Springfield Armory continues to deliver innovative and well-thought-out defensive, target and sporting handguns. And there’s a strong emphasis on 1911-type pistols as a major component of its lineup. The new 911 pistol series is Springfield’s latest take on a timeless design.

The 911 Series

The Springfield 911 line currently consists of 12 different 1911 single-action pistols — available in .380 and 9mm — designed for deep concealed carry. Models differ in appearance and features, so there is surely a version available to please any 1911 pistol fan.

911 Alpha Specifications

Springfield Armory sent me the .380 ACP 2.7-inch Alpha with black-nitride finish for testing. This particular version has the lowest MSRP — $429, a print point that is within reach for many consumers — of all the .380 variants.

In terms of operation, the 911 pistols vary slightly from full-sized 1911s. The 911s have no grip safeties in addition to their thumb safeties. (Having carried “cocked and locked” for more than a year on the narcotics unit, the lack of a grip safety on the 911 series doesn’t concern me.)

Operating System: Single-action
Overall Length: 5.5 inches
Barrel Length: 2.7 inches
Weight: 12.6 ounces
Height: 3.9 inches
Frame: 7075 T6 anodized hard-coat aluminum
Slide: 416 black-nitride stainless steel/v-shaped grasping grooves at rear
Barrel: 416 R black-nitride stainless steel
Grips: Checkered polymer with crossed cannon logo

There is a pop-up loaded-chamber indicator atop the slide and an ample cartridge viewing port on the right side of the chamber. A single flush-fit, six-round magazine is provided. (I’d like the option to pay a bit more and have a second magazine included for convenience.)

The fixed sights are quite good. The rear has white dots, while the front features a contrasting red fiber-optic pipe. Two long segments of red and lime-green pipe are included to replace the factory-installed pipe should the need or desire arise.

Range Time

The Alpha 911’s grip is short. I could only wrap the middle and ring fingers of my medium-sized hands around it, leaving my pinky hanging in the air. But I could still hold it comfortably and maintain control while firing. There is a seven-round stainless-steel accessory magazine with pinky extension available for those who desire a bit more control.

I used SIG Sauer’s Elite 90-grain V-Crown .380 ammo for the range test. Muzzle velocity is listed at 980 feet per second, which delivers 192 foot-pounds of muzzle energy. Not an atom smasher but certainly more than adequate as a self-defense load.

Test-firing revealed that, while the Springfield is a micro-sized .380, it is still a comfortable shooter. I didn’t feel any stinging while firing the 911 with the full-power SIG ammunition thanks to the 1911 ergonomics. Cycling was flawless out of the box. The trigger is somewhat heavy but still crisp, and accuracy was impressive. Groups were in the 3-inch range at 20 feet despite the lousy weather conditions. The thumb safety was easy to disengage when I started from a two-handed ready position with the gun “cocked and locked.”

Wrap Up

There are still plenty of advantages to the 1911 design … even when reduced in size. Accuracy, safety, reliability and ergonomics are the hallmarks. If the .380 911 doesn’t provide enough “oomph” to suit you, check out all the available 9mm variants.

Sources:

Springfield Armory: Springfield-Armory.com
SIG Sauer: SIGSauer.com

About Scott W. Wagner

Scott W. Wagner has been a law enforcement officer since 1980, working undercover in liquor and narcotics investigations and as a member, sniper and assistant team leader of a SWAT team. He currently works as a patrol sergeant. He is a police firearms instructor, certified to train revolver, semi-automatic pistol, shotgun, semi- and fully automatic patrol rifle, and submachine gun. Scott also works as a criminal justice professor and police academy commander.