East TN gun shops with STI 1911s

[Guest twpayne75]

Are there any shops that anyone knows of that has any of the STI compact 9mm 1911s? I'm looking for an Escort, Off Duty, Guardian, LS, or Shadow. I can order one. But would like to see and if possible buy one in person.

[Guest hawkeye10]

A friend has a STI in 45ACP and in my opinion and his there are better guns for less money. He has a S&W 1911 and a Double Star 1911 both guns are better than the STI. I like his S&W the best. Don

[Sandman]

A friend has a STI in 45ACP and in my opinion and his there are better guns for less money. He has a S&W 1911 and a Double Star 1911 both guns are better than the STI. I like his S&W the best. Don

Too bad the OP wasn't asking what you think about STI's. To answer your question, I haven't seen one in Knoxville carry them. I've been to about all the "normal" LGS and haven't seen one. If you order one, I'm sure any FFL will help you out.

[Guest twpayne75]

Thank you both. That's really why I want to fondle one before I buy or order. I have never seen one in person. I have sit here and read reviews all day. All of them were positive. I don't think Doublestar makes a compact 1911 at all. But I am wanting a compact in 9mm.

[greyofk]

Try Nov 5th Knoxville Expo center off Clinton highway. Best time Saturday late afternoon when the dealers got all trade ins

[Guest twpayne75]

I just might. Thought about going anyway. I have a few AR parts laying around that if I don't get rid of they will turn into another rifle.

[JeffsSig]

Have you been to Mikes in Tazewell?

Oh sorry I see your in Tazewell........ added

[Guest twpayne75]

Have you been to Mikes in Tazewell?

Oh sorry I see your in Tazewell........ added

Atleast twice a week. He is a buddy of mine. I will probably have him order me one when I am sure what I want. He is busy now working on another store in Morristown.

[JeffsSig]

He is busy now working on another store in Morristown.

Now that good to know. Keep us informed please.

[Guest twpayne75]

He is busy now working on another store in Morristown.

Now that good to know. Keep us informed please.

No problem. I was bugging him a few weeks ago about when he was getting his SOT because the other guy I was using had dropped his as far as I know. He said he was still getting his but it had been put on the back burner because he had put in a bid on a building in Morristown. Tuesday I called there to see if they had something and was talking to Pam. She said to call back in a little bit because it was just her and Laura, Mike was gone. I asked if they run him off. She said he was in Morristown working on the building. So I am going to assume he got it. I will run by and see him in the next few days and get specifics.

I have been buying from Mike since he was selling out of his garage. He has always taken very good care of me. I don't think his prices can be beat. On the rare occasion he does not have what I need, he gets it quickly. The last three or four guns I have bought, which has probably been in the last 6 months, he has been about $50 cheaper than I could get anywhere else. Even online and Buds.

Now I will admit that he cuts me some deals. But I am very loyal. There have been a few times over the years where I have paid a few dollars more to buy stuff from him. But at the same time he has always been quick to take care of me and I feel better about knowing if I did ever have a problem, I'm sure I would have better luck getting help from him versus someone in Texas, Arizona, Kentucky, wherever.

It's also nice that he has the store in Kentucky. You can buy rifles out of state, just not handguns. So if it's a higher end rifle I need, I have his wife which runs the Middlesboro store order it. Sales tax is cheaper and Kentucky does not charge for a background check.

[allenwaddle]

I know that it is a pretty good drive but the outpost armory near Mufreesboro had what you were looking for a couple of months ago. Do not know if it is worth the drive or not to you. I would call and ask before I made the drive.

Allen

[Guest twpayne75]

I know that it is a pretty good drive but the outpost armory near Mufreesboro had what you were looking for a couple of months ago. Do not know if it is worth the drive or not to you. I would call and ask before I made the drive.

Allen

Thank you Allen. I will check. Would rather drive a bit if I have to versus spending a grand or more on something I don't like.

[USMCJG]

Occasionally, you will see one at Gunslingers in Kingsport. And they used to have some at Mahoney's in Johnson City, but I haven't been there in a while. Either place would be a pretty good drive for you, and I know Gunslingers doesn't have any right now.

