Concealed carriers look for a few things when purchasing a new carry gun. The gun should be controllable, concealable, and feel good in the hand. Quick, think of a few more that I left out. Perhaps, it is knock-down power, grips, round count, or trigger feel? In recent years gun companies have slimmed down guns without sacrificing fit, feel and all that other good stuff. Springfield Armory may have figured out how to deliver everything we need in a concealed carry gun with the 911.
Springfield Armory originally produced the 911 in a 380 Auto version. I like this version. The grip and trigger reminded me of a small 1911, but I wasn’t committed to running a 380 for my concealed carry. We can sit here and debate the validity of 380 vs. 9mm till the cows come home, but when it's all said and done, it's about comfort. If I'm not comfortable, there's no way you can convince me. A 9mm has been my concealed carry for as long as I can remember.
On the other hand, while spending some time with Rob Leatham, I learned he loves to carry the 911 in 380. This
came as a shock to me because Rob is a big dude and in my little brain that just didn’t connect. It goes to show that the old phrase “to each his own” rings true.
Here are the big pluses that I think make the 911 such a great option for the EDC folks. Tricked out with a lightweight aluminum frame, the 911 is equipped with G10 grips and aggressive Octo-Grip checkering on the front and back strap. I can’t imagine handling a gun of this size without quality grips. Range day with the 911 took place in the dead of winter. Snow on the ground and hands freezing, I shot the 911 great. I 100 percent believe that without the extra attention to the grips, I wouldn’t have been able to control the gun.
What's the number one feature people rave about the 1911? TRIGGER! The trigger is the basis for all precision shooting. The first thing I do when picking up a gun, aside from making sure it's safe, is feeling the trigger. You can tell a ton about how a gun performs solely on trigger feel. There's just something special about the way a 1911 trigger feels when it has a crisp break. Springfield Armory equipped the 911 with a great trigger, which results in clean, consistent trigger pulls.
Remember how I said I wasn’t a fan of the 380…gasp! Well, Springfield Armory lifted my spirits with the release of the 911 in 9mm. A welcomed addition to my arsenal, the 911 in 9mm also features Ameriglo Pro-Glo Tritium Night Sights. I started replacing most sights on my carry guns with Ameriglo sights. The bright, luminescent circles stand out against the darkness. Plus, it doesn’t matter if I’m in daylight or night, the sights show up immediately.
Okay, so by now you can tell I love the fit and feel of the Springfield Armory 911. Everything comes down to comfort. Each day, I become more comfortable with this diminutive dynamo, and in the end, that's all that matters. ~ KJ
Kevin Jarnagin
Kevin Jarnagin (KJ) hails from Oklahoma but quickly established Louisiana roots after joining the Gun Talk team. KJ grew up as a big game hunter and often finds himself in a bass boat. Whether it’s making his way to British Columbia for elk or training with pistols, Jarnagin always seems to find a gun in his hands and adventure on his mind.
.png)
.png)
.png)
