The STI Executive Model
Since the introduction of the STI Edge in 1997 it has become the “bench mark” for International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) Standard Division. It is also used by SWAT Teams, Hostage Rescue Teams and law enforcement units. In addition to law enforcement and military use, IPSC events, the Edge sees wide spread use in many other target shooting disciplines. STI International of Georgetown, Texas is involved in the manufacture of premium M1911 style pistols.
Nomenclature
STI use the nomenclature 2011 for their pistols. This lets you know the lineage of STI's guns but is also an expression of STI's further development of the 1911 design. STI is a modern manufacturer using state of the art CNC ( computer numerical control ) and wire EDM ( electronic discharge machining ). This enables them to produce a very sophisticated production pistol using of the shelf parts that are of very high quality due to the modern manufacturing processes that they use.The Executive is based on the model Edge and both models are popular amongst sport shooters, especially in IPSC events. Differences between these two weapons are mainly in finish. The Executive looks better in its hard chrome finish with black markings. Apart from the polymer grip, all parts are made from steel. The magazine opening in the grip is widened by the addition of a large magazine well. It weighs in at 1200g (2.6 lb.) unloaded. Thanks to polymer grip and full length wide dustcover, most of this mass is moved towards the muzzle. This greatly reduces muzzle climb, especially when using the powerful .40S&W caliber round. With the Executive you get the accuracy and reliability of the Edge, with a superior style of finish. The Executive is a “top of the line” handgun, in both its features as well as with its finish.
Executive Evolution
High magazine capacity pistol frames have been around since the late 1980’s with Para Ordnance developing a high capacity metal framed 1911 in .45 ACP. The grip used in STI pistols was originally developed using computer aided design (CAD) programs, which created a modular concept, with a steel upper section fitted to a synthetic grip assembly. In an impressive feat of engineering it was designed, built, debugged and into production in a year and the first models were displayed at the 1992 SHOT Show. Top IPSC shooters immediately realized the impact the design would have on their sport.
Virgil Tripp sold the
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The evolution of the Executive came about when STI CEO Dave Skinner wanted an Edge to use in Standard Division competition. He had an Edge hard chromed, and to make it a bit more distinctive he used a gray grip and trigger and stainless steel magazine well. Finding the plain black front sight a bit hard for middle aged eyes to pick up he had his gun fitted with a
The result proved to be a distinctive pistol. David found that whenever he went to a target shooting competition other shooters would ask him to “make me one just like that”. Eventually he decided to add the Executive to the STI product line.
The Executive is based on the Edge and both models are popular amongst sport shooters, especially in IPSC events. Differences between these two pistols is in the red insert in the front sight, magazine well and the Executive is finished in a hard chrome coating.
On The Outside
The STI Executive is based on the legendary Colt M1911. The barrel is five inches long, which fits directly in the slide, without a barrel bushing. This means the barrel can be of larger diameter and heavier, which also assists in the reduction of muzzle climb. The slide is CNC machined from 4140 bar stock steel and is surface ground to give the smoothest possible mating surfaces and longest life. When hand cycling the gun, the slide glides along the frame. The breach face is wire EDM cut ( an industry first ) and the ejection port is enlarged to facilitate the manual ejection of live rounds. The slide has racking serrations at both the rear and front. These serrations in front are useful, as it makes racking the slide noticeably easier. The slide is polished and the cocking serrations have a matt finished. The slide does not have the normal scalloped lightening cuts at the forward end of the slide, again with the purpose of putting weight out front. Unlike some custom guns of this type, STI pistols do not have a ‘flat topped’ slide, but instead maintain the curved slide top as found on the original M1911.The Executive is built on STI's long frame, in which the front extension of the frame extends right to the end of the slide. The purpose again is to put more weight forward to reduce muzzle climb. The entire frame has a matt finish, which makes for an interesting contrast. The frame is equipped with ambidextrous enlarged thumb safety and beavertail safety. This enables higher grip, which allows the pistol to sit lower in the hand. This lowers the axis of the bore in relation to the gripping hands, which means the recoil comes more rearward, instead of the muzzle climbing skywards. The standard grip of the Executive is grey, which blends in with light finish of the whole weapon. For those who want it the grip can be provided in several different colours.
The frame of the Executive is a two part concept with an upper and lower assembly, called the Modular Competition System. The upper assembly is made from 4140 Maxxell alloy steel and consists of the slide rails, full length dust cover and contains the trigger mechanism and is mated to the lower assembly. The grip or lower assembly is made from glass filled nylon polymer, which eliminates the need for grip panels, leaving more room for the double column magazine, while keeping the width of the grip at manageable level for the average hand. The use of polymer in the construction of the frame keeps the weight down, making the Executive only slightly heavier than a .45 ACP M1911 Colt Government model. The grip is checkered on both sides and front and back for a firm hold. The beavertail grip safety features a palm swell or "speed bump" so that it will be depressed regardless of the style of hold that the shooter uses. The ambidextrous safety catch is very positive in its function and is very comfortable to use.
