While I am not new to the forum, I am new to this particular section of the forum. Most of my threads have been limited to the Range Reports, Dan Wesson and Wilson Combat sections of the forum. But after spending the entire day shooting steel two weeks ago, with my fingers numb and sore from reloading 9-round 1911 9mm magazines all day, I decided it was necessary to up my mag capacity for this particular activity. I already have a couple of more days booked at the range to play and needed to figure out how to remedy this problem before my next visit. It seemed to me a 2011 made the most sense because of my familiarity with the 1911 platform. When I think of 2011s, I think STI.
Last week I found a nice deal on a very lightly used STI DVC Limited in 9mm with four mags. I picked it up two days ago and shot it yesterday for the first time. The first thing I noticed, my Wilson Combat Carry Comp, my daily carry gun and the gun I used most on my all day steel shooting day, has noticeably less recoil than the STI regardless of load used. There is no question about that. The only load where it is even close is with the Syntech 150gr Action Pistol round; which the STI absolutely loves. But it is still not truly close in terms of recoil. The Carry Comp with the same load feels like a 22lr, the STI feels like a 22mag.
I will write more about the DVC L as I spend more time with it, but overall the STI shoots VERY nicely The trigger on the STI is insane. It is somewhere between 2 lbs ~ 2.5 lbs; and it is perfect. While my DVC is not my lightest recoiling 1911 type pistol, it is definitely second among my collection, and an absolute joy to shoot. It feels great in my hand, points and handles beautifully. Next time I shoot steel, this is the gun I will use most, because loading 9 round mags all day for my Wilson Carry Comp is simply not fun! Gotta love 20+ round mags that are quick and easy to load. I suspect because of the lighter recoil, I will make quicker follow-up shots with the Carry Comp, but we will see!
Here are some groups from my outing yesterday.
When I first got to the range, I loaded up 21 rounds of Magtech 124gr and emptied the mag into the target.
My First Mag Through the STI DVC
Typical Groups Inside 10 Yards
It Absolutely LOVES the Mild Recoiling Syntech 150gr Action Pistol Rounds
A Little Distance. Those Three Hits Dead Center were My First 3 shots On The Target!
Glamour Shots!
Cannot wait to get back to the range and churn a few hundred more rounds through the DVC!
Last week I found a nice deal on a very lightly used STI DVC Limited in 9mm with four mags. I picked it up two days ago and shot it yesterday for the first time. The first thing I noticed, my Wilson Combat Carry Comp, my daily carry gun and the gun I used most on my all day steel shooting day, has noticeably less recoil than the STI regardless of load used. There is no question about that. The only load where it is even close is with the Syntech 150gr Action Pistol round; which the STI absolutely loves. But it is still not truly close in terms of recoil. The Carry Comp with the same load feels like a 22lr, the STI feels like a 22mag.
I will write more about the DVC L as I spend more time with it, but overall the STI shoots VERY nicely The trigger on the STI is insane. It is somewhere between 2 lbs ~ 2.5 lbs; and it is perfect. While my DVC is not my lightest recoiling 1911 type pistol, it is definitely second among my collection, and an absolute joy to shoot. It feels great in my hand, points and handles beautifully. Next time I shoot steel, this is the gun I will use most, because loading 9 round mags all day for my Wilson Carry Comp is simply not fun! Gotta love 20+ round mags that are quick and easy to load. I suspect because of the lighter recoil, I will make quicker follow-up shots with the Carry Comp, but we will see!
Here are some groups from my outing yesterday.
When I first got to the range, I loaded up 21 rounds of Magtech 124gr and emptied the mag into the target.
My First Mag Through the STI DVC
Typical Groups Inside 10 Yards
It Absolutely LOVES the Mild Recoiling Syntech 150gr Action Pistol Rounds
A Little Distance. Those Three Hits Dead Center were My First 3 shots On The Target!
Glamour Shots!
Cannot wait to get back to the range and churn a few hundred more rounds through the DVC!