New "Texican" could give USFA a run for the money

RRio · October 01, 2006, 11:34:46 AM

USFA could be in for some serious competition with this new STI "Texican" revolver. IF it is anything like I am thinking it will be, ready to go right out of the box, and as refined as the photos show it to be, the MSRP of $1200 may well be worth it.

http://www.stiguns.com/

If nothing else, maybe it will make USFA appreciate their customers and customer base a little better. IMHO, USFA has been taking a lot for granted, lately. They seemed to be acquiring the COLT atitude toward their customers, and I can't even begin to tell you the last time or ever, USFA sponsered a major match. Maybe it's time for them to step up to the plate.

Just my honest opinion.

RRio

Doc Sunrise · October 01, 2006, 07:46:44 PM

To my understanding, USFA SAA's have more custom hand workmanship involved in making their firearms, much like the work done by the craftsman of the Colt 1st generations. Nothing against STI, they have a long way to go to be considered on the same level as USFA, but it is sure nice that finally another US manufacturer is trying to do it the right way. I guess the proof will be in the actual handling of these new SAA's. I know my orders to USFA will continue.

Capt. John Fitzgerald · October 01, 2006, 11:29:14 PM

I would think that STI would have a hard time breaking into the $1200 msrp price range with a SAA. It took USFA several years before they finally gained acceptance.
Another thing that USFA has going for it is, for lack of a better description, "the illusion of heritage." If you are going to start a gun company, the old Colt plant in Hartford, CT, would be the place to do it.
USFA offers a wide variety of SAA's in just about any configuration you could want, providing you don't mind waiting several months on special order guns. STI, at least at this point, seems to be offering a 5 & 1/2" .45 and nothing else.
Texican? I thought Rodeo and Cowboy were silly names but Texican takes the cake!

One note of interest from the STI web site was the following statement;
"The STI Texican is the first firearm of any type made using ultra-high speed precision machining. Unlike conventional CNC machining, the surfaces of the finished parts are perfectly smooth and straight; they do not require grinding or polishing, so there are no rounded edges, no distorted screw holes."
The only fault I have ever found with USFA guns has been with the polishing jobs done on some of their nickel plated guns. You can commit a few sins with blue and CCH but imperfections in polishing REALLY show up under nickel plating.

By the way... When USFA moved into their new manufacturing facilities, did the business office remain in the old Colt factory building or did they move that to the new location as well?

Beans · October 02, 2006, 10:27:25 AM

It appears to be a Clone of the USFA but in a limited offering.

I believe I'm sticking with My USFA's

Virginia Gentleman · October 02, 2006, 10:34:44 AM

We shall see if STI can gain any market share at a price that is about what USFA and Colt are charging. Give me a break, high speed cutting! That is what CNC machines do and depending on how you cut the metal determines IF you need to polish and grind. Sounds like marketing to me along with a very funny name. Hot salt bluing and average case colors will not put them in the driver's seat with consumers. USFA should take notice if they start to get traction and yes, some of the responses we have gotten lately from USFA seem out of character. Sponsoring a match would be a good move for USFA considering their audience which would hate to see them become like the 4 letter "C" word. I believe the offices are still at the old Colt plant and that is where they are shipped from the last time I looked. Too bad they moved all their production from there.

RRio · October 02, 2006, 01:41:06 PM

Quote from: Virginia Gentleman on October 02, 2006, 10:34:44 AM

I believe the offices are still at the old Colt plant and that is where they are shipped from the last time I looked. Too bad they moved all their production from there.

Yes the business offices are still "under the Blue Dome" and the production line is in another location. They probably had to move the production line because CNC machines require a solid foundation with a minimum concrete pad of 12" that is reenforced. At least that is the way ours are set. Lasered once a year to ensure accuracy. If a CNC machine does not have a proper foundation, it can cause all kinds of wierd problems, that you would not think possible.

Doc Sunrise · October 03, 2006, 04:35:35 AM

Has anyone noticed when viewing the STI Texican's advertisement that just above it says STI the continuing evolution of the 1911. I still believe this is just an "economic entrant" and does not have that true company philosophy as USFA does. Modern machining is great, but it still needs to be coupled with true hand craftsmanship for it to reach the kind of fit & feel quality SAA folks demand! It reminds me of the Star Wars movies, the first three were superb where the later ones got more & more technology and got to a point of rediculous. The earlier movies had a good combination of technology and people, but it is the people that really made the earlier movies great. The same with USFA, a good combination of technology and people, but it is the USFA folks that make USFA really great!

Capt. John Fitzgerald · October 03, 2006, 04:44:36 PM

Good point, Doc. Even with USFA's CNC machinery, it still takes a lot of hand fitting to make the gun. I like the feeling, knowing that someone sat at a workbench putting my gun together.

RRio · October 04, 2006, 03:15:29 AM

Anybody that knows me, or anybody that has been a member of this forum for a while, knows how I feel about USFA's guns.
They are very hard to beat. Period. I could have Colts, but choose to go with what I feel to be the best made SAA.

I would just like USFA to be a little more open to suggestions from their loyal customers, and it would not hurt them to support the sport a little more.

Doc Sunrise · October 09, 2006, 04:14:43 AM

I just got two more Rodeos, and I have to tell you that they are flawless. Fit & Finish is perfect and obvious from the outside, but the inside polishing and fitting is perfect as well. I am amazed at how well the hand channel and window were polished, as well as the barrel and cylinder chambers. The Rubber Grips are cut a little deeper with just a little bit more bite to them for great handling. These kind of details can not be done by a machine, but by attentive craftsmen. That is what separates USFA from any and all other SAA makers, including the Pony.

Virginia Gentleman · November 16, 2006, 11:48:40 AM

I will stick with USFA since they are the standard now that all others are measured by.

RRio · November 17, 2006, 03:29:37 AM

Quote from: Virginia Gentleman on November 16, 2006, 11:48:40 AM
I will stick with USFA since they are the standard now that all others are measured by.

Yep! Me too! Just finished slickin' up a brace of Rodeos for my pard, Earthquake Jake, and they sure didn't take much for me to do on them.

Virginia Gentleman · November 29, 2006, 02:49:17 PM

I also think they are going to have to prove themselves like any other manufacturer in the marketplace. They have some very tough competition and they will have to spend some marketing dollars to get the word out too.