They say that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” That wasn’t the mindset of the people who designed the Staccato 2011. They took one of history’s classic firearms - John Browning’s 1911 - and brought it into the 21st century. And while the design may not have been broken, the folks at Staccato definitely made it better.

First off, they addressed one of the issues facing 1911 fans in the age of black plastic handguns: capacity. If you have a 1911 in 45 ACP, chances are it uses a single-stack magazine with an 8-round capacity. That’s only slightly better than some revolvers. To remedy this, the Staccato 2011 features a 9mm chamber and a modern double-stack magazine. These magazines come standard with a 15-round capacity, putting them on an even footing with all the Glocks and SIGs out there.

That’s not the only difference between a Staccato 2011 and a classic 1911. The 2011 also helps mitigate perceived recoil with its metal-and-polymer frame. That makes follow-up shots much easier. In addition, a 2011 will shoot flatter and farther than a 1911 chambered in 45 ACP. Finally, a 2011 will have better penetration, since the 9mm round is smaller and has more energy behind it. The end result is a high-end pistol that can suit a variety of roles.