Firearm: Staccato CS (MSRP: $2,499)
Double-stack capacity 1911-style pistols are certainly one of the hottest options right now for the concealed carrier, and it’s easy to see why. For decades, a debate has raged between those who prefer the striker-fired, polymer-frame double-stack pistol and those who advocate for the single-stack, metal-frame 1911-style handgun. Striker-fired fans tout the capacity and concealability of their favorite, while 1911 enthusiasts champion that platform for the excellent trigger and concomitant shootability.
But, what if you could have the best of both worlds? What if you could have the compact size and capacity of a micro-9 mm double-stack pistol with a 1911-style trigger? Enter the Staccato CS. At a size roughly between that of the Glock G19 and G26, the CS has a 7.1-inch overall length, 5.6-inch height, 3.5-inch barrel and weight of 22.7 ounces. Magazine capacity is 16 rounds, giving an extra round over the G19 and accounting for the slightly taller CS. Add in an optics-ready slide courtesy of Dawson Precision’s mounting plates and excellent overall ergonomics, and the Staccato CS is a superlative choice for an everyday carry pistol.
New on the CS is a re-designed magazine and refined grip to make the pistol easier to handle for shooters with smaller hands, while still allowing a full, three-finger grip with the firing hand and plenty of room for the support hand. The CS has ambidextrous thumb safeties, a generous beavertail, skeletonized hammer and trigger and a single-slot accessory rail on the dustcover. It’s got a full list of features, just in a smaller, easier-to-carry size. In addition, the Dawson Precision optics mount gives a precise method to add just about any micro-red-dot optic you might want.
We’ve touted Staccato’s lineage in law enforcement and competition as proof the company’s guns work well. With the addition of the CS to the lineup, Staccato completes the line with a subcompact pistol ideal for concealed carry. Much as with any bespoke handgun, the CS needs to be handled and fired to truly appreciate it—while it might command a heftier price tag than a polymer pistol, you really need to try it out on the range to get a sense of just how good it is.
Holster: Blackpoint DualPoint AIWB holster (MSRP: $104.99)
To carry the CS, we’ve opted for a Blackpoint DualPoint AIWB holster. The size and weight of the CS make it an excellent choice for appendix carry, and the DualPoint has been specifically engineered to maximize comfort and concealment. While the DualPoint may look like a sandwich-style holster, it’s actually a single sheet of Kydex carefully folded and bolstered with adjustable tension screws.
Helping keep the DualPoint in position is a sturdy metal belt clip that allows quick attachment and removal, while a metal strut keeps the pistol tucked into the body for optimum concealment. The discerning eye will note that this holster is designed for the Staccato C2, which has a larger grip and slide than the CS, but fit is otherwise identical (much like how a Glock G26 will fit in a holster for a G19). Additionally, the DualPoint can be converted for outside-the-waistband use with included hardware.
Optic: Holosun 507C X2 red dot (MSRP: $364.99)
Obviously, since the Staccato CS has a dedicated optics cut, we’ve included a red-dot sight, in this case the Holosun 507C X2. This versatile sight offers a multiple reticle system, where the user can cycle between a 2-MOA dot, a 32-MOA circle or a circle/dot combination. The 507C X2 has Holosun’s Solar Failsafe technology, where a small solar panel provides a backup power source using natural or artificial light.
In addition, the 507C X2 has Holosun’s Shake Awake technology to prolong battery life, whereby the unit powers down when inactive, but turns back on at the first hint of motion. This gives a claimed 50,000 hours of run time on a single CR1632 battery, which is cleverly accessed in a side-mounted tray. This means that the unit does not need to be removed from the pistol to change the battery. That’s a lot of utility in an affordable sight that uses the popular RMR footprint to attach.
Knife: Bear Forest The Simple 2 fixed-blade knife (MSRP: $159.99)
The last component in today’s kit is the Bear Forest Knives The Simple 2 fixed-blade knife. With an overall length of 6 inches and a blade length of 3 inches, The Simple 2 is small, light and can be carried discreetly for those who prefer fixed-blade knives rather than folding knives. The blade is cryo-treated AEB-L steel with a thickness of .06-inch, offering excellent corrosion resistance while maintaining an edge well.
With a single-sheet Kydex sheath and removable metal belt clip, The Simple 2 can be carried on the belt with other EDC gear, as a neck knife or attached to a pack. There’s even a lanyard hole for extra security. Full tang construction and a Micarta handle that can be had in a variety of finishes round out The Simple 2’s offerings. It’s a fixed-blade that can be carried as easily as a folding knife, and that’s an intriguing option.
