Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison 4.25 Pistol

It’s funny how some people react to shooting a particular handgun for the first time. We were filming “Handguns” TV last spring, and gear editor Brad Fitzpatrick was assigned to review the new Springfield 1911 Garrison 4.25 in 9mm, which I’d brought to the shoot. He was so impressed that after filming was done for the day he immediately ordered one.

There’s a lot to like about an all-steel, Commander-size 1911— especially one in 9mm Luger—and Springfield got this one right. Chambering aside, it’s as traditional as traditional can be, which was the company’s goal for the Garrison line.

No bull barrel, no full-length guide rod, no G10 grips, no accessory rail, just a rock-solid example of the type. Springfield Armory likes to play up its use of forged steel components, and with good reason: Forging creates truly strong parts that can withstand thousands of rounds and a lifetime of dependable service. The frame and slide on the Garrison 4.25 are blued carbon steel while the fully ramped barrel is stainless steel.

Slide serrations are on the rear only and consist of the traditional narrow-style cuts. Sights are low-profile combat three-dot, with both the front and rear set in dovetails. The rear is drift-adjustable for windage.

A Keeper

Grips are a dark Thinline wood and are checkered in the traditional double-diamond pattern. Springfield’s cross-cannon logo is engraved in the center of both panels, and the panels are secured to the frame via Torx screws.

The flat mainspring housing is checkered at 20 lines per inch; the frontstrap is smooth.

The single-side thumb safety is extended, and the grip safety has a memory bump. The three-hole trigger is left in the white, and it and the barrel bushing provide a nice contrast to the all-blue slide and frame.

This is a shooter for sure. Accuracy was great from the bench, but the real joy comes in defensive-style shooting thanks to the weight provided by the all-steel construction paired with the 9mm cartridge. If you’ve been thinking about a Commander-length 9mm, be like Brad. This one’s a keeper.

Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison 4.25 Specs

• Type: 1911
• Caliber: 9mm Luger (tested), .45 ACP
• Capacity: 9-round mag; one provided
• Barrel: 4.25 in. forged stainless steel
• OAL/Height/Width: 7.9/5.5/1.2 in.
• Weight: 34 oz.
• Construction: blued forged carbon steel slide and frame
• Grips: Thinline double-diamond wood
• Trigger: 3-hole; 3 lb., 7 oz. pull (measured)
• Sights: low-profile combat 3-dot
• Safeties: single-side extended thumb, memory bump grip
• MSRP: $868
• Manufacturer: Springfield Armory, springfield-armory.com

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