STI Frames?

[Waingro]

What are STI Frames? Are those the metal Glock frames or 1911 frames? What is so good about them? I have been hearing a lot about them lately.

[bwiese]

STI makes high-end or custom 1911 pistols. They're a smaller-volume producer.

They got some press for stupidly saying how they won't sell to CA. ("Doh! I stoopid, I won't sell to largest, highest-income market in USA") and that they were at risk of lawsuits (in spite of passage of Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, and in spite of the fact their guns are already going to CA anyway.)

Some people like them. Most folks don't need a 1911 that good/that pricey anyway, or can find alternate sources of equivalents. I myself am not fond of using tight-tolerance raceguns for protecting life & limb/personal defense.

[gmcal]

http://stiguns.com/

They offer 1911 pattern or similar pistols for just about any need-duty, ccw, various competitions, in many calibers. From what I understand they offer their parts for sale so others can use them in custom builds.

[uscbigdawg]

Seems as though, there needs more light shed on this...

First, STI frames are basically a modular frame for wide body 1911-type pistols. The frame itself is made of two primary components. The grip and the rails. This allows two things. First, the shooter can individually carve and custom the grip to their liking to an infinite degree than on standard 1911's. Another similar use would be (when they were still available) switching between the wide body grip and single stack grip. Pretty sweet design, but not cost effective. The second big reason is weight. The lighter weight is just their design preference.

The steel & aluminum Glock frames that you're talking about are from a company in Virginia called CCF Raceframes. VERY high quality and affordable. I don't see them coming to CA any time soon.

What to do if you want a STI frame (or similar design). Either you can buy them through private party transfer or you can buy a similar design (by similar I mean identical) from Bar-Sto Precision. They have a complete custom pistol already approved and on the CA list. It's very affordable and worth the dollars if you're in the market.

As for the practicality of STI pistols. I'd say some folks need to probably shoot them more before speaking on the practicality of STI's and similar high quality pistols. If you see, from any quality 1911 manufacturer (STI, SV, Wilson, Baer, Nighthawk, Brolin, et. al.), tight tolerances between barrel, slide and receiver, are inherent to better accuracy. If built by COMPETENT GUNSMITHS, they can be made reliable. My personal carry gun is a STI Edge that's been tuned for better reliability. 20 rounds of 40 S&W and runs like a champ. Shoots under an inch and a half at 25 all day.

Rich