Sights
Sights fit the character of this pistol. The front sight is provided with a light gathering red coloured fiber; other colours are available. The light gathering front sight is a great aid in quickly acquiring the target, as the fiber really stands out in most light conditions. This is positive for both duty and sport shooting. The rear sight is the Bo Mar style standard plain black STI adjustable for both elevation and windage.
STI pistols maintain the curved slide top as found on the original M1911. The light gathering fiber in the front sight can clearly be seen.
The rear sight is the classic Bo Mar style target rear sight, with precise elevation and windage adjustment.
Questions
One of my initial questions was, with the adjustable sights and magazine well, would the Executive fit the IPSC “box” to make it eligible for IPSC Standard Division. The dimensions of the box are slightly bigger than those of a standard M1911 pistol. It does it fit and there is room to move. The efficient design of STI’s magazine well, even when used in conjunction with extended aftermarket magazine base pad, passes this test.The trigger with titanium bow can be provided in the same colour as the grip. The trigger is set crisp, clean move, no after travel, which is what you need for accurate shooting. Out of the box the Executive trigger measures a crisp three pounds, with little pre travel and a safe level of reset. The trigger pull weight can be reduced, but this should be performed by a competent gunsmith who is experienced with the design.
The magazine release button is standard, but the gun can be ordered with larger button and also drilled and tapped to attach wider and bigger buttons. The magazine release button drops the magazines cleanly when either empty or partially loaded. The magazine well is fitted to the gun with one pin that also holds the mainspring housing, so it is easy to remove, when needed. The fit of this magazine well to the frame is clean, without any overlap. The magazine well at the base of the grip is flared in order to accomplish fast reloads.
The STI magazines for this gun are 126mm in length to be eligible for IPSC Standard Division and are a flush fit in the magazine well. They have a capacity of 15 rounds of .40 S&W calibre rounds. With the addition of extended base pads, followers and specialised magazine springs, the magazine capacity can be increased up to 18 rounds and still fit in the IPSC Box. The magazines can easily be taken apart for occasional cleaning. The Executive is built to be race ready from the box, for IPSC Standard Division. It is only offered .40 Smith and Wesson calibre, as .40 S&W is the cartridge of choice in this division, which size for size, it has a greater magazine capacity than .45 ACP.
.40 S&W Development
The .40 Smith and Wesson caliber was developed from the 10mm Auto caliber. The 10mm Auto launched a 200 grain bullet at velocities up to 1200 feet per second ( fps ). The FBI wanted to issue a pistol chambered in this caliber to all its personnel but the recoil generated by the 10mm Auto was too much for the average field agent to deliver fast and accurate shots. The FBI asked one of the ammunition manufactures to produce a 10mm round at a reduced velocity that would give a corresponding reduction in recoil. By reducing the powder charge in the cartridge case they came up with a 180 grain bullet at 950 fps, which has been dubbed 10mm Lite. This left a gap between the base of the bullet and the powder charge in the case.
Other firearms and ammunition manufactures followed suit and there are now a wide range of pistols chambered and ammunition types manufactured in this caliber. American law enforcement agencies took a keen interest in the .40 S & W and it has become the most common handgun caliber in use with American law enforcement. Target shooters fell in line behind the police and while it has not replaced civilian sales of 9mm, .38 Special and .45 ACP it has captured a sizable chunk of this market. The forty will increasingly become a dominant force in commercial sales.
The flared magazine well has a funneling effect to guide the magazine into the grip. One the magazine enters the grip it can be slapped home with the heal of the hand.
On The Inside
When you pick up an Executive the perfect fit and finish can be felt at the first touch. The pistol fits right in the hand and the magazine well makes the hold even firmer and makes reloading easier. The difference in the build, fit, finish and quality is huge, when compared to other handguns. Barrel to slide fit, slide to frame fit, as well as fit of other parts is precise. When racking the slide you can feel that the fit of the parts is tight and the slide operation is smooth.I have examined many Edges and Executives which have fired many thousands of rounds there is no noticeable play. The .40S&W caliber is very easy to shoot in this gun. Thanks to the five inch barrel, precise fit, weight in the right places (near the muzzle), the recoil is very manageable. The weight is right for the recoil to be manageable, but not too much to make it slow on transitions between targets.
The accuracy and reliability of STI pistols makes the Executive a favorite for those who compete in competition.
The shape of the grip, beavertail safety and magazine well ensures, that after each shot, the weapon returns just on the same spot. Due to this, it is possible to manage the recoil and to shift the aim onto other targets during recoil. Also the time between each shot can be reduced. Perfect fit of the parts, a well tuned trigger and precise fit of the barrel are the necessary for precise weapon. The Executive fulfills and exceeds are these requirements.
