I am in the market for my first 1911. Wanting to stay under $1k. Could probably talk myself into $1200 if its worth the extra money in quality. I am looking at Colt 1991 model which is around $800. Wanting the best bang for my buck in quality and reliability. TIA for your input.

Offerings by Dan Wesson are a great valve however they are a little north of $1K.

Best 1911 for the money is the Ruger SR1911 in my opinion. There are other great 1911s but for the price it can’t be beat.

Best 1911 for the money is the Ruger SR1911 in my opinion. There are other great 1911s but for the price it can’t be beat.

I have a had a Colt 1991A1 for about 20 years, it is my favorite gun. Only mod I have done is trigger job by a pro and a recoil bushing. Purchased a nicer Colt series 80 XSE a couple years ago with better sights, hammer, extended safety, etc but still would rather shoot the plain jane one. Ended up trading off the XSE.

I keep it handy in certain defensive type situations, but it generally stays in the safe since I put a light on my XD45.

I love my Kimber Custom and my Colt

Kimbers are ghey.

I’ve always wanted a Springfield Operator TRP

It’s just a little over your budget

I’ve had Colts and Kimbers.

I never trusted any of my Colts to shoot a box of shells without jamming

The Kimber always ran smooth

Ruger is some really good bang for your buck. Remington R1 Enhanced is also pretty good, you can find used ones on Armslist for around $550. TRP is out of your price range unless you find a smoking deal, but its little brother the Springfield Armory Range Officer can be had for under $1K and they're great guns.

In your price range SIG has some nice offerings in the 1911 platform. I would also look into STI , some of their stuff falls into your 1k to 1.2k range if you want to push it. I currently run a rock island ultra tac in 9mm, love it. Also have a Franken colt 1911 in 45 I havent shot yet, looking forward to getting that one out soon.

Springfield RO or Ruger

It has been my experience that most 1911’s are plenty reliable. Magazines seem to be the biggest problem.

If you get a Colt stick with a 70 series, IDK if the 1991 model is, but i suspect not. There are several good companies for your dollar figure. Colt, Kimber, Springfield, etc. I would skip the Rock islands and i own one now and have owned a few over the years. Picking up a used STI (not a spartan) or Dan Wesson would be good too. The sigs are a little too different for me, but are probably good guns as well. As long as you buy a quality gun they will all hold value well, but i would give a slight edge to Colt in that department, not cause it is any better, just cause people are silly about them

Concur and use Wilson or Tripp mags.

"RO" is the Range Officer model.

fwiw - I carry a Les Baer.

I own 12 1911’s, shoot them all quite a bit. I have 2 rugers, a government stainless one and the night watchman which is also the government length one. The stainless ruger is my all time go to gun I have shot it in the 20,000 round range. It shoots everything I feed it from cheap ammo to reloads from mild to wild. I have colts, kimbers, sti, Springfield armory. I have owned wilson combat and a few customs as well. If your dedicated to spending your budget, STI is the best bang for your total budget. I would say but the ruger for $600 or 700 and buy as much ammo as you can with the money left over and learn how to shoot the gun.

My ruger will shoot about 1.5” at 25 yards with Winchester white box 230gr ball all day long if you do your part.

If you haven’t been shooting a good while with a 1911 the higher end guns don’t do anything for you, they will make you mad because they are tight and take 500+ rounds to break in and run good.

If you start some where good, you will end up buying a nicer one down the road and one day you’ll end up with 10-12 guns!!

This....Spot on!

I've had my Springfield Loaded for years and love it.

Eventually I may end up with a TRP.

Ruger SR1911 for the win & they also make it in 10mm I have one of each and are both excellent weapons

I have 2 1911s. I have the Ruger Lightweight Commander and I have the Springfield Range Officer Compact both in 45 ACP. I like the look of the Ruger but The Springfield is just so much smoother and more accurate, or should I say I shoot it better. You won't go wrong with either. If you're near Dublin/stephenville you are welcome to shoot mine.

Many have said they've had reliability problems with Colts. I have not. My current EDC is a Colt lightweight commander. It's been flawless.

I own at Springfield TRP and a Colt 1911. I've also owned KImbers, Dan Wessons and Rugers. For $1K, Ruger is the way to go. My TRP is my favorite pistol and it is scary accurate.

I have another vote for the Ruger. I got mine for under $800 at Gander Mountain (now Gander Outdoors).

I have had no problems with my kimber custom.

I owned a few and shot a bunch. The TRP was the best fit for me.

Been watching and reading so guess I'll toss my 2 cents in since I own have owned a lot and carried a number 1911
Nothing wrong w any of the guns mentioned
Roger is a good gun I would look for used I have picked them looking like new for 400
Sti has got out of the 1911 business focusing in the 2011 market and most have taken note so finding one for a grand getting harder
Colt this is the gun if you want the true 1911 I have never had an issue w colt if it was maintained and lubed properly, that said all companies can let loose a bad one
Springfield and Remington are decent guns but don't do anything for me in 1911
S&w and sig external extractors so not true 1911 but very good guns
Kimber 10 years ago had some qc issues and we have not forgot that said ones before then or recent good to go
Cimmeron make a nice copy of the colt my daughter has one
Rock island makes a good dependable inexpensive govt model son has one
I haven't seen the appeal of the Dan Wesson
Everyone of the are combat accurate

Anyways my experience and opinion from having in my hands not just thoughts and dreams

Enjoy the search and whatever ya get I'm sure you will enjoy and then ya will want something bigger or better

Most of the mid/upper Springfield models are great. The newer Kimbers are supposedly lower quality than the older ones, but I have no personal experience with them other than with the older models, which were really, really nice pistols. I was in the market awhile back and had my heart set on a Ruger SR1911 before I ran into a Colt Series 80 stainless model used at a gun show for $750. I grabbed it instead of the Ruger and I absolutely love it. Reliable, very accurate, with a super nice trigger (I'm thinking the original owner had a trigger job done).

Bottom line - most of the $700-$1k guns are pretty good nowadays. Ruger, Colt, Springfield, or Kimber would probably all be very fine pistols.