STI Staccato-C vs Wilson XTAC Compact

I was finally able to pick up my STI Staccato-C today. Thanks to Dan @BBP for a great transaction. I wanted to give y’all some initial impressions of the Staccato-C and some comparisons to the WC XTAC Compact.

Handling the Staccato-C left me pretty impressed. The build quality feels improved compared to other STI’s I’ve owned and handled in the past. Parts quality seems better, fit of the Thumb Safety and the trigger are a huge improvement. There are some areas that this particular Staccato-C could be improved on and I’ll hit on those in the photos below.

Anyhow, I plan on running the Wizard Drill and a 5x5 Drill with each tomorrow. I’m interested in seeing how well (differently) the Staccato-C handles recoil with its 2011 build style, compared to an all steel framed Wilson.

The builds are pretty similar. Both 9mm, STI has a 3.9” bull barrel and the WC is a 4” bull barrel. The Staccato-C has a dual recoil spring system and the Wilson a flatwire recoil system (some may have a standard system).

Magazines: Stock STI mags, Wilson’s Compact 8, 9, and 10 rounders, as well as Tripp Cobramags fit well; however, the Mag Catch/ Release on the STI is poorly fitted. The ledge was left very wide and the Mag tubes are getting hung up when inserted. I have one Wilson 9rd and 1 Tripp’s Cobramag that can’t be fully inserted. Some magazines, the Wilson’s and Tripp’s look like they’re pretty close to touching the bottom of the ejector - so I’m worried about snapping the ejector in the future (we shall see).

Sight set up on the Staccato-C is beautiful. Their rear sight looks pretty mean and I’m digging the sight picture.

The inside of the Staccato-C Frame does not appear to be fully finished. The grip treatment feels very mild. I prefer a grip that bites back and won’t move in the hand, like the XTAC pattern. The Grip Safety feels a little too wide. I’m worried it may dig into my thumb and become uncomfortable with a high thumb riding the safety style grip.

The additional holster is a nice touch, works okay but I already added a wing claw to it. The soft range case is really really nice!!!

I’m pretty happy with the Staccato-C and I’m looking forward to getting them on the range soon. If there’s anything else y’all want to see regarding the Staccato-C, please let me know.

 

STI Stock Mags




Tripp Cobramags

View attachment 197407

Wilson Compact 10 rounders


View attachment 197411

 

Hey don, what ammo were you running? If your Mag Catch looks anything like mine, it won’t break in. It’ll probably need some filing and tuning.

 

@MHarvey @don marcum

Sorry I took awhile to reply, took the family out for dinner and just now had time to fix the Mag Catch.

Clear the gun, remove the Mag Catch/ Release (don’t need to fully disassemble). I took a 3M 320grit sponge and polished up the underside of the Mag Catch/ Release. Careful not to break the top edge/ ledge much at all, just polish up the bottom. All mags now insert, fully seat, and smoothly lock in place. Even the Tripp and Wilson that wouldn’t even budge earlier. Good luck and hope this helps.

@don marcum try running 124 or 147 gr. for awhile. After a few hundred rounds the gun should eat up 115 just fine. It does feel very tightly built.

 

Outlook not soo good for the Wilson 10 rounders.

 

My mags may need some new springs then? Lol

This was the 10 rounder, but the 8, and 9 seat and feed fine. The 10 rounders that I have use a polymer follower. (Just checked Wilson’s website and alll the Compact 10 rounders show a metal follower) I need to upgrade! Lol

 

Okay let’s see if this works.
First 71 rds thru the Staccato. I forgot my timer - so just wanted to put a few rounds thru her.

Overall: a very soft, flat shooting gun. Which is very impressive because of its light weight. Chewed up a mix of some HST, Critical Duty, and WWB 115. A few FTRB’s but i expected it, the gun is tight and I’ve used these mags for a few years. Hoping to run it some more tomorrow.

Thumb Safety + Grip Safety equals a wide combo that definitely gets uncomfortable with a thumb riding safety grip. The thumb safety is gonna need a dehorn, IMO.

Link below:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/x4gte2kpzu62q9j/STI StAccAto - C .mov?dl=0

 

@zipper046

Video link in the post above, brother!

 

@MHarvey, glad it worked out for you sir. Sounds like a couple of these came out with that minor issue. I’ll be sending mine off this week for some grip texturing. The stock texture is just not enough for me, and I feel it could be improved.