Inside, however, this isThe Fast and the Furiousversion, tuned for performance.
TheSpringfield 911 in .380 ACPhas features youd expect on a full-size pistol.
The sights are Pro-Glo with a tritium green-dot front sight and a white-dot tritium rear.
These are full-size pistol sights that greatly increase the usability of the tiny 911.
I like the contrasting colors of the dots and larger dot on the front sight.
It makes target acquisition much faster.
The edge of the rear sight allows the user to rack the slide with one hand if needed.
The slide serrations are also large and provide plenty of traction and grip to rack the slide.
The 7-round magazine comes with a polymer finger extension and makes the pistol feel like a full-size handgun.
I conceal carry the 911 with the flush-fit 6-round magazine and curl my small finger under the butt.
The 911 is also set up like a 1911, but why is that important?
The 1911 is an easy platform to shoot accurately.
The aluminum trigger is serrated so your finger stays in place.
There is about 1/8 take-up then a fairly crisp break.
The grip angle also helps make this peewee size pistol perform.
The pistols grip panels are smooth G10 made to look like faux ivory.
The rear grip strap (or mainspring housing) is polished aluminum with the same jot down of texture.
The magazine release looks like a full-size 1911 magazine release button.
When pressed it jettisons the empty magazine with authority.
Springfield Armory ships the 911 Vintage in a soft side nylon zipper case that also holds a holster.
Remember, its only 12 ounces unloaded and thats with the metal frame.
I also carried it appendix style, cocked and locked and found it comfortable to carry all day.
I gathered some FMJ training ammo andHP defense ammoand ran the 911 at 15 yards.
This is a soft-shooting .380 with a nice trigger and sights that make it easy to use well.
My best group with the training ammo was with MagTech loaded with 95-gr.
This load gave me a best 5-shot group that measured 1.18.
Yes, I was using my range bag as a rest.
The Tula steel-case training ammo came in a close second with a best group that measured 1.19.
Thats great accuracy for such a diminutive pistol.
The defense load was Speer Gold Dot with a 90-gr.
My best group with the Gold Dot load measured 2.34.
On average the ammo tested gave me 1.4 to 2.6 groups.
Those group sizes are what I usually shoot with a full-size pistol.
Like I said, the 911 has the performance built in.
I didnt have any on hand, but Id like to test the380 Hydra Shok loadas well.
Slow shooting for accuracy is one measurement of performance.
Its another to shoot fast and accurately.
The trigger, sights and grip really allow you to control this small pistol.
It is forgiving, too.
The trigger reset is short and though the trigger breaks at five pounds, it feels much less.
The longer 7-round magazine with the finger grip offers the best control.
The trade-off is the shorter 6-round flush-fit magazine offers a smaller size for easier conceal carry.
Conclusion
Youve no doubt heard the phrase: If looks could kill.
After handling and shooting the 911 Vintage Blue, Id rephrase this expression to: If looks could defend.
This is not a .380 ACP Cerakoted with the latest shade from Maybelline.
This 911 is a serious pocket pistol design for conceal carry, not just another pretty face.
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