New Go To Handgun

[CJS06]

For a long while I have been using primarily S&W M&P9s as my go to handgun for both "duty" and EDC (other than very hot weather). I still am a huge proponent of the M&P and Glock (Glocks just dont fit my hand well) weapons in this role.  Another big part of me has always preferred my 1911s, but magazine capacity and the price of shooting as much .45 as I want always has been a limiter for me. For a long while I have been considering a 1911 in 9mm but the magazine capacity has still been a very big detractor.  A few companies like Para have been making double stack 1911s for a while but their reliability has been less than stellar.  I have had all too many come to me for gunsmithing to get them running right.  I have been lucky enough to shoot with a friend that works for STI out of Texas. Reliability of these guns is known to be excellent and STI makes an exceptional quality gun.  After shooting a few different examples I decided to buy a Tac 4.0 DS in 9mm. I just got it about a week ago. I only have about 1000rds through the new gun so far but to this point no failures at all and accuracy is great.  I wont consider this a "go to" gun until I have at least 5-6000rds with no failures running various ammo. I expect to be able get there easily with this gun and am looking forward to transitioning to this gun (though I will be keeping my M&P not too far a way for a while yet). I will follow up as I get more rounds through. I will be giving it some good hard use including handgun courses with Darryl Holland and Nic Smith. So far the only negative I have is magazines.....they are fairly expensive and are not commonly found. I got two 126mm (17rd) and two 140mm (20rd) mags wit the gun and have 2 more 140mm mags on the way. There is also an option of 170mm mags for higher capacity if that is your preference.


This is my M&P9 that has been my go to gun.

[JohnyMac]

You got it! RIGHT ON!!  CJS06 

Have fun...

[Currahee]

I have to say that I am not a gun collector.  I have less than 15 guns I think... a couple of those are heirloomish, several soulless Glocks and ARs.  I have found that it is best from a prepper standpoint to get one gun and some spares for each niche in a collection.  It is also a huge plus if the guns you have are darn similar to the ones your friends use, logistics and all that.  I look at and admire a nice gun like an STI tactical or even a Perrazi shotgun... but then I think of a spare set of NODs or the stack of mountain house it would buy. 

That's just me though.

[CJS06]

Currahee

I agree with your idea of a gun collection. I have a "collection" of approximately the same size. I have no heirloom guns in that I shoot everything that I own and try to train with them as much as possible. All of my guns however are of a quality that I hope to be able to hand down to my kids some day and for them to use the same way I do. Hopefully I will wear a number of these out and will replace them(or rebuild them) long before that time comes however.  This STI is not meant to be a race gun, but instead my go to "duty" gun. Logistics for what I own was one of the biggest factors (access to mags, etc) but became less of an issue when I really looked at what the guys I train with shoot ( a few Glocks, few M&Ps, Sig 226,92fs,HK and a couple of 1911s).  It was a major factor in deciding to go with a gun chambered in 9mm. Reliability and durability are my 2 biggest factors Some of my guns are more expensive than many would consider for a "duty" of heavy use gun, but that is not how I treat mine. All are tools and are meant to be used as such. It is a balance of how much resource to commit when other items such as you mentioned (spare nods , foodstuffs, comms, etc) need to be considered. If it is between getting more training or a new gun, training should always come first.  It is the same balance that has to be considered when buying a set of NODS or a IR Laser or a quality Optic or an AR....or any other piece of kit.

I would not suggest that it is the way to go for everyone, but if you like the 1911 style platform and are looking for higher capacity it may be something to consider.  I'll add more to this review as I get more time on the gun. It may help someone to decide one way or the other.

I did run another 350 rds through today during a day of drills. One significant thing I am happy about with the STI is recoil mitigation. Not that 9mm has punishing recoil by any standard, but the felt recoil on the STI feels quite literally half of what I have with my M&P.  This leads to faster more accurate follow up shots. It was noticeable on multi target sets.

[CJS06]

Follow Up

I now have just over 4500rds through the STI.  I have been running a wide variety of ammo to test reliability including various self defense loads (JHPs)on one end of the spectrum and even 500rds of Tula on the other.  I have been running the pistol dirty with only a quick wipe down at 2000 and 4000 rds.
 
I have had a total of 8 malfunctions, 7 of which are directly related to ammo quality and the 8th (peeled case rim caused FTE) that I also chalk up to ammo. I have run this in various conditions including dirt, dust, rain, mud, and with winter coming it will see some snow as well. Accuracy is more like a competition pistol than and average "service" pistol.  At this point I am ready to pick up another couple of mags and making this my primary sidearm.

It is far from a gun for everyone, but if you are looking for a reliable steel framed pistol that has much better than average accuracy it is worth taking a look at. If your budget is that of a std Glock then it may not be the gun for you, but if you would consider a Kimber, Springfield, HK, or a few others it is definitely worth a look.

[JohnyMac]

Thx for the follow-up AAR CJS06

I am of the belief that I would rather save for an additional month/half year/year and buy the best out there than settle for less. That is why my EDC is a Kimber and my battle handgun is a Browning Hi Power.

Now is the Kimber or Browning the BEST out there, probably not however I would put them in the top 10 percentile of handguns. Maybe the only handgun I would add to my working list of mine would be the H&K VP9. I can't justify the price tag at the moment as I am saving for NOD's or maybe a M203 

Can't wait to run the STI CJS06. 

[Nemo]

I am the "select a target" guy also.  I decide what I want and scrimp pennies to get it.  Thats part of the major reason I changed EDC to a 5906.  Did not want the take the chance to have to surrender EDC to some cop were circumstances to require others I was using to fire and have an important one to surrender.  Also the 15 round mag and stainless helped.  Do not want to sweat on my mom's or dad's general "go to" handgun.

But I still cannot get my brain fully wrapped around a plastic guns and the cost idea.  Yes I have Hi Points (C9 and 995) but a plastic $159 v a plastic $400 handgun just does not fit in my head yet.  I will go with steel frames.

As far as the Hi Power, it may not be the best, but JMB did most of it.  He may not have been the best, but ain't none better.  So it has to be right beside the 1911.

Nemo