Discussion on our STI Spartan review

[John]

Please use this thread to discuss our review of the STI Spartan 1911, in our E-zine (http://ezine.m1911.org/STISpartan_frame.htm).

[Baldy]

I would like to thank Slim for a fine report. I like the use of all types of ammo as I think that gives us the reader more insight to how the pistol performs in real time. I will keep the STI on my list as I hope to get another 1911 this year. Good job.

[Pakn1911]

Steve,

Another great report. I also like the idea of including the Wolf ammo, it is out there and used often.

TM

[auto45]

Very nice report.

Looks like a "winner", no doubt they will sell a lot.

[bohol1911]

Very nice review Sir!

Makes me proud having owned one (of the twenty).

If the Spartan was featured in this months SHOT SHOW 2007, it was first launched here in the Philippines last November 2006 during the gunshow.

Of course, being Pinoy-made, the initial acceptance was not that warm(as most of us are very skeptical). But now, those skeptics are eating their hearts out.

The sad thing was that there were only 20 units up for sale in the local market then and until now.

It has been the Limited Twenty STI Spartans.

It's quite ironic that it's made in the Philippines yet still limited in the Philippines.

[daveohno]

Steve, I enjoyed reading your review. Good job. Hope your package arrives soon!

[Rio Vista Slim]

Steve, I enjoyed reading your review. Good job. Hope your package arrives soon!
Thanks Dave!
;) As it turns out, I shipped the Spartan back to STI on my way home from work yesterday afternoon, and the CED Millennium chronograph was waiting for me when I got home. :D

[Jeffrey]

Steve,

A excellent review on the Spartan. It looks like STI has raised the ante in the "entry level" 1911 field.

[Rio Vista Slim]

Steve,

Another great report. I also like the idea of including the Wolf ammo, it is out there and used often.

TM
Pakn1911,
Thank you for the complimentary response to the STI Spartan gun test.

I specifically bought the Wolf ammo for the reasons stated in the report. It will become a "regular" on all of my tests.

bohol1911,
Thank you for your response, and congratulations on being one of the "exclusive" owners of a Spartan.

Baldy, auto45, and Radar,
Thank you very much! :o

[John]

Well, Wolf's marketing person promised me they'd check out our sites and maybe they'll send us some ammo for our reviews. We'll see.

[thepresAPI/RIA]

next time ask for some armscor ammo and I'll send it. Great review.

[Primer]

Also got one spartan before the year ended. The review is the same with my experience and expectations.

Good review.

[Roper]

As usual, a fine, informative review. Thank you Slim.
Now what I would like to see is a review/comparison with an Armscor Tactical.

[Rio Vista Slim]

As usual, a fine, informative review. Thank you Slim.
Now what I would like to see is a review/comparison with an Armscor Tactical.
Roper,
You are more than welcome, sir.
A comparison/contrast piece may be in the future, but the pistols involved might be a surprise............or not! ;)

[Roper]

tease!!!!!!!!!

[Rio Vista Slim]

tease!!!!!!!!!
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[daveohno]

next time ask for some armscor ammo and I'll send it. Great review.
That's a generous offer!

[Jeffrey]

Had the chance to "fondle" the Spartan this weekend. Fit and finish were excellent and at $519 I believe that is a great price.

[Gamestationx360]

I got a chance to shoot my buddy Dale's Spartan (here's his review http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=2906477 he posts as Crzy_one) It shoots like a dream. I also shot my Charles Daly on that day so I had a nice comparison of our guns, It's funny both our guns are made by armscor but his finish is nicer and it shoots cleaner. He posted alot of pics so check it out.

Sean :D

[mo' guns]

Rio Vista Slim,

Excellent review! Thanks for time and effort to bring us real world observations of our "objects of desire"! :D

Mo'

[Rio Vista Slim]

Rio Vista Slim,

Excellent review! Thanks for time and effort to bring us real world observations of our "objects of desire"! :D

Mo'
Mo',
Thank you for the compliment. I have gotten a great deal of satisfaction from being able to test pistols that are affordable to almost anyone who reads these reviews. The fact the guns perform so well is just "icing on the cake"!

[Gelineau]

Great review. It actually confirmed what I have been reading and hearing about STI and their Spartan 1911. I picked mine up yesterday for ~600$ here locally. I took it home and read the manual (did anyone read this before printing it?? Filled with spelling and grammatical errors, really awful stuff.) and started field stripping it so I could clean it. This is where some of my newbie frustrations began. I am a complete newbie to this style of gun. The only other types I've ever field stripped are newer model S&W and Springfield semi-auto's , nothing with a removable guide rod etc.

I popped the slide stop out with no problems and removed the slide from the frame. I then removed the guide rod plug carefully and took it off the spring and rod, removed them from the slide. Here is problem #1 for me, I CANNOT remove the barrel because the bushing will NOT turn more than 1/4 of a turn counterclockwise. Again, I am a newbie and you're probably laughing but it's quite frustrating. I can clean the bore without removing this but it sure would be nice to get underneath there. Any suggestions?

