TL;DR: The Staccato HD P4 is the most modernized evolution of Staccato’s 2011 platform yet, bringing meaningful upgrades like Glock-pattern magazines, fully ambidextrous controls, a raised beavertail for lower bore axis, a redesigned optic system, and an extremely accessible slide release. It shoots soft, tracks flat, and feels like the 2011 that fixes almost every common user complaint. Mixed reviews have circulated online—but in our testing, the P4 delivered. Our final score: 78.4, putting it easily in our top five full-size pistols.
Introduction: A 2011 That Finally Fixes the Pain Points
Welcome back to Monday Gunday. This week, we’re getting hands-on with a pistol I’ve been excited about since first seeing it at SHOT Show 2025: the Staccato HD P4.
This is Staccato’s modern redesign of their 2011 platform—and honestly, a lot of the changes were absolutely necessary. For future reference, Staccato will also be releasing a P4.5 variant with a 4.5" sight-block barrel, but that’s not out yet. Today, we’re testing the standard P4 configuration.
The P4’s redesign focuses on:
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Glock-style magazines (yes—finally)
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Ambidextrous, accessible controls
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Improved ergonomics and lower bore axis
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A simplified, low-profile optic mounting system
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Eliminating the grip safety while maintaining drop safety
And based on feel alone, Staccato definitely did their homework.
Key Features & First Impressions
1. Glock-Pattern Magazines
2011 magazines are a known pain point: expensive, finicky, and often in need of tuning. The P4 fixes that.
Using Glock-style mags is simply massive:
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More reliable
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Universally available
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Affordable
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Many shooters already own dozens
The included magazines are 18-round Mec-Gars, but your 19X, G17, and extended mags work perfectly.
2. Fully Ambidextrous Controls (and an Actually Reachable Slide Release)
This is probably the upgrade I was most excited about.
For the first time on a 2011-style pistol, the slide release is easily reachable with the strong-hand thumb—just like on Glock, M&P, or other striker-fired designs.
No more awkward support-hand reach-around to send the slide home. Reloads become faster and feel natural.
3. Series 80 Trigger & No Grip Safety
Staccato removed the grip safety entirely and switched to a Series 80-style system with an active firing pin block. This allowed them to:
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Improve drop safety
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Remove a polarizing feature
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Raise the beavertail
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Lower the bore axis
And it works. You can get a noticeably higher grip, improving recoil leverage.
4. Updated Optics System
The optic plate is thin, simple, and mounts using just two screws that go straight into the slide.
No stacking plates.
No weird alignment issues.
Still sits extremely low.
We mounted a DeltaPoint Pro without issue.
5. Package Options & Pricing
Staccato sells the P4 in three configurations:
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Standard Package: $2,499
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Preferred Package: $2,699 (DLC barrel + 3 mags)
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Premier Package: $2,999 (slide windows, DLC barrel, 4 mags)
Our model: the standard.
No magwell was included, and no optic plate came with ours—something we had to source separately.
Range Day: Running the Staccato HD P4
We tested the P4 using our standard Monday Gunday drills:
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Bill Drill ×2
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3 Reload 3 ×2
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10-yard B8 group
And we filmed the whole session with a Woodland Axis Elite appendix carry holster, which pairs perfectly with this format of pistol.
Bill Drill Results
Bill Drill #1
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2.50 seconds
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All A-zone hits
Bill Drill #2
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2.31 seconds
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One thrown shot due to a rushed draw
Impressions
The gun shoots surprisingly soft. The dot tracks predictably. Despite the Series 80 internals, the trigger feels crisp, consistent, and familiar to longtime Staccato shooters.
3 Reload 3 — Slide Release Shines Here
3R3 #1: 5.42 seconds (sloppy reload, one marginal line-breaker)
3R3 #2: 4.60 seconds (clean)
The mechanical takeaway?
The new slide release changes the whole rhythm of reloads on this platform. If you can find the magwell, the rest is easy. Even without a magwell installed, the process felt intuitive.
10-Yard B8 Accuracy Test
The group was tight—around 2 inches—but the zero needed a slight adjustment left.
Accuracy is exactly what you'd expect from a modernized 2011: consistent, predictable, and confidence-building. And the trigger? Honestly better than my factory Staccato P from a few years ago.
Back to the Armory: Final Category Scores
Cost – 6.9
At $2,499 this isn’t cheap, but compared to other high-performance double-stack 1911s, it’s in a very reasonable place.
Ergonomics – 8.7
Full-size grip, high beavertail, eliminated grip safety, excellent controls. Feels natural and modern.
Trigger – 8.9
Controversial in theory, excellent in reality. Clean break, defined wall, lighter than advertised.
Bore Axis – 8.5
Noticeably lower than previous designs, and you can feel that improvement under recoil.
Sights – 7.2
Good co-witness capability, but the included sight configuration is basic and requires an optic plate purchase.
Aftermarket Support – 5.9
New platform = limited initial support, but this will change rapidly.
Holsters? Covered. We already make:
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AXIS Elite
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AGIS Elite
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XIPHOS Elite
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APX
All built with our signature kydex construction and available in multiple concealed carry holster configurations.
Round Capacity – 8.4
18 rounds stock, and the gun accepts all your Glock mags. Hard to beat.
Serviceability – 7.1
Very familiar disassembly process, slightly more complex due to ambi controls.
Value – 7.9
Great case, great performance, great redesign. Missing the magwell and optic plate reduces the value slightly.
Cool Factor – 8.9
One of the most anticipated pistols of 2025—and it lived up to the hype.
Total Score: 78.4 — Top 5, Easily
The Staccato HD P4 earned a 78.4, placing it in our top five full-size pistols to date. It’s modern, smartly improved, and solves almost every complaint shooters have had with previous 2011-style designs.
If you plan to carry this gun, pair it with the right holster—like an adjustable retention holster from our AXIS Elite, AGIS Elite, XIPHOS Elite, or APX lineup.