Which 1911 10mm

[ron556]

Yeah, I know... I'm going to get myriad answers/opinions on this one. And before anyone starts: I already have a 1911 in .45, as JMB intended. The Springfield Custom Shop built me one a couple years ago and it's everything I want in a 1911. 

However, I still want a "skinny," all-steel 1911 in 10. So I'm narrowing it down to basically two: the Sig TacOps in 10mm and the STI Nitro 10 [the discontinued single stack]. The Sig is right in my price range [around $1000; new-old stocks of the Nitro 10 is on my upper limit, at $1500]. Yes, The new DW Valor 10mm is awesome, but it's out of my price range. I have heard great things about the RIA guns, but I'm a little worried about cast frames vs. forged. That may not be a valid argument, considering current manufacturing technology. If you have any advice, that would be welcomed and appreciated.

The honest truth is that the Sig has a lot going for it and represents a very good value for a 10mm 1911 [four extra mags is a nice touch]. It is also a Sig product; I've had good experience with them in the past. However, the STI is the 10mm 1911 I want. This would be a carry piece for me, particularly when I don't feel like wearing the "fat" G20 that is my typical carry gun.

I've been combing the interwebs and trying to read as much as I can on either model... it is a niche market, to be sure. Not a ton of information or reviews on either gun. But I've been wanting a 1911-style 10mm for a while now and I just don't have the budget to buy another full-house custom.

I'd appreciate any opinions. And if you have either of one of those, I'd really be interested in hearing what experiences you've had. Thanks!

[AlaskaWill]

it ia really up to you. i own a G20.3SF and while its fun to shoot, i want something better. Sig220 in 10. Im just having a hard time justifying the cost right now.
others comments would help.

[Yurei]

If the STI is the one you want, go for it. Otherwise you are liable to always wonder "did I cheap-out and settle for less?".

I have to admit that the Sig does look pretty good other than the rail. (I don't like the look of railed 1911s.) That said, I'm following the Kimber Camp Guard fairly closely to see if Kimber has gotten it right.

[sqlbullet]

I would want the STI to shoot, and the RIA to carry (once I had validated no gremlins of course).

Here is the reasoning.  In the unlikely and horrific event that I had to use my carry gun to defend myself, I would not want to see my $$$ gun locked up in evidence.  If they lock up the RIA, I can just go buy another.

[dred]

Sig 1911 v. STI 1911 - select using a reverse alphabetical order to identify the best pistol.

I don't own either of these in 10mm.  But, I own my second STI.  I was really excited to get my first SIG 1911, but that didn't rival my enthusiasm for its departure.  I am a SIG fan, but IMO they have not committed to the 1911 platform.  My SIG was solid but it never sang.  It was reliable, but it was not loved.

Although you give up the bushing barrel for the Nitro 10, you still get the fire controls that keep pumping life into a classic pistol design.  SIGs design copies an "updated" 1911 fire control system that is just missing some warm and fuzzies.

[14 GT-500]

I think I would make a ph call to SIG and have them tell me were ther Slides and Frames for there 1911 come from before I decided on buying one of there 1911s.

[mildot45]

Evening ron556

I just went through this same 10mm want/need/can afford a short while ago.

The STI has it's likers & complainers just like many other 10mm 1911 offerings.

I kind of ruled out the SIG early on as it has an internet full of problems.

I also ruled out the Colt & RIA early on as the Colt doesn't have a ramped barrel & the RIA (I looked at 3) didn't seem to have the build quality & looks quality that I was looking for.

I found a couple of Dan Wesson 10mm that I liked but the price was a bit above what I was looking to pay. Even then I would have probably bought the Wesson if it came in the color combinations that appealed to me. 

I pretty well looked at all 1911's that I could find &  it boiled down to price/vs/quality/vs/usefulness.

I then stumbled across the NEW (2017) Kimber Eclipse Custom series 1 (yep, the new 2017 Eclipse is now a series 1 with no Swartz safety).

I'm still on the fence about my buying decision.  The Kimber is a super looking gun that comes with a ramped barrel, night sights, & is extremely accurate.

I have had some feeding issues & premature slide lock back issues but a little extractor tuning & some new parts sent from Kimber & it seems to be functioning OK for now.

The accuracy I am getting (as good as my Wilson 45 & Baer 38 super) is outstanding, the lock-up is tight but doesn't seem to be a lot of care at parts tuning during assembly.

[Vice]

I have 2 STI's (not 10's) and am really impressed. They just feel, look, and shoot like custom guns.

Like having a poor man's Wilson/Brown/Baer.

[14 GT-500]

You will not be disapointed in the Kimber Eclipse Custom II in 10mm. I have one and am very happy with it, I did have some issues with it and sent it into Kimber and that took about 6 weeks, but now it is very reliable and super accurate and a real joy to shoot

[hnusz]

Another one to consider is Dan Wesson. I have a razorback and I love it. I have fondled the Bruin  it is sweet. My lgs has one on the wall if I had the two grand it would be mine.

[ron556]

Thank you for the sage advice, gents... I'm feeling good about not buying the Sig. I had my eyes on a Nitro 10, but then I came across this beauty [see photo].

So, in a fit of [in]sanity, I went ahead and bid on this lightly used STI "Heavy 10" on Gunbroker and won it. It'll look nice beside my Springfield Custom. It should be here soon and I look forward to running it through its paces. Just ordered some extra mags today, too.

Next revelation: I've done some searching on the forum re: recoil spring weights and there is a lot of different opinions on which spring combo should be run. I'll probably give STI a call tomorrow and see what they have to say. I'm looking at different [weight] recoil springs, but I'm seeing a general consensus that a 25# hammer spring and 18-19# recoil spring is the way to go. Obviously, there are variables from gun-to-gun and there is no 100% solution, but 1911tuner and Ned Christiansen's articles are quite compelling, and they seem to be very much "in the know." I tend to defer those with more experience/knowledge than I.

At any rate, I'm pretty excited; I haven't bought anything shiny in a while!

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[rapidray10mm]

Very nice looking STI. Range report when you can. Enjoy

[45BBH]

Congrats, STI makes a fine 1911.

[Vice]

Congrats on your sweet new ten.   

[sqlbullet]

I've done some searching on the forum re: recoil spring weights and there is a lot of different opinions on which spring combo should be run. I'll probably give STI a call tomorrow and see what they have to say. I'm looking at different [weight] recoil springs, but I'm seeing a general consensus that a 25# hammer spring and 18-19# recoil spring is the way to go. Obviously, there are variables from gun-to-gun and there is no 100% solution, but 1911tuner and Ned Christiansen's articles are quite compelling, and they seem to be very much "in the know." I tend to defer those with more experience/knowledge than I.

If you are reading 1911tuner and Ned Christiansen, then you know the five most important words:  Flat Bottom Firing Pin Stop.  IMHO, this is the most critical think a 10mm 1911 requires.  It eats up a bunch of the initial impulse for you.  Ned's tests using a shok-buff as an indicator show that a flat bottom firing pin stop and a 25 lb mainspring pretty much align the 10mm ammo with 45 ACP ammo as far as slide momentum at full compression.

Congrats on the new gun!