I was under the impression it was built over there, and STI checked it for QC,

 

The Spartan is the best Filipino 1911, hands down.

Its an Armscor slide and frame fitted with STI small parts.

 

The Spartan is the best Filipino 1911, hands down.

Its an Armscor slide and frame fitted with STI small parts.

This.

My Spartan is tops... I absolutely love it.

 

Joshtn,

How do you use your Spartan? Range, CC, etc?

Admittedly, I'm not a true 1911 guy. Other than being a "Glock guy" more so than any other, I like too many different brands/types of pistols to say I'm a true, devoted follower of Sig, HK, XD, 1911, etc guy.
That being said, I get some others' bias (I think) for your higher end Springers, Dan Wessons, Les Baer, Wilson, Ed Brown, Nighthawk, Colts, so on...

And I certainly get there is a fundamental difference in fit and finish between most, if not all, that comes out of the Philippines, versus the names mentioned above (which may lead to bias, preference, whatever you want to call it).

If I can swap out bits like a forged, machined slide stop vs. a MIM, excellent (with fitting of course). I can take my pick from EB, Wilson, and the like. And I guess that goes for most of the pistol. Ultimately my question boils down to this, is there something that is quantifiable in terms of the metallurgy, etc. in the frames and slides of your Filipino 1911's, and specifically the STI Spartan, versus the names mentioned above.

If I were to acquire a Spartan, this would absolutely be in the carry weapon rotation, it would see range duty, and I wouldn't mind taking some classes with it so I could build in the muscle memory for the thumb safety.

Does anybody have any qualms about a Spartan being able to handle a little bit of run n' gun abuse?

 

I'm embarrassed that STI subcontracts the same cheap guns you can get from the Philippines via virtually any other maker. Maybe they run them through the line in Texas to check them out, but they're still the same Filipino gun. What a shame that a high quality respected shop like STI would do that for a cheap seller with their name on it.

 

Joshtn,

How do you use your Spartan? Range, CC, etc?

Admittedly, I'm not a true 1911 guy. Other than being a "Glock guy" more so than any other, I like too many different brands/types of pistols to say I'm a true, devoted follower of Sig, HK, XD, 1911, etc guy.
That being said, I get some others' bias (I think) for your higher end Springers, Dan Wessons, Les Baer, Wilson, Ed Brown, Nighthawk, Colts, so on...

And I certainly get there is a fundamental difference in fit and finish between most, if not all, that comes out of the Philippines, versus the names mentioned above (which may lead to bias, preference, whatever you want to call it).

If I can swap out bits like a forged, machined slide stop vs. a MIM, excellent (with fitting of course). I can take my pick from EB, Wilson, and the like. And I guess that goes for most of the pistol. Ultimately my question boils down to this, is there something that is quantifiable in terms of the metallurgy, etc. in the frames and slides of your Filipino 1911's, and specifically the STI Spartan, versus the names mentioned above.

If I were to acquire a Spartan, this would absolutely be in the carry weapon rotation, it would see range duty, and I wouldn't mind taking some classes with it so I could build in the muscle memory for the thumb safety.

Does anybody have any qualms about a Spartan being able to handle a little bit of run n' gun abuse?

It's a multi purpose gun for me. It gets heavy range use, carried when I go fishing (which is pretty much everyday), and is my HD handgun when I'm in my upstairs office.

The fit and finish on these guys is great... Mine has been 110% reliable through a few thousand rounds.

I'm not sure what AZ Husker is talking about when he calls them "cheap". He rarely knows what he's talking about on here and this is a prime example. They may be inexpensive compared to some (paid $600 for mine), but they're far from "cheap". He's probably never even held one, much less shot one. :upeyes:

 

Sartan is a great gun for a good price, never had a problem with mine!

 

Re-read my post. I was comparing the standard STI quality with ONE model they have made overseas. And $600 IS a cheap 1911 made by the same people that make all the other $600 guns. My point was it is a shame that a top quality shop like STI bends over just to have some budget guns to sell. Yes I've held them, and they even feel cheap.

 

Re-read my post. I was comparing the standard STI quality with ONE model they have made overseas. And $600 IS a cheap 1911 made by the same people that make all the other $600 guns. My point was it is a shame that a top quality shop like STI bends over just to have some budget guns to sell. Yes I've held them, and they even feel cheap.

Again, "inexpensive" & "cheap" are not the same thing. In no way does the Spartan feel cheap. The fact that you're saying that tells me that you're once again lying (not surprised) to help your agenda... I can say with 100% certainty that you've never even held one.

 

opcorn:

 

He rarely knows what he's talking about on here and this is a prime example.

Sorry Josh but I have to disagree with this and have no idea where you are coming from. :dunno:

 

Sorry Josh but I have to disagree with this and have no idea where you are coming from. :dunno:

No need to apologize. This certainly wouldn't be the first time you and I have disagreed :supergrin:

AZ is a liar. Plain and simple. He may know guns a bit, but most of what he says is a lie he makes up to prove his point. I have caught him red handed in a few lies in the past, and have even openly called him out, with proof, once in a USPS thread.

