STI Guardian review discussion thread

[John]

Please use this thread to discuss the STI Guardian review we just published in our E-zine.

Thanks

[MacEntyre]

Great review, Steve!

You didn't say anything about the slimness of the Guardian. Is it any thinner than a 1911? The stocks look thin in your pictures.

[Rio Vista Slim]

Great review, Steve!

You didn't say anything about the slimness of the Guardian. Is it any thinner than a 1911? The stocks look thin in your pictures.

MacEntyre,
The stocks are somewhat thinner than those normally encountered, but the pistol itself is standard size.

Thanks for the compliment!

[Jeffrey]

Another fine review, Steve. This model sort of reminds of a Colt CCO?

[Rio Vista Slim]

Lucho,
Thank you for your kind words about the review. Why did you delete your post?

Radar,
I appreciate the compliment. The Guardian did remind me of a Colt CCO, although I've never had the opportunity to fire that particular model. As I said in the review, the Guardian was not only quite accurate, but handled well on multiple targets.

[elijdub]

RVS, Another excellent review! Thanks to you and M1911.ORG for taking the time to provide honest reviews of these pistols for the benefit of the participants.

I have began a trend towards favoring guns with a minimum length of 4.25 inches. I still do love my OACP for carry (which i imagine is similar to the Guardian in "feel"), but i experience the best overall "balance" with a Commander (as a matter of fact, just this morning i put away the OACP in favor of the Commander...seriously!). I too prefer the larger caliber .45 for carry. This pistol is the type that i would usually ignore, as well (small caliber, small package). That said, this seems like an outstanding gun, perfect for it's intended use, and i may well reconsider the 9x19 as an alternative for defense. I really like the fact that, as well as my OACP, they went with all-steel construction.

At first i was kinda' put off by the adjustable night sights, but they're starting to grow on me. It's a unique idea, and one i've never seen beyond the designs of STI.

I noticed something about the barrel; being that it is a smaller caliber than a .45 (yet with the same 1911 "specs"), the bull barrel has a great deal more "mass" and less "bore". I'd imagine this adds some weight "up front". I wonder, did you notice any benefit with follow-up-shots/muzzle-flip?

Do you know why STI decided to produce this gun with a 3.9" barrel? It's an uncommon size. There are a plethora of parts for 4.25", 4", and 3.6" guns. I wonder if they found a particular benefit to this specific size (bullet expansion, etc.)?

Question: how much is a box of WWB in 9mm from Wallmart these days (with 45ACP being $26 in my neck of the woods)?

Again, great review!

[Rio Vista Slim]

RVS, Another excellent review! Thanks to you and M1911.ORG for taking the time to provide honest reviews of these pistols for the benefit of the participants.

Thank you for the kind words Eli.

I wonder, did you notice any benefit with follow-up-shots/muzzle-flip?

I commented several times in the review about the weight of the Guardian, and of that weight being a benefit to follow up shots. Here's a brief example:
The weight of the STI Guardian is ideal for defensive simulation type shooting. Whether firing controlled pairs, Mozambique drills, or engaging multiple targets, the Guardian handles all with ease. For these exercises, I varied the distance between 5 and 10 yards (4.57 to 9.14 meters). When I was able to do my part, the pistol placed all shots exactly where aimed.

Do you know why STI decided to produce this gun with a 3.9" barrel? It's an uncommon size. There are a plethora of parts for 4.25", 4", and 3.6" guns. I wonder if they found a particular benefit to this specific size (bullet expansion, etc.)?

That is an excellent question, and one I have no answer to. I'll try to contact either David Skinner or Jay Dunlap this week and provide you the response.

Question: how much is a box of WWB in 9mm from Wallmart these days (with 45ACP being $26 in my neck of the woods)?

My ammo purchases for this test straddled the New Year, and the subsequent price increases. I'm afraid I can't remember all of the costs, but an example would be the Federal American Eagle 124 gr. FMJ. Last year I got a box of 50 rounds for $9 at "Cheaper Than Dirt". It ain't that cheap NOW!

Again, great review!

Thank you again for the compliments, and your interest in the review.

[elijdub]

Thanks for the response Steve.

I do remember your mentioning the weight several times. Sorry i missed the part about followup shots (they usually don't get by me like that ).

Looking forward to hearing what the guys have to say about the Guardian's barrel length (and thank you for asking them!).

$9 for 50 rounds...!!!! That really is quite a difference.
Ok, just because i'm curious, i'm looking at CTD's site.
--American Eagle, 124gr., FMJ, 9mm is still only $13.25 ($12.59 w/membership), compared to,
--American Eagle, 230gr., FMJ, 45ACP being $18.48 ($17.56 w/membership).
That's quite a significant difference (9mm being 60% of the cost of 45ACP).

[auto45]

Well done review.

Looks like a nice "pistola".

I have some things I would change for the perfect gun for me, but if it works...it works.

I do like two-tone, but like the "silver" on the frame, never on the slide.

[Rio Vista Slim]

Well done review.

Thank you sir.

I do like two-tone, but like the "silver" on the frame, never on the slide.

I mentioned that very point toward the end of the Guardian review. Luckily, the comparison was to the blue slide over Durocoat silver frame of the STI Escort.