Staccato HD P4

Nine Millimeter a spendy though Impressive 2011-style handgun.

In the firearms industry, it’s pretty rare for a manufacturer to come up with a completely new design or concept. Considering the fact that firearms have been in existence for hundreds of years and have been improving in quality, innovation and design throughout the entire history of gun manufacturing, there’s not a lot of room for improvement. Consequently, when a manufacturer does come up with a new concept, it’s generally going to be based on already existing technology. Numerous firearms companies have realized that if something works, don’t try to fix it. To take it a step further, if something works, even if it is from a competing manufacturer, figure out a way to incorporate it into
a firearm of your own design.

Glock makes a pretty good magazine. They have made improvements over the years to their primarily plastic mags so they are reliable and at a price point below what other competitors sell similar magazines for. Ruger realized this years ago. Their PC Carbine takes Glock mags and, taking it a step further, their new “Glock off” (aka knock off), the RXM, is actually a Glock design.

FOLLOWING RUGER’S LEAD, Staccato has introduced a handgun that takes Glock mags. Unlike the Ruger RXM (reviewed in the June issue), the Staccato HD P4 is a traditional M2011-style handgun, similar to other Staccato models. It can use Staccato-manufactured magazines, magazines built by Glock and Glock style mags built by other companies. This is truly a big deal, as Staccato mags are some of the most expensive ones on the market, costing close to $100 each. Comparatively, Glock mags go for around $25 a unit.

The HD P4 comes in 9mm. It’s made from 4140 steel billet and weighs in at 32 ounces (empty with no magazine), typical for all metal 2011-style guns. It has a 4-inch barrel contained in a 7.6 inch slide. Trigger pull is a crisp 4 to 4.5 pounds. It comes with two 18-round Glock-style magazines. Like all Staccato handguns, it is RMR-capable and comes with a unique backup iron sight system with the rear sight placed forward of where the optic would be mounted. This is good sight placement, as the rear sight is less likely to interfere with the RMR.

Now for the sticker shock. Staccatos aren’t cheap. The baseline model lists for $2,499. The preferred package, with an illuminated Trijicon front sight, goes for $2,699. The premium package, with two extra mags, goes for $2,999. I’d avoid the premium package since it doesn’t seem to make fiscal sense to drop an extra $300 for two extra mags. If your tax return was a lot higher than you expected, you can pair the gun with Staccato brand ammunition, which the company now sells. Obviously, the gun will function with any type of credible ammo.

I RECENTLY GOT a chance to run the HD P4 through its paces. The model I shot was paired with a Trijicon RMR HD
optic. First thing I noticed was the gun didn’t have the traditional 1911-style grip safety. At first, this seemed to be a little unsafe for the traditional “cocked and locked” 2011 design, but Staccato came up with a unique work around. The ambidextrous thumb safety is designed to automatically return to the locked to automatically return to the locked position after it has been engaged. In other words, the safety is on until you push the lever down to disengage it. Once you release thumb pressure on it, it goes back to the locked position.

For anyone who has trained on a M1911- or 2011-style firearm, the current manual of arms has the shooter keep his thumb on the safety while handling the firearm. It is a natural, comfortable place to put your thumb and ensures that it doesn’t interfere with the movement of the slide during firing. It just makes sense that the safety automatically defaults to the “safe” position. The gun ran smoothly with no malfunctions, even though we didn’t use Staccato ammunition. We did run Glock magazines through it with no issues. Despite the high price point, the HD P4 is worth every penny. ★

Editor’s note: Visit staccato2011.com for more information.