Seeking Input on STI Spartan 9mm

cyclopsshooter · May 19, 2011, 11:20 PM

I have been having trouble coming to a consensus about the STI Spartan 1911. They seem to go on gunbroker for about $650-670 or so. They have had good reviews on the gunboards... Someone even said they are hand made...

But I can't get past that Armscor frame, barrel, and slide..

I would expect the $500 range more appropriate for a Philippine 1911- Not approaching $700

Can you guys school me on this

PS: What value would a Like New Spartan full size 9mm with box and papers, two extra Taurus 9mm mags, and an extra Wilson Combat 9mm barrel have?

Thanks!

KyJim · May 19, 2011, 11:25 PM

I have one. First, it is a cast Armscorp frame. However, unlike some others, the slide is FORGED. All the internal parts, including the fire control system, are STI parts. The gun is fitted to STI specs and they clean up anything when they arrive at Texas.

The trigger on mine is very good, the gun is tight, and it is accurate. I also like the fiber optic front and adjustable rear sight combo. Mine were dead-on from the factory.

You can order get it for about $630 from www.shootersconnection.com and also from Brazos or Dawson Precision.

Don Glock · May 20, 2011, 12:13 AM

a lot of folks like them. i looked at a few spartans.

i prefer the springfield armory mil spec. as soon i can find a NM frame one, it's mine lol

cyclopsshooter · May 20, 2011, 12:15 AM

why on earth would they not use a USA frame? They seem to be serious about everything else...

Don Glock · May 20, 2011, 12:33 AM

spartans are made in the Philippines by ARMSCOR.

STI's role is debated. some think they fit their internals, others think they arrive in the US completed.

it seems that it would make more sense that they are totally completed in Philippines. that would be the whole point of having ARMSCOR make them as a cost savings measure. just a theory

after all, the spartan was created as a bargain gun with the STI name for those that didn't want or couldn't afford to spend a grand+ on a texas one.

9x19 · May 20, 2011, 12:34 AM

The Spartan is STI's budget gun.

The Trojan is all forged, but the price jumps to around $1k.

cyclopsshooter · May 20, 2011, 01:20 AM

Ah, the pieces are falling into place now... Thanks!

MidwestRookie · May 20, 2011, 03:11 AM

i've never seen a bad post about a spartan...anywhere.

please offer examples if you'd be so kind..

Rugerismisticness · May 20, 2011, 03:30 AM

I've seen posts (because me and others wrote them) of the Spartan being a little hard on the eyes, but other than that it's a great pistol to shoot with. It falls into that value catagory like the RO and Ruger SR1911.

Don Glock · May 20, 2011, 04:06 AM

Quote:

It falls into that value catagory like the RO

the springfield armory RO is fit much better, and is priced higher accordingly.

KyJim · May 20, 2011, 08:21 AM

Quote:

it seems that it would make more sense that they are totally completed in Philippine

I believe that to be the case except that they are checked in Texas and they may occasionally do minor work on one. I again stress, however, that the internal parts are STI and the slide is forged.

I agree it is not as nicely finished as the Range Officer. I've never shot the RO but I can tell you my Spartan in my hands will give my high end 1911s a run for their money in the accuracy department. That might not hold true in a machine rest but it is as accurate as most of us would ever need or want.

9x19 · May 20, 2011, 08:23 AM

The RO also has a forged frame and slide, it's just too bad they don't build one in 9mm as well as .45 ACP.

I've never seen an STI Spartan with a photo-quality finish, but they do enjoy a good reputation for reliability.

zombieslayer · May 20, 2011, 08:27 AM

I don't care for the finish or the plastic trigger. They have a following, I'm just not a part of it.

thinkingman · May 20, 2011, 05:37 PM

Spartan 9mm experience:
Excellent trigger, features.
Extremely accurate, even with bulk re-mans.
Finish is parkerized...not pretty but perfectly functional.
The fit and finish was much better than my friends Brazilian Springer.
Function with an un-ramped barrel was perfect with fmj, picky with 147gr XTP's.
Good game gun, if you don't care about making Major PF.

MidwestRookie · May 20, 2011, 11:45 PM

Quote:

I've seen posts (because me and others wrote them) of the Spartan being a little hard on the eyes

agreed. parkerizing is a terribly ugly finish. i like that it helps hide the rollmarks a little (at least to my eyes)..

I'm having Fusion Firearms turn my Spartan 45 into a 9mm and I think it'll give any other 9mm single stack 1911 a run for it's money when I get her back..

