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Staccato HD range reports

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13K views 45 replies 19 participants last post by  JT Lewis  
#1 · (Edited)
I know there's already too many HD threads but thought enough people may want to skip 50+ pages of ___, and see what HD owners are reporting from the range. So, anyone shooting an HD P4 can throw up their .02 if they feel like it.

I'm starting with a first impressions at the range. My optics plates arrive Wednesday so today was just pump some rounds through it, see how it feels and hope for no failures. I sold my 24c recently so can't directly compare that but I will say the HD shoots similar to the 24c but maybe a bit less aggressive due to the steel frame.

- Zero failures, ran about 450 rounds.

- Ran - 115 S&B, 124 Fiochi, 124 WIN NATO, 124 PMC. Just what I had handy.

- Ran 2 Mecgar mags that it came with and a couple old beat up Glock mags, 1 with the Glock +2 extension on it. It was nice knowing old G mags with springs that probably have 5-10k rounds through em still ran perfect and locked back every time.

- The sharp edges on the beaver tail that I noticed upon first handling the pistol was non existent while shooting, which conflicts with what Roger Berrera said in his video. I can only assume different hands will react differently with that.

- The goofy plastic buffer isn't noticeable during shooting but it still annoys me. I don't like rattling things.

- The recoil impulse is interesting. I had some slight inconsistencies there but another range trip is scheduled for Wednesday to figure it out. Some mags had that kind of mechanical, slower 5" impulse, but most of the time it was that fast, tight feeling impulse. The main reason I usually gravitate towards 4" pistols. :unsure:

- One thing that's always bothered me is if a pistol is lazy when releasing the slide onto a full mag. I want that round to drive home with authority. Initially the Mecgar mags were lazy to strip that first round, but only with the S&B ammo, which is pointier than the others I brought. The G mags were fine in that capacity, regardless of ammo, and things leveled off throughout the session, so likely a non issue. I do wonder what a heavier spring would feel like in this thing.

- Something I need to get more range time with but initially I'm not sure if I'm liking the redesigned safety, slide release placement. I understand they always need to please the majority and most people had to decide - Break grip or use support hand. I'm probably one of a few that loved the original slide release placement on Staccato's. On reloads just the slight tilt, breaking my grip the tiniest bit allowed me to effectively activate the slide release with strong side thumb on P's/ XC's. Now that it's closer, it just feels weird and I'm bumping into the safety, but no real judgement yet. Aside from that I do love the way the grip feels overall.

- It's been years since I seriously ran irons. Although riding a bike, and I was on target, I couldn't quite quantify how much the pistol was moving around, return to zero, like I can with a dot. Next session will have the RMR HD.

- Overall I'd initially say it's a great pistol. Is it THE pistol? Time will tell.

I'll update after the next session.
 
#2 ·
Thanks for the write-up. Been considering the HD if I decide to replace my 2024 C and the magazine option wasn’t that much of a selling point since I was fortunate to get a lot of the 15-rds when I picked up the C. 100% agree with you on the “rattle factor” as that’s one of the things that always bugs me about my USPC and P2000. Interested to hear more after your next session as I absolutely love the 2024 C and its role as a do-it-all option.

How easy is the field stripping with the recoil system? There was a bit of a learning curve for me on the C during reassembly and ensuring the spring/rod lined up correctly to reassemble. Is the HD any different?
 
#5 ·
Thanks for the write-up. Been considering the HD if I decide to replace my 2024 C and the magazine option wasn’t that much of a selling point since I was fortunate to get a lot of the 15-rds when I picked up the C. 100% agree with you on the “rattle factor” as that’s one of the things that always bugs me about my USPC and P2000. Interested to hear more after your next session as I absolutely love the 2024 C and its role as a do-it-all option.

How easy is the field stripping with the recoil system? There was a bit of a learning curve for me on the C during reassembly and ensuring the spring/rod lined up correctly to reassemble. Is the HD any different?
Eh, field stripping pretty standard. I suppose the recoil system and barrel are a bit sloppier fitting and you have to kinda hold the Ambi slide release. There's also a goofy little spring where slide release goes into frame.
 
#12 ·
Image

I’ve got about 1700 rounds through so far. This gun checks a lot of the boxes for me. They improved/updated just about all of my complaints with the legacy guns. The Macgar mags have worked flawlessly and seem to be well built.

Field stripping is a little more difficult, or should I say different than a traditional 2011. It’s still easy and straight forward though.

Thumb safety is well blended and doesn’t create any hot spots for my hands. I’m still using my support hand thumb for reloads, as that’s what I’m used to, even though my strong thumb reaches the slide stop.

