STI International - Handguns, April 2002

TI is well known for manufacturing a line of quality 1911 type of auto pistols. Up until now, virtually all of the pistols that have been reviewed in this magazine were compact and sub-compact models. By way of a change, this review looks at the Excaliber, which is a compensated long slide model with adjustable target sights.

Apart from the longer compensated barrel and slide, the Excaliber is a fairly typical 1911 design that employs the Browning swinging-link locking system and single-action trigger mechanism. It is chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge but is stressed to handle hotter loads such as the .45 Super. The magazine has a ten-shot capacity.

The barrel venting system consists of two parallel rows of round ports. The slide has open slots that correspond to the ports that vent the escaping gases.

Custom features include STI's unique scalloped front strap for a firmer hold and a checked flat mainspring housing as well as a fully adjustable target style rear sight. The wood grip panels have STI flattened checkering. The slide is flattened at the top and has fore and aft cocking serrations.

FIT AND FINISH

Like all the other STI pistols that I have shot, the Excaliber has the the high quality of fit and finish. Everything locks up tightly yet operates smoothly. This signt and trigger are excellent, the latter having a crisp pull of 4 1/2 pounds. The
pistol has a very nice even blue finish that complements its good looks. It comes in a black plastic case together with an instruction manual and the obligatory trigger lock.

SHOOTING PERFORMANCE

I shot the pistol at the Petersen Ranch range on a cold, clear sunny day in late December of last year. I used ammunition listed in the accompanying chart on accuracy.

I started shooting for accuracy at 25 yards with my Millett BenchMaster rest, using .45 ACP ammunition. Recoil was negligible thanks to the pistol's ported barrel and additional length. The good sights and trigger all contributed to
a pleasant shooting experience.

The Excaliber delivered very good accuracy shooting. Its best group of 1 7/8 inches, with .45 ACP, was shot with Remington UMC ammunition. Accuracy was even better when I switched to the .45 Super with Buffalo Bore delivering a tight l 1/2 inch group. Recoil was more noticeable with this hotter ammunition. While still manageable, I did find the checkering of the mainspring housing tended to bite into the palm of my hand.

While the Excaliber's length precludes it for concealed carry, it could be pressed into service for home defense. I therefore put it through my 10-shot combat exercise shooting both .45 Super and ACP ammunition. The .45 Super put all the shots in the ten ring, but a few of the milder standard loads escaped out into the nine ring.

The pistol was surprisingly pleasant to shoot. Recoil was negligible and the sights were well defined and easy to see. During this exercise the discomfort that I previously experienced with the checkering of the mainspring housing was not evident.

The pistol delivered very good accuracy with both .45 Super (right target)
and .45 ACP (left target) ammunition.

As the Excaliber ammunition. is intended for sporting and competition, I did some shooting on steel plates as far out as 50 yards and heard the satisfying ring of shots on target.

25-YARD ACCURACY PERFORMANCE
AMMUNITION TYPE	GROUP SIZE (inches)
	Smallest	Largest	Average
.45 Super	1 1/2	2 1/4	1 3/4
Buffalo Bore 230-grain FMC	1 3/4	3 1/4	2 1/2
Texas 230-grain FMC-FP
.45 ACP
Remington UMC 230-gr FMC	1 7/8	2 3/4	2 1/4
Winchester Clean Bore 230-gr BEB	2 3/8	3 3/8	3
Winchester Personal Defense 125-gr JHP	3 3/8	4 1/2	3 5/8
NOTE: Shoointing consisted of three 5-shot strings fired from a seated bench rest using a Millett BenchMaster rest at 25 yards. Altitude was 3,250 feet above sea level and weather conditions were overcast with no cross wind. Temperature was 55 degrees F.

RELIABILITY

The Excaliber delivered a flawless performance with all of the ammunition. I have been impressed with all the STI pistols that have passed through my hands and this Excaliber is no exception. It is finely crafted, distinctive looking, reliable, accurate and fun to shoot. The Excaliber should make a fine competition pistol and double duty for defense of the home.

On the combat range the Excaliber kept all ten shots of .45 Super in the ten ring
(right target) and all .45 ACP in the 9 and 10 rings (left target).