The Manufacturers
Located in Texas, a state known for its shooting prowess, Virgil Trip founded STI international in 1987 to manufacture a new kind of 1911 platform. He broadened the grip to accept a new double-stack 9mm magazine. Designed to be reliable, durable, and accurate, it is hand-assembled with tight tolerances.
In 2020, STI became Staccato. The term “2011” was coined by Staccato gunsmiths to describe this high-capacity 9mm handgun platform.
Jacob Grey is a third-generation machinist who manufactured high quality parts for aeronautical companies. Always interested in building an improved handgun, his father challenged him to build a better 1911 pistol in his machine shop. Jacob did just that, and the Jacob Grey Hex is the classy 2011 pistol he designed.
The STACCATO C
The Staccato C is impressively light and thin. I like the sandpaper texture surrounding the grip and the squared trigger guard. The skeletonized, curved trigger precisely fits my fingertip, breaking at 4.5 pounds.
My favorite features of the Staccato C are the scalloped bull barrel and the lightened slide. Slots along the length of the barrel and around the chamber ensure that the barrel is light but accurate. The slide is a work of art, and deep serrations make gripping easy. However, the forward slide combines lightening slots with gripping serrations to ensure the best grip regardless of external conditions.
The Staccato C is a carry gun built to compete. Its ambidextrous safety, extended magazine release, beavertail grip, and grip safety will give me confidence in its concealment. Although optics ready, it includes well-defined iron sights with a nice green fiber-optic front post.
I was surprised to see that the narrow stainless-steel magazine holds 17 rounds of 9mm. Although a formidable competition gun, I value it as an excellent duty/defense pistol.
The JACOB GREY TWC HEX
The Jacob Grey TWC Hex feels heavy with broad, textured grips and precise controls. It is meant to drive bullets with precise accuracy and feel good doing it. The Controlled Radius serrated, flat-faced skeletonized trigger breaks at 3.5 pounds. The squared trigger guard, beavertail grip, and chunky hexagon-pattern grip combine to give control with no attempt to save weight.
The barrel and slide are the heart of the pistol’s accuracy. The JG rose gold-colored bull barrel is ported near the muzzle to reduce muzzle flip. The slide has grip serrations on front and rear to aid in cocking, and it’s obvious that the slide is hand-fitted. It is extra smooth when pulled and smooth when shooting.
Optics ready, the JG Hex comes with fixed iron sights that include a large bright orange dot on the front post. I like iron sights that function well and are accurate.
The Jacob Grey TWC Hex is a competition pistol. With its grip safety pinned and non-functional, it is meant to be fast. Heavy, precise, reliable and equipped with a great trigger, it will shoot long, accurate strings and double tap with precision. I would not want to haul around the extra weight on a hunting trip, but for 3-gun or any action event, I would bring the JG Hex to play and win.
SPECIFICATIONS
Shooting the Staccato
Area 52 in Southwestern Arizona was a good place to run a fun competition between these two high-end 2011 pistols. We shot steel targets with a few water jugs thrown in at 7 yards as well as paper targets at 10 yards for accuracy, all with PMC Bronze 115-grain FMJ and 124-grain HP ammunition. It’s good, quality ammo that has never let me down.
The Staccato draws fast and points quickly due to its light weight. I prefer a flat-faced trigger, but the narrow, slightly curved trigger is easy to feel. Three shots on my left steel target center were nearly touching. Most of my shots hit the center dueling tree, but the light 115-grain FMJ bullets were unable to move the plates with authority. Muzzle flip was acceptable, and despite the pistol’s lack of weight, I grouped well on the right steel target.
Empty magazines drop free easily, and the belled magazine well accepts a new mag quickly. After reloading with 124-grain hollow points, I blew a few water jugs apart with ease. The pistol recoils smoothly and consistently. The dueling tree plates swing across with authority when hit by the 124-grain bullets.
The Staccato C experienced no failures to function, and I felt confident and relaxed while shooting it.
And the Hex
I noticed a difference in weight immediately with the Hex. It is a bit chunkier, and the hex-shaped grip texture yields a precise, solid feel that I like. The added weight is not a bad thing. I could feel immediately that shots will go as pointed with minimal recoil. Shooting the left steel target proved that theory. The heft and ported barrel kept kick and muzzle flip down to nothing, and the group was center and tight.
The dueling tree still presented a problem to the 115-grain FMJ bullets; however, my hits were a bit more precise than with the Staccato. Some quick shots to the right steel target hit center and seemed to flow from the Hex like water from a hose. The action is well balanced and heavy, which maintains accuracy.
The magazine drops quickly, and reloading is seamless. Some 124-grain hollow points tore the water jugs apart, and the dueling tree was no match for the precise hits of the Hex. This is clearly a competitive pistol, and it had no malfunctions of any kind.
Pros & Cons
WHICH IS THE BEST?
“Best” is in the eye of the shooter.
For duty carry, home defense, concealed carry, and backup hunting, my choice is the Staccato C. It is light and easier to carry all day. Smooth and accurate, it is a reliable pistol. Many variations of the Staccato have won thousands of pistol competitions as well.
For pure competition, the Jacob Grey Hex is my first choice. Its weight, balance, precise fit, and ported barrel make for great accuracy and minimal kick and barrel flip. Its wide grip gives me confidence in aiming, and it’s easy to acquire the sight picture and stay on target. The trigger is light and crisp with minimal reset. I would not like to carry it all day, but if needed, it would come through.
Although both pistols are similar and represent a large financial commitment, neither will disappoint. Simply choose the one that fits your need, and go shooting.
