.m., .38Super, .40 S&W, .45 ACP
Frame: STI Standard Single Stack Steel Government Size, STIppled front strap
Grip: STI Logo, checkered, Cocobolo, thin
Slide: 5” Classic Flat Top
Slide Features: STI Front & Rear Serrations
Trigger: STI long curved
Barrel: STI fully supported, bushing barrel
Safeties: STI Blue Grip and single sided thumb
Guide Rod: STI one piece steel
Sights: STI front w/ STI adjustable rear
Overall Length: 8.5”
Height: 5.3"
Weight: 36.0 oz.
Finish: Flat Blue
Competition Approvals: IPSC, USPSA, IDPA, & SSSA

Here are the options available:

• Hard Chrome = $300.00
• Thick grip (1911) = n/c
• Dawson Fiber Optic Front Sight (.100) = $39.00
• Ramped Front Sight = n/c
• STI Fixed Rear Sight = n/c
• STI Adjustable, Tritium Sights (3 dot) = $80.00
• Ambidextrous safety = $45.00
• RecoilMaster = $75.00

From the options, I think I definitely want Hard Chrome as the blued look just doesn't look as nice to me and HC would lend itself well to various wood grips.

Do I want the thick grip? I don't know. I don't think I'll find a Trojan around here at all, let alone one with the thick grip and one with the standard thinner grip to compare. What's the consensus on this? How thick is the standard grip compared to a Glock?

The ramped front sight is something I'm not sure about. Is that just best to not snag on clothes?

Tritium sights or fiber optic sights I might go with aftermarket so I'll leave those stock for the moment.

I don't see any benefit to a fixed rear sight. What am I not thinking of here?

Ambi safety I'm unsure about for the moment.

What's the recoilmaster? A vented barrel and slide?

 

[SuperNaut]

This gun isn't really intended for carry since it has target sights in its stock form. I'm not saying you can't carry a 1911 with target sights, it just isn't very comfortable. If I had known this was for carry, I would have voted differently.

That said, since you are looking at carry: hard chrome and a ramped front sight and fixed rear options will make it more carry friendly.

 

[.cheese.]

I may not be looking at carrying it. I just am exploring the options right now.

I like to try to keep my guns as versatile as possible.

 

[vetts1911]

I bought mine from Dawson. It is $999 and they have the ambi and fiber optic installed at that price. The only thing that I don't think you will like is the stuby magazine catch release and, you can't just drop in a new one. They have to be fitted. It took me about an hour but, I got mine done.

Thin grips are nice but, you need a small grip to really notice. If you compare to the Glock you still have a much thinner grip and the STI is very comfortable with grips supplied and the stippling on the front strap.

On a gun as accurate as these you may just want the adjustable set and there is a combat Novak style you can get that I think is included. The only sights I think they charge extra for is the night sights. refer to the Dawson deal and the fiber optic is in the deal.

The recoil master is a dual spring guide rod that works well. I don't use it in the 9mm Trojan but, the one I do is in my 45 acp Ranger II. Is helps the flip and dampens the felt recoil. They also come in two types light (9mm guns) and heavy (40 & 45).

The hard chrome if you are in a hot humid area it may be a good idea. My blue is holding up well but, I am sure it will be well worn next year. I can see holster wear and the blue leaving the grip safety area. It gets hot and stays humid here.

I have a 9mm Trojan and a 45 acp Ranger II. They are the best 1911's single stacks I own.

Hope that helps.

 

[waterhouse]

My blue is wearing, but the gun is several years old (back before they used ramped barrels) and I really like the worn blue look. If you prefer HC that is a personal preference.

Do I want the thick grip? I don't know. I don't think I'll find a Trojan around here at all, let alone one with the thick grip and one with the standard thinner grip to compare. What's the consensus on this? How thick is the standard grip compared to a Glock?

While you probably won't find a Trojan, it should be easy to find a 1911 in a local shop, and most of those will have regular ("thick") grips, so you can try them out and they should be close to the same dimensions as the Trojan no matter what the brand. Finding thin grip will be harder . . . total personal preference, I prefer thin grips and all of my 1911s have them.

Mine has adjustable sights and a fiber optic front, but it is strictly a range gun. If I were carrying it I'd go for the non-target sights.

 

[.cheese.]

Good idea on just finding a standard 1911 at any LGS and asking, "So... is this good, or do I want it thinner?"

As for the sights, here is my thinking. I wasn't planning on making it specifically a carry gun, I wanted a gun that I could carry OR have fun at the range OR compete.

Unfortunately, the adjustable sight does look to be a bit uncomfortable for concealment.

The flip side of course is - I'm buying 2 Trojans. So, I could in theory get one with adjustable sights, and one with low-profile fixed sights for carry.

 

[SuperNaut]

The flip side of course is - I'm buying 2 Trojans. So, I could in theory get one with adjustable sights, and one with low-profile fixed sights for carry.

a-HA! There ya go.