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Bouncing over the rutted backroads of rural Texas with my buddy Hank "Mad Dog" Thompson (because everyone has a friend nicknamed "Mad Dog"), we got into a debate as old as semi-auto pistols themselves: 9mm versus .45 ACP for defensive use. Unlike the internet keyboard commandos who argue this topic from their mom’s basement while dual-wielding Doritos and Mountain Dew, I actually gave a damn about Hank’s opinion. Why? Because the man had seen his fair share of real-world action, and when a guy like that talks, you shut up and listen.
"Look, the 9mm is fine, but be ready to put two or three rounds into each bad guy. If you’ve got multiple attackers, you’ll need high capacity and time to transition between targets. The .45, on the other hand, does its job in one shot more often than not. I think I might go back to carrying a .45," Hank mused.
When I first got into guns, the "9mm vs .45" debate was like the great Coke vs. Pepsi rivalry—heated, full of personal preference, and entirely inconclusive. But over the years, with advancements in 9mm ballistics and the rise of micro-compact pistols, it seemed like the argument was settled: 9mm reigns supreme, and the .45 is yesterday’s news. Or so I thought.
When I first entered the gun scene, I subscribed to the philosophy: bigger bullets are better bullets. I was also a huge fan of the 1911, because let’s be honest, if it was good enough for John Wayne and Thomas Magnum, how could it be wrong? So, a compact custom 1911 became my everyday carry piece. But as I got older, I drifted away from the 1911 platform, opting for more modern 9mm options.
Once home, I started rummaging through my gun safe. My first 1911 was still there, along with a Colt 70 Series Combat Commander manufactured in 1915. Unfortunately, that one was picky about ammo and I would likely cry deepy if it ever got scratched. Then, I came across my coolest and most reliable 1911—a springfield TRP. With its bobtail grip, hammer forged stainless steel, match-grade barrel, picatinny rail, and VZ Hydra series grips, it had everything necessary for an effective carry tool. The only problem? Mag capacity...
So, I did what any rational person would do—I spiraled down an internet rabbit hole. The goal was to find a decent capacity compact 1911 in .45 ACP. There were plenty in 9mm, sure, but what’s the point? Then, I stumbled upon the EAA Girsan compact 1911. I was familiar with their full sized 1911s but had never come across this particular model. Turns out, they make a nice, compact model called the witness 2011, which builds on the standard 1911 concept with a modern twist. A four-inch barrel, a polymer frame that keeps the weight down, an 11 round capacity, rail for a light, and all the reliability enhancements of modern manufacturing.
I ordered one immediately. When it arrived, I was impressed. The trigger was crisp, the slide-to-frame fit was tight, the factory rubberized grips were nice and grippy, and the feed ramp was polished to a mirror finish—this thing was ready to run. The double stack grip made it slightly larger than a standard 1911, but that also meant I could actually get my pinky on it. Capacity? Eleven plus one, which was acceptable for a .45 carry piece. Bonus points: They also make a 3" model
Range time confirmed what I suspected: this thing ran like a sewing machine with ball ammo. But how would it handle hollow points? I ran multiple mags of defense loads through it, including my favorite, SIMX, and it ate them up with zero malfunctions—an impressive feat for a double stack compact 1911.
Overall, the witness 2011 is about as close to a perfect carry .45 as you can get straight out of the box. I added a Holosun PID 1000 Lumen Light for an inexpensive night use option and will eventually throw on some XS Big Dot night sights for faster target acquisition. Paired with a Concealment Express holster, it’s well on its way to becoming my go-to EDC.
Price: $949.00
Pros: Compact, lightweight, and accurate
Cons: Recoil’s a bit snappy—because physics
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Shawn
HMFIC