Army Armament R613 STACCATO 2011 Hi-Capa XL GBB

If you're into your real steel you will be well aware of STI/STACCATO Firearms, a high-end real steel company specialising in 2011/Hi-Capa builds. This full-metal 'Capa from Army Armament replicates the real steel STACCATO 2011 XL, a full-size Hi-Capa with unique STACCATO styling and licenced trademarks across the design. 

We think this is one of the best-looking out-of-the-box Hi-Capas on the market currently, blending competition and combat styling and equipped with a threaded outer barrel, raised iron sights and a red dot plate designed for RMR footprint red dot sights. The STACCATO XL is at the bleeding edge of modern pistol ergonomics and is a pleasure to handle with plenty of accessory options built-in. 

Inside, the STACCATO XL is equipped with a 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel and some redesigned internal parts focused on improving gas efficiency and reliability. These include a new formula for the rubber components with silicone infused for temperature resistance, a new magazine valve design and a new reinforced nozzle design made from cold-resistant polymer. Army Armament sure are upping their game!

Starting at the front, we can take note of the lengthened "XL" barrel and slide of this STACCATO variant, making it ideal for competition shooting and those who want a bit more FPS and accuracy out of their sidearm. At the tip of the barrel, we are treated to 11mm CW female threading, allowing you to mount a tracer unit or suppressor using an 11mm CW to 14mm CCW thread adapter. 

Mounted to the top of the slide we can find the front iron sight, equipped with a green light-enhancing insert to make it easy to pick up. The front sight is paired with an anti-glare rear sight, giving you an ultra-modern and highly effective iron sight setup which is set at the correct height for co-witnessing with many slide-mounted red dot sights. 

Speaking of which, the XL variant of the STACCATO includes a pre-installed red dot sight mounting plate designed for RMR footprint optics, allowing you to get busy with a red dot-equipped pistol without the usual troubles with sourcing the correct plate. We recommend the PCS Miniature Red Dot Reflex Sight but most RMR footprint/mounting standard sights will go straight on.

The slide itself features serrations at the front and rear, allowing you to cock the pistol before the first shot from the front or back with maximum traction. The front serrations are punctuated with weight-reducing ports which perfectly suit the STACCATO aesthetic and also provide slight improvements in gas efficiency and cyclic rate. Through the ejection port on the right side of the slide, we get a glimpse of the outer barrel and its realistic, cleanly engraved 9x19 calibre markings.

Moving down to the frame, we can take note of the full-length 5.1 style design, providing extra space for a tactical flashlight or laser aiming module so you can kit the XL out as a primary pistol platform. The rail only has a single slot, just like the real STACCATO XL but fortunately, this is in the perfect spot for an X300, XH35 or X400 style illuminator. On either side of the frame rail, we are treated to yet more trademarks, with "STACCATO XL" on the right side and "2011" on the left, just like the real thing.

The adjustable HOP-up unit of the STACCATO XL is located on the bottom of the outer barrel and is accessible with the slide removed, in "field stripped" condition. To remove the slide you will first need to remove the magazine and rack the slide to cock the hammer. With this done you can pull the slide back to align the slide lock lever with the rearmost cutout on the left side of the slide. With the slide in this position, you can push the slide release catch through from the right side of the frame, after which the side can be slid forward and removed from the front of the pistol. The adjustable HOP-up allows you to tune the XL for different ammo weights and extend your range, adjusting the dial until the trajectory is as flat as possible.

Aft of the frame rail, we come to the trigger guard which is built into the grip, as is the convention with Hi-Capa/2011 platforms. This trigger guard sports what are known as "undercuts", a reduced profile section on the bottom intended to facilitate a high grip for more effective recoil control. The guard leads on to the unique STACCATO grip, adorned with checkering on the front, rear and sides for maximum traction in all weather conditions. Also present is the super-cool (we think so anyway!) STACCATO logo, a stylised star discretely embossed on each side of the grip, completing the STACCATO look.

In terms of controls, the STACCATO XL will be very familiar to anyone who has handled a Hi-Capa or 1911 platform before, rocking the iconic "beavertail" grip safety at the rear of the grip, designed to prevent the pistol from being fired when gripped improperly. The manual safety is ambidextrous and has a slightly enlarged profile, allowing both left and right-handed shooters to carry "cocked and locked" and get on target quickly, with the added benefit that the safeties can be used as a thumb rest for improved recoil control.

At the base of the grip, we can find what is known as a "magazine well extension" or "flared magwell". This allows for faster reloads by guiding the magazine in, making speedy reloads with adrenaline coursing through your veins far more achievable. With experience, this can also allow for reloading on the move and "eyes-up" reloads, allowing you to continue to scan for targets as you bring your platform back online. Naturally, the STACCATO XL's magwell is a perfect match for the real thing, including a cutout on either side to assist with extracting a dirty or fouled magazine and stylish linear fluting around its circumference.

The magazine release is right where we would expect; on the left side of the grip, well within reach of the shooter's thumb when the XL is held in a firing grip. The mag release is a standard-sized example with a slightly raised profile, making it easy to reach but not so easy you lose your mag in the heat of combat. Both the trigger and hammer are skeletonised, reducing weight and keeping the styling in line with the real steel STACCATO XL and most other modern Hi-Capa platforms.

Inside, the STACCATO XL is based on the Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa, meaning most Hi-Capa upgrade parts should fit but may need modification. As it comes, the XL is equipped with a 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel, raising FPS and improving accuracy potential as long as you do your part. Also inside is Army Armament's new cold-resistant nozzle, designed for improved consistency and resistance to the "cooldown" effect.

The O-rings, gas routers and other rubber parts are now made from a new formula, integrating silicone into the mix for improved cold-weather performance. The magazine knocker valve has also been redesigned, showing Army Armament is on the ball when it comes to improving its products and wants us to have the best sidearm possible!

If you're in search of a full-size Hi-Capa with the elite looks of a high-end piece for a remarkable price, the STACCATO XL from Army Armament is exactly that. Army Armament has definitely upped its game with this beast!

Features

• Full metal construction
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Superb accuracy potential
• Licenced by STI/STACCATO Firearms - Authentic trademarks across the design
• XL Variant - Longer outer/inner barrel, slightly raised FPS
• 11mm CW Female threading at the tip of the comp - Add a tracer using an 11mm CW to 14mm CCW adapter
• Front and rear slide serrations - Easy to rack from the front or rear of the slide
• Ported slide - Looks great and reduces weight for a faster cyclic rate
• 20mm Picatinny frame rail - Mount a tactical flashlight or laser
• Light-enhancing front iron sight with anti-glare rear sight - Modern and highly functional sights
• Red dot plate pre-installed - Compatible with PCS Miniature Red Dot Reflex Sight & other RMR Footprint optics
• Trigger guard undercut - Allows for a higher grip for improved recoil control
• Textured pistol grip - Iconic STACCATO style checkering, logos on each side
• Gear adjustable HOP-up unit - On the outer barrel, accessible when the slide is removed
• Skeletonised hammer - Reduced weight and elite looks
• Skeletonised trigger - Well suited to a high-end 'Capa
• Ambidextrous manual safety catch - Accessible for left and right-handed shooters
• Beavertail grip safety - Prevents the pistol from being fired if the grip isn't held correctly
• Extended slide release catch - Easy to reach, even for smaller hands
• Compatible with Army Armament Hi-Capa magazines - TTI Style | STACCATO Style | Extended mag

Package Includes

• Army Armament R613 STACCATO 2011 Hi-Capa XL GBB
• 28rnd Green Gas Magazine