STI International is a firearms manufacturer based in Georgetown, Texas, best known for creating the 2011 platform — a double-stack evolution of the 1911. In 2020, the consumer brand was renamed Staccato, though STI International remains the parent company. STI/Staccato is a SAAMI member.

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STI International invented the 2011. That's their legacy. The original 1911 was limited to 7-8 rounds of .45 ACP. STI's hybrid polymer-steel frame allowed double-stack magazines — 17-20 rounds of 9mm in a platform that kept the 1911's grip angle, trigger, and controls. This concept went from USPSA race gun to FBI duty pistol (under the Staccato name). The 2011 is the most significant evolution of Browning's 1911 design in 100 years.
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Key milestones:

• 1990s — Founded in Georgetown, TX; developed the 2011 double-stack 1911 platform
• 2000s — Dominated USPSA/IPSC competition; 2011 became the race gun standard
• 2010s — Expanded into tactical/duty market; quality control issues emerged
• 2020 — Rebranded consumer operations to Staccato; major QC investment
• Present — SAAMI member; Georgetown, TX; STI/Staccato; 2011 platform for duty, competition, carry

Product Lines

Historical STI lineup (now primarily available used):

Current Staccato lineup (new production):

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The Staccato P is the most significant handgun adoption story of the 2020s. The FBI's Hostage Rescue Team, U.S. Marshals Special Operations Group, and multiple other federal agencies adopted the Staccato P as their duty pistol — replacing Glocks. A 2011-pattern pistol beating polymer striker guns in institutional evaluations was unthinkable a decade ago. The 1911 trigger + 20-round capacity + modern reliability won the argument.
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Innovation & Technology

2011 vs. traditional 1911 vs. striker-fired:

Community & Reputation

Common praise:

• 2011 platform is the most significant 1911 evolution in history
• Staccato P institutional adoption validates reliability and performance
• 1911 trigger + 20-round capacity is the best of both worlds
• Staccato quality control has improved dramatically over late-era STI
• Competition pedigree is unmatched in the 2011 space
• Resale values are strong

Common criticism:

• Premium pricing ($2,500-$4,000) limits accessibility
• Late-era STI quality control issues damaged the brand (pre-Staccato)
• Maintenance is more complex than polymer striker guns
• Magazine costs are high ($40-$50+ per magazine)
• Requires more training and knowledge than a Glock
• "Fixing a problem you don't have" for shooters happy with striker guns

Buyer's Guide

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Bottom line: STI International created the 2011 platform that changed competitive shooting and is now changing duty handgun selection at the federal level. Under the Staccato name, the company has fixed the quality control problems that plagued late-era STI and built a product worthy of FBI adoption. The 1911 trigger with 20-round capacity is genuinely the best of both worlds — if you can afford the $2,500 entry fee and commit to maintaining a 1911-based platform. For shooters who just want reliable and simple, a Glock still does that for $550. But if you want the best trigger and the best capacity in one package, the 2011 is the answer STI invented.
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References

• Staccato official site: staccato2011.com
• STI International / Staccato corporate history
• American Rifleman: Staccato P review
• USPSA/IPSC competition results: 2011 platform dominance
• Federal LE adoption announcements (FBI HRT, USMS)

Read the original article in The Handbook | By Boise Gun Club Editorial Team

Join the Discussion

Have you shot an STI/Staccato, and if so, how did it stack up against other 2011s you've tried—was the price premium worth it for you?