Best 1911 for under 1k

January 09, 2026, 01:26 PM

1KPerDay

quote:
Originally posted by jimmy123x:
Colt competition, comes in blued or s/s. I bought one of the earlier 9mm S/S ones, they also make in .45. Slide to frame fit and barrel bushing fit is bank vault tight so is the trigger pull. It's a nice shooting gun and comes with nice features: Fiber optic front site, G10 grips, skelatized hammer and trigger, etc. etc. Nothing holds value and resells like a Colt in the under $1000 range either.

There's plenty of them new on gunbroker at under $1000.

^^^^^^^^^^

January 14, 2026, 08:39 AM

-drew5337-

I picked up a Springfield Loaded Stainless a few years ago, no complaints at all. I prefer Series 70 guns after a mishap with a series 80 (An old GSR of all things) years ago.

I also have a Springfield TRP Operator and its...very choice

January 14, 2026, 11:25 AM

pedropcola

Any chance expanding on that? Series 80 with a firing pin block being the only difference I’m curious how that caused a mishap? So no firing pin block (Series 70) is safer to you? Curious minds want to understand.

January 14, 2026, 12:40 PM

HRK

quote:
Originally posted by DaBigBR:
I would agree with those pushing Colt, Springfield, and Smith and Wesson. I'm less interested in Springfield's stuff these days but I honestly can't put my finger on why.

Maybe because they provided the language for Illinois FOID law, which is one of the most restrictive gun laws in the nation.

Remember that being a big issue and a reason I cancelled an order on a SA 1911 back then.

Their 1911 offerings though are nice firearms and decently priced.

January 14, 2026, 12:55 PM

MacGyver

^^^I think that over the years, all three companies have been involved in shady, underhanded political dealings.

January 14, 2026, 01:16 PM

92fstech

I have a Springfield Loaded Stainless that I've been happy with. I did some work to it to suit my taste, but it was pretty good from the factory. The sights were off (IIRC it was hitting pretty high), but SA sent me a replacement rear sight for free that fixed it.

The EMP4 is nice, too, but doesn't meet your criteria for a .45.

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January 14, 2026, 01:55 PM

DanH

quote:
Originally posted by pedropcola:
Any chance expanding on that? Series 80 with a firing pin block being the only difference I’m curious how that caused a mishap? So no firing pin block (Series 70) is safer to you? Curious minds want to understand.

Older Series 80 models were built using stamped parts which, if broken, will stop the gun from firing, and considering all the other problems that the early GSR guns had, a Series 80 malfunction would not be unusual as Colt had durability issues.

January 14, 2026, 02:47 PM

gojoe

I have a Colt (cz) Competition, it is very well fitted and finished. But most of all it is a shooter without any hick-ups.

January 14, 2026, 04:15 PM

pedropcola

Ok. I read ”mishap” as an ND. You are suggesting some part broke, which I guess is semantics but seems less “mishap” and more plain old malfunction.

January 19, 2026, 08:37 PM

Vaftocr

quote:
Originally posted by 1KPerDay:
quote:
Originally posted by limblessbiff:
What’s the best American made 1911 for under 1k or so? And I know everyone loves Dan Wesson but those seem to all start at 14 or 1500 these days so that’s out.
I def. Want an American gun in .45

Colt

Hard to argue with this. The basic Colt is awesome looking.

February 08, 2026, 12:16 AM

Hey Pal

In my humble opinion, the Kimber Classic Gold Match. You can find one for under $1,000.

February 08, 2026, 09:58 PM

jamitchell

Not going to claim “best” necessarily.

It depends on many factors.

However, Colt maintains a reasonable level of quality and will hold its value far better than most any other sub 1k 1911.

Further, you will usually enhance the value with any work by a reasonably well known gunsmith.

With most other 1911 brands, you just eat the cost of any enhancements.

There is a reason why smiths like Jason Burton work almost exclusively on Colt.

February 09, 2026, 07:06 AM

Chowser

What about the new Kimber DS 1911? They come in .45 and I think MSRP is $1099? So street price should be less than $1000.

February 10, 2026, 08:50 AM

maxwayne

The Illinois FOID law is 60 years old. I don't think Springfield was in business then.

quote:
Originally posted by HRK:
quote:
Originally posted by DaBigBR:
I would agree with those pushing Colt, Springfield, and Smith and Wesson. I'm less interested in Springfield's stuff these days but I honestly can't put my finger on why.

Maybe because they provided the language for Illinois FOID law, which is one of the most restrictive gun laws in the nation.

Remember that being a big issue and a reason I cancelled an order on a SA 1911 back then.

Their 1911 offerings though are nice firearms and decently priced.

February 10, 2026, 09:22 AM

sigarms229

Very happy with my Springfield Garrison Stainless.

I've also previously owned Ruger SR1911 in fullsize and Commander and both were fine sub $1K pistols.

February 10, 2026, 09:23 AM

sigarms229

quote:
What about the new Kimber DS 1911?

Personally, I wouldn't. Kimber has had terrible quality control over the years.

February 10, 2026, 01:17 PM

P220 Smudge

quote:
Originally posted by sigarms229:
quote:
What about the new Kimber DS 1911?

Personally, I wouldn't. Kimber has had terrible quality control over the years.

Yeah, if you want to go back to the Ron Cohen era. That was two decades ago. In recent years, Kimber has turned it around and makes some damn fine guns.

______________________________________________
"If the truth shall kill them, let them die.”

Endeavoring to master the subtle art of the grapefruit spoon.

February 10, 2026, 08:52 PM

Vaftocr

I love the Dan Wesson ones but do not own one personally. I still vote Colt and always will in the 1911. I do not like anything else they make but the 1911. I have seen some Rock Island Armory’s at the range lately. I have not shot one and admit I would not buy one personally. However they look well made and are in the budget. Same goes for the Kimbers. I’m curious why these have not been brought up as they fit the price range.