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Here is a better explanation from: http://media.stiguns.com/USPress/BluePr ... partan.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's a PDF file, so have Adobe ready to read it. Cheers.



The slide, frame and barrel are made by Armscor in the Philippines. All the other parts except the [PA sight) are
made by STI, which ships them overseas; the guns are built by Armscor, then sent back to STI. At that point,
the Spartans are given to STI’s quality control people lied by Chris Schirmer) who go over them with a
fine-tooth comb, If a problem is found, typically it’s easier for STI to fix it in house; Spartans very rarely go hack
to the Philippines once they’re here.

The Spartan’s slide is made from extruded bar stock; the frame is cast. That last
fact does not turn me off the way it may some traditionalists. What would tell the tale was how the Spartan
kept that great fit once I put some rounds through it. In my experience, if a 1911 is going to shoot loose, it
does so in short order. Even many guns that seem nicely fitted out-of-the-box become rattletraps once you
put a hundred rounds through them. On the other hand, if a gun’s still perfectly tight after a hundred rounds, it’s
going to be tight for one hell of a long time.

Eh.. no, Citadel is not STI nor has anything to do with STI.

STI's Spartan series (from what I've read) have some STI internals but come from the Philippines. It's a very well made pistol regardless of STI on it or not.

Citadel comes from the Philippines, too. Somewhere over there. (I think). Though with let's say a Citadel I find more quality in their pistol than let's say a RIA. If you're at gun show, pick them both up (RIA/Citadel) and compare them. Citadel's just seem look and feel like more quality goes into them. I love RIA, don't get me wrong. Fine pistols, but at least for me, I can see the difference.

If you look at the Citadel and and STI, it really does look like the Citadel is a rebadged STI. I do love my STI grips though. :)

Edit:

Sorry if this post doesn't make much sense (to me it doesn't) for I had a long 14hr shift today.

Bleh.

Cheers.

Agree with the STI Spartan. I own a Spartan III (It's a 3.5 Inch) and it's at a decent price.

However, I urge you to go to Academy and check out the Citadel 1911 in 3.5 flavor. It's a .45 and it's basically a rebadged STI Spartan..

They sell the STI Spartan for 629 and the Citadel goes for about 500..

Good luck. Welcome to the 1911 club. I also own a P238 and carry it EVERY day with me. It has holster wear galore, but has NEVER given me ANY issues no matter what I feed it.

Cheers.