Decided to pick up a 1911 9mm with my last permit. My budget is around $650 and am considering the STI Spartan, Ruger SR1911 and RIA Tactical. Which do you think is the best? This will be solely used for gaming and not HD. I would consider a better used gun but only have 2 weeks left before my permit expires, so not much time to find something.

 

I think the Ruger looks the nicest but not sure how it compares to the Spartan in terms of performance. The RIA is the cheapest but it also looks cheap...don't mind spending the extra $150 or so for a better looking/performing gun.

 

Also, should I get it in 38 super instead of 9mm (in case I want to turn it into an open gun)? Would these even be able to converted to a decent open gun?

Not even a discussion, IMO. The STI is the nicest, and is competition ready if that is a possible intended purpose. The Ruger 1911s seem to be made of unobtainium these days. I suspect you will have difficulty finding one. The RIA guns are nice, and so are the Taurus', but I feel like STI is at least one notch above the others.

I just checked the Ruger site and I don't think they make the SR 1911 in 9mm at least it's not on their site!! So that will help you eliminate that one. I think the STI would be the way to go. You may also want to look at the Taurus, I know some people will say they have problems, but so far everything I have read about them they are working very good. The Taurus also comes in 38 super and 9mm. Anyway good luck in your choice!!

Ruger SR1911 is only available in 45 acp for now and even that is not easily available.

The RIA is the best bang for the buck, STI is a notch up but both function just as well. SR1911 is .45 only and you cant get it, and even if there was a 9mm that was available I wouldnt trust a gun that hasnt been tested out by the public yet...

+1 for the STI Spartan. Call World Class Steel in Edison, they have a few for sale (732-494-0274) as they are an authorized STI dealer.

 

The Ruger, AFAIK, is only available in .45 ACP right now, no 9mm model. Like lunker said, they are very hard to find right now.

 

 

 

 

 

RIA Tactical is nice, but for a few bucks more, you get to support an american company like STI...and it's what Obama said he wanted us all to do

Decided to pick up a 1911 9mm with my last permit. My budget is around $650 and am considering the STI Spartan, Ruger SR1911 and RIA Tactical. Which do you think is the best? This will be solely used for gaming and not HD. I would consider a better used gun but only have 2 weeks left before my permit expires, so not much time to find something.

 

I think the Ruger looks the nicest but not sure how it compares to the Spartan in terms of performance. The RIA is the cheapest but it also looks cheap...don't mind spending the extra $150 or so for a better looking/performing gun.

 

Also, should I get it in 38 super instead of 9mm (in case I want to turn it into an open gun)? Would these even be able to converted to a decent open gun?

 

Stop right there! I have several friends that own these Spartan models. They are target worthy right out of the box! STI makes a great product! I can't say enough good things about them!

Not even a discussion, IMO. The STI is the nicest, and is competition ready if that is a possible intended purpose.

 

 

^^^^This!!!

STI Spartan is an Armscor/RIA frame, just finished off by STI.

 

I would actually get the Dawson Precision Spartan as it has the stuff you need. The base STI Spartan is well, fairly Spartan. =P

No fiber optic front sight, magwell, etc.

 

http://www.dawsonprecision.com/ProductDetail.jsp?LISTID=80001331-1326311647

 

or

 

http://www.dawsonprecision.com/ProductDetail.jsp?LISTID=80000AE1-1263828368

 

sidenote, I might be mistaken on not coming with a fiber optic on the base model.

Maks - the Spartans do come with a FO front sight straight from the factory. DP does have an offer to replace the factory ones with one of theirs.

STI Spartan is an Armscor/RIA frame, just finished off by STI.

 

This is not entirely accurate...if it matters

 

STI ships the fire control parts (same ones as used in the Trojan) to the Philippines. Then Armscorp assembles the pistol with their slide, barrel, frame marked STI.

Then it comes back to Texas and QA inspects the pistol.

 

They're alot of bang for the buck and the Philippines doesn;t build shabby pistols anyway.

Good to know about the Ruger...one less to think about. While the Taurus does look nice, I scratched it off the list as I didn't want the series 80 FPS and have heard iffy things about their QC.

 

One other factor that I just thought of was caliber. A single stack 9mm 1911 really isn't that practical for competition (other than steel). I know I could still shoot single stack but only in minor. I'm wondering if I should get a 1911 in 40S&W to be more versatile. If I do, I would also consider reloading...but would a 40S&W reloaded to minor pf be as soft shooting as a 9mm? Some say it could even be softer but not sure what the consensus is. What would be a good 1911 in 40S&W in my price range?

what kind of competition shooting are looking at? For USPSA, you can compete in Single Stack and/or Limited 10 minor. For IDPA, a 1911 9mm is one of the preferred pistols for ESP.

 

If you are open to considering a different all steel platform, you might want to look at CZ's.

This one is in your price range..

 

http://www.dawsonprecision.com/ProductDetail.jsp?LISTID=80000AE1-1263828368

Thanks everyone. I just placed an order for the 5" Spartan in 9mm. Need to get some mags now

Awesome. Now you can get into mag debates (i.e. which is best). Good luck with that one.

