I am not a colt fanboy, but i would say for your purposes get a colt. I have not met many 1911s that i did not like, why just limit yourself to one.

I thought I wanted one, too. I bought one, shot it & could never get used to it. I've been shooting Glocks for years & it was just too different. 1911's just don't fit my hands correctly. I wanted to like it, I really did, but it just wasn't happening.

Another vote for Colt. I really like mine

What 1911 did you have?

Colt

That Springfield Range Officer looks like a lot of fun for the money. Still leaning Colt though.

You can find a used Springfield TRP for around 1k. Hands down best 1911 I own, and I own alot. You're in my neck of the woods. Give me a shout and come shoot some of mine. You will absolutely be sold on the TRP

I currently have a Ruger in the commander size. I've had a couple Colts and SA micro compact.

I love the Ruger and don't plan to let it go any time soon. A nice Colt would fit your situation well.

Colt, delta elite

I have the trp operator and used to have a trp, both awesome guns. If i had to choose only one 1911 the trp would probably be the one.

Citadel Compact. Tried it w/factory wood grips & Hogue rubber grip.

I've got a sig and Dan Wesson. Both are nice but the Dan Wesson is my favorite easily.

I have a kimber that I carry regularly. I was worried about buying a kimber because I heard they're unreliable or that they require a 500 rnd break in. I bought my kimber and took 500 rnds to the range and didn't have a single malfunction. I am very pleased with my kimber. I'm currently have it posted but am having second thoughts. That gun shoots better than I do. I almost bought the ruger 1911 but ended up with the kimber because they had a great sale going on where I bought it from.

Love my Springfield Loaded.

I prefer the .38 Super over .45 ACP also.

Colt. Best bang for the buck under a grand, hands down.

Agreed. That's the other thing - you don't even have to get Colt's bottom of the line with your budget. They have several guns around $1,000 that are upgraded models with really nice features that will hold their value extremely well and shoot like a dream. I'm not really sure why you'd get anything else in the $1,000 range.

I wanted to like Springfield a lot, but every one of their guns that I've ever picked up had a crummy trigger, from the $500 mil spec to a $900 Operator. Not sure if some are better than others and I've just had a bad luck of the draw on all the ones I've grabbed, but they were all pretty sub-par. But they make one of the best looking 1911s and they have a great record of reliability, accuracy, and great customer service. If you find one with a good trigger, that would be a good option alongside the Colt or Ruger. But make sure you check that before you buy. I certainly wouldn't order one online and hope for the best unless you're just planning to have a trigger job done regardless.

I have a Colt and Kimber 1911's. Recently went shopping for a 1911 for my daughter's Christmas present and looked at a variety of them. Sig and Dan Wesson have some really nice ones but in the end I wound up buying her a Ed Brown. It is one sweet handgun. If you could spend more I highly recommend them.

I have both a Colt and a Kimber both are shooters for sure.

Colt 1911 national match. There's a stainless model on GB right for $979.00.
Mine has and national match barrel and competition trigger and it shoots awesome and I'm no pistol marksman.

I filled my 1911 hitch with an ATI. Less than $400. Its not museum piece, and I dunno how long it will last but she shot over 500 rounds with me with few issues.

Man that Ed Brown is pretty...I have to suck it up and spend the bucks one of these days...

May also consider a Browning Hi Power if your considering a 9mm 1911. Very similar double stack design from the designer of the 1911. Has the same feel as a 1911. Mine got called a 1911 by many people.

I don't have one yet either but I am saving up for an STI lawman.

I don't see very many recommending STI. Nobody have one?

OP wanted to stay $1,000 or below