When I saw the initial videos on this pistol from SHOT show, I honestly didn’t think I’d like it. I have always been of the opinion that a pistol that doesn’t take 2011 magazines is no 2011. Despite being completely wrong predicting whether or not I’d like this pistol, it does reinforce my sentiment regarding magazines. This gun feels completely different than a traditional 2011, including those built by the same company. It was different enough to be intriguing to me. 
The HD is definitely a new venture for Staccato. Instead of using the much improved, but still costly 2011 magazine, this gun is shipped with high quality metal Glock mags made by Mec-gar. As is the pistol for Staccato, these magazines are also a new venture for Mec-gar. As with all their products, these new magazines are very well done and they’re absolutely the highest quality Glock magazines I’ve seen.
The gun itself feels awesome in hand. The slide and frame are steel. The grip is smaller than a traditional 2011 and I find the ergonomics superb, despite mixed reviews on YouTube. It just fits my hands very well. The grip texturing is perfect and the controls are within easy reach. The frame has sort of a shelf built into both sides that acts similar to a gas pedal, allowing more leverage for recoil control. That is absent on Staccato’s 2011’s. The controls are fully ambidextrous. The grip safety is nonexistent on the HD series, which is also different for Staccato. One big improvement in my opinion, is the HD’s aluminum trigger. The Staccato 2011 line of pistols, including the $4300 XC, have plastic triggers.
One huge difference between the HD and Staccato’s 2011 line (or really any proper 2011) is the firing pin safety. With all the publicity these days about drop safe pistols (thanks Sig!), Staccato chose to go with a Series 80 safety for the HD line. The good news is that in this case it has little to no effect on the trigger pull, which breaks crisply at about 3.5lbs. That being said, the simple fact is that no high end 1911’s or 2011’s are drop safe, because none of them use this safety (nor did any 1911's prior to 1983). However, Staccato felt the need to in this case to satisfy the growing concern. The extractor on the HD is external, which is, again, a departure from Staccato's 2011 line. The trigger guard is also different and doesn't have the 2011 double undercut. I don't find it to be an issue, but its worth noting. Despite its compact size and polymer grip frame, the HD is no lightweight and weighs in just above 35oz with an empty magazine. I like heavier pistols, so this is welcome to me.
The forward sitting rear sight is a bit odd, but I don’t mind the sight picture. I’m not an optics guy, but that’s obviously the reason for the sight placement. Other than that, I like most everything about the gun. Quality is very high and the balance in hand is perfect. I also really like the appearance of the HD. The slick black DLC finish looks great and its the best black finish available. The HD comes in three different packages. This one has the glossy DLC barrel, but not the front slide cuts. Frankly, I don’t care for the slide cuts on the HD anyway. They are fine for my XC and XL, but this is more of a duty focused pistol. One small touch that I really like is the way the American Flag logos curve around the contour of the grip, which is different from Staccato's 2011 line and almost makes them appear to be flapping in the wind.
The only thing I really find out of place about the gun and strange for an otherwise high quality pistol is the cheap looking magwell that is just part of the polymer grip. There's nothing wrong with it, but just looks cheap and I figure its worth noting.
I shot the HD yesterday and it performed very well. I only put maybe 20-25 round through it, as we were wrapping up for the day and it was cold and very windy. Accuracy was excellent and no bobbles at all through its first couple of magazines.
I guess that's about it. The gun is just different enough to be interesting and that's what attracted me to it. Price was $2699+tax. Who here has one of these? What do you think?
As always, please enjoy the pics and share your thoughts.
Thanks!
Here it is with my Staccato XL (left) and XC (middle). The texture on the HD about about the best I've ever felt on a polymer grip. Its even better than the Staccato's new 2011 grip texture on my XL.
The HD is definitely a new venture for Staccato. Instead of using the much improved, but still costly 2011 magazine, this gun is shipped with high quality metal Glock mags made by Mec-gar. As is the pistol for Staccato, these magazines are also a new venture for Mec-gar. As with all their products, these new magazines are very well done and they’re absolutely the highest quality Glock magazines I’ve seen.
The gun itself feels awesome in hand. The slide and frame are steel. The grip is smaller than a traditional 2011 and I find the ergonomics superb, despite mixed reviews on YouTube. It just fits my hands very well. The grip texturing is perfect and the controls are within easy reach. The frame has sort of a shelf built into both sides that acts similar to a gas pedal, allowing more leverage for recoil control. That is absent on Staccato’s 2011’s. The controls are fully ambidextrous. The grip safety is nonexistent on the HD series, which is also different for Staccato. One big improvement in my opinion, is the HD’s aluminum trigger. The Staccato 2011 line of pistols, including the $4300 XC, have plastic triggers.
One huge difference between the HD and Staccato’s 2011 line (or really any proper 2011) is the firing pin safety. With all the publicity these days about drop safe pistols (thanks Sig!), Staccato chose to go with a Series 80 safety for the HD line. The good news is that in this case it has little to no effect on the trigger pull, which breaks crisply at about 3.5lbs. That being said, the simple fact is that no high end 1911’s or 2011’s are drop safe, because none of them use this safety (nor did any 1911's prior to 1983). However, Staccato felt the need to in this case to satisfy the growing concern. The extractor on the HD is external, which is, again, a departure from Staccato's 2011 line. The trigger guard is also different and doesn't have the 2011 double undercut. I don't find it to be an issue, but its worth noting. Despite its compact size and polymer grip frame, the HD is no lightweight and weighs in just above 35oz with an empty magazine. I like heavier pistols, so this is welcome to me.
The forward sitting rear sight is a bit odd, but I don’t mind the sight picture. I’m not an optics guy, but that’s obviously the reason for the sight placement. Other than that, I like most everything about the gun. Quality is very high and the balance in hand is perfect. I also really like the appearance of the HD. The slick black DLC finish looks great and its the best black finish available. The HD comes in three different packages. This one has the glossy DLC barrel, but not the front slide cuts. Frankly, I don’t care for the slide cuts on the HD anyway. They are fine for my XC and XL, but this is more of a duty focused pistol. One small touch that I really like is the way the American Flag logos curve around the contour of the grip, which is different from Staccato's 2011 line and almost makes them appear to be flapping in the wind.
The only thing I really find out of place about the gun and strange for an otherwise high quality pistol is the cheap looking magwell that is just part of the polymer grip. There's nothing wrong with it, but just looks cheap and I figure its worth noting.
I shot the HD yesterday and it performed very well. I only put maybe 20-25 round through it, as we were wrapping up for the day and it was cold and very windy. Accuracy was excellent and no bobbles at all through its first couple of magazines.
I guess that's about it. The gun is just different enough to be interesting and that's what attracted me to it. Price was $2699+tax. Who here has one of these? What do you think?
As always, please enjoy the pics and share your thoughts.
Thanks!
Here it is with my Staccato XL (left) and XC (middle). The texture on the HD about about the best I've ever felt on a polymer grip. Its even better than the Staccato's new 2011 grip texture on my XL.