KyJim · May 21, 2011, 07:05 AM

I took my Spartan out to the range yesterday and took a closer look at the finish compared to the SA Milspec I used to have. I was going by memory on the SA but I think the Spartan's finish is actually better. Maybe the finish is looking better since it has had time to "season." Parkerizeded finishes soak up oil and start to look better over time, discounting any wear.

May 19, 2011, 11:20 PM	#1
cyclopsshooter Junior Member Join Date: September 26, 2009 Posts: 9	Seeking Input on STI Spartan 9mm I have been having trouble coming to a consensus about the STI Spartan 1911. They seem to go on gunbroker for about $650-670 or so. They have had good reviews on the gunboards... Someone even said they are hand made... But I can't get past that Armscor frame, barrel, and slide.. I would expect the $500 range more appropriate for a Philippine 1911- Not approaching $700 Can you guys school me on this PS: What value would a Like New Spartan full size 9mm with box and papers, two extra Taurus 9mm mags, and an extra Wilson Combat 9mm barrel have? Thanks!

May 20, 2011, 12:34 AM	#6
9x19 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 1998 Location: Sherman, TX USA Posts: 3,750	The Spartan is STI's budget gun. The Trojan is all forged, but the price jumps to around $1k. __________________ Make mine lean, mean, and 9x19!

May 20, 2011, 08:23 AM	#12
9x19 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 1998 Location: Sherman, TX USA Posts: 3,750	The RO also has a forged frame and slide, it's just too bad they don't build one in 9mm as well as .45 ACP. I've never seen an STI Spartan with a photo-quality finish, but they do enjoy a good reputation for reliability. __________________ Make mine lean, mean, and 9x19!

May 20, 2011, 08:27 AM	#13
zombieslayer Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,198	I don't care for the finish or the plastic trigger. They have a following, I'm just not a part of it. __________________ "An angry prophet, denouncing the hypocrisies of our time"

May 19, 2011, 11:25 PM	#2
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,142	I have one. First, it is a cast Armscorp frame. However, unlike some others, the slide is FORGED. All the internal parts, including the fire control system, are STI parts. The gun is fitted to STI specs and they clean up anything when they arrive at Texas. The trigger on mine is very good, the gun is tight, and it is accurate. I also like the fiber optic front and adjustable rear sight combo. Mine were dead-on from the factory. You can order get it for about $630 from www.shootersconnection.com and also from Brazos or Dawson Precision.

May 20, 2011, 12:13 AM	#3
Don Glock Junior member Join Date: September 16, 2010 Posts: 1,141	a lot of folks like them. i looked at a few spartans. i prefer the springfield armory mil spec. as soon i can find a NM frame one, it's mine lol

May 20, 2011, 12:15 AM	#4
cyclopsshooter Junior Member Join Date: September 26, 2009 Posts: 9	why on earth would they not use a USA frame? They seem to be serious about everything else...

May 20, 2011, 12:33 AM	#5
Don Glock Junior member Join Date: September 16, 2010 Posts: 1,141	spartans are made in the Philippines by ARMSCOR. STI's role is debated. some think they fit their internals, others think they arrive in the US completed. it seems that it would make more sense that they are totally completed in Philippines. that would be the whole point of having ARMSCOR make them as a cost savings measure. just a theory after all, the spartan was created as a bargain gun with the STI name for those that didn't want or couldn't afford to spend a grand+ on a texas one.

May 20, 2011, 01:20 AM	#7
cyclopsshooter Junior Member Join Date: September 26, 2009 Posts: 9	Ah, the pieces are falling into place now... Thanks!

May 20, 2011, 03:11 AM	#8
MidwestRookie Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2010 Location: IL Posts: 462	i've never seen a bad post about a spartan...anywhere. please offer examples if you'd be so kind..

May 20, 2011, 03:30 AM	#9
Rugerismisticness Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Posts: 909	I've seen posts (because me and others wrote them) of the Spartan being a little hard on the eyes, but other than that it's a great pistol to shoot with. It falls into that value catagory like the RO and Ruger SR1911.

May 20, 2011, 05:37 PM	#14
thinkingman Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2008 Location: western WA Posts: 691	Spartan 9mm experience: Excellent trigger, features. Extremely accurate, even with bulk re-mans. Finish is parkerized...not pretty but perfectly functional. The fit and finish was much better than my friends Brazilian Springer. Function with an un-ramped barrel was perfect with fmj, picky with 147gr XTP's. Good game gun, if you don't care about making Major PF.

May 21, 2011, 07:05 AM	#16
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,142	I took my Spartan out to the range yesterday and took a closer look at the finish compared to the SA Milspec I used to have. I was going by memory on the SA but I think the Spartan's finish is actually better. Maybe the finish is looking better since it has had time to "season." Parkerizeded finishes soak up oil and start to look better over time, discounting any wear.