Practical Handgun

The Which Handgun poll has been running on the PH site for some time now so we though we would have a look at the results. As most people who look at the PH site are IPSC orientated, these are what the results show.

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.

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.

For those competitors who demand the ultimate in an IPSC race gun, STI International can rovide them with the STI Grand Master. Incorporating unique features with their manufacturing technology and compensated barrel, the STI Grand Master is a competition ready factory pistol with all the features of a customised pistol.

On the 2^nd November 2008 at World Shoot XV in Bali, Eric Grauffel retained his title as International Practical Shooting Confederation World Champion in IPSC Open Division. He added this championship title to the previous three World Championships that he has won in Philippines 1999, South Africa 2002 and Ecuador 2005. The pistol he used was the Tanfoglio Gold Custom Eric, which is a full Open Division race gun, single action pistol especially designed for IPSC Open Division competition. In addition to his four World Championship wins, Eric has also won the last five European Championships as well.

This handgun is the evolution of the Tanfoglio Gold Custom model that was modified following the suggestions and assistance of the current IPSC World Champion Eric Grauffel. It is supplied with a ported barrel (six or eight holes) with polygonal rifling, a lighter ported slide, a two or three chamber compensator and aluminum grips. The trigger travel can be adjusted using the screw in the trigger while the magazine release catch is reversible for left hand shooters.