I can think of at least 2 folks who will be along to clear this up for you.

 

Thank you sir, I will very much look forward to it.

 

Great question Jim... I only recently started getting in to STI/2011’s

Maybe @Descartian can chime in...

 

Well, I'm far from being an authority on this subject, but a quick trip to their website should show you what's changed over the past several years. The older, more traditional single stack models have been largely replaced by their newer "2011" double stack models that cater to the "run and gun" shooters. I have one of their "Edge" models in .38 Super that I really like. If I were competing in run and gun competition, I would probably have one of their newer models. My experience with their service department was outstanding - all of my questions were answered and they serviced my pistol for no charge - coming or going. It runs like it should.

 

I’m excited to see this thread, I’ve only seen pictures of them.

 

@Descartian

 

Dave Dawson will have some more stuff on his website to ogle since he’s a large dealer for them and also worked for them early on.

dawsonprecision.com

 

@Buck P. He should have some reliable info for us all.

 

I have several STIs I use for competition shooting. They have had thousands of rounds through them. These guns are reliable and dependable.

The reason people spend the money for a custom gun is because of the great fitment. If the gun is not properly fitted it will beat itself and eventually break. STI guns, even though they are production guns, are made so well they can survive shooting thousands and thousands of rounds. That is why STI owns the competition gun market. If the rare event that you break one they will fix it for you.

The new styling of the guns is edgy and may not be for everyone but the quality of the build is what makes their guns special. I just wish they still made a single stack.

And my experience is that the quality has been consistent. Recently I heard that Dave Dawson, Eddie Garcia, and some other heavy hitters have been consulting with STI to make more improvements to their products.

 

I remember when STI have a budget GI-ish single stack.

 

I think that model was the Spartan. Made in the Philippines under STIs supervision. Still was a great gun for the money. That’s one thing about STI, they’ll try anything.

 

Are all STI’s double stack and about the same grip dimensions? I would love to see some side by side pics of a regular 1911 and one if the STI’s.

 

Although STI has made single stacks in the past they really started with the 2011 doublestack gun. They made some fine 1911’s but the majority of their sales were 2011’s. The single stack Trojan is one of the most revered single stacks in the competition market.

I’d say STI took a little dip in quality from maybe 2014-2017. I think they were trying to throw as many guns out as possible and let warranty deal with the mistakes. That has changed. They have invested millions in new machinery and are dedicated to building quality guns. Of the older guns, I think the SAS prefix serial numbered guns were some of the better guns up to today’s models. I think that might of been when they were still employee owned.

There have been really no internal changes on the guns, still high quality machined parts.

Most of the models have the same internals. The DVC and Costa lines while they were out were perceived to have better fitment. I’m not sure if that’s true but they did have slightly smoother triggers and a lighter pull. Overall though you are still getting the same quality build wether the model is $1999 or $3999.

As far as their single stacks go I think they were very undervalued. They were competing in a supersaturated market with companies like Kimber that were dumping mediocre guns on the market that had perceived fancy features and good marketing. It’s hard to build a quality gun in that price point and still make a profit. Plus STI does traditionally not spend a lot of money on marketing. To stay competitive they had to keep their prices down.

Dave Dawson will have some more stuff on his website to ogle since he’s a large dealer for them and also worked for them early on.

dawsonprecision.com

Dave has been brought back to the company as of early last year. He is still one of their top sellers but now has a position of exec in charge of quality control (or something fancy like that) and has input on new model features and design.

Are all STI’s double stack and about the same grip dimensions? I would love to see some side by side pics of a regular 1911 and one if the STI’s.

The only old differences you are going to see is between the standard checkered grip and the DVC & Costa grips that have been worked over by Extreme Shooters. I tell everyone that I can, the only improvement on a stock STI is to get an ES grip. They recontour, reduce and stipple the grip. The biggest improvement over stock other than the grippy stipple is they get rid of the crash transition/edge from the front strap to the side panel. The new grips are more rounded similar to the ES grips, the first release version was garbage as far as “grippy’nes” but I’m told that has been addressed with the newest version.

The biggest asset of owning a STI is knowing you have a lifetime warranty wether you are the first or tenth owner of the gun. They have a commitment to make things right. You can always rest assured when buying an older or used model that if something goes wrong, STI will take care of it.

