The 1911 pistol’s worth has been proven over decades of military engagements, as well as in the hands of law-abiding gun owners. Despite its solid reputation as a threat stopper, John Moses Browning’s marvel is seemingly seldom mentioned as a woods gun or hunting sidearm, at least in its original .45 chambering.
Apparently, no one informed us here in Texas. In my experience, it seems like all my neighbors carry a “forty-five” around their ranch.
I’m no exception. My trusted Springfield Garrison rides on my belt when I scour the brush for whitetail deer or feral hogs. I never feel at a disadvantage, and I have had all the power I ever needed for what I faced.
So, the question is, are we right or wrong down here in Texas? Is the 1911 a valid choice for hunters and outdoorspeople afield?
[Don’t miss Paul Carlson’s Springfield Armory Garrison review for additional information about this pistol.]
What Makes a Good Woods Gun
As 20 people this question, and you might just get 20 different answers. However, obviously, such a gun needs to be reliable as well as provide enough power and capacity to stop the most probable threat they might encounter. It is also a good thing for a woods gun to be resistant to weather and the environment, as they will be exposed to the elements.
Which brings us back to the 1911. The 1911 is an inherently accurate gun, particularly modern production models. The long sight radius of a 5” “government model” allows for precise aiming, particularly when equipped with modern sights. The mechanical accuracy of the gun is also supported by its crisp, single stage trigger. Operating the trigger is instinctive and easy to learn, allowing fast and easily repeatable shots compared to longer, heavier and/or mushier triggers.
Compared to pistols devoid of manual safeties, the thumb safety of the 1911 offers significant protection when going through brush. In addition. the heft of the 1911, combined with the low operating pressure of the .45 round, gives the gun its highly controllable recoil impulse. Finally, while still a slim and handy single-stack, its capacity exceeds the number of cartridges held in any of the big bore or high-power revolvers more commonly recommended as woods guns.
Which brings us to the topic of the .45 ACP round.
The Forty-Five
The .45 ACP round has been tied to the 1911 from its inception, much like the proverbial chicken-and-egg. This cartridge was developed as part of the requirements for the new military semi-automatic handgun that ultimately saw Browning’s design selected.
The mandate at the time was to duplicate the performance of the 45 Colt cartridge employed famously in the Single Action Army revolver. That loading sent a 250-gr. bullet at roughly 800 feet-per-second. The new .45 ACP propelled a 230-gr. bullet at around 850 fps out of the 5’’ barrel of the 1911, and offered a good balance of accuracy, terminal performance and recoil. But, is it up to the woods defense role?
The most common threats we face around here are feral hogs, although bear can also be a threat in other parts of the country. Whether dealing with an oinker or a bruin, the task will require penetration first and foremost. These animals are large and stoutly built, with strong bones and usually plenty of fat below their thick fur and skin.
Furthermore, they are most likely to face the shooter during a threatening encounter, requiring the bullet to travel further to reach vitals than for a broadside shot. For these reasons, I believe a heavy non-expanding bullet is the way to go. In my opinion, the reliable 230-gr. FMJ load can serve well in most encounters, short of the larger bear species.
The Garrison
So, what 1911 have I selected for my own woods use, you might ask? That gun is the stainless steel Garrison 5” in .45. In this glorious day and age, a buyer has many different offerings to choose from when looking to buy a 1911 handgun, from the most affordable basic models to unique custom guns with price tags that require a doctor’s checkup and approval before looking.
In my opinion, the Springfield Garrison in stainless steel offers the best blend of aesthetics, function, performance and costs. This handsome piece of gunnery boasts several critical enhancements from the basic 1911 while keeping the essence of the original gun. Also, the blued steel model is also an option, but will require more care regarding the impact of moisture.
The first and most noticeable aspect is the finish, which I will admit was what first drew me to this pistol. The stainless-steel construction of my personal pistol is not only attractive, but as weatherproof and easy to clean as it comes. Grime seems unable to attach to the metal and is easily wiped off with an oiled or silicone-impregnated cloth.
