Staccato P Review: Best Duty 2011 Pistol?
We tested out the Stacatto P -- a gun designed with law enforcement/duty-use in mind. Come see what our LEO expert thinks about this 2011 pistol!
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Recently, Staccato came out with a 2011 pistol called P.
While marketing included a mixture of approaches, it was clear the P was at least partially intended for law enforcement.
Staccato claims the P is approved for duty use by more than 1,500 law enforcement agencies.
I think we can agree, calling a weapon duty rated sets a high standard.
Table of Contents
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How We Tested the Staccato P
Backed by over 22 years in law enforcement, the last seven of which I served as a POST-certified handgun instructor, I intended to test the P for myself and find out if it merited that ranking.
So read on as we walk you through the specs, talk about the features, and head out to the range with this gun to find out what it's truly capable of.
Editor's note: As of this update (5-22-24) I've got over 5,000 rounds through the Staccato P in multiple practice sessions and trainings. I've used a wide range of ammo brands and weights over that time.
Staccato P Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very accurate
- Great trigger
- Low recoil
- Proven reliability
Cons
- High MSRP
- Expensive magazines
The Bottom Line
This is a premium pistol for many reasons, and so is the price.
Specs & Features
Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Action: Hammer-fired, semi-auto
- Capacity: 17+1
- Length: 8.1"
- Barrel Length: 4.4"
- Width: 1.5"
- Height: 5.9"
- Weight: 33 oz (steel) 28 oz. (aluminum)
- Comes with: Soft case, 2 17-round magazines, lock, manual
Features
- Tool-less guide rod
- Aggressive grip texture
- Optics ready
- Government length stroke
Background
So, after 100 years added to a gun’s legacy, how did Staccato evolve the 1911? What are the main differences?
First off, the general aesthetic is still the same. Those familiar with the lines of the 1911 will recognize that DNA in the 2011.
It is still a hammer-fired, full-size, semi-auto with a grip safety and manual safety just like you'd find on a 1911, but the major differences will be described in ergonomics.
Who Is It For?
The Staccato P was designed in part to serve the demanding needs of law enforcement. However, that doesn't exclude it from anyone else.
In fact, the very features that make it so qualified for that role also make it a worthy addition to anyone who wants to use one for defensive purposes. I say anyone, but there is a caveat: it's a big gun.
The size of the P is such that it is not easy to conceal. In addition, the grip is thick enough that smaller hands may struggle to hang on and work the controls.
Ergonomics: Fit & Feel
The first big difference you notice is the grip. I’ve always appreciated the narrow but hefty feel of John Moses Browning’s 1911, but the grip on the Staccato is much thicker.
This accommodates the double-stacked, 9mm magazines. When you dig into the gun and take it apart, you notice some major differences.
The frame offers either a steel or aluminum build with a polymer exterior. This allows for increased capacity and helps mitigate some of the recoil.
Plus, the outer texture is some of the most aggressive I've used. It’s got a raised pattern like an all-terrain tire that really hooks up in your palms.
In addition, there's no barrel bushing. Shooters compress the guide rod and spring until a clip sticks out. This catches on the end of the muzzle and locks the compressed spring in place for removal.
This is called the Dawson Precision tool-less guide rod and it is a much-appreciated improvement.
Controls
The external safety is ambidextrous, present on both sides and the magazine release is mounted on the left side. Sadly, it does not appear to be reversible for left-handed shooters.
With the large grip, even my 2X hands had to make adjustments. While I could reach the mag release, I couldn’t reach the slide stop lever (left side only) without adjusting my grip.
There are techniques that can be trained to work around most of these issues. Small-handed shooters might struggle with this gun a bit at first but I think the rewards would offset this.
The gently bowed, skeletonized trigger was placed at a great location. I was able to use the end of my finger to press it without straining my grip.
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How Does the Staccato P Shoot?
There were a couple of questions I set out to answer with this test.
I wanted to see how the 2011 was improved for the average officer on the street and if Staccato was able to keep some of the qualities I loved about the 1911 while improving some of its shortcomings.
I carried a 1911 on duty which means I hold it in the highest regard. But it doesn’t mean the gun couldn’t stand some improvements.
9mm Ammo in Stock
I practically ran to the range when the Staccatos came in -- that’s right, I said Staccatos.
They sent two Ps, an aluminum frame, and a steel frame. Before all was said and done, I tested both and developed some preferences.
Starting out though, I ran the aluminum frame with a Holosun 507c optic and the steel frame with the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro.
I’m a huge fan of both of these red dots. (Want more red dots? Check out our article on the Best Pistol Red Dots.)
After testing began, one thing became clear right out of the gate -- I’m not used to external safeties anymore! It took some practice to implement that into my draw stroke again.
