Springfield Armory Garrison .45 ACP
Model: PX9420
Springfield Armory Garrison .45 ACP
Model: PX9420
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
Springfield positioned the Garrison as their no-frills 1911, and the spec sheet backs that up. The 4 lb trigger is the lightest single-action pull in Springfield's .45 ACP lineup. It is 1.5 lbs lighter than the Loaded's 5.5 lb pull and 0.8 lbs below the TRP's 4.8 lb pull. For a gun with "basic" positioning, that trigger weight is a genuine selling point.
At 37 oz with a forged carbon steel frame and traditional blued finish, the Garrison weighs 3 oz less than the Loaded. The thinline wood grips and blued steel give it a classic look that the Parkerized Loaded and Cerakoted TRP don't offer. It ships with one magazine and standard 3-dot sights (no tritium), which are the obvious cost-saving measures.
The surprising strength here is the barrel. Springfield uses the same forged stainless steel match barrel found in the Loaded, paired with a forged frame that Rock Island Armory's 4140 steel GI Standard cannot match on material quality. Owners who have run both report tighter slide-to-frame fit on the Garrison compared to the Colt Government, though the Colt's Series 70 action has its own devoted following.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- The 4 lb single-action trigger is lighter than the Springfield Loaded (5.5 lbs) and the Kimber Custom II (4.5 lbs), making it the lightest factory trigger pull among mid-tier .45 ACP 1911s
- Same forged stainless steel match barrel used in the more expensive Loaded model, paired with a forged carbon steel frame
- Ships with only one magazine. Every other Springfield 1911 in .45 ACP includes two.
- No tritium or luminous sights. The standard 3-dot sights are nearly invisible in low light, which limits its usefulness for home defense without a sight upgrade.
Category Rankings
How the Springfield Armory Garrison .45 ACP ranks among full-size .45 ACP handguns.
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Colt Government .45 ACP
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Rock Island Armory 1911 GI Standard .45 ACP
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Springfield Armory 1911 Loaded .45 ACP
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Garrison's blued finish rust easily?
Traditional bluing is less corrosion-resistant than Parkerizing or Cerakote. The Garrison's blued carbon steel frame and slide need regular oiling, especially in humid climates. A thin coat of gun oil after handling and keeping it out of prolonged moisture is standard maintenance. Owners who carry it daily report the finish wears at contact points within months, which some consider patina and others consider a drawback.
Can I use 8-round magazines in the Garrison?
Yes. The Garrison accepts standard 1911 .45 ACP magazines. Wilson Combat ETM 8-round and Chip McCormick Power Mag 8-round magazines are popular upgrades that give you one extra round over the factory 7-round mag. The slightly extended baseplate on most 8-round magazines sits flush or barely protrudes from the magwell.