Guardian 2012

[Caleb]

Picked up this Guardian in a trade on Friday. The fired casing is dated in 2012. I will do a little review once I get some lead down range. The PO said it had less than 1k rounds through it. Both Joe and I believe it has even less than that by the condition of the inside bits. I'm sure it is "broken in" but, I will make sure it eats anything without a problem before I carry this pistol. The blueing looks worn on the frame with some holster wear but, no big deal breaker for me.

I want to thank Joe (milkmanjoe) for watching my six while I met the unknown and did the deal.

Here are some prelim pics, the only thing I have changed are the grip screws. Trying to decide what kind of grips would look and function good with this two tone pistol. Here you go, no more teaser shots. :D

http://i.imgur.com/xALz2YK.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/6owdzVo.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/OUWKI05.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/jbMwI4w.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/CYs5Zuo.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/MLXIQ2c.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/OD7tGtc.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/DE33DGj.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/wyXEzZq.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/lInpmIo.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/QGlsv5V.jpg?1

I'm still trying to find the right lighting setting on this camera. Looks like I need to build a cheap light box/soft box.

Specs:
MSRP $1,181.00 (2014 pricing)
Calibers .45 ACP, 40S&W, 9×19
Frame STI 1911 Officer Frame, STI Stippled Front Strap, Undercut Trigger Guard
Grips STI Cocobola Grip Panels
Slide Classic, Flat Top, Stainless Steel with STI Rear Cocking Serrations
Trigger STI Long Curved Trigger
Barrel 3.96″ (10.05cm) STI Bull Barrel, Ramped, Fully Supported
Safeties STI High-Ride Beavertail Grip Safety
Single Sided Thumb Safety (Blued)
Guide Rod STI Recoil Master
Sights 3 Dot (White) T.A.S.
(Tactical Adjustable Sights)
Overall Length 7.5” (19.05cm)
Weight 40 S&W= 32.4 oz (916.64g)
Finish Stainless Slide With Polished Sides and Blued Frame

[edgehill]

Nice pickup. Did you take the photos? They're very good.

[zukinut]

nice pick up:D

[GD2A]

Geez Louise ... I damn sure don't *need* anything else but all you folks getting new pistolas sure makes me WANT one.

Congrats Caleb!

[AutoMag]

Very nice Caleb!!!:)

[sdmc530]

SUPER NICE...can't wait to see range report buddy!

[Riverpigusmc]

I like it

[Xbonz]

Suhweet!! Nice pick up...

[douglas_knott]

Nice I love it.

[Sheepdog]

Welcome to the club!!! Nice pick up. I hope you like it. If not call me.:D

[Riverpigusmc]

Welcome to the club!!! Nice pick up. I hope you like it. If not call me.:D

He asked me the other day if you texted, but I did not know if you were that technoligicaly advanced :p

[Caleb]

Nice pickup. Did you take the photos? They're very good.
Thanks, yes I took the pics. I need to build a soft box for better lighting.
nice pick up:D

Geez Louise ... I damn sure don't *need* anything else but all you folks getting new pistolas sure makes me WANT one.

Congrats Caleb!

Very nice Caleb!!!:)
Thank you

SUPER NICE...can't wait to see range report buddy!
Thanks bro, hopefully this week it'll get a workout. I picked up three different fmj brands and one HP for testing.

I like it

Suhweet!! Nice pick up...

Nice I love it.

Welcome to the club!!! Nice pick up. I hope you like it. If not call me.:D
I doubt I won't like it, just feels good in the hand.
He asked me the other day if you texted, but I did not know if you were that technoligicaly advanced :p

I pm'd him instead. :D

[milkmanjoe]

Was a pleasure to attend, to meet your wife and have some great talk. Thanks for the great Zippo! My sons are fighting over it. Little known when you gave it to me is the inscribed words are what I have lived by for decades as the pic shows. The embroidery was made for me by my sister over thirty years ago, back when I would smack people for saying good morning. I have calmed quite some. Great meeting, great buy!!! Both sons won in Little league yesterday, season extended, we will get range time in the next few weeks!

http://www.cotep.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=104&pictureid=748

http://www.cotep.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=104&pictureid=747

[Caleb]

That's awesome.
I almost grabbed the Harley version but, something told me to grab that one instead. Glad I did and that you like it. Thanks again for the cover. It was great chatting and catching up.

[Caleb]

I'm looking at VZ in either the ETC or Operator ll series for grips. I like the thin grips from STI but, I don't see that option from VZ for the officer size grips...?... If Zane had the ability to checker his grips, that would solve my grip issues...lol.

I have noticed one thing while messing with it. The thumb safety seems too easy to disengage with no tactile feel to it. In other words, I don't feel it "click" into the safe and fire possitions. It feels mushy, if that makes sense. Could this be a plunger spring issue?

[Caleb]

This is a short range report as I did not have a lot of time and idiots entered the range (so I called it good).

Shot 100rds of Remington UMC 230gr FMJ with 3 FTFeeds and 1 FTEject.

Shot 50rds of Federal Champion 230gr FMJ with 0 failures.

Shot 20rd Winchester PDX1 230gr HP with 0 failures.

I'm not sure what caused the 3 misfeeds and 1 failure to fully eject with the UMC ammo but, after I switched to the rem and win ammo, it ran perfect... it was dirty by then as well). I used three different mags. 1 STI mag and 2 Wilson mags. The failures were with both Wilson mags.

Next time I will run some WWB FMJs, which I have never had problems with and see how it functions.

I will also try to get some Federal HST 230gr HP, as this is what I would like to run in it for self defense.

It's not getting carried until I am 100% sure it is reliable.

That's all for now.

PS: This pistol is very accurate. I shot 4 rounds through one hole at 7yds and pulled the fifth shot. I don't care for the 3 dot white sights but, will leave as is for now. I will change them out later with some straight eights or something similar.

PPS: Point ability feels natural and the balance is spot on. Trigger breaks clean around 4.5lbs and there is no creep. Reset is a dream, which makes follow up shots easy and on target. The grips are ok but, will get a little more aggressive grips later.

[Pawpaw]

Get you some Tripp Research (http://http://www.trippresearch.com/) mags. You'll never look back.

My V-Bob and Guardian both love 'em.

[milkmanjoe]

Get you some Tripp Research (http://http://www.trippresearch.com/) mags. You'll never look back.

My V-Bob and Guardian both love 'em.

Tripps are all I run in carry guns.

[Caleb]

Ran 200 more rounds through it this afternoon. I had one failure to eject due to an Ellison round. It just went "poof" and did not push the slide back enough to eject the casing....tap, rack, and kept on going.

I ran 100rds of WWB fmj 230gr and 100rds of Rem UMC fmj 230gr bulk packs. Gun ran flawless with the exception of the squib round (not the guns fault).

Next I will run nothing but SD rounds. If I can get my hands on different brands, it will be a better test. My preferred round is the Fed HST 230gr. I found some online but, can't order it just yet.

Totol round count so far is....350rds of fmj and 20rds of SD ammo.

[Caleb]

Get you some Tripp Research (http://http://www.trippresearch.com/) mags. You'll never look back.

My V-Bob and Guardian both love 'em.

Tripps are all I run in carry guns.

Thank you, I will look into these.