The RMR HD mounts nice and low, and is very natural for me to pick up. I could give or take the yellow outlined front night sight, and wouldn’t order it if it saved money to not get it.

Overall, the gun is a huge winner for me. I understand why some traditional 1911/2011 lovers will not be drawn to the gun, but everything works perfectly for me.
 
#16 ·
View attachment 1714390
I’ve got about 1700 rounds through so far. This gun checks a lot of the boxes for me. They improved/updated just about all of my complaints with the legacy guns. The Macgar mags have worked flawlessly and seem to be well built.

Field stripping is a little more difficult, or should I say different than a traditional 2011. It’s still easy and straight forward though.

Thumb safety is well blended and doesn’t create any hot spots for my hands. I’m still using my support hand thumb for reloads, as that’s what I’m used to, even though my strong thumb reaches the slide stop.

The RMR HD mounts nice and low, and is very natural for me to pick up. I could give or take the yellow outlined front night sight, and wouldn’t order it if it saved money to not get it.

Overall, the gun is a huge winner for me. I understand why some traditional 1911/2011 lovers will not be drawn to the gun, but everything works perfectly for me.
Appreciate the post. Agree on the front sight, if I keep the pistol I’ll just black it out.

Plates arrived, got the optic mounted and threw another 350 rounds through it. I’ll post a report later.
Image
 
#18 ·
I concur with just about everything EthanK said.

Although it was a slow start with this launch, right now I'm absolutely loving this pistol. I've been on the hunt for a versatile 4" to be my do everything pistol for a long time. My requirements grew to being very specific and downright picky over the years, and this thing may be the winner.

An update on some of the topics from my first range session:

- I haven't heard the recoil buffer moving around since the first session. Haven't cleaned it yet.

- The occasional recoil impulse inconsistencies I mentioned seem to have subsided, it shoots quite soft for a non ported, non comped 4". Need to put a few more types of ammo through it to see what it likes best.

- The safety, slide release location was an interesting change. Bottom line is that it simply took a bit of practice to slightly alter how I activate the slide release after being so used to 2011's. Zero issue with it.

- Zero issues with slide release driving the first round home effectively. Have to assume new mags, springs broke in a bit now. Still curious about a slightly heavier spring.

New info:

- Shot another 350 flawless rounds, no failures, no stoppages.

- Subjective, but I think it looks awesome and feels so good in the hand. Substantial. Solid.

- I can usually pick up about any pistol and shoot it well. For some reason things didn't really click until about midway through this last session. It's just.... different. I'm really looking forward to the next session.

- Optic mounting system is solid. Deep cut. Plates have bosses that go into slide so it's not just depending on screws. Plates are thin. Simply used the long screws that came with the RMR HD, which looks right at home on the P4.

- Love the built in mag well. Love the mags.

- Lots of talk about the trigger online. Personally, I think the topic is a bit over analyzed, but definitely worth noting that the lions share of my rounds downrange over the last 10-15 years have been through Glocks, so I'm beyond satisfied with the majority of 2011 type triggers. Although it may be a slight downgrade from other Staccato's, it's still an awesome trigger. I just need to get used to the slower reset.

- Slide to frame fit on par or better than the 18, or so, Staccatos I've had.

- It's a steel frame 4", so yeah, it shoots fast.

A couple more detailed range trips to ensure this is a keeper, but it's looking good.
 
#19 ·
A few notes from my recent range trip.

Full Pmag 17 gl9 mags seem to hang the slide up when releasing from slide lock. It runs fine full if there is a round in the chamber though. This did not occur with OEM glock mags or Mec-Gar mags.

I tested a Glock reduced power firing pin block spring. It had positive results by reducing the grit and reduced overall pull weight. It almost makes me want to add some tension to the sear spring for a crisper break. This is the spring I used Reduced Power Firing Pin Safety Spring for Glock Pistols
 
#20 ·
I shot another 500 through it today, as well as passing it around to other guys who shot about 250. The beaver tail hits in a little different spot than my other guns, so I’m sure I’ll develop a new callus in that spot. But the gun has worked perfectly and the RMR HD was zeroed perfectly from the factory. I haven’t messed with that at all.
My only small complain is I wish the thumb safety required a little more force to engage. It’s about perfect for me taking it off, I just wish it was a little stiffer putting back on. I haven’t had any issues accidentally putting it back on safe, so more of a preference.
Other than that, still very happy with it.
 
#28 ·
Up to 1500 rounds now. Still no cleaning, and decided to not slap any oil on it for today's session. I added Blazer 115 and PPU 124 to the mix. Still flawless. The slide to frame fit is really good, starting to feel like all the other steel frame Staccatos I've had.

