The Continuing Evolution  of the 1911   

If you have a question that is not answered in this F.A.Q. or elsewhere in our web site please feel free to send it to us.

Q.	Does STI sell directly to the public?
A.	Yes and no. For pistol sales, we only sell to licensed FFL holders. For apparel, we have our online store. For parts, we recommend going through one of our eight distributors listed on the website or a full line stocking Dealer. All of our warranty is covered right here in the factory.
Q.	What’s the difference between a Dealer and a Distributor?
A.	Anyone with an FFL can order directly through STI. Those Dealers who order at least five guns get listed on our website as stocking dealers. Our Distributors usually have most models of our guns either in stock or on order, where a Dealer will probably have a limited inventory.
Q.	What are the benefits of ordering through a Distributor as opposed to directly from STI?
A.	The biggest benefit to ordering through Distributors is the reduced lead times. Since they regularly place stocking orders, if they don’t already have it in stock they probably already have it on order. Also, our Distributors honor dealer pricing so the only thing you’re out is the wait.
Q.	Does STI use any of the "Mainstream" Distributors?
A.	The reality is that what most people think of as the "Mainstream" Distributors make their money by dealing in large volume sales. While STI does manufacture a high volume of pistols every year, the sheer amount of hand work involved in crafting each pistol currently precludes us from dealing in the type of volumes necessary for the "big" boys. The only way we could do business with the more mainstream Distributors at this time is by reducing our hand craftsmanship- something we choose not to do. "Our" Distributors are part of our family and we have supreme confidence Customers will be dealing with professionals who are intimately familiar with both our products and how we do business.
Q.	Is there a minimum order through STI?
A.	There is a $250 minimum order for FFL holders. For orders under $250 we recommend contacting either one of our parts Distributors (such as Midway and Brownell’s) or any of our stocking Distributors.
Q.	How do I get set up as a Dealer with STI?
A.	Just send us a copy of your FFL and our friendly and courteous staff can get you set up in no time. Aside from the $250 minimum on orders, anyone with an FFL can contact us directly to order as few or as many pistols as they like, although for faster delivery you might want to contact one of our Distributors first.
Q.	If a Distributor works on my pistol, does that nullify the warranty?
A.	Not if it’s an STI pistol. We have supreme confidence in our Distributors and dealing with them is just like dealing with us- they’re part of our family.
Q.	Does STI use any MIM parts?
A1	Yes. We, like most manufacturers, do but not in any of the "critical" stress or wear components. Our good friend Bob Serva of Fusion Firearms has graciously allowed us to quote his response to this question.
	"Gentlemen, the hysteria over MIM has been going on for many years. The facts are that MIM and PM (powder metal) are modern manufacturing processes that do have their place. Many parts lend themselves to MIM processes due to there shape and function. I have been working as a manufacturing engineer and closely with the firearms industry for over 20 years. I can give you some of my experience and facts of MIM and PM.   Q. Are MIM parts of lesser quality than cast, forged or barstock? A. NO. MIM and PM parts if designed and processed properly are as good as the other process for most small part applications. Design, material selection and heat-treatment processes play a big part in quality and serviceable life of the part. For example, most people don’t understand how many products they use everyday that are MIM and PM processed. Items such as the transmission gears in your car, valves, the jaws on the cordless drill you use and many types of carbide tooling for machining to name a few. Q. Why do manufactures use them in there product? A. Quality and cost. MIM and PM allow for consistent process that produces repeatability and good quality parts of complicated geometry. Tooling for MIM parts is very expensive and you need to produce a product with some volume in sales or it is very hard to justify the costs. Q. Can you make substandard quality MIM parts? A. Yes. Again, design and process control are critical to good quality MIM parts. But this is also true with cast, forged, or barstock parts. If good manufacturing processes are not followed you will get parts of sub-standard quality. Q. Why do we seem to see more MIM parts fail? A. This is pure Numbers. Most production firearms include MIM or PM parts- Yes, you might not want to believe it but most all pistols, revolvers, and rifles contain MIM or PM parts. Most people, without knowing the difference, have been using these for many years. Why we hear about it more is because the majority of pistols and revolvers have some MIM content in them. So, if we want to look at this logically you have to think in PPM. (PPM is Parts Per Million- it is a basis to how to figure a parts failure rate and its effect on the product.) For example if in 2005 there were 500,000 pistol produced with MIM slide stops and the failure rate worked out to be 1 failure per 1000, we would see 500 MIM slide stops fail. If in the same year we produced 50,000 with bar stock slide stops with the same failure rate we would hear of 50 failures. So Yes, we do hear of more MIM failures and we probably should due to the fact that they are, at a minimum, of 10 to 1 in annual sales. So Yes, MIM does has its place and it can and does produce high quality and durable parts. Yes, some will fail, just as cast, forged, and barstock parts also fail. I have used 1000’s of STI parts in production 1911’s over the years and the failure rate was basically the same with MIM as with the other manufacturing processes. I have worked closely with the people at STI for many years and their designs and process controls are first class. They do not skimp or try to cheapen their product to save a nickel. They use the best processes and materials available and they always have the goal to offer their customers products of exceptional quality and attention to detail."
