Army Armament R618 STACCATO 2011 Hi-Capa XC GBB

If you're into Hi-Capas but are in search of something a bit different, the Army Armament R618 STACCATO 2011 Hi-Capa XC should suit you perfectly! This full metal Hi-Capa GBB is internally based on the Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa design and is officially licenced by STACCATO Firearms via EMG and 6mm Pro Shop. This means we are treated to engraved and embossed trademarks across the design, boasting the unique STACCATO grip with trigger guard undercuts and STACCATO style checkering.

Inside, the STACCATO XC is equipped with a 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel and some redesigned internal parts focussed 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 see the pre-installed XC compensator mounted to the tip of the 4.3-inch outer barrel. The compensator looks fantastic with its menacing single port design and reduced front profile, matching the real STACCATO 2011 XC perfectly. At the front of the comp, we are treated to 12mm CCW female threading, allowing you to mount a tracer unit or suppressor using the Army Armament Thread Adapter. This may not be the most realistic choice but is a surefire way to intimidate the enemy in CQB and allow for instinct aiming in low-light scenarios.

Mounted to the top of the compensator 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. The XC doesn't include a red dot sight plate but fingers crossed one comes to the market soon!

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 XC out as a primary pistol platform. The rail only has a single slot, just like the real STACCATO XC 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 XC" on the right side and "2011" on the left, just like the real thing.

The adjustable HOP-up unit of the STACCATO XC 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 XC 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 XC 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 XC'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 XC 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 XC and most other modern Hi-Capa platforms.

Inside, the STACCATO XC is based on the Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa, meaning most Hi-Capa upgrade parts should fit but may need modification. As it comes, the XC 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 a 'Capa fan or this will be your first, the Army Armament R618 STACCATO 2011 Hi-Capa XC is one to watch. With the elite looks of a pre-installed compensator and authentic licenced trademarks, we think this is one of the best value Hi-Capas out there for the skirmisher who values realism!

Features

• Full metal construction
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Superb accuracy potential
• Licenced by STI/STACCATO Firearms - Authentic trademarks across the design
• Compensator pre-installed - Looks great, just like the real STACCATO 2011 XC
• 12mm CCW Female threading at the tip of the comp - Add a tracer using an adapter if needed
• 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
• 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 R618 STACCATO 2011 Hi-Capa XC GBB
• 28rnd Green Gas Magazine