In today’s news section, Springfield Armory announces the newest Garrison model into that 1911 pistol line. It’s a classic looking five-inch 1911 chambered in 9mm, not .45ACP.

For the past few weeks I’ve been shooting one. A classic hot salted blue carbon steel model.

Garrisons are also available in stainless, but I’m a traditionalist when it comes to the 1911.

The first 1911s I ever saw, drooled over, and (finally) shot were blue steel. For me, a stainless 1911 just doesn’t touch my visual stimulus button. I have other handguns, both semiautomatic and revolver models, in stainless, so it’s obviously some first-impression thing.

Springfield’s new Garrison model 1911. The demo unit I’ve been shooting is a solid shooter, but the 1911 pistols that aren’t solid shooters have always been the exceptions, not the rule.

There’s not a lot I can say about the Garrison that’s significantly different from the gazillions of words already written about Browning’s 1911 design.

Classic looks, a near-perfect grip angle, terrific accuracy (with some government surplus exceptions) and near flawless reliability have made them both legendary and venerated.

The unfortunate drawback has been weight. By any measure, it’s “beefy”.

Never had a problem, but loaded up -even with its now-anemic .45ACP capacity - it’s a big hunk of metal. Hanging from your belt, suspended in a shoulder holster, or enclosed in a briefcase or purse, you know you’re carrying one.

For me, capacity has always been more of an issue than weight.

And the 1911 capacity, even chambered in 9mm like the Garrison, does seem a bit anemic when it comes to modern capacities. The plain Jane GI-issue looking magazine that came with it didn’t do anything to imbue me with confidence, either.

In a world of exotic materials and polymer compounds, a flat steel magazine - despite running reliably- just didn’t do anything build my confidence. The limited capacity didn’t help.

The magazine sent with the demo gun wasn’t impressive. To take away doubt -and add an extra round capacity- I added a pair of Chip McCormick magazines and relegated the “stock” mag to the “worst-case scenario” status. An extra round adds a little length to the grip, but that’s offset by the confidence of having 10+1 rounds available.

Fortunately, my range had a pair of Chip McCormick 10-rounders on hand. I snapped those up and for an additional $75, had all magazine doubts assuaged.

Base pads on slick competition-capable magazines add to my confidence levels when shooting. They also prevent my babying them in testing. I’ve bent magazines enough to know that not protecting an overlooked, but crucial piece of semiautomatic kit makes the entire gun unreliable.

So how does the Garrison shoot?

For me, how any gun “shoots” is subjective. An inexplicable mix of how it feels in my hands, looks to my eyes, and how that combination lines up on target.

An inexact standard, at best. And while some guns have a look I love, I can’t hit anything at very modest distances. Others are almost as attractive to me as a piece of bruised fruit, but allow me to hit targets at semi-ridiculous distances. Like I said, an inexact standard.

1911s in a variety of flavors, finishes, and manufacturers, has never lost its allure. They look good, fit good and I shoot them fairly well.

Admittedly, the “worst gun” out there today is capable of shooting better than me, but 1911s have never forced me to admit I’ve lost strides, not steps, in my shooting. That’s what fit means to me.

With the exception of the double-stacks (too-thick for my hands) 1911s feel like I’m slipping my hands into my well-worn leather work glove.

My best group with the Garrison at 10 yards. I’m not a professional shooter, don’t shoot “spooky tight groups (looking at you Bruce Gray), or run steel challenge stages at high speed. But the Garrison’s more than capable of helping me convince a criminal to look elsewhere for victims.

Consequently, “fits better” translates to “shoots better”. The Garrison fit - very well. The five-inch sight radius and very smooth stock trigger didn’t hurt, either.

My best group proves I’m no threat at bullseye competition. But the Garrison and I are still capable of producing MOA (Middle-of-Attacker) groups at standoff distances.

These days, that’s what I’m working toward, not reducing split times or increasing x-counts.

The Garrison is a solid, reliable, new 1911 with subtle internal improvements and a pair of different looks that won’t upset traditionalists.

It’s reasonably priced ($849 blued, $899 stainless) and comes in a nice zippered case.

My only gripe is that single magazine.

Unless you already have 1911 mags in 9mm, that means additional cost after purchasing.

Good magazines have never been cheap.

But I’ve always considered them money well-spent.

One thing I really do like: unlike many new guns, the Garrison fits with all my well-worn (comfortable) 1911 gear.

No problem whatsoever in my belt holster and shoulder holsters.

A good-shooting new gun that doesn’t cause me to go shopping for appropriate holsters or accessories is a good thing.

It still feels new- but fixing that only requires more shooting time. I don’t mind that at all.

We’ll keep you posted.