Heritage & History

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.

:::callout
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):

Model	Type	Caliber	Price (used)	Notes
Trojan	Single-stack 1911	.45/.9mm	~$1,000-$1,500	STI's best value 1911; solid build quality
Tactical	Double-stack 2011	9mm/.40	~$1,500-$2,000	Duty/defensive 2011; 15-20 rd capacity
Edge	Competition 2011	9mm/.40	~$1,800-$2,500	USPSA Limited/Open favorite
DVC-P	Race gun 2011	9mm	~$2,500-$3,500	Top-tier competition; DVC series
Nitro 10	Full-size 2011	10mm Auto	~$2,000-$2,500	10mm in 2011 platform
Hex Tactical	Tactical 2011	9mm	~$2,000-$2,800	Enhanced tactical features

Current Staccato lineup (new production):

Model	Type	Capacity	Price (new)	Notes
Staccato C2	Carry 2011	16+1 (9mm)	~$2,500	Commander-size; concealed carry focused
Staccato P	Duty 2011	17+1 / 20+1 (9mm)	~$2,500	Full-size duty; adopted by FBI HRT, USMS, others
Staccato XC	Competition 2011	20+1 (9mm)	~$4,000	Compensated; race-ready
Staccato XL	Long-slide 2011	20+1 (9mm)	~$4,000	5.4" barrel; maximum sight radius
Staccato CS	Subcompact 2011	16+1 (9mm)	~$2,500	Smallest Staccato; deep concealment

:::callout
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

Innovation	Impact
2011 platform	Double-stack 1911; hybrid polymer-steel frame; 17-20 rd capacity
Modular grip system	Polymer grip + steel frame insert; accommodates wide magazines
DLC coating	Diamond-Like Carbon finish on slides; wear-resistant
Dawson Precision sights	Competition-grade sights as standard on many models
Match-grade barrels	Bull barrel fitting; hand-fitted for accuracy
Competition trigger	Sub-2 lb pulls on race guns; crisp 1911-style break

2011 vs. traditional 1911 vs. striker-fired:

Feature	STI/Staccato 2011	Traditional 1911	Glock 17
Capacity (9mm)	17-20+1	8-10+1	17+1
Trigger type	SA (1911-style)	SA (1911-style)	Striker
Trigger pull	3-4 lbs (duty) / sub-2 (race)	4-5 lbs	5.5 lbs
Weight (loaded)	~38 oz	~40 oz	~32 oz
Price	$2,500-$4,000	$500-$3,500	~$550
Maintenance complexity	High (1911-based)	High	Low
Aftermarket	Growing	Massive	Massive

Community & Reputation

Segment	Reputation	Notes
USPSA/IPSC competitors	Dominant	2011 is THE competition platform
Federal LE (tactical units)	Adopted	FBI HRT, USMS SOG, others
Concealed carry (premium)	Growing	C2 and CS for high-end CCW
1911 purists	Mixed	Some see 2011 as evolution; others as departure
Budget-conscious	Out of reach	$2,500+ entry price is prohibitive

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

If You Want...	Get This	Why
Best concealed carry 2011	Staccato C2 (~$2,500)	Commander-size; 16+1; carry-ready
Duty/full-size 2011	Staccato P (~$2,500)	FBI HRT adopted; 17-20+1; proven
Competition 2011	Staccato XC (~$4,000)	Compensated; race-ready out of box
Used STI (value)	STI Trojan (used ~$1,200)	Single-stack; solid 1911; best value STI
Budget 2011 alternative	Look at Bul Armory or Rock Island TAC Ultra	2011-pattern at lower prices

:::callout
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)

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

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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?