Ruger SR1911 .45 ACP vs Springfield Armory Garrison .45 ACP

Both are full-size single-action .45 ACP 1911s on a 5" barrel with a thumb safety and a grip safety, and they are within 0.07" on overall length (8.67" vs 8.6"). The Ruger SR1911 .45 ACP holds 8 rounds to the Springfield Armory Garrison .45 ACP’s 7, weighs 2 oz more (39 oz vs 37 oz) and is 0.09" wider (1.34" vs 1.25"). The Garrison’s trigger breaks 0.5 lb lighter (4 lb vs 4.5 lb) and it lists at $878 against the SR1911’s $1,259, a $381 gap. The Ruger is stainless steel frame and slide in a low-glare finish; the Garrison is forged carbon steel, blued.

Pick the Ruger SR1911 if:

• You want 8 rounds instead of 7, and two magazines in the box rather than one
• A stainless frame and slide with a low-glare finish suit how you carry and store it
• Drift-adjustable Novak 3-dot sights and an extended thumb safety are what you want from the factory

Pick the Springfield Armory Garrison if:

• The $878 MSRP against $1,259 is the deciding factor
• You want the lighter trigger at 4 lb vs 4.5 lb
• A blued forged carbon steel 1911 with thinline wood grips is the look you are after
• The slimmer 1.25" width and 37 oz weight matter for belt carry

Same caliber, same 5" barrel, same basic controls, with a beavertail grip safety on both. The decision is one extra round, stainless construction and a second magazine on the Ruger against $381 and a half-pound lighter trigger on the Garrison.