Springfield Armory Garrison 1911: Quality Without the Price Tag?

A range review with one of the new 1911 offerings from Springfield Armory: the Garrison. This is one of their lower mid-range models that offers several upgrades over the GI model, while still coming in well below one grand. Is it a quality 1911 for the money you pay?
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[@scottrinke7846]

Hi Preacher357, I have watched this video about a dozen times and it is both funny and informative. Actually, your video influenced me buying a Garrison 1911 SS but chambered in 9mm by Springfield Armory. I love your candidness about Christianity and second chances, and you are so right. I am amazed at how fast you can load magazines, and how fast you can turn on/turn off the safety, haha! Thanks for a really entertaining video, Mr. Meaty, and I'll look forward to whatever you offer next. Cheers!

[@Preacher357]

I just reviewed a Garrison in 9mm as well, but in a blued finish. Personally I prefer 45 in a 1911, but it shot well and was a nice gun. I appreciate your encouraging comments and for watching.

[@johnsolberg5611]

​@@Preacher357i have a glock 19 i have had for at least 10 years.I am thinking of buying the garrison 45 acp is it worth it in your opinion?

[@Preacher357]

@@johnsolberg5611 I think so. I really like the Garrison. It has the basic upgrades most people want in a quality 1911 without a huge price tag.

[@johnsolberg5611]

@@Preacher357 thanks, I just might get it along with my glock 19 .Really thinking about it.

[@Lexicologist1971]

I'll give you a thumbs up just because you're in Tennessee. Living in Tennessee was the best 15 years of my life.

[@Preacher357]

I'll take it. I definitely love my state and couldn't imagine living anywhere else. Thanks for watching.

[@jackmarks2176]

With respect to your comment about the firing pin block. Kimber's utilize the "Swartz" style firing pin block. This style is operated from the "grip safety" not the "trigger".

[@MJ-om8nw]

I just bought one of these . Stainless, I have to wait 3 day's before I can pick it up,which is tomorrow. I can't wait to shoot it. This one will make my tenth 1911 ! I suppose you could say I have a 1911 addiction! I was on the same page with you on springfield Amory but I can move on as well. I know that they make some of the best 1911s so I finally decided to add one to my collection.

[@rosswalker9789]

I am watching from Australia 🇦🇺! And look what happened here??? Anti gunners are dangerous!

[@thesailjunkie]

I have had a stainless Garrison in .45 for awhile and love it. I just picked up a blued Garrison in 9MM to add to my collection of 46 1911s.

[@Preacher357]

I have been thinking about reviewing a 9mm 1911. I just haven't yet found one in the shop that has piqued my interest enough to pick it up.

[@richardlinares4616]

Springfield Armory Garrison 1911. Offers every thing want nothing I do not want. That why gone buy as my next handgun.

[@jeremytownsend5972]

I’ve purchased this Springfield Garrison 9mm 1911. I love the feel of it but my problem with it is that is just not the most accurate of pistol’s for this price. I understand it’s not that much at $850 but I would expect it to be a little more accurate then it is.

[@Preacher357]

I am surprised. I was quite pleased with the accuracy of the 45.

[@jeremytownsend5972]

My 9mm isn’t bad just 2.5-3 inch groups at 25 yards. But I did use two different brands of ammo. One put groups at 2 inch’s the others was all over the place. Plus like you stated in your video, it might get better the more we use them. I’ve only put 200rds through mine so far. So hopefully it will brake it quick.

[@TheSilverfox14]

Good video. Glad to somebody that shoots like I do, (sometimes you"re the dog and someimes you"re the fire hydrand).You did good. I like my Garrison.

[@Preacher357]

I appreciate it. I am just a guy out there having fun with the camera on. My hope is that I show everyone just how great and "not scary" shooting as a hobby can be.

[@TheRealZJE313]

It's the best CCW too

[@tacticalsanta5258]

I have a SA 1911A1 Defender series that tears up my hand as well, but I recently picked up a SA Range Officer Target that has all the modern upgrades including a decent beaver tail. I too have forgiven SA for their past shortsightedness, but we all make mistakes. I've done a caliber conversion on the Range Officer to .460 Rowland that really necessitated doing something about the grips front strap. I found that Talon Grips makes a four piece grip system for 1911's in all their textures; I found their 'Pro' material, a combination of the rubber and granular textures works awesome on the front strap and you can just buy that piece.

[@Preacher357]

I am a big fan of the Talon pro series as well. I have them on several of my polymer guns, but have never tried them on a 1911. I don't feel like I really need it with a 45, but I can see where it would be beneficial with the higher powered 460 Rowland. I may have to buy some of the Talon grips and try them out on the channel.

[@ronniecunningham9293]

The best 1911 .45 I ever had was a Sig back around five years ago. I don’t remember the model unfortunately. I bought it from Chuck at Milan. I wish I still had it. It was the only 1911 .45 that I could shoot accurately with consistently.

[@Preacher357]

I have honestly never tried a Sig. I have never heard anything bad about them though. They are sort of like the Smith and Wesson, however, in that they are not completely true to the 1911 design. They have a modern external extractor, which honestly probably improves reliability; because a standard 1911 has to have a properly adjusted extractor to work reliably.

[@ronniecunningham9293]

@@Preacher357, true, it is not like a “standard” 1911.

