By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
I first became enraptured with the 1911 handgun reading C B Colby’s books for young readers.
I graduated from comics to Jeff Cooper rather seamlessly. The 1911 was an American icon, a piece of history, and the greatest fighting handgun—THE HAMMER OF THE CENTURY, according to Cooper.
My first 1911 was a Colt Commander. I learned a lot about quality and that cheap pistols are unsatisfactory. I have had the happy circumstance to test and fire dozens of 1911 handguns in the course of life and in writing three books on the 1911.
Recently I have adopted a Springfield Garrison Commander as my carry gun, at least some of the time- carry rotation and all that you know. The Garrison has something in common with my first 1911. It is a 4.25-inch barrel 1911 with a steel frame. This is a Commander length pistol.
I find it interesting that Springfield refers to the Garrison as an entry level 1911. I suppose it is compared to the Loaded Model and the Tactical Response Pistol. It is leagues above the usual entry level GI gun from so many makers. A 1911 equaling the Garrison would have required a sum of perhaps one thousand dollars to build from a good quality factory 1911 in the day of my first 1911 purchase. That makes the pistol immensely interesting.
The frame and slide are forged steel as they should be, and the barrel is a ramped design, unusual in such an affordable handgun. It features Novak type Lo Mount sights, which offer an excellent sight picture. The front post is set in a dovetail slot. The rear sight is adjustable by loosening a set screw and using a brass punch and drift. No need for me to touch the sights as they were properly aligned for the 6 O’clock hold with 230-grain ammunition.
Cocking serrations are slightly angled forward, and the hammer is skeletonized, while the grip safety is a beavertail design.
The trigger action is good, very good for a 1911, breaking clean at 6.25 pounds with rapid reset. The grip safety properly releases its hold on the trigger about halfway into compression. The pistol cannot fire if the grip safety isn’t depressed. An extended slide lock safety locks into its indent sharply.
Springfield delivers the Garrison with a single 7-round magazine, but spares can be found at any gun shop. The stainless steel pistol features a well done brushed finish.
The barrel bushing is snug but not so snug the pistol isn’t easily field stripped without tools. The mainspring housing is nicely checkered. The grip panels are thinner than most 1911 grips and geared for concealed carry, and together with the mainspring, they offer a good mix of abrasion and adhesion when firing the pistol.
There are no forward cocking serrations. This means the pistol will not abrade a tightly molded holster, and it also means the pistol features a more classic appearance. The Garrison is a class act, for certain, in fit and finish.
In addition to the stainless steel model, the Garrison is available with a deep blue finish. I like blue steel just fine but for all around use and especially in concealed carry close to the body stainless steel is good. As my good friend Jimmy often said, he doesn’t perspire, he sweats and stainless is good. The stainless steel pistol lists for $49 more than the blue steel pistol. In shops, the difference may not be that much.
Firing Tests
I engaged in a few dozen repetitions of dry fire before preparing for range work. Like many 1911 shooters I have a stack of .45 ACP magazines, and it is nice to load them all up before heading to the range. I had on hand a good supply of Black Hills Ammunition 230-grain FMJ so ammunition supply is no problem.
The pistol was lubricated on the slide way, slide rail, locking block, barrel hood and barrel bushing. A quality 1911 will run as reliably as any modern pistol but attention to detail is demanded and this means good ammunition, good magazines, and good lubrication.
I lube the piece heavily for range work. I oil the pistol once a week for carry regardless if I fire the handgun or not.
Firing results were good. Drawing from a strong side holster from Bullard Leather I drew and engaged man sized targets at 7 yards. The pistol is dead on accurate like a good 1911. While lighter than a Government Model 5 inch barrel 1911 the steel frame Commander is fast on target and controllable.
I achieved good results with the Garrison. There is no pistol faster to a first shot hit than a 1911 and this handgun’s combination of a well-placed safety, low bore axis and good trigger paid off. Recoil isn’t any more than a Government Model represented by a shove rather than a sharp slap.
The pistol was also fired at 25 yards. I stayed on the target in rapid fire and dusted off several targets with good effect. Over the past few weeks I have fired 220 cartridges in the Springfield Garrison 4.25 inch barrel 1911. There have been no failures to feed, chamber, fire or eject. That isn’t a huge test but considering the long term reliability of my other Springfield carry guns this is a good indication of future service.
The final test for firing for absolute accuracy from a solid benchrest firing position. Springfield has a winner in the new Garrison Commander!
Bench rest fire, from a solid sitting rest, 15 yards distance, average of two five shot groups.
Load Group
Black Hills 230 grain FMJ 2.0 in.
Black Hills 230 grain JHP 1.4 in.
Black Hills 200 grain lead SWC 1.5 in.
Black Hills 185 grain JHP 1.75 in.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Model: Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison
Type: Single-action, semi-automatic pistol
Chambering: 9mm, .45 ACP (tested)
Barrel: 4.25 in.
Material: Forged steel
Weight: 33 oz.
Sights: Low-profile, three white dots
Grips: Slim Line wood stocks
Finish: Blue or stainless
Capacity: 7+1 (.45 ACP) Wilson Combat mags 8+1
Price: $917 (stainless)
Contact: Springfield Armory, springfield-armory.com
Bullardleather.com
Springfield-armory.com
Black-hills.com
