If you’re in the market for a compact double-stack 1911-style pistol, you’ve got some serious contenders to consider. I recently put three of the most compelling options head-to-head: the Bul Armory Ultralight Pro, the Staccato C2, and the Alpha Foxtrot Romulus 3.5 Comped. All are 9mm, all are optics-ready, and all bring their own flavor to the table—whether you're after lightweight carry, classic duty handling, or competition-inspired firepower in a small frame.
Optics Setup
Each pistol handles optics in a unique way.
- Bul Armory Ultralight Pro uses the BAO Micro Optic System (RMSc/K footprint). I mounted the Olight Osight directly to the slide, and thanks to the built-in rear notch, I was still able to co-witness—no suppressor sights needed.
- Romulus 3.5 includes both RMR and RMSc plates. Co-witnessing worked straight out of the box. No mods needed.
- Staccato C2 required a bit more effort. I’m running a Leupold DeltaPoint Pro with a rear sight added behind the optic for co-witnessing. The DPP does offer the largest window of the three, giving the C2 an edge in fast sight acquisition and tracking.
Ergonomics & Controls
All three platforms offer ambidextrous safeties, but that’s where the ambi support ends. None come with reversible mag releases or ambi slide stops.
- The Ultralight Pro and Romulus both ship with flared magwells for fast reloads.
- The C2 does not include one from the factory but has a slight internal bevel—and aftermarket options are widely available.
- In terms of grip feel: the Bul is the most aggressive, the Romulus strikes a great balance, and the Staccato is smooth and comfortable for extended carry.
Performance & Shootability
This is where things really start to diverge.
- Bul Armory Ultralight Pro: 28.9 oz unloaded, 3.25” ported bull barrel, crisp 3.5 lb trigger. Despite the size, this pistol shoots remarkably flat—great for EDC that performs like a mid-size gun.
- Staccato C2: 32.1 oz unloaded, 3.9” bull barrel, 4 lb trigger. It’s the only non-ported gun in the lineup, but thanks to the Recoil Master system, it still runs smooth. Balanced, refined, and duty-proven.
- Alpha Foxtrot Romulus 3.5: 39.1 oz unloaded, 3.5” ported bull barrel, 3 lb trigger. Full steel frame makes it the least concealable, but the flattest shooting. It honestly felt like a compact competition gun in a carry footprint.
Magazine Compatibility
- Staccato C2 and Romulus accept standard 2011 mags—easy to find, stock, and swap.
- Bul Armory Ultralight Pro uses proprietary mags, which work well but can be harder to source.
Capacity-wise, the Romulus takes the win with both 17- and 20-round mags. The Bul and C2 both run 16+1.
Final Thoughts
Here’s the TL;DR:
- Staccato C2: Smoothest, most balanced, and backed by a huge aftermarket. Slightly heavier trigger, and no magwell included, but the DeltaPoint Pro gives you a big visual edge.
- Bul Armory Ultralight Pro: Lightest, snappiest, and surprisingly shootable for its size. You’ll have to deal with proprietary mags and minimal ambi support.
- Alpha Foxtrot Romulus 3.5: Heaviest and flattest-shooting of the three. Feels more like a race gun, and the grip and trigger make this one of the most accurate compact pistols I’ve run.
So what matters most to you—size and concealability, or control and shootability? Sound off in the comments, and don’t forget to check out the full video on the channel.
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