STI International - Handguns, December 2000 Ranger .45 ACP

The Ranger is another compact .45 ACP pistol based on the tried and tested 1911 design. It joins the two other similar pistols; the LS9 and LS40 made by STI that I reviewed in our December '99 issue.

ACTION TYPE AND FEATURES

SPECIFICATIONS STI Ranger .45 ACP AUTO PISTOL
Maker:	STI International 114 Halmar Cove Georgetown, TX 78628 512-819-0656 sales@stiguns.com
Caliber:	.45 ACP
Capacity:	6 + 1
Overall Length:	7.25 inches
Barrel Length:	3.50 inches
Weight:	29 ounces
Sights:	Fixed Novak low-mount
Trigger:	Pull - 4 pounds
Trigger reach:	2.50 inches
Grips:	Wood
Finish:	Reverse Duotone
Price:	$1029.00

The ranger is a locked breech semi-automatic pistol that employs the 1911 Browning swinging link system to lock the barrel and slide at the moment of firing. It uses a duel recoil system. It has a single action trigger and the usual controls of manual safety, slide stop and magazine catch all position on the left side of the frame in the standard positions of a 1911.It does not have a barrel bushing. The barrel has a reverse taper that to locks its muzzle with the slide.

The magazine is a single column that holds six rounds of .45 ACP ammunition. The pistol is of all metal construction with a stainless slide and carbon steel frame. The grip panels are of wood. The pistol has Novak style low mount fixed sights.

The pistol's operating characteristics are typical of any 1911 model. The field strip procedure is also conventional. As there is no barrel bushing, the slide must be held open with rear of the slide stop aligned with the take down notch in to remove the same. As always check the pistol is unloaded and safe before doing this.

The Ranger is compact enough
to almost fit in the palm of
a hand.

FIT AND FINISH

The Ranger received for evaluation came in lockable padded plastic case with and instruction manual. It displayed the same very high-quality of fit and finish as the other two STI autos that I reviewed. The machining and finish of all the exterior metal surfaces was impeccable. The front strap had the unique yet pleasing scalloped rippling instead of checkering for a firmer hold while the grips had ACP the smooth checkering that incorporated the STI logo. The stainless steel slides has the flat sides polished which provides a nice contrast to the satin matte blue frame. The Ranger has the overall appearance of a handsome very well made auto pistol.

The fit of the slide barrel and frame was tight while held the single action trigger had an excellent crisp pull of four pounds. In spite of its compact size I was able to obtain a good, firm, grip and access all of the controls without have to change my hold in any way.

BALLISTIC PERFORMANCE STI Ranger .45 ACP AUTO PISTOL
AMMO USED	AVERAGE VELOCITY (fps)
COR BON 200-GRAIN JHP+P	823
FEDERAL HYDRA SHOK 165-GRAIN PERSONAL DEFENSE	824.5
REMINGTON 230-GRAIN FMJ	823.4
NOTES: Chronograph was a ProChrono digital model with the first skyscreen 10 feet from the muzzle. Elevation was 3,250 feet above sea level. Temperature was 85 deg. F.

I shot the Ranger in the ballistic tunnel at Peterson's ranch on a very hot day in July of this year using the ammunition listed in the accompanying accuracy chart. I began by shooting for accuracy at 25 yards from a seated bench rest at 25 yards. Although this pistol is really intended for close quarters shooting it proved to be surprisingly accurate for what is basically a pocket pistol.

The sights provided a nice clear sight picture while the excellent trigger made it an easy task to shoot respectable group with all of the ammunition. Recoil was quite mild for such a small pistol. The sights were well regulated and shot to my point of aim.

25-YARD BENCH REST ACCURACY PERFORMANCE STI International Ranger .45 ACP AUTO PISTOL
AMMO USED	GROUP SIZE (INCHES)
AMMO USED	SMALLEST	LARGEST	AVERAGE
COR BON 200-GRAIN JHP+P	2 7/8	5 1/8	3 7/16
FEDERAL HYDRA SHOK 165-GRAIN PERSONAL DEFENSE	2 1/8	4 3/4	3 3/8
REMINGTON 230-GRAIN FMJ	3 1/8	5 1/8	4 7/8
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 80 degrees F.

On the debit side I experienced a number of functioning problem with the second last round in the magazine consistently smoke stacking so that it could not feed. It seemed that I had a bad magazine and as the pistol only came with one I had no option but to return the pistol to STI for their attention.

Instead of a barrel bushing the Ranger uses
reverse tapered barrel to lock the muzzle
to the slide.

Some five days later the Ranger arrived back with two new magazines. This time it performed flawlessly and after completing chronographing the various loads I put it through its paces on my 10-shot combat course.

It mild recoil plus excellent trigger and sights made the shooting of fast two shot string an easy task. The result was that I kept all but one of my shots in the ten ring back to 20 yards which is excellent for a small heavy caliber pocket pistol.

RELIABILITY

Apart from the magazine problem the Ranger proved to be very reliable. My general assessment is that it is a worthy edition to the excellent LS9 and LS 40 pistols STI makes, especially as it only slightly larger in size.