I Carry: Springfield Armory Garrison 4.25" 1911 9 mm Pistol in a Wright Leather Works holster.

In this week's episode of "I Carry," we have a Springfield Armory Garrison 4.25" 1911 pistol in 9 mm carried in a Wright Leather Works Closer IWB holster with a Buck Knifes Wharncliffe Deploy pocketknife. Springfield Armory launched the Garrison line of 1911s in .45 ACP in 2021, and added a 9 mm variant the following year. New for 2024 is the Commander-length version of the Garrison 1911, offering a more concealed-carry friendly pistol for those who prefer the 1911 platform for their defensive handgun. It’s a little easier to conceal, whether inside- or outside-the-waistband, while still retaining the excellent 1911 characteristics that make it a joy to shoot. The slightly shorter slide and barrel give the new Garrison an overall length of 7.9 inches, while the height remains 5.5 inches like the Government model released three years prior. Weight is reduced to 34 ounces with the removal of three-quarters of an inch from the slide and barrel, taking a quarter of a pound off the weight of the longer Government model. This still yields a handgun significantly heavier than most of its polymer-frame rivals, meaning it’s a bit more involved to carry, but easier to shoot. Yes, in addition to a half-pound or more extra weight over a polymer-frame, striker-fired handgun, the Garrison carries less ammunition, there’s no getting around that. Standard from Springfield Armory are 9-round magazines, but flush-fit 10-round magazines are available from companies like Wilson Combat or Chip McCormick. That’s anywhere from three to seven rounds less than most double-stack handguns, which may or may not be a factor in your choice. Magazines with capacities greater than 10 can also be found, but they tend to be overly long and are better suited as backup options. For fans of 1911-style handguns, the Garrison represents an affordable, attractive option that’s definitely not entry-level, offering a match-grade barrel, thin-line grips and low-profile combat-style sights. It’s heavy enough to absorb all the recoil of its 9 mm chambering, while still being compact enough to carry everyday with the proper gear. Fit and function are first rate, and while we haven’t had a long-term torture test, we’ve run through a handful of Garrison 1911s and found every one we tested to work fine and shoot great. That’s an attractive option indeed.