[@Lexicologist1971]

I have a Sig Ultracompact in 45 and a Match in 357 Sig. Both are awesome. Both came stock with a checkered front strap. Sadly, the Match has target sights. I've looked all over for three dot combat sights for it. Nobody makes them. If I had known that, I may not have bothered switching it from 40 to 357 Sig. I have a Springfield Ronin and a Loaded. The Sigs are a little nicer. The Springfield's are still nice. The Loaded is noticeably nicer. The Ronin I own has an aluminum frame and a fully supported feed ramp. Both Sigs have supported feed ramps.

[@ericcampbell3365]

Amen Brother

[@adamshaw8214]

Amen fellow brother in Christ. Bless you brother.

[@donio8194]

Great Review. So which is better Remington r1 or Garrison?

[@Preacher357]

Overall construction I would say the Garrison is superior. I believe it is all forged steel, whereas I believe the Remington Frame is cast. The Springfield also just feels like a higher end gun; however, my R1 is a basic GI model, and therefore it is not completely an apples to apples comparison. The one area I will give the edge to my R1 is the trigger. However, the Springfield has an excellent trigger also, just not quite as good as the R1.

[@donio8194]

@@Preacher357 Thank You

[@johncaton1899]

Jason tell me what you think about kimber 1911 45? I recently acquired a special edition..

[@Preacher357]

Honestly I don't have any experience with Kimber. At one time they were a high quality custom shop and manufactured some of the best on the market. These days they are more of a mass produced gun, but as far as I know they are still good guns, just not on the level they once were. I plan on getting one at some point to review. I do have a Kimber that I will be reviewing very soon, but it is not a 1911.

[@johncaton1899]

@@Preacher357 ty sir that answer.. 8 out 10 people I've talked to said I've bought an amazing piece out of a pawn shop.. the other 2 say that they've owned one or 3 and will never own another

[@johncaton1899]

Oh and if I'm ever back up in Tennessee visiting Brian I'd love for you to do a review on it

[@Preacher357]

@@johncaton1899 I'd be more than happy to.

[@ChrisHirner]

Never try to understand Illinois gun laws. Its a state where the governer goes to prison for selling seats in congress. Was it shady, hell yeah, but was it nessessary, probably so. To run a firearm company in illinois is like printing bibles in hell.

[@philwilliams8328]

Well, you sure ain't no hickok45 when it comes to shooting! That guy is simply amazing. ;)

[@Preacher357]

No I am not, and I have never claimed to be. There are qute a few of the larger KZbin gun guys that would (and have) admitted the same. In my defense though: 1. Hickok45 does not shoot at any plates as small as I do at 20 yards 2. His gong is a 28" round at 80 yards. Mine is a 24" round at 100. My plate at 80 yards is only a 12". 3. Hickok45 produces videos full time. He is able to get guns and test them out for usually a week or 2 prior to making a video. This lets him get fully familiar with the firearm before filming. Generally, due to the fact that KZbin is a 3rd job and I don't have much free time, I am making videos either right out of the box or with only limited time spent with the gun beforehand. Therfore, you see me having to make adjustments and figure things out on the fly. At any rate, as I said, Hickok45 is a better shot than I am. I have no problem admitting that. However, the videos are not about my prowess. They are about my experience with and opinion of the guns. Whether I shoot well or not in a video is not the most important thing. Thanks for watching.

[@jvanb231]

I will use your prefered pronouns but I do love my XD's :)

[@FranciscoRodriguez-wx8zp]

Alinea mas el arma con tus ojos y verás

[@Preacher357]

Lo estoy alineando lo mejor que puedo. Tengo lentes bifocales progresivos, así que tengo que alinear las miras con la parte correcta de mis lentes. Es por eso que a menudo tengo la cabeza un poco inclinada hacia atrás para poder ver usando el aumento adicional en la parte inferior de las lentes.

[@TheRealZJE313]

Series 80 and plastic parts and poor quality is the reason why COLT fall off and are JUNK NOW

[@TheRealZJE313]

It's the best CCW TOO

[@Preacher357]

A little too heavy for my preference; but if the weight doesn't bother you, go for it. You won't have a better shooting gun on your side if you need it.

[@TheRealZJE313]

@@Preacher357 that's right

[@justusbryant7366]

Range officer is better

[@Preacher357]

Maybe. I don't think there is a lot of difference between them other than the adjustable sights on certain models of Range Officer. Of course, the Range Officer was discontinued so you would have to find one used now as well if you wanted one.

[@justusbryant7366]

@Preacher357 the fitment and smoothness and accuracy. I got lucky and found a new one not long ago.

[@TSargeant]

So far I’m not impressed with Springfield at all. I love the look of the Garrison and thought it would be a good carry gun? Wow was I wrong, if your life is on the line don’t carry Springfield! I’ve had two and both slides have locked up! Yes they were clean and lubed! Until I’m proved wrong Springfield is junk. “SPRINGFIELD” prove me wrong, send me a Garrison to use and let’s see how long it works! I’m not asking you to give me a gun but borrow it to see if and when it jams up. Springfield it’s up to you, but I’ll not buy one that’s for sure…

[@adamshaw8214]

Maybe similar to the ruger sr1911?

[@Preacher357]

There are a lot of similarities between the two. They basically have the same options for about the same price. Personally, I would probably give the edge to the Garrison, though. The fit and finish just seems slightly better to me.

[@MichaelAnghel-kg4vx]

bowler