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STI vs Springfield TRP

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SkinnyGrey

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I'm shopping for a new 1911 and I think I've narrowed my options down to an STI 5.0 SS or a Springfield TRP. This would strictly be for home defense. I would love to hear any thoughts as to which would be a better choice. Thanks in advance!
 
Do you mean the STI Tactical SS 5.0? http://www.stiguns.com/the-sti-tactical-ss-5/

Springfield TRP http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=28

Both company's have good reputations for products and customer service. I'd pick the one that has the features you want and not worry too much about it.

For home defense it probably shouldn't matter, but that full length rail on the STI would give you some problems if you were picking out a holster for it. In the TRP line, I'm not a fan of the adjustable sight option, though they do have fixed sight versions. The adjustable sight cuts on the slide will limit your after market fixed sight options (I know what they are, Harrison, 10-8 Performance, and now Heinie. All very good, but limited choices).
 
You cannot go wrong with either of your choices... It will really boil down to personal preference. Get both in your hand and pick the one that stands out.

The STI might* be a softer shooter with the full length dust cover.

*my LB Monolith Heavyweight is a very soft shooter compared to my other 5"ers.
 
I own the TRP. Nice handgun, but there are a few things to be aware of.

The TRP is a true "operator's" gun, which means, among other things, that it's meant to be fired by someone wearing gloves. The front strap checkering is extremely coarse and aggressive...I'm talking hundreds of sharp little dragon's teeth digging into your skin. You're not going to drop it, but you're not going to enjoy holding it, much less firing it, bare-handed. Since mine is stainless, I was able to knock the points off with a medium stone without having to worry about the finish. That helped a lot.

Also, you're going to be dealing with a full length guide rod. Some people swear by 'em, but they kind of solve a non-existent problem, and create a few of their own. Takedown is complicated by the need to use a hex wrench, and you can't do a simple one-handed press check. I converted my TRP back to a conventional guide rod, and like it better.

The TRP has Springfield's Integral Locking System, which works by locking out the mainspring, and can be completely replaced with conventional parts very easily. The ILS complicates detailed disassembly a little, but not much.

Also, Springfield avoided firing pin blocks, such as Kimber and Colt use, by going with a low-mass titanium firing pin driven by a strong main spring, but again, swapping out for conventional parts (assuming you're not worried about killing some dirt if you drop the pistol muzzle-down) is easy, and improves the trigger pull a little.

All in all the TRP is a fine pistol, and pretty accurate. We have a life-sized prairie dog popper at 70 yards that I can usually hit with about every third round. The rounds that miss the dog would easily hit a bowling pin.
 
Neither is the wrong answer and either would be an exellent choice. IMHO it's a coin toss.
 
I have 2 STIs, never shot a TRP but heard only good things about them.

That new Tactical 5.0 SS is sweet...
 
Either would be a very good choice for home defense.

You could get a Colt XSE (or Rail Gun) for $300 or so less that would do the job just as well too. That would leave you money for about 800 rounds of practice ammo. Just a thought.


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Have you looked at a lightweight Operator? there is a sale on slick guns on them
 
For home defense specifically, I'd just get a railed model of either and a Surefire X300U light. Or a Streamlight TLR1 for a little less $.
 
Staying with the criteria of "home defense". You could save money by going with a SA Range Officer or Loaded model. I prefer SA because of the life time warranty. Either model you asked about is a great choice. Personally, I'd stay with the TRP in stainless and never look back. The one piece guide rod is a non-issue for me. I don't mind them at all.
 
I owned a Springfield once.
I prefer STIs, and they also have a lifetime warranty.
All STIs are "series 70" type, which I prefer.
 
STI refuses to sell guns in CA. That would tip the scales for me.

No. They refuse to be extorted by the constitution-violating criminals that run the state government in California. That's who you should blame, not STI.
 
I don't think he's blaming STI, I think he's applauding STI for not selling to California.
 
I have also been looking at 1911's again, one of our members has a nice TRP for sale in the buy and sell section and it's priced right, I may pick it up myself , one of my guns was supposed to go yesterday, and didn't or I would have that one. Otherwise Slickguns has a TRP in the 1400 range and a lightweight operator in the 9 hundred range, very nice price.
 
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