pittspilot, that is a mind blowing good price. You scored.
Feedback on the Spartan? I've sold about 50 of them I think. Of those, we had two that had issues. One would not feed hollowpoints. It got sent back. They polished it under warranty, and it has been 100% ever since. The other had a problem with extractor tension. New extractor and it has been 100%.
So two minor problems covered under warranty. Everybody else has been happy, or at least hasn't bothered to tell me anything.
The only thing I don't like about the Spartan is the guide rod. I don't like that type of full length, and swap them out for either one of the slightly shorter ones, or a GI plug. Either way it is about a $10 upgrade. No function issues, I just like to be able to take mine apart easier.
Three guys in my shop got them for themselves. They've been surprisingly accurate, reliable, and overall good guns. At the price point I sell them on during the group buy, they smoke everything else in that range.
And plus, STI is my favorite company to deal with. If you want one currently, contact me for a quote. I don't post group buy prices publically, but my GB prices are really good.
I do like the Springfields, but at that price range you don't get the same features. You have to step up to the loadeds, and those cost more. I've not done anything with the Taurus.