The P comes with a slide lock safety and a grip safety.
There’s a philosophy associated with these, particularly as it applies to law enforcement -- they serve as the final layers of officer safety, should de-escalation and weapon retention tactics fail.
With a good grip established, I started banging away. Going back to a hammer-fired gun is like reuniting with an old, familiar, lover.
Gone was the achingly long, sometimes squishy, trigger pull so commonly associated with striker-fired guns.
Nope, this was sheer point and click joy with a short, crisp break and reset. Mine averaged just over 2.5 pounds on a Lyman Digital Gauge, though Staccato lists it as 4 pounds.
Looking back down Memory Lane, I used to love how well I grouped shots with my 1911. I attributed much of that performance to the trigger and it felt like the Staccato P would repeat that.
At 15 feet I fired off three shots for accuracy. The first and last went through the same hole but I threw the middle shot about an inch away.
Accuracy is strong with the P.
Another impression I had was loving the magazines and their added capacity. The P model comes standard with 2, 17-round magazines, though 20-round magazines are available.
This means shooters can walk around with 20+1 in their holster and another 34-40 rounds in mag pouches. That first magazine is often the most important, for obvious reasons.
Moving onto reliability, I fired right around 1,000 rounds through each gun using American Eagle and Blazer, both at 115 grains. I also ran some 124 grain SAR USA ammo through the guns.
With the exception of two stovepipes, the guns ran flawlessly. I was able to pin this down to one box of Blazer ammo and it did not happen again.
I ran different drills from my academy curriculum during testing and really began to appreciate this new breed of gun – an evolved fighting pistol with a pedigree.
As a more recent update, I calculate I've fired at least 5,000 rounds through the Staccato P between practice sessions and various trainings I've attended. The accuracy and reliability are tracking just like the initial review.
In short, both Staccatos were fantastic.
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Why is the Staccato P Unique?
After a couple of years of testing I can easily say I shoot this gun the best out of most of the guns I either own, or test. That's a lot of firearms.
When I've had other people shoot the P, they often remark that it is like a using a cheat code. The reliability is stellar, the accuracy is impressive, but the ability to control recoil impulse really makes this a gun you can shoot both quickly and accurately.
By the Numbers By the Numbers
Accuracy
5/5
Reasoning: These guns are at least as accurate as my 1911. The excellent trigger, combined with the red dots, (the fiber optic sights are nice too) really helps with getting on target. Add in the 4.4-inch bull barrel and you’ve got a solid package that will deliver laser-like fire if you do your part.
Reliability
4.5/5
Reasoning: I really believe the two stovepipes I experienced were ammo-induced because they didn’t happen again during the course of testing. Otherwise, the Ps were perfect.
Customization
4/5
Reasoning: There is growing supporting for the burgeoning 2011 market and the Staccato P is enjoying this with quite a few options for parts and personalization. Staccato even has a configurator to help you build yours.
Ergonomics
4/5
Reasoning: The grip is really big, even though I wear a 2X glove, I had to make adjustments. Smaller-handed shooters might struggle a bit. Overall, though, it's pretty comfortable.
Value
4/5
Reasoning: The Staccato P is expensive. The standard version is $2,099 while the optics ready version will set you back $2,399. Compared to a polymer, striker-fired gun, this might seem outrageous, but in the world of higher-end 1911s it’s entry-level to average.
Overall
4.3/5
Reasoning: This is an outstanding firearm. I feel like Staccato honored the past of the 1911 with due reverence while vastly modernizing the design to fit the challenging role officers face today.
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Upgrades for Staccato P
SureFire X300 Turbo
Holosun HS507Comp
ShellShock Ultimate Eyes u0026 Ears Combo (Bluetooth)
AAC 9mm Ammo (115gr u0026 124gr)
Field Strip the Staccato P
For a full look into how to disassemble and reassemble the Staccato P, check out our video below!
Final Verdict
You might wonder how this information applies to the civilian customer, and to me that’s pretty simple.
Whether you love, hate, or feel indifferent about law enforcement, they can at a moment’s notice, be called upon to use a firearm to save their own life or that of someone else.
To me, this means the equipment they use must be of the highest quality -- Staccato meets that standard.
Citizens wanting to harness the P for their own protection needs would be well advised to do so. The accuracy, reliability, and capacity are top-notch.
Admittedly, factors like the overall size and magwell would make it a little tough to conceal, but it could be done. I could easily envision the P serving in a dedicated home defender role too.
Also please note Staccato offers a discount on the P to active duty law enforcement, veterans and first responders through their Heroes Program.
Have you tried a 2011 pistol? Would you be willing to try one out? Let us know in the comments below and make sure to check out our review of Staccato's XC and XL models too!