The Continuing Evolution  of the 1911   

	GUNS & AMMO
	STI's .40 Falcon
	This Elegant Modular Single-Action Auto Is The Type Of Gun That Exemplifies Ingenuity And Quality.

Not too many years ago it seemed as though every month there was some new 9mm auto pistol to evaluate. The popularity of the .40 S&W round has caused something of a spectrum shift of late, for there now appears to be an ever increasing number of new .40 S&W's to look at.
The firm of STI International, headed by ace pistolsmith Virgil Tripp, is currently offering some of the most sophisticated Government model-based autos now on the market, with the subject of this month's First Look, the .40 S&W Falcon 3.9, being the latest (the gun is also available in 9mm Parabellum and .45 ACP).

The Falcon employs a bushingless bull barrel like those used on STI's competition guns.

The Falcon 3.9, which is comparable in size to a Colt Officer's ACP, is constructed mainly of steel like other guns in the series. The upper frame is machined from 4130 chrome moly, though the grips, frontstrap and squared-off, checkered triggerguard are of finely formed black fiber polymer. Despite the large magazine capacity, STI has managed to keep the grip width the same as that of a standard 1911 Government Model. The mainspring housing itself is of black anodized aluminum - a perfect match to the polymer.
The trigger is a lightweight titanium and carbon-fiber match assembly, and the hammer is a squared, polished, tool-steel ring-style. Other features include a frame cut for an ambidextrous safety and a high-grip beavertail, a steel magazine catch and a low-friction magazine well.
The well-formed slide has rear gripping serrations on either side of the STI logo. The left side is emblazoned with a bird of prey and "FALCON 3.9". On the right side is an STI International insignia formed from a stylized Texas flag - appropriate for this Austin, Texas-based firm.

Despite a large-capacity, staggered-round mag. the Falcon's grip is no wider than that of a standard 1911 Government Model. This is one of the most comfortable out-of-the-box autos that the author has ever fired.

Sights as befit a carry gun, are your standard Novak low profile, with a square notch rear and square blade front. The staggered-row magazine is of steel with a polymer floorplate and follower. While it could conceivably hold 14 rounds, due to current nonsensical legal proscriptions, it has been modified to accept only 10.
The sculpted bushingless bull barrel, which has been so popular with competitiors in STI's larger autos (it has a quad lockup system, with points on the barrel, barrel hood and upper and lower lugs), is also standard in the Falcon. The two-part slide stop has been so designed that the pin diameter can be adjusted to the size of the hole in the swinging link, providing optimum barrel lockup.

 

The Falcon's lower grip portion is constructed of fibered polymer. Checkering, fitting and forming is excellent.

To strip the gun, it is first necessary to remove the magazine and ensure that the chamber is empty. The slide is then pulled to the rear to the point where the mag release may be removed. The slide assembly is now taken off the front of the gun. To remove the recoil spring and guide, one must unscrew from the front of the slide and take apart the two-peice rod via an Allen wrench. Make sure that you are holding the spring and guide tightly as it could fly loose. Finally, the barrel may be taken from the gun.

Trigger pull on our evaluation piece was excellent, coming in at a very snappy 3 1/4 pounds. The overall "feel" of the gun is excellent, with ergonomics being just about close to perfect for my small-to-medium-size hand. In fact, it is one of the most comfortable autos that I have held in some time. As well as an excellent configuration, the gun's heft and ballance are top-notch, with the extra muzzle weight affordd by the bull barrel providing for a very steady hold and, as we found out later, reduced recoil.
Overall workmanship on the piece is nothing short of superb - inside and out. The finish is a pleasing semi-matte black.

Like other guns in the STI 2011 series, the Officer's ACP-size Falcon employs modular construction using high-quality components designed by pistoleer Virgil Tripp and Dave Dawson.

We took the Falcon to the Angeles Range in San Fernando, California, along with a supply of .40 S&W ammo that included Black Hills 155-grain JHPs, Black Hills 180-grain FMJs, Winchester 180-grain SXTs, PMC Eldorado 155-grain Starfire JHPs and American Ammunition 180-grain Alpha Delayed Expansion hollowpoints.

The gun worked extremely well with all brands of ammo and out of a couple of hundred shots, we only had one failure to feed with the Winchester fodder. I am more inclined to think that this was a function of the newness of the piece than a design flaw or ammo glitch.
Rested 25-yard groups came in regularly at less than three inches, with our best accuracy being achieved witht he Black Hills 155-grainers. These spreads ran in the 2 1/2-inch range.

The Falcon's frame has been cut for a high-grip, extended beavertail.	Though STI's competition pistols have adjustable sights, the dimunitive Falcon is fitted with a Novak low-profile unit, more appropriate to concealed carry.	The steel magazine holds 10 .40 S&W rounds, according to the law, but law-enforcement versions handle 14 rounds. The Falcon also comes in 9mm Parabellum and .45 ACP. Those unmodified mags can accomodate 10 and 16 cartridges respectively.

Accuracy with the Falcon was quite good, with 25-yard shots coming in regularly at less than three inches. Feeding with all types of ammo was excellent.

The Falcon employs a titanium and carbon-fiber match trigger, among other high-quality components.

The gun functioned well offhand, rapid-fire at combat ranges with shots hitting pretty much to the point of aim, clustering at about an inch plus. Frankly, I would think that the little Falcon would be an excellent self-defensive piece for those comfortable with carrying single-action autos. It would certainly be one of my top choices.
The Falcon is just one gun in the 2011 series of competition and carry guns in the STI line. For more information on its made-up guns drop the company a line in Austin.

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