Barrel
The Executive’s five inch bull barrel starts life as a Jarvis forged blank manufactured from 416R stainless steel, which is just about the best barrel steel that you can get. The barrels are button rifled with a one turn in 16 inch rifling twist and air gauged for accuracy. STI barrels are vacuum heat treated and tempered to 40 Rockwell hardness, then machined. The slide and upper frame are also heat treated before machining. Heat treating before machining ensures that no warpage occurs. This is tough on machine tool life, but this is the way STI does it. STI barrels are all of bull barrel configuration. There is no barrel bushing ( as found on a conventional M 1911 pistol ) so the barrel mates to the slide in a three point lock up. The lower and upper lugs and barrel hood are cut for minimal tolerances. The feed ramp angles and barrel throating were researched to ensure maximum reliability.
Recoil Master
As it comes from the factory, the Executive utilises STI’s ‘Recoil Master’ system. Having previously used the standard recoil spring and tungsten recoil guide rod in an Edge, STI sent me a recoil master to try and I have used it ever since. Due to the dual springs and smooth action, the firing cycle is very fast and the recoil is more manageable. This system is also much easier to insert and remove from the pistol for cleaning purposes.
Stripped into its component parts for cleaning. The Executive field strips into the slide, barrel, frame, magazine, slide lock lever and recoil master spring system. The green plug is used in the assembly / disassembly of the recoil master.
Range Test
Accuracy testing was carried out at 25 yards using a mixture of factory ammunition and ammunition reloaded to IPSC major power factor with bullet weights of 180 and 200 grains. With the pistol rested five shot groups of between one and two inches in size were achieved. This is due in no small part to the excellent sights and trigger. Standing with two hands unsupported gave a ten shot group of four inches at 25 yards. I also carried out a series of speed drills in drawing from the holster, shooting with two hands, strong hand and weak hand at one and multiple targets from five to twenty five yards. I fired double taps with both, strong and weak hands as fast as I could obtain a flash sight picture and also fired deliberately aimed shots at the upper A/B zone of a practical pistol target. It is at distances out to 15 yards that the extra weight of the Executive pays off to give you a faster recovery time between shots.The accuracy and function tests were conducted with 500 rounds of factory and reloaded ammunition, with bullets of full metal jacket and hollow point design in 150, 180 and 200 grains weights. Accuracy is excellent and functioning is flawless.
The Ghost competition holster was used to hold the Executive during this exercise. The holster is adjustable for both height and angle of carry for a smooth uninhibited draw. Draws from the Ghost were faultless. Single shots, double taps and rapid fire strings all found their mark.
The Ghost holster securely retains the pistol, while allowing a rapid presentation to the target.
The felt recoil was negligible, reliability faultless for the entire 500 rounds tested through two Executives. The polymer frame absorbs the shock of discharge. The pistol was 100 % reliable with all the ammunition types used. This is due to the research that STI put into the feed ramp, barrel throating and the configuration of the magazine feed lips to ensure a smooth transfer of the round from the magazine to the chamber of the barrel.
Conclusion
High capacity M 1911 style pistols are not just popular among target shooters. Law enforcement officers and military units who were familiar with the M1911 realised that many of the features that were desirable in a pistol for IPSC competition shooting were equally beneficial in a pistol carried on duty. The US Army's Special Forces Operational Detachment ( Delta Force ), FBI Hostage Rescue Team and LAPD SWAT are among many agencies that carry M1911 cocked and locked .45 caliber pistols. Many of the features that are found on the pistols that these units carry were originally developed for and tested in the field of competition pistol shooting.
Four members of the six person STI European IPSC Team. From the left Gregory Midgley and Fabrizio Pesce use .40 S&W STI Edge models. Irene Canetta uses a STI Grandmaster in .38 Super and Ralf K. Jensen uses a .40 S&W STI Executive.
Built on STI’s patented 2011 model full length dust cover frame, the Executive comes complete with a polished steel magazine well, stainless ambidextrous safety catch and beavertail grip safety, a fully adjustable Bo Mar inspired rear sight for windage and elevation and target blade front sight that is pinned to the slide. The front sight is fitted with a red fiber insert, which is highly visible. For the money, the customer gets a truly great pistol, which will serve them for many years and shoot many thousands of rounds. The Executive is ready to go out of the box and is designed to perform at the highest level.
When measuring how precise the pistol can group at 25 yards, group size is between one and two inches, depending on ammunition type. Accuracy is only one part of practical pistol shooting. IPSC, SWAT and Hostage Rescue require dynamic shooting. They require that the shooter and weapon act “as one”. The shooter needs to know how to handle his gun and how it will perform in all situations that they will face. That requires a well made weapon that is accurate, dependable and one that will not have any malfunctions or other problems. STI pistols run like the proverbial Swiss watch. That is why they are so popular among top shooters (and not just target shooters) around the world.
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