Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison Target in .45 and 9mm
Specs at a glance
About this product
Springfield Armory has just announced the 1911 Garrison Target, and for the shooter who appreciates the timeless 1911 platform but needs a precise, adjustable sight for serious work, this is the announcement you've been waiting for. This isn't a museum piece; it's a working man's target pistol built with heirloom-quality hot salt-blued steel and genuine wood, bringing classic American craftsmanship to the modern range. At Iowa Gun Shop, we see a real need for a no-nonsense, forged-steel 1911 that bridges the gap between a classic plinker and a dedicated competition gun, and the new Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison Target in .45 ACP delivers exactly that.
Specs at a Glance
- Manufacturer & Model: Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison Target
- Caliber: .45 ACP (Also available in 9mm)
- Action: Single Action, Semi-Automatic
- Frame & Slide: Forged Carbon Steel, Hot Salt Blued Finish
- Barrel: 5" National Match, Forged Steel
- Sights: Dovetail Front, Fully Adjustable Target Rear
- Grips: Checkered American Walnut
- Safety: Grip Safety, Thumb Safety, Series 70 Firing System
- Magazine Capacity: 7 Rounds (.45 ACP)
- Overall Length: 8.6"
- Weight (Unloaded): Approximately 38 oz.
Why We're Stocking This
We handle every gun that comes through our doors, and when we read the specs on the Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison Target, we knew it was a perfect fit for our shelves. Our customers are practical shooters. They want quality they can feel, reliability they can trust, and value that makes sense. The Garrison Target hits all those marks. It takes the proven, rock-solid foundation of the standard Garrison—a model we've sold and recommended for years—and adds the one feature serious marksmen ask for: a proper, adjustable target sight. This isn't a plastic gun with a target sticker price; it's forged steel, finished with a deep, durable hot salt blue, and fitted with real wood. It's built for a lifetime of shooting, not a season of trends. We're stocking the Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison Target because it represents what we believe in: honest tools for skilled hands.
Who It's For
- The Budding USPSA or Bullseye Competitor: You want a solid, out-of-the-box 1911 to start competing in Single Stack or Classic divisions without a custom shop price tag.
- The Serious Recreational Shooter: You're done with "minute-of-paper-plate" accuracy. You want to consistently drill the X-ring at 25 yards and appreciate the ability to dial in your zero for different loads.
- The 1911 Traditionalist Who Demands Precision: You love the classic lines and trigger of a Series 70-style 1911 but need modern sight versatility. The Garrison Target lets you keep the soul of the platform while gaining real-world accuracy.
- The Shooter Seeking a Lifetime Handgun: You're investing in one centerfire pistol you plan to own, shoot, and possibly pass down. The forged steel construction and classic finish of the Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison Target are built for that legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison Target just a standard Garrison with different sights?
A: Essentially, yes—and that's the point. The standard Garrison is one of the best-value, classic-configuration 1911s on the market. The Garrison Target takes that excellent forged frame, slide, barrel, and trigger, and pairs it with a fully adjustable rear sight. This makes it a dedicated tool for precision shooting without altering the pistol's proven, reliable core mechanics. It's a purposeful, focused variant.
Q: How does the hot salt blued finish hold up compared to modern coatings like Cerakote?
A: It's a different philosophy. Modern coatings are incredibly tough and corrosion-resistant, acting as a thick, protective shell. A hot salt blue is a traditional, penetrating finish that becomes part of the steel. It's very durable for holster wear and use, developing a rich character over time, but it requires more attentive maintenance to prevent rust. It's chosen for its classic beauty and authenticity, not for maximum abrasion resistance. For a range and competition pistol, it's more than sufficient and looks fantastic.
Q: Can the Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison Target in .45 ACP handle +P ammunition?
A: Springfield Armory builds their 1911s to robust standards. While the Garrison Target is not specifically marketed as a "+P rated" pistol, its forged steel construction can handle occasional use of standard-pressure +P rounds. For sustained, high-volume use of +P, we always recommend checking the manufacturer's manual. For competition and target use with standard 230-grain ball or match ammunition—its intended role—it is overbuilt and will run flawlessly for thousands of rounds.
In Stock & Ready to Ship
The Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison Target is now available for order, and we will have them on our rack the moment they hit our distributor. If you've been waiting for a classic 1911 that doesn't force you to compromise on sight adjustment, your wait is over. This is a straightforward, high-quality pistol built to do one thing exceptionally well: put rounds exactly where you aim. Contact us to get on the list for the first shipment, or stop by the shop to handle one of our other Garrison models and feel the quality for yourself. At Iowa Gun Shop, we believe in quality firearms for every shooter, and the new Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison Target is a perfect example of that promise.