Return to zero has been quite good. Lots of talk about the trigger, but bottom line is it's still a great trigger. I'll say the P4 definitely shoots a bit softer and flatter than the 24C. I also much prefer the P4 frame and grip over the 24C. There is a trade off comparing the P4 to P/ XC grips though. Those full size Staccatos are made for my hands, and I still prefer the location of the controls on em.

Image
 
#30 ·
I hadn't posted anything about it because I didn't want to be one of those guys that spread it all over the internet before Staccato had a chance to make it right.

When I got mine the right rear grip screw had been stripped/slipped when installing. I know this is only cosmetic and doesn't affect the functionality, but it did bother me. I took the screw out and found out that the grip hole and frame hole didn't quite line up and they had taken a dremel to the inner bushing to make it fit. I sent it in and less than a week later had it back with a new bushing and grip screws. I even contacted Buck and he was super reassuring that that shouldnt have happened.... he even invited me to come to the factory and the ranch sometime. Got the gun back today and looks much better. Staccato did an amazing job and now I have a contact there in the warranty dept that I can ask questions and he just txt me back saying I should be able to use the RMR HD plate or the RMR plate if I want to.

Thanks
 
#37 ·
I took mine out today to zero the RMR HD I pulled from my C2. Overall, it shoots just like my other Staccatos. I ran into two instances where the safety reengaged due to my grip; when I started riding the safety, that issue disappeared. I do like the right-side slide release when I remembered it was there :) The factory mags ran flawlessly using AAC 124-grain FMJ and 124-grain HSTs (my preferred carry round): about 200 total rounds, 150 AAC, and 50 HST. The only issue I ran into was that one of my Glock mags wouldn't lock the slide back, but it's of unknown age and has a large TTI base plate, so meh, no issue.

I can see the "hotspot" issue some people are discussing with the "new" backstrap with no grip safety. Towards the end of today's session. I noticed my hand getting a bit "tender' where it mates with the backstrap; nothing huge.

I also found out Monday morning isn't busy, but practicing Bill drills is frowned upon by Range USA😈

Overall, I think I still shoot my C2 a bit better, but I plan on running the HD by itself to get some dedicated range time with it to see if it's worth buying a holster for it, or... trading it off or selling it outright. If I had to choose today, it would be a holster.
 
#42 ·
Sorry, but I have to chime in with my two cents.

My wife asked me to buy the HD-P4 for her for our 45th anniversary. I was a little hesitant because of the short sight radius, but since she's insistent on adding Trijicon optics, the sight radius is relatively irrelevant. However, I was wrong about the sights. I shot it with open sights and was amazed at how easy it was to acquire the sights and consistently put them on target at 25 yards.

The trigger pull is a crisp 3lb-8oz, and there were no failure to feed or fire, except that when my wife is shooting it, the manual safety engages after every other shot. I shot three mags through it and the safety self-engaging never occurred for me. So I watched as my wife shot again and couldn't tell if her right thumb was lifting the safety or not, but I'm not mounting optics until I go back to Staccato Vegas and have my wife shoot it in front of their armorer. We'll take a trip down to Pahrump in a month or two, then I'll report back on the findings.

Overall it seems like a very fine piece.

Image
 
#43 ·
Sorry, but I have to chime in with my two cents.

My wife asked me to buy the HD-P4 for her for our 45th anniversary. I was a little hesitant because of the short sight radius, but since she's insistent on adding Trijicon optics, the sight radius is relatively irrelevant. However, I was wrong about the sights. I shot it with open sights and was amazed at how easy it was to acquire the sights and consistently put them on target at 25 yards.

The trigger pull is a crisp 3lb-8oz, and there were no failure to feed or fire, except that when my wife is shooting it, the manual safety engages after every other shot. I shot three mags through it and the safety self-engaging never occurred for me. So I watched as my wife shot again and couldn't tell if her right thumb was lifting the safety or not, but I'm not mounting optics until I go back to Staccato Vegas and have my wife shoot it in front of their armorer. We'll take a trip down to Pahrump in a month or two, then I'll report back on the findings.

Overall it seems like a very fine piece.

View attachment 1811370
Sounds like her thumb is below the manual safety when it should be on top of it.
 
#45 ·
I saw a review where the guy had the safety engage on every shot, strong or support hand. He didn't ride the safety and from the video you couldn't see him hitting it. He claimed it was because the higher grip you can get on it puts your thumbs closer to the safety and I can see that on my 4.5.