Springfield Armory Garrison 9mm: Is It as Good as the 45?

A range review with the Springfield Garrison 1911 chambered in 9mm, along with a comparison to its larger caliber brother in 45 Auto.
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[@lancebragg9637]

I recently purchased one of these Garrison 1911s, also in 9mm. Like you, it was my first experience with a 1911 chambered for 9mm. I also noticed immediately that it almost seemed to cycle in slow motion, compared to my.45s. I’m glad that you mentioned that. I am enjoying mine, but it will never replace my .45s. Anyway, just thought I’d share that observation with you. Cool video! Enjoy your new Springfield!

[@wardellleake6434]

That’s the first thing I noticed taking mine to the range for the first time.

[@radiohobbyist13]

I went ahead and bought a 1911 in 9mm too because let's face it, the 9mm is much cheaper to shoot yet it's the same platform.

[@TheMidnightModder]

One of the best reviews I've seen on this gun, and the only one I've seen talking about the 'slow motion slide' lol

[@hooty465]

People keep telling me that I really need to shoot a 9mm 1911 to understand how nice they are. I have several 9mm pistols; Glock 43x,19, 45, 26, Beretta 92 and APX carry. I honestly feel a 1911 has to be 45ACP. But I say that without having shot a 9mm 1911. Perhaps some day. Great video. Please keep them coming.

[@ritesideofthefence5857]

Great stuff, thanks for sharing. Maybe take the recoil spring down to a 10 or 12 spring. My was a tad soft at 10lbs but works perfectly at 12lbs. The stock is I believe a 13 and less than plus p ammo the gun was struggling to cycle and or lock back on empty.try a good wolf 12 pound spring.

[@rifleman762]

The reason the 9mm cartridges dont fully seat to the rear of the magazine, is because there should be a spacer in the rear of the magazine. That's to help make up for the shorter cartridge in a .45 size magazine. I have a colt commander in 9mm, it really like it! I had to buy Wilson combat and chip McCormick 10 rd magazines to make it feed hollow points. Also you may need to swap recoil springs, wilson combat makes excellent ones. 1911s can be finicky, but they can be tuned to get the best performance out of them.

[@Preacher357]

I understand why it is that way. I am just not sure I am fond of repurposing mags that way with spacers. The Ruger Security 380 does the same thing, using the security 9 mags. As long as it works I don't guess it makes any difference; it is just a personal pet peeve.

[@rifleman762]

@@Preacher357 I know that Wilson combat put a lot of effort into getting their 9mm 1911 magazines to work, and I really like them, but I think the chip McCormick 10rd mags are just as good and are usually a couple of dollars cheaper. The magazine seems to be the main reason that 9mm 1911s are temperamental. I have to use them because the colt 9mm magazines will not feed hollow points, they nose dive and get jammed against the frame, Wilson combat and chip McCormick magazines have a follower that pushes the round up and into the chamber. Colt doesn't use ramped barrels, but springfield armory 9mm 1911s do, which helps a lot. Granted I love .45acp but ammo cost make the 9mm a really great idea! The 9mm stainless steel garrison is high on my list of guns I would like to have!

[@topturretgunner]

Hello from Florida Rifleman. I purchased a blued Garrison while visiting a good friend in Kentucky last week and am having it shipped to my local gun range and FFL here in FL for the transfer. While searching for 8 round magazines on line I found the MecGar mags and know that they have a good reputation bought some. Oh I like WC and CMC but had to consider my bank account. Having had MecGars in the past and finding them to be quite reliable and a good price point it was hard to pass up. I love the glossy blue finish and the more traditionalist look of the Garrison and can’t wait to take possession of it and get in some range time. Take care and be safe.

[@rifleman762]

@@topturretgunner I have to use the Wilson and chip McCormick 9mm magazines in my colt 9mm commander, because those magazines position the hollow points at a higher angle to feed in a non ramped barrel, since the garrison 9mm is a ramped barrel, you probably won't have the same issues I have. I actually was able to finally test my colt with hollow points a couple of weeks ago, and it ran without any issues, I had replaced the extractor and the plastic mainspring housing, with wilson combat parts, it has become one of my favorite pistols!

[@topturretgunner]

@@rifleman762 Good morning rifleman762. I thank you for responding and appreciate your viewpoint. I really did a second look when Springfield first released the Garrison. I had owned a Series 70 Government Model Colt that had been tweaked by a gunsmith friend some years ago. I have regretted parting with that pistol for some time and when Springfield put the Garrison out I thought 💭 well what do you know? 🤔. I’m considering sending it off to Wilson Combat for tuning and checkering the front strap but, I’ll see how it performs after the break in period. I’ve had an infatuation with the 1911 platform since I was young. I do own a few Glocks and appreciate them even have a couple revolvers around but nothing will ever replace the 1911. Take care and be safe. Have a good day.

[@nelsonstrickland8813]

Your hand loading the mags is very impressive !!..

[@johndilday1846]

I have a couple.45 caliber 1911s, but none in 9mm. I suppose that is because I have a CZ75 in 9mm that I would carry if I wanted to carry an all steel full sized 9mm. Nice comparison. I have thought if I decide to get another 1911 it would be in 10mm.

[@NoelRondez]

Very nice sir

[@topturretgunner]

Good morning Preacher357. How are you brother. I’ve owned several 1911’s over the years. Three that stand out are a Series 70 Government Model Colt that had been tweaked by a gunsmith friend. The slide was stripped and polished and a high gloss deep blue applied after flaring the ejection port. A Bomar barrel and hand fitted National Match barrel bushing were installed and a nice trigger job. Completing that was a beautiful pair of Cocobolo grips. She was a pretty girl and spot on accurate. I’ve long regretted parting with that one. The others were a Kimber Custom II and a Remington Rand 1911AI service issue pistol. All 3 sadly gone. Well once I saw the blued Garrison in 45ACP I was very taken with that pistol. It combines that best of the Colt Government model that a traditionalist like me appreciates with the “tweaks” like the skeletonized hammer and trigger the stainless National match barrel and bushing and those nice Novak white dot sights. In my opinion Springfield Armory knocked it out of the ballpark with the Garrison. You know what? It takes a bit of the sting out of parting with that Government Model. Enjoyed your review. God bless and keep you safe brother from Florida. ✝️🙏🏻❤️. God is good. All the time.

[@Brian-bt4jr]

Just watching the recall on the 45 vs the 9mm on the cowboy I could tell the 9mm was much less. I've thought about a 9mm in 1911, but for carry the extra 2 rounds I don't feel make up for the same size pistol for carry in the 1911 frame. I would still want to shoot it myself to see how it compares to my Shield 9mm

[@Preacher357]

It is definitely less recoil. I think I still prefer the 45, though. The 9mm is a good shooter though. I don't think it will be a gun that replaces my Sig P365 for EDC. I might carry it on occasions outside the waistband though.

[@Brian-bt4jr]

@@Preacher357 Yeah. I miss having a full size 1911 in 45. My double stack 10mm is a 1911 style, but definitely to big for carry short of in winter under a heavy coat if I want any concealment at all. My RIA 45 compact works well as a 1911 conceal carry, even if it is heavier than the Shield 45, it still has that 1911 feel

[@herman5eight]

NO!

[@TheRealZJE313]

Hell no. Unless you are a old man 65 plus and have some kind of hand disability I give you a pass . Other than that hell no.

[@gera_750]

.45 1911 cool 9mm 1911 gay

[@Preacher357]

Not necessarily gay...just beta male. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@mustafa3169]

Quick answer, no.

[@Preacher357]

I agree. I didn't even keep the 9mm.