STI Grand Master: A Handgun for USPSA/IPSC Competitors

By Taylor Thorne

Looking for an open gun ideal for someone just dipping their toes in USPSA/IPSC open class, I was on the hunt for a handgun primed for performance. The Guns.com Vault revealed a pistol ready to take up this task — the STI Grand Master.
The Basics
Chambered in .38 Super, the Grand Master ships with steel mags. (Photo: Taylor Thorne/Guns.com)
Chambered in .38 Super, the Grand Master sports a 5-inch Trubor compensated barrel. A Trubor barrel is manufactured from a single piece of rifle-grade steel. It’s then fitted to the compensator to improve accuracy and reduce muzzle flip. To really work that compensator, the .38 Super round allows for more powder and, for that reason, is a popular open caliber for reloaders.
Weighing in at 44.6-ounces the gun is hefty but manageable. As I shot it felt balanced and didn’t impede my transitions from target to target.
Elevated Features and Range Time
The STI Grand Master is an entry-level open class gun for those interested in trying competition shooting. (Photo: Taylor Thorne/Guns.com)
The Grand Master is a factory-standard model that offers a few upgrades, chosen at the time of purchase, but otherwise is standard among its series. If you compare this gun to other factory models, it’s

Source: Guns.com