 

Although STI has made single stacks in the past they really started with the 2011 doublestack gun. They made some fine 1911’s but the majority of their sales were 2011’s. The single stack Trojan is one of the most revered single stacks in the competition market.

I’d say STI took a little dip in quality from maybe 2014-2017. I think they were trying to throw as many guns out as possible and let warranty deal with the mistakes. That has changed. They have invested millions in new machinery and are dedicated to building quality guns. Of the older guns, I think the SAS prefix serial numbered guns were some of the better guns up to today’s models. I think that might of been when they were still employee owned.

There have been really no internal changes on the guns, still high quality machined parts.

Most of the models have the same internals. The DVC and Costa lines while they were out were perceived to have better fitment. I’m not sure if that’s true but they did have slightly smoother triggers and a lighter pull. Overall though you are still getting the same quality build wether the model is $1999 or $3999.

As far as their single stacks go I think they were very undervalued. They were competing in a supersaturated market with companies like Kimber that were dumping mediocre guns on the market that had perceived fancy features and good marketing. It’s hard to build a quality gun in that price point and still make a profit. Plus STI does traditionally not spend a lot of money on marketing. To stay competitive they had to keep their prices down.



Dave has been brought back to the company as of early last year. He is still one of their top sellers but now has a position of exec in charge of quality control (or something fancy like that) and has input on new model features and design.



The only old differences you are going to see is between the standard checkered grip and the DVC & Costa grips that have been worked over by Extreme Shooters. I tell everyone that I can, the only improvement on a stock STI is to get an ES grip. They recontour, reduce and stipple the grip. The biggest improvement over stock other than the grippy stipple is they get rid of the crash transition/edge from the front strap to the side panel. The new grips are more rounded similar to the ES grips, the first release version was garbage as far as “grippy’nes” but I’m told that has been addressed with the newest version.

The biggest asset of owning a STI is knowing you have a lifetime warranty wether you are the first or tenth owner of the gun. They have a commitment to make things right. You can always rest assured when buying an older or used model that if something goes wrong, STI will take care of it.

Great info. Thank you for taking the time to write it up.

 

Years ago I had an infatuation with the double stack when Para Ordnance,
the original Canadian Version hit the market. I built a kit gun and rebuilt a
P12 in 45. I have a emotional attachment to and still have those guns as well as
two Limiteds, one each from the Canadian Para Ordnance, and one from the later
Para USA. There is a huge quality difference between the two with the
advantage going to the original Para Ordnance.
When the company sold out to become the Para USA brand things really went down hill.
So I decided that the double stack 1911 thing was a great Idea that was poorly
engineered, as was a flash in the pan, and doomed for obsolescence.

During the next decade, I became a diehard traditional 1911 guy.
When the 2011 by companies like STI hit the market, I thought here we go again, and
just ignored it as a gamers gun and I was no longer competing.

Last year I watched a limited production unfired STI Hawk, a lower end no frills
9mm 2011 hit the board and eventually I thought it a perfect opportunity to try something
new without a huge financial commitment, so I bought it. Then it just sat for months.
Then one day I got it out and to my surprise it seemed well built and a great value.
Then I took it to the range and that changed everything.
I guess you can say I drank the koolaide.
Then came the Nighthawk DS Classic and finally the Staccato P Duo.
In about 1000 rounds, not a single failure of any kind, including the 38 Superb
Conversion barrels that were installed.
My 2011 guns are every bit as accurate and reliable a any gun I own, and
having a ridiculous capacity I am considering putting my Staccato P into
my EDC rotation.

I guess you can call me a believer.

 

@Dwe, you need to send the Hawk’s grip off to Jason @ Extreme Shooters. It’ll be the best $100 you could spend on that gun.

 

Thanks, however as strange as it seems, I’m ok with the Hawks grip..o:

 

I own 10 STIs with only 1 being a 2011. Customer service is fantastic and all were great shooters out of the box. I much prefer a carbon steel 1911s in hard chrome or Cerakote than the stainless options in the same price range. Please notice I said in the same price range and not the same quality (DW cough cough......)

 

At one time I owned 6 STI single stacks. Now I’m down to 4 and I doubt they are leaving anytime soon.

I agree that in 2014-2017 they released some that were not as great as they could be.

My shooting partner and I both got a couple that had less than great triggers. Rest of the pistol was outstanding just bad trigger. Luckily we have a very good gunsmith that can fix that.

Not the best finished guns but man, they can shoot!