 |
 |
The Continuing Evolution of the 1911
|
 The STI "VIP" is a quality-made single-action .45 ACP auto pistol that has a composite aluminum alloy polymer frame. |
Concealed Carry Auto
In past issues of this magazine we have evaluated several STI auto pistols. All have been compact pistols based on the tried and tested Colt/Browning 1911 Government Model design. The "VIP" follows the same single action firing trend being a compact single action auto pistol. Its most notable feature is that it uses both metal and polymer. This is a feature that was used in STI's first competition high-capacity auto pistols of some years ago.
| 25-YARD BENCH
REST ACCURACY PERFORMANCE STI INTERNATIONAL "VIP" CONCEALED CARRY .45 ACP AUTO PISTOL |
|||
| AMMO USED | GROUP SIZE (INCHES) | ||
| SMALLEST | LARGEST | AVERAGE | |
| Black Hills 230-Grain JHP | 1 1/2 | 3 1/4 | 2 5/8 |
| COR BON 185-GRAIN JHP | 3 1/2 | 5 3/8 | 4 5/8 |
| PMC 230-GRAIN JHP | 4 1/2 | 5 1/2 | 5 |
| NOTES: Shooting was done at 25 yards from a seated bench rest using a sand bag rest in a ballistic tunnel. Groups are five shots measured center to center. Elevation was 3,250 feel above sea level. Temperature was 50 degrees F. | |||
ACTION TYPE
The VIP is a locked breech
design that uses the Browning swinging link system to lock the barrel during
firing. Its hybrid frame consists of a modular upper body made of a tough
aluminum alloy that houses the trigger mechanism and the rails that secure the
stainless steel slide. The actual grip and trigger guard is a molding of very
high quality that incorporates the grip panels and houses the 10-round
double-column magazine. The single action firing system
has an STI long, curved trigger. The pistol has the usual controls of
manual safety, grip safety, slide stop, and magazine catch. These include
features like a beavertail grip safety and a slotted round spur hammer. The
sights are fixed with the rear assembly being the popular Novak design that is
adjustable for windage.
FIT AND FINISH
VIP comes in a lockable
padded plastic case. The fit and finish same high quality displayed on STI autos
that I have evaluated. The polymer grip is especially noteworthy in respect of
the quality of its molding. The trigger pull was nice and crisp, breaking at
just on four pounds. The sights provided a good clear sight picture. The grip
was comfortable for my hands providing me with good access of the trigger and
all the controls.
 When shot from a bench rest, the pistol delivered good combat accuracy as shown by this 1 1/2 inch group shot with Black Hills ammo. The pistol performed equally well on the combat range keeping all shots within the nine ring of a B27 target center. |
SHOOTING PERFORMANCE
The VIP was shot for accuracy
from a bench rest using the ammunition listed in the accompanying chart. The
pistol delivered good combat accuracy with Black Hills delivering the best
groups. The regulation of the sights grouped all the ammunition about two inches
left and above my point of aim. Recoil was mild and the good trigger and sights
made the pistol very easy and pleasant to shoot.
The VIP performed equally well on the combat range keeping all my shots within the nine ring of a B-27 target center back to 20 yards. Of these, six were in the ten ring. Recoil was mild making it easy to shoot fast, accurate two shot strings.
RELIABILITY
Initially there were some
minor problems with the pistol. The pistol consistently locked open when one or
two shots were still in the magazine. At first I thought I might have
inadvertently engaged the slide stop with my thumb but as the same was not
catching in the slide stop notch, this obviously was not the problem. I sent the
pistol back to STI who returned it a few days later stating the problem was a
bad magazine. I returned to the range and this time the pistol performed
flawlessly with all of the ammunition.
Aside from a problematic magazine, the VIP is a quality-made compact pistol well suited for concealed carry purposes.
|
The pistol has a stianless steel slide that has Novak style low-mount, high visibility fixed sights. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
STI - Designed to Perform
All items Copyright © 1998-2001 STI International, Inc.
STI, STI International, and the STI Swirl are registered trademarks
of STI International, Inc.
Web site design and management by Kevin
J. Solito