Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison Target in .45 and 9mm — New

Description

Springfield Armory has just announced the 1911 Garrison Target, and for shooters in our area who have been waiting for a no-excuses, American-made 1911 built for serious range work, this is the one. It takes the classic, forged-steel foundation of the proven Garrison model and adds a fully adjustable target rear sight, giving you a pistol with heirloom-quality hot salt-blued steel and walnut grips that’s ready to compete right out of the box. This isn’t a custom shop fantasy with a four-figure price tag; it’s a workingman’s target pistol built to last a lifetime. We’ve handled plenty of 1911s here at Santa Fe Arms, and the specs on this new Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison Target tell us it’s built to be a shooter, not a safe queen.

Specs at a Glance

• Manufacturer & Model: Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison Target
• Caliber: .45 ACP
• Platform: Full-Size 1911
• Frame & Slide: Forged Carbon Steel, Hot Salt Blued Finish
• Barrel: 5″ Forged Steel, National Match Grade
• Sights: Dovetail Front, Fully Adjustable Target Rear
• Grips: Checkered Walnut
• Trigger: Series 70 Style, Forged Steel, ~4.5-5.5 lb pull
• Safety: Grip Safety, Thumb Safety, Firing Pin Safety
• Magazine: 7-Round (Standard), 8-Round (Extended) Included
• Overall Length: 8.6″
• Weight (Unloaded): Approximately 38 oz

Why We’re Stocking This

We’re bringing in the Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison Target because it fills a critical gap on our shelves. We have customers who love the classic look and forged steel feel of a traditional 1911 like the standard Garrison, but they also want the precision capability of an adjustable sight for bullseye shooting or casual competition. Until now, that meant buying the base gun and immediately sending it out for gunsmithing, adding cost and wait time. This model solves that. Springfield Armory has done the work at the factory, giving you a rugged, reliable pistol with a sight system designed for accuracy. In our shop, we believe in tools that do their job without fuss, and the build quality on this pistol—from the deep, durable bluing to the fitted slide—tells us it’s exactly that.

Furthermore, offering it in .45 ACP is a deliberate choice that aligns with what our core 1911 customers want. The .45 caliber in a full-size, steel-framed 1911 is a timeless combination that manages recoil beautifully and delivers legendary stopping power. The heft of the forged steel soaks up energy, making the Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison Target a surprisingly manageable and accurate platform, even in a potent caliber. It’s a pistol that respects tradition while incorporating a key modern performance feature.

Who It’s For

• The Practical Marksman: Shooters who spend weekends on the range demanding consistent accuracy from a reliable pistol and want to dial in their point of impact for different loads or distances.
• The Budding Competitor: Someone looking to step into USPSA Single Stack or IDPA Custom Defensive Pistol division with a solid, out-of-the-box option that doesn’t require immediate modifications.
• The Traditionalist Who Demands Precision: The 1911 purist who appreciates hot salt bluing and walnut but refuses to compromise on having a sight picture tailored to their eye and ammunition.
• The Heirloom Buyer: Someone seeking a durable, all-steel firearm of demonstrable quality that can be used for generations, not a disposable polymer pistol.
• The Home Defender Who Trains Seriously: An individual who values extreme reliability, a superb trigger, and the confidence that comes from mastering a precise, powerful manual of arms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison Target just a standard Garrison with different sights?

A: Essentially, yes—and that’s its greatest strength. It retains all the foundational quality: the forged carbon steel frame and slide, the hot salt blued finish, the Series 70-style trigger, and the checkered walnut grips. The key upgrade is the fully adjustable rear sight, which is machined and designed for secure, repeatable adjustments for windage and elevation. It’s the perfect factory-original configuration for the shooter who knows they’d want to make that change anyway.

Q: How does the adjustable sight handle compared to a fixed combat sight?

A: The target-style rear sight on the Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison Target will have a slightly wider, square-notch profile compared to the standard U-notch. This provides a very clear, precise sight picture ideal for paper targets. While it’s perfectly functional for defensive use, it’s optimized for accuracy over rapid acquisition. The sights are robustly mounted and should hold zero reliably.

Q: Why should I choose the .45 ACP version over the 9mm?

A: It comes down to tradition, ballistic performance, and feel. The 1911 platform was designed around the .45 ACP cartridge, and many shooters believe that’s how it’s meant to be experienced. The heavier bullet and inherent recoil impulse of the .45 are superbly managed by the all-steel construction of the Garrison Target, resulting in a authoritative but controllable push. If your primary goals are historical authenticity, maximum per-shot power, and that classic 1911 shooting dynamic, the .45 ACP is your cartridge.

In Stock & Ready to Ship

The Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison Target in .45 ACP represents a specific and compelling value: timeless American manufacturing meets modern shooting precision. We have these pistols arriving and are ready to handle your transfer. If you’re looking for a lifetime firearm that can do serious work on the target range, come see it at Santa Fe Arms. Feel the heft of the forged steel, work that crisp trigger, and see the quality for yourself. Contact us today to check current availability or to place an order.