STI Guardian v/s DW Guardian, both 9mm

Petespacking · November 18, 2012, 07:08 PM

I'm in a quandary about these two guns so I'd like some thoughts form some of you owners. I've got a DW Pointman 9 and it is a really nice gun so I started out somewhat biased toward DW. The STI has my attention because it is a steel frame, not alloy and it has adjustable sights. I prefer adjustable sight so I can dial in my gun to my reloads. I'd appreciate any thoughts on either gun, good or bad. I'm not going to carry it I just like to shoot. Thanks in advance.

KyJim · November 18, 2012, 11:37 PM

I have both. They are really hard to compare because the STI was primarily designed as a range pistol while the DW was primarily designed as a carry pistol. Finish on the DW is way above that of the STI but the STI is built tight, has a good trigger, and is accurate (so is the DW). I actually find myself shooting the STI more than the DW because of the fiber optic sights. Recoil is low in both guns but the steel STI really soaks it up.

mavracer · November 19, 2012, 08:12 AM

I have a PM7 10mm and a STI VIP. Builld quality is very close between the two. IMHO if the STI has the features you want I'd get it. But I'm not really one for brand loyalty as there are many good gunmakers out there.

gunluver · November 19, 2012, 01:31 PM

I also own both, and like both. I carry each one as well. Both are highly accurate.
The Dan Wesson guardian has the aluminum frame and is lighter. True commander size with a bobtail.
The STI guardian is a CCO size, not commander size.....4" barrel on an officer size frame. Steel frame soaks up recoil nicely, but it is shorter. If you have big hands, keep this in mind.
If you want to compare apples to apples, you should be looking at the STI Ranger....that is a commander size gun.

Petespacking · November 19, 2012, 08:11 PM

Thanks all for the good info. I'll take a look at the Ranger.

KyJim · November 20, 2012, 09:02 PM

Let me back up and amend my previous response. I guess I had some brain freeze. I own a DW Guardian and an STI Spartan, not a Guardian. Zeesh!

GLI45 · November 21, 2012, 12:26 AM

I own both a STI Guardian (9mm) and a Ranger III (.45) and love both. Very tight, smooth, and accurate. The Guardian is my favorite carry piece. Have never owned a Dan Wesson, but my impression is that they are also very fine pistols. I'm a 1911 junkie and must confess that I am an STI fan. I own ten of their pistols and have never been disappointed.

November 18, 2012, 07:08 PM	#1
Petespacking Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2009 Posts: 108	STI Guardian v/s DW Guardian, both 9mm I'm in a quandary about these two guns so I'd like some thoughts form some of you owners. I've got a DW Pointman 9 and it is a really nice gun so I started out somewhat biased toward DW. The STI has my attention because it is a steel frame, not alloy and it has adjustable sights. I prefer adjustable sight so I can dial in my gun to my reloads. I'd appreciate any thoughts on either gun, good or bad. I'm not going to carry it I just like to shoot. Thanks in advance.

November 19, 2012, 01:31 PM	#4
gunluver Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2011 Location: York, Pa Posts: 381	I also own both, and like both. I carry each one as well. Both are highly accurate. The Dan Wesson guardian has the aluminum frame and is lighter. True commander size with a bobtail. The STI guardian is a CCO size, not commander size.....4" barrel on an officer size frame. Steel frame soaks up recoil nicely, but it is shorter. If you have big hands, keep this in mind. If you want to compare apples to apples, you should be looking at the STI Ranger....that is a commander size gun. __________________ Life is too short to not buy the handguns you want.....or think you gotta have.......or is just pretty......or a good deal.......(insert reason here)

November 21, 2012, 12:26 AM	#7
GLI45 Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2009 Location: Houston, TX. Posts: 143	I own both a STI Guardian (9mm) and a Ranger III (.45) and love both. Very tight, smooth, and accurate. The Guardian is my favorite carry piece. Have never owned a Dan Wesson, but my impression is that they are also very fine pistols. I'm a 1911 junkie and must confess that I am an STI fan. I own ten of their pistols and have never been disappointed. __________________ STI-Eagle(2)/Trojan(2)/Edge/Guardian/VIP/Rogue/Ranger III/Sentinel/Tactical 4.0/Escort; Remington Rand-1911A1; Ruger Redhawk/Blackhawk; Sig P238

November 18, 2012, 11:37 PM	#2
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,142	I have both. They are really hard to compare because the STI was primarily designed as a range pistol while the DW was primarily designed as a carry pistol. Finish on the DW is way above that of the STI but the STI is built tight, has a good trigger, and is accurate (so is the DW). I actually find myself shooting the STI more than the DW because of the fiber optic sights. Recoil is low in both guns but the steel STI really soaks it up.

November 19, 2012, 08:11 PM	#5
Petespacking Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2009 Posts: 108	Thanks all for the good info. I'll take a look at the Ranger.

November 20, 2012, 09:02 PM	#6
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,142	Let me back up and amend my previous response. I guess I had some brain freeze. I own a DW Guardian and an STI Spartan, not a Guardian. Zeesh!