Dollar for dollar, they are hard to beat. I have S&W, Springfield, Colt, and STI 1911s and the STIs are the best of the bunch. The only thing I have bad to say is that STIs bluing doesn't seem to hold up as well as some. But they are fitted so much better that it more than makes up for it.

[deerslayer]

Also a bit of a haul, but Hero-Gear in Winchester did carry STIs.

[Guest twpayne75]

Occasionally, you will see one at Gunslingers in Kingsport. And they used to have some at Mahoney's in Johnson City, but I haven't been there in a while. Either place would be a pretty good drive for you, and I know Gunslingers doesn't have any right now.

Dollar for dollar, they are hard to beat. I have S&W, Springfield, Colt, and STI 1911s and the STIs are the best of the bunch. The only thing I have bad to say is that STIs bluing doesn't seem to hold up as well as some. But they are fitted so much better that it more than makes up for it.

I will start checking Gunslingers. I drive right by it atleast 3 or 4 times a month. I go to Johnson City a bit also, but have never heard of Mahoney's. What is it close to? I quit worrying about finish as much when I discovered CCR and the fact that they are in Greeneville and I don't have to ship to them, I can just drop whatever off. They do amazing work.

[Guest twpayne75]

Also a bit of a haul, but Hero-Gear in Winchester did carry STIs.

Thank you. I will check with them.

[Guest twpayne75]

I have S&W, Springfield, Colt, and STI 1911s and the STIs are the best of the bunch.

I guess you do like them. Just noticed your avatar.

[USMCJG]

I go to Johnson City a bit also, but have never heard of Mahoney's. What is it close to?

It's pretty close to the Johnson City Mall. From Kingsport you take I-26 East to the N. Roan Street exit. Bear to the right(South on N. Roan Street) and turn right onto Sunset Dr.(you'd only be on N. Roan for a couple hundred yards). Go a mile or two and you will see it on the right. They used to stock several STIs, I bought my Lawman there. I haven't seen any STIs there in quite a while though, but I haven't been there in probably six months.

[Guest twpayne75]

It's pretty close to the Johnson City Mall. From Kingsport you take I-26 East to the N. Roan Street exit. Bear to the right(South on N. Roan Street) and turn right onto Sunset Dr.(you'd only be on N. Roan for a couple hundred yards). Go a mile or two and you will see it on the right. They used to stock several STIs, I bought my Lawman there. I haven't seen any STIs there in quite a while though, but I haven't been there in probably six months.

Roger that. I will be up that way soon anyway, have to go to Reinhart/IJ's for a meeting. Thank you for the heads up.

[USMCJG]

I guess you do like them. Just noticed your avatar.

It's the little things that make me prefer my STIs to the others I own. Things like the frame rails, ejector, and extractor being perfectly blended into the back of the slide. The grip safety being better fitted to the frame. And just the smooth feel when hand cycling the slide. It's not quite as slick as a Baer or Wilson, or some of the other high end names, but it's a cut above the others I have seen in the same price range. Of course these things don't really effect function, all of my 1911s have so far run 100% right off the shelf. But the little things are sometimes worth a little more to me.

[Guest twpayne75]

It's the little things that make me prefer my STIs to the others I own. Things like the frame rails, ejector, and extractor being perfectly blended into the back of the slide. The grip safety being better fitted to the frame. And just the smooth feel when hand cycling the slide. It's not quite as slick as a Baer or Wilson, or some of the other high end names, but it's a cut above the others I have seen in the same price range. Of course these things don't really effect function, all of my 1911s have so far run 100% right off the shelf. But the little things are sometimes worth a little more to me.

You make them sound sexy. I am not sure what has got me on the 1911 kick here lately. For the most part I am a Sig guy. Since the Gen 4 Glocks came out I guess I have been more of a Glock guy though. Right now features versus cost I am leaning toward STI and Sig 1911s. I am hoping to find some STIs locally to check out. I appreciate your feedback on the STI.