The Springfield Armory Garrison 1911 in 9mm

Springfield Armory has just introduced a 9mm version of their popular Garrison 1911 and it looks like a winner. Coming on the heels of the popular .45 ACP version, the Garrison is a quality, versatile 1911 platform with a relatively inexpensive price tag. TheFireArmGuy [YouTube channel] gives us the rundown, complete with range footage and field strip, in the video linked below.

The FireArmGuy gives us a quick rundown on the new Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison in 9mm. (The FireArmGuy YouTube Channel)

Let’s take a look at the specs before moving on:

  • Caliber: 9mm
  • Capacity: 9+1
  • Recoil System: GI
  • Barrel: 5-inch forged Stainless Steel, Match Grade, Fully Supported Ramp, 1:16
  • Overall Length: 8.6 inches
  • Height: 5.5 inches
  • Weight: 38 ounces
  • Sights: Low Profile Combat 3 Dot
  • Colors: Stainless Steel or Hot Salt Blued
  • MSRP: $899 Stainless Steel or $849 Blued
The 1911 Garrison in a Stainless Steel and Hot Salt Blued Finish.
The 1911 Garrison is available in a Stainless Steel or Hot Salt Blued Finish. (Springfield Armory)

Our host has the stainless-steel model, so we’ll move forward with that. The frame and slide are forged steel with diamond checkered thin line wood grips featuring an attractive Springfield Armory crossed cannons logo. The gun has a textured backstrap and the front of the grip is smooth.

Springfield Armory Garrison 1911 grip and beavertail
The grips are of diamond checkered wood and the contoured grip safety has an extended beavertail. (The FireArmGuy YouTube Channel)

The contoured grip safety features an extended beavertail, and both the hammer and trigger are skeletonized. The extended thumb safety is not ambidextrous, being only on the left side of the frame.

Springfield Armory Garrison 1911 3-dot sights
The gun has standard 3-dot sights. The top of the slide is matte finished to reduce glare. (The FireArmGuy YouTube Channel)

The rear sight is a Novak style low profile ramped set up with the post front sight. Both are adjustable. The stainless-steel finish is glossy on the flats and matte on the rounds, including on top of the slide to mitigate glare. The same glossy and matte pattern comes on the blued version. The Garrison has standard 1911 dimensions and disassembly.

Springfield Armory Garrison 1911 glossy and matte finish
The rounded areas of the Garrison are matte finished, while the flat areas are glossy. (The FireArmGuy YouTube Channel)

The gun ships with one 9-round single stack stainless-steel magazine and a padded soft carrying case. You’d think they would include an extra mag but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Springfield Armory Garrison 1911 magazine
The Garrison ships with one nine-round stainless-steel magazine (The FireArmGuy YouTube Channel)

Right out of the gate, he says the “overall shooting impressions are excellent. When I took this to the range…it was very, very nice. No recoil and it kept you on target.” The trigger breaks at about 4.5 pounds and is “So smooth, so light, and the reset is, like, nothing.”

Springfield Armory Garrison 1911 trigger
As you might expect, the Garrison has a very nice 4.5 lb. trigger. (The FireArmGuy YouTube Channel)

He notes that shooting 9mm ammo from a full-size 1911 like the Garrison will really build your confidence as a shooter. “When you shoot 9mm out of a full-size handgun like this, it is so smooth.” The 9mm barrel is fully ramped and being a 70 series gun, it doesn’t have a firing pin block. “Makes it nice and smooth. Easy to handle.”

barrel
The Garrison features a fully ramped forged barrel. (The FireArmGuy YouTube Channel)

Smooth seems to be the operative word in this review. Not a bad thing to say about any firearm. He notes that lots of people love 1911s but want to shoot 9mm because of the increased magazine capacity, softer recoil, and cheaper ammo. Coupled with the 1911 trigger, “You just can’t beat it. It’s a good-looking and shooting handgun. So, if you’re one of those people, you’ll love the Garrison.”

Springfield Armory Garrison 1911 takedown
The Garrison has standard 1911 dimensions and the same takedown procedure. (The FireArmGuy YouTube Channel)

Does the Springfield Armory Garrison 1911 look like a winner to you, especially at that price point? Let us know what you think in the comments below. Happy shooting y’all.