Q.	Why can’t I have that option on this gun? You put it on that gun!
A.	Because our volumes no longer allow us to operate as if we were still a "Custom Shop", models are now built in batches of 16 like items at a time. Since yours is the first request we’ve ever had to do this (and because we can’t afford to have fifteen of these sitting on our shelf in 2012), we’ve had to limit the number of options available on certain models. If you are really sold on this combination, we will happily build 16 of them and allow you to sell the balance as a limited production run.
Q.	Can I use Wolf steel cased ammunition in my STI?
A.	No. STI's warranty does not cover damage or unsatisfactory performance caused by steel cased ammunition.
Q.	Where can I find a holster for my STI firearm?
A.	Holsters For Your STI
Q.	How can I tell if my RecoilMaster is Light or Heavy? What does the paint on my RecoilMaster Indicate?
A.	Orange paint indicates a Heavy RecoilMaster. Green paint indicates a Light RecoilMaster.
Q.	How do I choose a RecoilMaster?
A.	Choosing a RecoilMaster
Q.	How do I install a RecoilMaster?
A.	Installing a RecoilMaster
Q.	Why should I use the new, caliber specific, magazine follower instead of the old style that came in my original magazines?
A.	The original STI magazine follower was designed about 1992 for "IPSC" and "Steel Challenge" shooters who were using .38 Super and 9mm ammunition, and who preferred that their slide not lock back when empty. Now that we build so many more calibers for so many more purposes, we found it necessary to produce followers in a more "main stream" manner to accomplish a couple of things. These followers should cause your slide to lock back when the magazine is empty and, due to the new cant direction, not before. AND because they ARE caliber specific, they are less likely to turn over sideways in .40 and .45 caliber magazines.
Q.	Will the recent California Microstamping Bill affect California specific products?
A.	UPDATE  We will be suspending all shipments of guns to California effective October 13, 2007. This includes everyone from civilians to Law Enforcement.
Q.	What's the status of .40 Super .450 SMC chambered guns?
A.	We are suspending production of firearms in .40Super and .450 SMC until a commercial ammunition source becomes available.
Q.	Where can I find some load data for my STI?
A.	Try Jeff Maass' IPSC Resources Page Please note this is a community supported web site and Jeff requests that people send loads with powders only available in your area.
Q.	I do not reload but want to shoot major power loads in your pistols. Where can I purchase 9mm and 38 super major loaded ammunition?
A.	Atlanta Arms & Ammo. produces high quality ammunition for use in competition pistols. Their information is as follows. Atlanta Arms & Ammo. 721 Vine Cr. Social Circle, GA 30025 Phone:770-464-2203
Q.	Has STI had any guns qualified for sale in Maryland?
A.	All STI "2011" style frame kits are approved and listed. Also currently approved and listed are any "Eagles". Remember that an "Eagle" can be built just like an "Edge". The "VIP" and the "GrandMaster" have also been approved, but their listing will not be effective until August 13th, 2001. We will be submitting the "Trojan" in October.