I will say my Chip McCormicks work very well, but they are in 45ACP.

I owned Wilson Combat mags in 9mm, and they also worked very well.

Metalform 9mm 10rounders are great and can be had below $30 bucks from Midway.

I will be investing in a 9 mm spartan

Did anybody tell you the Ruger doesn't come in 9mm? :thsmiley_deadhorse:

I handled an RIA 9mm 1911 today at Mikes Gun Shop. He just got them in stock.

They are nice, I have to admit. For $550ish you really can't go wrong. These had

aftermarket grips (they were bought/owned already just waiting for pick up). One

of them had a trigger that could rival my Kimber. The other was a little stiffer but

felt about as good as another Colt I handled.

 

I know that sounds a little ridiculous comparing the trigger to guns that are twice as

much, but I've had at least 3000 rounds + through my Kimber and I'm telling you it

felt pretty much as nice.

 

Externally/Built/Quality may not be like a $1000 1911, but you know what? It wasn't

bad at all.

 

Right now the Trojan and the RIA are on the top of my list for a 9mm 1911. All others

are great, but I just can't justify the extra cost. Unless one of you guys wanna do it for me...

Good to know about the Ruger...one less to think about. While the Taurus does look nice, I scratched it off the list as I didn't want the series 80 FPS and have heard iffy things about their QC.

 

One other factor that I just thought of was caliber. A single stack 9mm 1911 really isn't that practical for competition (other than steel). I know I could still shoot single stack but only in minor. I'm wondering if I should get a 1911 in 40S&W to be more versatile. If I do, I would also consider reloading...but would a 40S&W reloaded to minor pf be as soft shooting as a 9mm? Some say it could even be softer but not sure what the consensus is. What would be a good 1911 in 40S&W in my price range?

 

Single Stack USPSA is the only place where you do have some sort of an advantage shooting minor.

 

Single Stack Minor is 10 rounds.

Single Stack Major is 8 rounds in mag.

Frank, thanks for the correction on that. I now better understand it.

Thanks everyone. I just placed an order for the 5" Spartan in 9mm. Need to get some mags now

 

I shoot a 9mm STI Spartan in USPSA, it a lot of fun to shoot, It can be competitive, the extra 2 rounds are nice to have, gives you move options with stage break down

 

Get the Dawson mags, best mags out there

I have the Taurus, i don't hate it, but for the money spent I should of went STI.

Taurus 9mm 1911, IF it has to be a damn 9mm.

Taurus 9mm 1911, IF it has to be a damn 9mm.

 

Ray- No comparison at all...

 

BTW can you send me a 10X10 of your avatar. I'm getting light on targets.

I handled an RIA 9mm 1911 today at Mikes Gun Shop. He just got them in stock.

They are nice, I have to admit. For $550ish you really can't go wrong.

 

If that was an RIA Tactical, you can get the Spartan for about $100 more. You'll get a FO front sight, STI internals, better barrel (?) and the folks at STI looking everything over. I also think the Spartan is better looking, but that's subjective. I've read that the Spartan series is more in-line with an RIA Match instead of the RIA Tactical.

 

I'm probably going to order several of the Metalform 10rd mags and a Blade Tech Revolution hoster from midway...any bad reviews on these?

If you are open to considering a different all steel platform, you might want to look at CZ's.

 

While I do like my CZ 75-TS (.40S&W) and it's a great pistol I have a feeling later this year when it's all said and done I'll be getting rid of the CZ to help fund a .40 S&W STI for limited and L10 USPSA. Might be also doing that with my CZ 85B Combat (9mm) for a STI in 9mm as my steel gun.

 

Would rather keep the CZ's but I know they would become safe queens after I replace them with something I would shoot all the time, unless I found the missing money tree I lost last year..

While I do like my CZ 75-TS (.40S&W) and it's a great pistol I have a feeling later this year when it's all said and done I'll be getting rid of the CZ to help fund a .40 S&W STI for limited and L10 USPSA. Might be also doing that with my CZ 85B Combat (9mm) for a STI in 9mm as my steel gun.

 

Harry, I can see getting rid of the TS since you would replace it with another gaming gun. The 85 Combat is a great all around good shooting 9mm pistol (home defense, plinking, self defense training class, etc). I would have a tough time getting rid of that one.

Harry, I can see getting rid of the TS since you would replace it with another gaming gun. The 85 Combat is a great all around good shooting 9mm pistol (home defense, plinking, self defense training class, etc). I would have a tough time getting rid of that one.

 

Oh I know, and I hear you, but I do have a dedicated HD/SD 9mm, plus a .380, a 410/20ga,12ga and a few 22's, and the STI 9mm would be a comp gun and I don't keep any comp/race gun for HD/SD being if I ever had to use one (hope I never have to) I would never want to hear a lawyer stating, well it's a killing machine, it has a hair trigger of only 2lbs or less, compare that the a NYPD and it's more than 5 times easier to shoot..

 

Time will tell, I hope I don't have to get rid of it being I have 14 mags for 85..