STI Nitro 10 first time out

[Bullnettles]

Hi all, got it two weeks back, but this weekend was the first time I could get to the range to try it out. I'll start out by saying it was the tightest pistol I've ever had my hands on. I broke it down, cleaned and oiled it, racked the slide about 20 times (and made a stupid mistake of getting my finger caught, ouch), and took it to the range. I put 250 rounds of various ammo through it. Not one hiccup, and ran like butter. The trigger is phenomenal, and it was consistently about 1.5" low and 1.5" left at 7 yards. Not sure if I want to mess with the sights or not at this point. One thing that did happen, was on the lighter loads, it would not lock the slide back. This only happened when the mag was empty, though. I'm guessing this is from the gun being super tight, and I don't see it as a problem, but some might, so it's definitely worth mentioning.

[Whisky]

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thank you for your report - I'm a 3 time STI pistol owner and am now considering the Nitro 10 - have been looking for range reports from owners - thanks again

[Bullnettles]

No sweat. Going to run a few boxes through this weekend now that she's been cleaned and had some rounds through her. Hopefully, the lock back happens now. Something I forgot, the casings are hitting the slide and marking it. I'll get a picture if you like. I'm a function over form kind of guy, so I don't mind, but the shop owner I bought it through said I should send it back. It goes bang every time, so I'm happy, but if you're particular, I figured it's worth mentioning.

[The_Shadow]

Welcome to the forum Bullnettles and Whisky.  Bullnettles, congrats STI Nitro 10, about the cases hitting the slide, with this being such a new tight gun, the slide may be slowing down at the reward travel and the cases are not being licked out from under the extractor by lack of contact with the ejector.  Or the extractor maybe holding them too tightly, then they are being bumped out by the next feeding round as the slide closes.

Good luck with getting it fixed up!

[Bullnettles]

Thank you. I'm glad there's a forum for this cartridge; it deserves more limelight. So I should have this looked at? I'm a gun fan, but still learning as I go. 1911's are still not something I've really torn down. How can I check for each of these circumstances?

[The_Shadow]

Man, I'm not the 1911 guru guy , but similar issues have been seen by others with their 1911 guns.  Some have had the casing trapped between the slide and the barrel hood, which case can show tear on the case mouth  Some people say shoot them about 500 times and they start to run better and better. 

Maybe some of the 1911 guys can chime in for more info...

[Bullnettles]

That's what happened with my Escort, but no casing marks. It would FTF a few times for the first 100, now it eats everything. I placed a call into STI and am waiting for a callback from their technical guy.

[The_Shadow]

Here is a post over at Cast Bullet forum
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?175039-How-to-tune-ejection-on-1911

I am not sure how the STI extractor and ejector are setup in your gun, but being new and in warranty, I'd speak with STI if any tuning is necessary.

[Bullnettles]

That's what I was thinking, hope it's something I can fix.

[The_Shadow]

Could your pistol running the combat ejector that is extended? If so, you can find a standard ejector to compare it to and replace with that possibly...

[Bullnettles]

Time to research so I know what you speak of... to the Google box!

[Pinsnscrews]

Break it in some more. It is possible your recoil spring is still tight and doesn't let the slide go "Fully" rear ward with the lighter loads. As long as it is only happening on lighter loads. IF it is also doing it with stout or full house loads, then it may be an issue with the slide stop or magazine follower. BUT, until then, wait until you finish getting it broke in, most manufacturers feel 500rds is a good start.

[yellowlt4]

I love STI, they are my home town gun makers. I hope you straighten every thing out.

[Sparks701]

That gun looks awesome! Time to start saving for my next gun.