Staccato XL Vs Staccato XC: Worth the Upgrade?

The handgun market is filled with tons of options nowadays. Whether you are a veteran or a newbie shooter who want an everyday carry for security purpose, you will be bombarded with options all over!

One such dilemma is finding the best one between Staccato XC vs XL. They are extremely similar guns with tons of similarities between them. There are also quite a few differences between them that set them apart.

Let’s get to know them, shall we?

Staccato XL

The Staccato XL is a semi-automatic pistol chambering 9mm Luger. The handgun is quite small and not as hard to control as a 1911. A lot of people also find this weapon more ergonomic and easy to handle compared to a Glock or a .45 ACP handgun.

It’s not lightweight, but it’s not the heaviest gun you will handle either. The weight is balanced and the finish on the gun is premium. Overall, a really good gun for competitive shooters.

Staccato XC

At first glance, you might think Staccato is trying to sell you guys the same gun, twice. But in reality, it’s far from the truth. They might have a similar length and fire the same 9mm Luger, but they are not the same gun.

The XC is focused towards more of a casual shooter and it also has a compensator integrated into the gun. This makes the recoil control a bit easier.

Staccato XC vs Staccato XL – Key Differences

Now that we know a little bit of what they are like and what they look like, let’s find out what kind of shooting they do and what sets them apart. Let’s go!

Design

The first thing you notice in a gun is the design. How cool it looks or how badly it looks, you know, the subjective stuff. In terms of design, the XC looks a bit “upgraded” model of the XL. It has a really cool pattern on the grip and the visible unloading portion of the gun makes it aesthetically pleasing to some.

In terms of design, they are totally your preference and yours alone. I don’t get to influence your subjective opinion.

Size

The total length of the XL model is around 9.1 inches. As for the height, it’s 5.9 inches and 1.5 inches wide. As you can see, it’s quite large for a pistol.

The length of the XC model is around 8.7 inches. It has a width of 1.5 inches and a total height of 5.9 inches. As the specs suggest, it’s just a slightly smaller gun in length but has the same height and width. So, they will feel nearly identical at hand.

Weight

This is where things get a bit interesting. If you weigh the gun with an unloaded mag, the total weight of Staccato XL will be around 38oz. When you take a look at the XC, which does come with an optic, the w/o optic and magazine weight is 37.56oz.

When you count in the weight of the sight and the loaded magazine, XC will still be heavier. By pistols standard, both of them are quite heavy.

Performance

When it comes to the performance, they are both on par. They both share the same caliber and the firing chamber isn’t different either. The same goes for the safety lever. The only difference caused in the performance is due to XC coming with a compensator built in.

In case you didn’t know, the compensator makes it easier for you to lower the recoil. Due to both of them being quite heavy guns, recoil control is super important.

Recoil

Speaking of recoil control, most users out there will vouch for the XC to have better control of the recoil. That’s due to the compensator. Despite having similar weights and action chambers, the guns have different recoil.

If you are looking for an easier-to-control recoil without upgrading the muzzle, then the XC is the better option for you.

Accuracy

This is one of those positions where it’s nearly impossible to set the two apart. Both of these Staccato weapons are made for competitive shooting and just casual shooters as well. Their accuracy is extremely high and it shows when you fire the weapon for the first time.

As for the Staccato XC, it’s not the first preference of competitive shooters due to the asking price. Once you consider the after-market accessories and prices of the total package, it becomes hard to not think twice.

Staccato XL Vs Staccato XC – Similarities

They share similar security, similar shooting action, and a similar cartridge. They also share the same magazine type with the same amount of bullets. Besides these, they are quite different weapons and they will feel different to shoot as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are these weapons made?

Staccato is an american brand based in Texas. That’s where they operate from and their customer service is exceptionally good as well. With a mix of imported materials and American craftsmanship, Staccato can be one of the top choices for you.

What are their barrel length?

The barrel length on the XL is 5.4” and the barrel length on the XC model is 5”.

Closing Thoughts

Despite having similar overall specifications, they are not the same gun at all. Their performance and their overall quality are quite different.

Due to their price differences, people often go for the XL model due to it being more affordable. And there is nothing inherently wrong with that decision either. After all, you need to find the weapon comfortable to use.

This is why I recommend you to go to a shop and try out both weapons and see if you like one more than the other. If you find the recoil of the XL model to be high and want even lesser recoil while still having the highest possible accuracy, then the Staccato XC is a worth-it upgrade in my opinion.

That’s all for now, thanks for reading as usual. Hope you had a fun time. Will see you on the next one. Till then, take care and have fun.