Your Preferred 1911 for ~$1000

Springfield Ronin 10mm is on my watch list. I have their Loaded, Range Officer Elite Operator, and EMP. The Ronin MSRP is $150 below your budget.

I've owned Kimbers. If you run into a Series I made in Clackamas, Oregon, I would pay top dollar for it. Other than that, they're a boat anchor in my opinion.

Their CS ruined me. So many other solid 1911 variants out there with good customer service to choose from leads me to believe Kimber is never even an option. Have they made good 1911s? Yep. Many people have some that sing like an angel from Heaven. But if you refuse to back your product until I run 500 rounds (take a guess how much that is in today's market) in it to "break it in" is hogwash. My Les Baer is SUPER tight in their tolerances. Several thousand rounds and I've yet to have one, single malfunction due to the firearm. Basically telling me to force-mate the parts via wear/tear doesn't cut it in today's manufacturing.

If you find them in the $1000 range with bells/whistles you like, S&W, Ruger, and Dan Wesson are what I recommend.
 
I have several 1911's custom and stock. I have 3 Ruger 1911's and for that price range I would prefer them. I have had 3 Kimbers which I was disappointed in (kept thinking it was me) and sold them. I also have 3 Sigs and 3 Springers. But for the money I would take the Rugers. I also shoot them the best. I know that the 1911 elitists would never agree, but that is my experience. They aren't as tight as my Springer Custom but the fit and finish is much better than the last 2 Colt Competitions I bought and did not keep. Colt and Kimber just ain't what they used to be. JMHO

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I own Colts. It is my preferred 1911.

I think that I have read over a thousand threads and comments over many years.

I'd say they all work well when you practice and learn the mechanics.
 
Porsche911 said:
I own Colts. It is my preferred 1911.

I think that I have read over a thousand threads and comments over many years.

I'd say they all work well when you practice and learn the mechanics.
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I had a series 80 Government model that I bought new a few years back. It would eject cases right into your forehead, for multiple shooters. I sold it to a friend and last I knew a gunsmith had fixed it. Recently I went to buy a 1911 and had a choice between a used Colt Competition and a used Wilson Combat CQB. Obviously the Wilson was more money, and frankly I wanted to get the Colt to save money. The Colt was looser in the frame to slide fit than stock service pistols I have.

I think there absolutely are good Colt pistols and I think that to many Colt represents the standard of the 1911. That doesn’t mean all of them are good. The same has been true of just about any brand I’ve owned. The biggest question seems to be who has the best quality control overall and when that fails who has the best customer service.


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Now that CZ has purchased Colt, hopefully the quality control will improve. Remington is no longer building guns.
 
A Bul Armory Classic is in your price range. 9mm's are hard to find now, but you should be able to find a .45 ACP.

Healy Arms in Tempe, AZ had a .45 in stock a few days ago

And http://gparms.com/1911-classic/ might still have some in stock

1911_gov_ss_2-1200x700-1024x597.jpg
 
Nanuk said:
After buying a Dan Wesson, I see it as money well spent. They compare favorably to guns selling for 3 times more money.
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I don’t disagree, they’re just notably more than $1000 and that’s out of my friend’s budget.


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I've been hearing Springfield get recommended for years now as one of the best lower cost 1911s on the market. If I were to buy one I'd likely go with Springfield or Ruger.
 
A lightly used STI Spartan V is IMHO, the best gun in the $1K budget range. A used STI Trojan, Dan Wesson Valor or Springfield TRP is probably going to be a little more than $1K, but I would certainly spend the extra money.
 
Ive been looking for one of these for several years and finally came across one.
Springfield Armory Range Officer Elite Operator in 10mm
SAROELOPERATOR_1.jpg
 
If I was looking for a $1000ish (so maybe an $800-1200) 1911, there are a few manufacturers I'd look to. I won't suggest specific models since this is a pretty general question, and models would differ depending upon what features a buyer wants. Also, for me, I don't carry 1911s anymore or use them for home defense. For a defensive handgun I'd rather not have to use an external safety and rely on a DA first trigger pull or at least a striker fired gun. So, reliability isn't as big a consideration for me as accuracy, fit and finish (and other overall workmanship), looks, etc.

I'd look mainly to three makers, with another honorable mention...

Colt. They are the original so they are more collectible (even just my own pride of ownership of having the 'real deal'), and if you get a good one, they are beautiful guns.

Springfield Armory. I've always liked their 1911s. Great blend of accuracy, beauty and reliability.

Kimber. I know they aren't as good, or as popular, as they were before the Kimber II changes almost 20 years ago. Still, they are some of the prettiest guns in their price range, they are well put together (fit and finish, not necessarily quality control and reliability) and accurate. Since it will never be a defensive gun for me and "just" a range toy, I'm OK with needing to clear a malfunction once or twice in a range session for a very accurate and good looking gun.

Honorable Mention: S&W
I have a 1st gen S&W 1911SC. Love the gun. 100% reliable, very accurate, well made. The finish on the 1st gen leaves a little to be desired, but it doesn't matter. The main reason it is an honorable mention and not on my main list... S&W makes so many other guns that (like many) their 1911s seem like they were just jumping on the 1911 bandwagon when they introduced them (same reason SIG 1911s and the Ruger 1911 aren't on my list either). Colt is the original, Kimber and SA really cut their teeth on 1911s, they are a major part of their lineup even today, and they did as much as Colt (actually more) for the 1911 reawakening a couple decades ago.
 
Colt
Springfield Armory
Ruger

or if you must,

Springfield Armory,
Colt
Ruger

still looking inside my wallet,

Ruger,
Springfield Armory
Colt

but yet, maybe

Colt
Ruger
Springfield Armory
 
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