I Carry: Springfield Armory 911 in a DeSantis Super Fly Pocket Holster

Welcome to another episode of "I Carry," Shooting Illustrated's weekly video series covering the guns and gear needed to put together a potential everyday-carry kit. Today, we have a Springfield Armory 911 .380 ACP in a DeSantis Gunhide Super Fly holster. We also have a CRKT folding knife, Boker tactical pen and a SureFire flashlight. Let’s take a closer look at this gear.

Springfield Armory 911 (MSRP: $599)

Unveiled at SHOT Show 2018 was Springfield Armory’s first .380 ACP: the 911. This miniature, 1911-style pistol offers a 2.7-inch barrel, full length guide rod, tritium night sights and G10 grips as standard features. It does this while keeping weight to 12.6 ounces and an overall length of 5 and a half inches. It’s a great size for pocket carry and holds 7 rounds of .380 ACP, 8 if you choose the extended magazine, although that does limit what sort of pockets it will fit into.

There’s a spirited debate over whether it’s advisable to carry a single-action pistol in the cocked-and-locked configuration in a pocket, and while I don’t have a problem doing so, I can understand why some might not feel 100 percent comfortable. The absence of the traditional grip safety from the 1911 necessitates precise activation of the thumb safety at all times, requiring significant attention to detail in drawing and holstering. It’s something that can be moderated with practice and training, and it’s up to the individual practitioner as to their comfort level.

Springfield Armory has a solid little pistol here, especially for fans of the company’s numerous 1911-style handguns. We often stress the importance of keeping a similar manual of arms between firearms, like having a Glock G43 as a backup to a G17, and the 911 allows someone that carries a 1911 as their primary pistol to have a backup or deep-concealment gun that features a similar operating system. It’s a smart way to transition from big gun to small gun when needed without needing to mentally re-train how to run each.

DeSantis Super Fly Holster (MSRP: $79.95)

The DeSantis Super Fly pocket holster is designed with two critical functions in mind: keeping items out of the triggerguard when in the pocket, and keeping the holster in the pocket on the drawstroke. The Super Fly accomplishes the first objective by not only covering the triggerguard completely, but also having a reversible, hook-and-loop attaching cover that blocks the trigger guard and breaks up the outline in your pocket. The second goal is achieved through the holster’s rubberized fabric, which is designed to stick to the inside of the pocket, while a pack cloth interior fosters a rapid presentation.

CRKT Crossbones Knife (MSRP: $99.99)

Keeping the minimalist theme with this gear is a Columbia River Knife and Tool Crossbones folding knife. Thin and light, with a “flipper” opening mechanism, the Crossbones weighs a mere 2.4 ounces and offers a two-tone, brushed aluminum handle. Overall length is slightly over 8 inches (open), with a three and a half inch blade constructed of AUS8 steel.

Boker iPlus TTP Tactical Pen (MSRP: $33.95)

With a pocket pistol, being discreet is paramount to your gear. The Boker iPlus TTP tactical pen allows this theme to continue, offering a sturdy aluminum body with a standard pen on one end and a tablet-compatible rubber tip on the other. The pen side can be refilled with common Parker or Fisher Space pen refills. The iPlus TTP is 6.1 inches long and weighs 1.4 ounces.

SureFire SideKick Flashlight (MSRP: $79.99)

In keeping with the small pistol, SureFire’s Sidekick flashlight offers plentiful illumination in a 2.5-inch long package that weighs 2 ounces. With three settings offering a range of illumination from 5 lumens to 300, the Sidekick fits on a keychain but will light up the entire parking lot. The internal lithium ion battery is rechargeable via a standard micro-USB plug, meaning you can leave it charging at your computer so it’s always fully charged when the sun goes down. It’s even available in colors other than black.