I have zero respect for anyone that finds it necessary to lie to prove a point. It's fine if you have respect for him... I don't.

 

No need to apologize. This certainly wouldn't be the first time you and I have disagreed :supergrin:

AZ is a liar. Plain and simple. He may know guns a bit, but most of what he says is a lie he makes up to prove his point. I have caught him red handed in a few lies in the past, and have even openly called him out, with proof, once in a USPS thread.

I have zero respect for anyone that finds it necessary to lie to prove a point. It's fine if you have respect for him... I don't.

AZ Husker and I rarely see eyes to eyes on most things; guns and politics, especially motorcycles. However, how does his statement make him a liar in this case?

STI does commission a low price foreign company to make for them a line that is...well, cheap.

However, STI is hardly the only outfit that does that sort of thing. Witness the Colt .22LR Umarex that has Colt-approved logo on it.

 

AZ Husker and I rarely see eyes to eyes on most things; guns and politics, especially motorcycles. However, how does his statement make him a liar in this case?

STI does commission a low price foreign company to make for them a line that is...well, cheap.

However, STI is hardly the only outfit that does that sort of thing. Witness the Colt .22LR Umarex that has Colt-approved logo on it.

His being a liar has nothing to do with this. That was emotion getting the best of me :embarassed:

What got me was him saying it felt cheap, which just isn't true. It's a very well built gun for the money and feels far from cheap... Again, inexpensive and cheap are two different animals.

 

I have 2 STI pistols and they are great guns. I also have pistols from Nighthawk and Wilson. Do the STIs compare to the Nighthawk and Wilson? No. Are the STIs well-built? Yes. If I could only afford $600 or so for a 1911 and picked a pistol from the STI line (Spartan models) then I would not feel like I got a cheap gun.

 

The Spartan is the best Filipino 1911, hands down.

Its an Armscor slide and frame fitted with STI small parts.

This thread sure got a little squirrely.

Regardless, BAC is right on IMHO. My 5" Spartan has been outstanding and, I think, a good choice for the cost.

 

This thread sure got a little squirrely.

Yeah, that's my bad :wavey:

Sorry for throwing the thread off course, guys!

 

The Spartan is the gun most 'gun people' want when the buy a lower-price 1911; it's a decent frame/slide (mine was exceptionally well-fitted) with upgraded (STI brand) internals.

Many folks buy a RIA and replace the disco, hammer, sear and TS; the Spartan gets you right to that point, and adds STI warranty service into the mix.

Mine shoots as well as any 1911 I've owned, and that's saying something.

Larry

 

The Spartan is the gun most 'gun people' want when the buy a lower-price 1911; it's a decent frame/slide (mine was exceptionally well-fitted) with upgraded (STI brand) internals.

Many folks buy a RIA and replace the disco, hammer, sear and TS; the Spartan gets you right to that point, and adds STI warranty service into the mix.

Mine shoots as well as any 1911 I've owned, and that's saying something.

Larry

They are good shooting 1911s.

 

I am going to chime in with my .02 worth. Once upon a time, I had 18 1911s that were made in the Phillipines. I now have only five. One of the ones I had was the STI SPARTAN. It was a fine example of a modern 1911. Fit, finish, and performance was right on par with some of the more expensive 1911s I had. All the Filipino 1911s I own and have owned were all very well constructed pistols. Just because they did not cost an arm and a leg, does not mean they are not quality 1911s. I hated to sell my SPARTAN. I also hated to sell my Desert Eagle 1911G (made in Israel). So, for those who knock Filipino 1911s, you need to own a few before you start to talk about them.

 

I am going to chime in with my .02 worth. Once upon a time, I had 18 1911s that were made in the Phillipines. I now have only five. One of the ones I had was the STI SPARTAN. It was a fine example of a modern 1911. Fit, finish, and performance was right on par with some of the more expensive 1911s I had. All the Filipino 1911s I own and have owned were all very well constructed pistols. Just because they did not cost an arm and a leg, does not mean they are not quality 1911s. I hated to sell my SPARTAN. I also hated to sell my Desert Eagle 1911G (made in Israel). So, for those who knock Filipino 1911s, you need to own a few before you start to talk about them.

I'm sorry to hear you sold your DE 1911, James. That was one of the early examples without the front cocking serrations.

Sometimes situations dictate what we must do, of course...

 

I bought a Spartan last year for my son, as his first centerfire pistol. He wanted a 1911, and that was his starting point. He's shot it more than me, but I've handled it some when taking him to the range, and have no complaints.

It's not a finely crafted pistol, but neither is it "cheap" in any way. It's well made, very functional, accurate enough, and reliable. No issues.

 

It's not a finely crafted pistol, but neither is it "cheap" in any way. It's well made, very functional, accurate enough, and reliable. No issues.

I wouldn't call it fine either, but its definitely solid.

 

I have a couple Spartans and love them for what they are. For the cost they're well made and fit and finish is good. I'd still be inclined to use the word "cheap" in describing them in comparison to my other 1911s. Still in my mind the Spartan has one of the best cost to value ratios of any 1911.