Purchasing STI in California

[ewe]

I have talked directly to STI and they do not sell to California. Does anyone know of the best way for me to purchase one? I am located in northern California in Marin County.

Ed

[Frank]

STI has no handguns on the California approved list. Check out the California DOJ website (http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/index.html) for more information. That site includes a link to the Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale (see the navigation bar on the left).

So there is no way by which you may legally buy, or take delivery of, an STI in California, except by a private party sale transacted with another California resident (which could include the purchase of a pistol consigned for sale by a California resident to a gun store in California). Of course under California law a private party sale must still go through a licensed dealer.

California law is tough in this regard. There are a bunch of pistols that I'd like to be able to buy, but can't here.

DVC

[ewe]

Thanks Frank, I was afraid of that.

Ed

[darrenk75b]

The other way through the CAli law is the intra-failial transfer. You can have a firearm transferred to you from a parent or grandparet (who perhaps lives in a more firearm-friendly state). Pistols transferred in this fashion are exempt from the approved list.

Barsto has a STI-esque pistol on the approved list. It is a .40 with a full dustcover. It is about the only thing available directly to us here.

[ewe]

The other way through the CAli law is the intra-failial transfer. You can have a firearm transferred to you from a parent or grandparet (who perhaps lives in a more firearm-friendly state). Pistols transferred in this fashion are exempt from the approved list.

Barsto has a STI-esque pistol on the approved list. It is a .40 with a full dustcover. It is about the only thing available directly to us here.

All my parents and grandparent are no longer living. I am still looking for a good 1911 style 40 cal. Have looked at SigArms and others. I downloaded the list of approved pistols for California and when I see a possible pistol I make sure it is on the list.

Thanks for your comments.

Ed

[Extra_1]

Hi,

This was quite a conincidence.

I am new to this forum, and wanted to ask the EXACT SAME QUESTION.

I'm living in Los Angeles, and want to buy an STI RANGEMASTER, but unfortunately just found out that I can't.

Oh well.

H&K USP Here I come.

[Frank]

Extra 1,

Welcome to these Forums, and I'm sorry that your introduction here takes the form of the receipt of bad news. But there are other fine 1911s available in California -- much to the chagrin of my banker. And there is a lot of good information here. I hope that you decide to drop in from time to time and have a good time.

DVC

[Extra_1]

Extra 1,

Welcome to these Forums, and I'm sorry that your introduction here takes the form of the receipt of bad news. But there are other fine 1911s available in California -- much to the chagrin of my banker. And there is a lot of good information here. I hope that you decide to drop in from time to time and have a good time.

DVC
Thanks Frank!

God bless you .

[ArmscorBA]

Check with Bar-Sto Precision!!! ;) ;) :bf:
Ivan

[ewe]

Check with Bar-Sto Precision!!! ;) ;) :bf:
Ivan

Thanks Ivan but I just checked and there are no Bar-Sto pistols (any calibre) on the California approved list.

Ed

[edit]
Interesting that on their web site for their 40 cal it says that it is approved for California but it is not on the California approved list. Quite possible that the list has not caught up with the latest approvals.

[Frank]

I just checked, and the .40 caliber Bar-Sto is on the approved list. I thought that I saw it there. It's easy to miss because it's spelled "Barsto" on the drop down menu of manufacturers.

DVC

[ewe]

I just checked, and the .40 caliber Bar-Sto is on the approved list. I thought that I saw it there. It's easy to miss because it's spelled "Barsto" on the drop down menu of manufacturers.

DVC

Thanks Frank, I re checked the list that I downloaded and did see it there. It is a little bit pricy for me being a little over $2K. I am going to call them tomorrow with some questions.

[Extra_1]

I just checked, and the .40 caliber Bar-Sto is on the approved list. I thought that I saw it there. It's easy to miss because it's spelled "Barsto" on the drop down menu of manufacturers.

DVC


Hi Frank,

I was wondering if you could recommend any handgun that has similar quality to an STI.

I apologize for my ignorance, but I'm really new to the "handgun scene" and would appreciate any advice from you.

As you know, I'm a CA resident, and am looking for a 1911 gun in .45 that I could use in IPSC etc.

I've heard that Springfield Armoury handguns are of comparable quality to an STI.

The only handgun that I've actually fired was a COLT 1911 (in 0.45) that was heavily modified (had a Schumann barrel, optic sights, rubber grip, crisp tigger job). I thought it was amazing.

I'm looking for a 1911 where I will modify it to have a trigger job and sights only.

Thanks in advance.

[Frank]

Extra 1,

I know STI only by reputation and the fact that I've known quite a few shooters at my IPSC club who use them for competition or have used STI "wide body" frames for a base upon which to build a competition gun.

I've shot IPSC in the Limited Division, and later in Limited 10 (when it started). My competition gun is a Les Baer Premier II in .45 ACP that I've had now for about ten years and which has by now fired over 30,000 rounds (rough estimate). The only modifications are: extended magazine release, magazine well (Wilson), short aluminum match trigger (which I put on all my 1911s), tungsten guide rod and fiber optic front sight.

I've had excellent experience with Les Baer and Nighthawk guns. If I were looking for am IPSC gun today, with the understanding that I'd be shooting in the Limited 10 or Single Stack (if it gets going) division, I'd probably choose a Les Baer Premier II again or a Nighthawk Talon. I'd have to add an ambidextrous safety to the Nighthawk. Now those aren't the current "hot tickets" in IPSC, but those are the type of guns I shoot well and like to shoot. And I play for fun.

I've also had some good experience in the past with Smith & Wesson and Springfield 1911s, but I'm not sufficiently familiar with there current lineups to make a more specific recommendation. I would say that any of their current models approved in California having the features you're looking for and in your price range would probably be a good choice. A Springfield TRP (without the rail) or a Springfield Professional might be worth considerings.

Para Ordnance and Kimber have a wide range of guns available in California as well, but I have little or no personal experience with these makers. I know that many have had good luck with their models. Also, if you were looking for a 1911 in other than .45 ACP, Para Ordnance is about the only game in town (except for the Bar-Sto in .40).

DVC