Q.	Can I use factory ammunition with my Competitor, TruBor Competitor, or Grandmaster?
A.	The STI TruBor, and GrandMaster are designed and tuned for IPSC Major Power Factor grade ammunition. Factory .38 Super and .38 Super +P generally do not meet the minimum power and pressure levels required for proper operation of these competition grade firearms.
Q.	What can I expect the trigger pull weight to be on an STI handgun?
A.	About 3.5 lbs. on the competition models, 5 lbs. on the others
Q.	Can I install a SV left handed grip on my STI frame?
A.	There is nothing that we know of that would prevent this from working. Though, if we understand correctly, this conversion would also require SV "left hand" magazines.
Q.	Will SV magazines work in my STI gun?
A.	We think that the honest answer is that some will and some won't. We are given to understand that the SV mag release is located a little higher than the STI. From our experience on the range, however, we have seen some mag swapping in both directions.
Q.	What is the difference between a STI and a SV gun?
A.	It is much easier to answer the question, "Comparing the STI gun to the SV gun, is anything the same?" The answer here is, "Certainly. The frames are built by each company under a shared patent." Past that, it would be the same as trying to compare a 1911 Colt to a 1911 Springfield to a 1911 Kimber to a 1911 Norinco, or any other 1911 clone. Different manufacturing facilities, different people, different processes, different checks and quality standards.
Q.	What makes the STI "TruBor" barrel and compensator superior to the STI "screw on", or anybody else's compensator system?
A.	While independent tests conducted in Switzerland have proven that the S-2 and S-1 (STI screw on) compensators are the equal or superior of every other compensator on the market, the TruBor has several characteristics that make it yet more superior. This unit, which comes in a .355" bore diameter only, is fabricated from a single piece of 416R (rifle grade) stainless steel and, therefore, has no need of threads nor the area that the threads would occupy. This allows it to be .400" shorter and approximately 1½ oz. lighter. Since there are NO threads, it is legal in California, cannot come loose, is a great deal easier for a gunsmith to fit and "clock in", and is inherently more accurate. To explain further, since the compensator is both bored and rifled at the same time and with the same tooling as the barrel, there can be no misalignment. Because the alignment is perfect, the clearance bore in the compensator can be tighter, and therefore more uniform than is possible in a threaded compensator. With gas pressures equal on all side of the bullet, enhanced accuracy is a given.
Q.	What is the recoil spring weight in my gun?
A.	As follows: Compensated pistols 9 pounds 5" 9mm guns 12 pounds 5" .40 S&W guns 14 pounds 5" .45 ACP guns 16 pounds 6" 9mm guns 10 pounds 6" .40 S&W guns 12 pounds 6" .45 ACP guns 14 pounds
Q.	Can I order a Trojan with fixed or night sights?
A.	Yes, if your sight selection will fit an STI/Bomar or STI/Novak sight cut.
Q.	Will my preban magazines fit in the "V.I.P"?
A.	Yes! They'll just hang out a ways.
Q.	What is the dimension of the dovetail cut for your front sight?
A.	All our front sights are .300" X .060" X 60 degrees
Q.	What is your front sight blade width?
A.	The competition width is .110" while the carry width is .120"
Q.	How many rounds do STI double stack magazines hold?
A.	It really depends on the phase of the moon and the strength of your thumb, but the following guide lines are reasonably accurate. (You may get one more.)   126 mm length - 9 mm , .38 Super, etc. 17 126 mm length - .40, 10 mm, etc. 14 126 mm length - .45, .450, etc. 12 140 mm length - 9 mm , .38 Super, etc. 20 140 mm length - .40, 10 mm, etc. 17 140 mm length - .45, .450, etc. 14 170 mm length - 9 mm , .38 Super, etc. 26 170 mm length - .40, 10 mm, etc. 22
Q.	Why do the "LS", "BLS", and "Trojan" have such slim grips?
A.	The "LS" and the "BLS" are that way to enhance concealment. The "Trojan", by popular demand. If, however, you feel that this will be uncomfortable to your hand, the "BLS" and the "Trojan" can be provided with normal width grips on request.

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