I also have one heck of a time getting the slide stop back in correctly. I went back to the gun shops this morning and they were really nice and showed me how to do it properly but I got it home, took it out and took another 20 minutes getting it back in. Any suggestions? The manual is no help and I really don't want to hate cleaning this thing. I guess this is all part of the learning curve for me and wanted to share my experience.

I'll make sure to update how it performs and anything I notice about this fine looking firearm.

[John]

The barrel bushing shouldn't turn more than 1/4 turn counter-clockwise. If you have removed the recoil spring plug etc, look at the lower side of the bushing, you will see a ledge which when aligned with the opening at the front of the slide, it will allow you to remove the barrel. If the bushing is tight and doesn't come out by hand, turn the slide upside down and push the barrel link forward. Then push the barrel forward and ram it against the bushing, from the inside of the slide, both the bushing and the barrel will come off.

As for putting it back together, read the review that Rio published, I think he covered that.

[Gelineau]

If you have removed the recoil spring plug etc, look at the lower side of the bushing, you will see a ledge which when aligned with the opening at the front of the slide, it will allow you to remove the barrel. If the bushing is tight and doesn't come out by hand, turn the slide upside down and push the barrel link forward. Then push the barrel forward and ram it against the bushing, from the inside of the slide, both the bushing and the barrel will come off.


Thank you! I guess I just needed someone to state it. And I seem to have found the hang of getting the slide stop back in quickly. I stripped it and assembled it in less than 5 minutes, which for me is pretty good.

I'm going to hit the range tomorrow, can't wait to try it out. :D

[Jeffrey]

Congrats on your new Spartan Gelineau. Look forward to your range report.

[Rio Vista Slim]

Welcome to the forum Gelineau!

I am glad that you figured out the problems you were having, and those are past you now. As you know, we try to assist any member that is having difficulties with a pistol, and the expertise available is unmatched. I am also glad that our review of the STI Spartan had a positive influence on your choice. Lots of new things arriving, so don't forget to check the E-zine frequently.

Once again, welcome!

[coltrick1911]

i have never heard of this pistol before but i live 30 miles from georgetown,tx. other than the review i read i know nothing about this gun.i was wondering if any of you actually own one, or are they that new ?

[coltrick1911]

the thing i was thinking was, that i could get a good price if i was so close but why should i buy this gun instead of a colt or ??? just wanted some insider/owner reply. i am planning to visit the georgetown,texas location this week and even tho i am a new member i will respond to any inquires, and would appreciate feedback from any owners of this gun. SPARTAN, by STI, the review has really piqued my intrest. Is there a chance that this gun would increase in value?

[Longslide]

John
The Spartan review was very complete in my estimation and was the driver for me to get one. It is very nice pistol and shoots very well. I plan to put NHC magwell on it per your suggestion.

I am not a big fan of parkerized finish but this finish seem stout as compared to my springers with parkerized finish.

Thanks again for the effort you put into making this forum a WONDERFUL virtual place to hang out - have fun - and learn.

[Rio Vista Slim]

John
The Spartan review was very complete in my estimation and was the driver for me to get one. It is very nice pistol and shoots very well. I plan to put NHC magwell on it per your suggestion.
Longslide,
Speaking only for myself, I am grateful that you found the test and evaluation of the STI Spartan useful in making the determination to purchase one of these fine pistols. Thank you for your complementary comments.

I am not a big fan of parkerized finish but this finish seem stout as compared to my springers with parkerized finish.
I think that Armscor (supplier of major components to the Spartan) has one of the better finishes that I have observed, when it comes to the manganese phosphate treatment on their frames and slides.

Thanks again for the effort you put into making this forum a WONDERFUL virtual place to hang out - have fun - and learn.
It truly is a place of vast knowledge, great people, and fascinating topics! :)

[John]

Thanks again for the effort you put into making this forum a WONDERFUL virtual place to hang out - have fun - and learn.

Virtual? There is nothing virtual about it, it's very real I would say! :D :)

[Longslide]

:lm: :lm:
Yes it is a very real place. Not unlike the local hardware store with back room for coffee and wood stove and lots of braging!!!! :lm:

[Walver]

Steve - Good shooting off hand at 12 yards. It shoots as well as my best 5" guns, I'm going to Dave's Gun Room in Norcross, Ga. tomorrow (Sat.) and check it out. I hope they sell for what you mentioned. I enjoyed the report with nice pictures, and like Baldy said it's nice to see the ammo. comparisons of performance with the guns. Wolf is making some fine ammo. these days. I shot some Wolf Match .22 that is as good as I've ever used.
Walt

[ArmscorBA]

You guys are a bunch of sand baggers!!!! :lm: :lm: :lm:
Ivan

[Mello]

Good article/review.

The Spartan seems to be a great value and I was impressed at the accuracy that was achieved with it. There were a few small details I personally didn't care for which were all cosmetic and I didn't care for the way the gun has to be field stripped. Beyond those small negatives I think I'd buy one if I had the extra cash laying around. Again, being a new memeber to the site ( Less than a month and a half)) I've been very impressed with the professionalism and the knowledge of all the guys/gals? that have tested these various pistols. M1911 is a quality site and I'm glad I found my way here. Thanks John! :)

Mello.