gun review: STI International Tactical 5.0
faster, shoot quicker, and hit better with the single action semi-automatic. I admit to a nostalgic attraction as well. T ere is a downside to this particular af-
fi nity, as this 1911 thing is a little bit ad- dicting. It seems I am always in need of another one. Recently, I came to the real- ization that I didn’t have a full-size 1911 with an accessory rail. It also occurred to me that I didn’t have a semi-custom pis- tol from STI International. STI is per- haps most well-known for producing competition pistols and parts. However, the Texas-based company also produces defensive and tactical handguns. In fact, they sell a lot more defensive and tacti- cal pistols than they do competition guns. Despite their reputation for high quality that usually results in high prices, STI off ers at least one pistol with an MSRP of just $764.00. My ‘fun account’ was uncharacteristically flush, but not for long. After some online research, I or- dered an STI Tactical SS 5.0. Its MSRP is a quite a bit north of $764.00, but no- where near what most other custom shops demand for pistols of similar quality and features.
New Gun Day Oh, how I love New Gun Day! T e sound of the box’s plastic fasteners clicking open, the warm golden light shining upward into your face, and the unsuccessful attempt to not look like a kid on Christmas morning while fi lling out the 4473 form in front of the eagle-eyed gun shop guy or gal. I handled my new STI friend while the clerk ran the obligatory background check. My Tactical SS came in an air-tight plas- tic bag and there was no concern about the possibility of rust. T is gun was more lu- bricated than the town drunk at the annual Watermelon Festival.
Features
As the name implies, the Tactical SS 5.0 is a single-stack .45 ACP with a 5-inch barrel. Beyond that, this pistol strays from the tra- ditional 1911 platform. I suppose some pro- gression is inevitable and it’s a good thing in this case. T e Tactical SS series guns are available in 3-, 4- and 5-inch variations. T ey come furnished with one STI maga- zine. T eir multi-positional accessory rails are built on fully forged frames. T e pistols
11 The Police Marksman May-Jun 2014
are outfi tted with the upper end parts and slide from STI’s renowned 2011 model double-stack pistols.
All in all, Tactical SS series are much
beefi er than a standard 1911, but still weigh just a touch more than 41 ounces unloaded. STI uses ‘innovative lightening’ methods to maintain a typical 1911 weight and bal- ance. A company representative told me the
excess steel is removed from the rail where it will not compromise strength. T is over- all design helps dampen recoil and muzzle fl ip while maintaining a usable weight. However, it does make the gun a little less holster-ready than a more traditional gun. Still, I was able to fi nd fi ve manufacturers who off er holsters for this gun with or with- out a rail-mounted light. T e accessory rail
The STI Tactical SS 5.0 comes standard with Heinie sights.
The Picatinny rail offers several options for the mounting of a light or other accessory.
www.policemarksman.com
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