laststandonzombieisland

In 1983, in the days before Baby Glocks and back when the Walther PPK was the coolest carry gun available, Colt introduced the Mustang (or Pocket Lite) single-action subcompact single-stack single-action pistols chambered for the .380 ACP cartridge.

Colt Mustang XSP-SS AMBI. 380ACP…their current polymer-framed offering.

Well, they stopped making them in 1996 but that didn’t stop Sig from coming out with their extremely similar P238 in 2009 and Kimber to produce a line of likewise very Mustang-y clones (their Micro series). Then, in 2011, seeing all the popularity of their dated design in play, Colt put the gun back into production (see above photo).

Well, this year Springfield came out with their own send-up of the gun- the Model 911. Debuted earlier this year in a bi-tone stainless top half and black frame, they now have a more sedate black nitride finish on the 416 stainless slide and barrel.

The new model 911 now shipping still uses a 7075 T6 aluminum frame to keep the svelte .380 ACP pistol down to 12.6-ounces in weight, which for comparison is about 2-ounces more than a Ruger LCP with the same magazine capacity. Springfield said the nitriding process hardens the outermost layer of the frame, creating a finish more resilient to the abuses of inclement weather and strenuous use.

Best yet, the MSRP ($599, with “street prices” closer to $450ish) complete with night sights edges out the Colt ($699), Kimber ($629 for the Micro Night) and Sig ($760) offerings bit. And don’t even start that “but, MIM…” argument either, because if you think the other guys don’t utilize MIM for some parts, you are higher than Snoop Dogg.

More in my column at Guns.com, including a look at the guns we took in Arizona in April.