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I really like the three-dot sights. This setup offers, in my opinion, the fastest way to align a gun with its target. The Garrison’s front post geometry is wide enough to be visually balanced with the rear notch, but leaves a sliver of light on both sides (at least at my arm’s length) facilitating precision aiming when the need arises and time allows. The three dots also offer a distinct advantage in dense and dark underbrush or against the dark color of some critters where plain black sights may not be differentiable from each other enough.
Springfield had the brilliant idea to equip this 1911 with thin grip panels, allowing more hands sizes to comfortably secure the gun. For my larger mitts, it means that I can press my thumb straight along the frame. This gives a little nudge in aiding with instinctively pointing an already eminently pointable gun, much as if I were to point at the target with my index finger. I found this to be especially notable when shooting single-handed. The checkering and finish of the wood grips and the checkered backstrap provide good grip, even with sweaty hands.
Range Time
The Garrison is a superbly accurate gun, due in no small part to its match-grade barrel. The accuracy results in the table speak for themselves. The gun ran flawlessly with all the tested commercial ammunition, a critical requirement for a defense gun for any scenario. Regarding velocity, the biggest surprise came from the Hornady Critical Duty +P load, which clocked over 62 fps faster than the factory velocity for a whopping 525 lbs-ft of muzzle energy. This premium, barrier-blind defense load shoots without much of an increase in recoil in the Garrison.
It is my top choice for woods or trail defense with expanding bullets, especially since the bullets and primers are sealed into a nickel-plated case that offers peace of mind in harsh conditions. Importantly, I’ve found the Garrison will run even when heavily fouled up; a crucial need in the field, where grime and elements will gum up a gun in short order.
Where the Garrison really shines is off the sandbags, in dynamic shooting, for the kind of shots that might be required to take in the field. It’s a real pleasure to shoot whether single- or two-handed. The full steel gun soaks up the longer, mellow recoil impulse of the .45 superbly. Target loads shoot wonderfully softly, and even the stoutest loads are easy to handle. I find the action to be perfectly timed even after thousands of shots.
The muzzle lifts up in the expected 1911 fashion, but instantly comes down nearly aligned with the target when the slide closes into battery, making for quick follow up shots. The long beavertail grip safety guarantees protection against slide or hammer bite. The trigger has no take up and breaks like glass with extreme consistency.
The tactile feedback of the gun is excellent, with a positive trigger reset, and the thumb safety coming in and out of engagement with a distinct feeling. The magazine drops freely, clearing the way for fast reloads without the need for the support hand to fumble and pull out the empty box.
I do not have to worry about bears of any size in my neck of the woods, where feral hogs and coyotes are the largest baddies I am most likely to encounter. My field loadout includes two eight-round aftermarket spare magazines; one loaded with the PMC Bronze 230-gr. FMJ and the other with the Hornady Critical Defense FlexLock +P. The magazine in the gun might be loaded with either depending on the most expected conditions.
I carry my Garrison in an inside-the-waistband (IWB) Galco KingTuk Cloud with steel clips for traditional EDC. While hunting, I use a Versa Carry Trooper outside-the-waistband (OWB) holster and magazine pouch when wearing light clothing, but favor a Fobus Evolution holster and magazine holder in cold weather gear. My Garrison has spent many miles on my belt in all sorts of adventures, and it shows for it. It doesn’t bother me a bit. These are the scuffs and scratches earned by a hard workinghard-working woods gun, and are reminders of all the memories afield.
Conclusion
In my opinion, the Springfield Garrison in .45 makes for a perfect woods gun, carrying a heritage of reliability and power borne from its proven roots. Its match grade accuracy, controllability with all loads and clockwork action will save your bacon if you do your part. Its stainless finish is as handsome as it is functional, and makes it highly resistant to the outrages Mother Nature likes to dole out.
While the elements will not be able to take this gun, onlookers at the range may try and courteously ask you for a shot or two.
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