New for 2019: Springfield Armory 911 Alpha

In 2018, Springfield Armory brought a new level of compactness and CCW-friendliness to its handgun lineup in the form of the 911, a pocked-size, .380 ACP pistol designed for personal defense. The gun, reviewed here by Shooting Illustrated, featured 1911-style controls and ergonomics, bringing an option to fans of the larger, single-action platform. Springfield Armory upped the ante again in 2019 through the introduction of the value-oriented 911 Alpha, providing concealed-carry holders with a more-affordable variant.

Focusing on the essential elements of the 911 design, the Springfield Armory 911 Alpha retains the intuitive nature of the original gun. Company engineers paid special attention to the preservation of the gun's frame-to-slide fit, as well as the trigger's orientation and accessibility in regards to the rest of the platform. Each 911 Alpha retains the same crisp, 5-pound, single-action trigger that made the original pistol a hit with 1911 fans.

Each 911 Alpha is constructed on a frame machined from 7075-T6 aluminum, which is treated with a hard-anodized, black finish. The guns feature textured, polymer grips and also include vertical lines on the front strap and mainspring housing for a secure, tactile grip. Other features in the value-priced model include a loaded chamber indicator, an extended thumb safety and a fiber-optic front sight paired with white, two-dot rear sights

At the heart of the Springfield Armory 911 Alpha is the 2.7-inch barrel, made from 416R stainless steel and paired with a full-length guide rod and flat-wire spring designed to mitigate recoil energy. Models are available with either a stainless or brushed-nitride slide finish, and each pistol ships with a single, 6-round, flush-fit magazine. The suggested retail price on the 911 Alpha is $429.