Which 1911??

Were I in your shoes, I think I'd be looking at a Ruger SR1911. They're put together well and shoot well without being too high-end on price.

The Remington R1 basic model can still be had for cheap and the one I owned and several others I shot were all well made and accurate.

70 series Colt .

I was thinking the Ruger before I even got to post 2.

My Reminigton R1S Enhanced Commander is pretty nice and slick but, admittedly, I have not yet shot it.

Saw a really nice stainless AMT one the other day at a gun show, used, of course, but looked and felt well.

One more Vote for Ruger

New, I would look for a Remington R1. Used? The Colt, Kimber, SA, Ruger, Remington, etc. that is in your price range.

I like that you are considering a Sistema. I would also consider a Norinco.

I have a Citadel (RIA) 1911 in .45.
While not as nice as my Colt of Springfield it is a good gun.

Maybe an RIA in 9mm with the .22 TCM barrel for something different.

Maybe .400 Corbon barrel for the Taurus if you reload? Barrel and dies should not be as much as a new gun and something new and different.

An Auto Ordnance would look right at home next to your P08 and BHPs, not break the bank, and make a nice shooter.

I would probably go with a Ruger SR1911 if new is what you're looking for. Have heard a lot of good things about them and would like to see if they're as nice as others say they are. Used I might consider something like a Sistema Colt, a Ballester Molina, or a Star Model A, B, or P.

ttarp said:

An Auto Ordnance would look right at home next to your P08 and BHPs, not break the bank, and make a nice shooter.

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I would second this. The Thompson/Kahr/Auto Ordnance is the closest currently-available clone of the WW2 1911. The main difference is that it has the Series 80 firing pin safety. It's reasonably priced and U.S.-made.

Ruger, Remington, Kimber, Colt and many others all make quality 1911s but I would buy a Springfield because they are very well made, accurate and because I already own one and I'm happy with it.

That is unless you want to keep the price way down, then you can buy a RIA 1911.

I vote for the Sistema, I bought one about 6 years ago and love it. I've tinkered with it over the years, new barrel, sights, hammer, trigger, ceracoat. I mean, realistically I have now what an R1 starts out as....except, because the Sistema was built on Colt machines, the Colt parts drop in with no problems. So, if you want an affordable gun that has some history, perhaps a military provenance, than the Sistema is a good choice. If you want a tack driver (or close to it) out of the box, then the Ruger or Remington are good options.

The hunt for a nice Sistema will be worth it. There is a tiny minority of Sistema-assembled Hartford-made version out there.
I used to have one of those, and I miss it.
Caution, you may be enticed by Ballister-Molinas along the way; this can be hard on the budget, as they are very hard to part with.

Since you seem to be describing a 1911 that is for the once-in-a-while, one of the gems to go hunting for would be a Colt 1920 Commercial, which is a 1911A1 without any military markings. They are often in Royal Blue, too. There's a whole world of collecting the Mk IV Series 70

Now, if what you are keen on is a military-look 1911A1, I more than agree with @AlexanderA on the AutoOrdnance 1911A1; I own one myself. Very much not hard on the budget (mine was <$450 out the door). Now, "hunt" was definitely part of that acquisition--it took 9 months and a week of shopping, looking at deals, and poking about vendor tables at gun shows. But, in the end, I was over a hundred cheaper than just ordering off Bud's, which was the lowest consistent price I could find.

Just my 2¢; spend it as you will.

I’d say... Save a bit longer, or part with something you don't really care for, and get something higher up the ladder.

A Dan Wesson, or a used semi-custom.

Once you get one of these, you’ll wonder why you waited so long...

Careful, if the bug bites, you’ll want more...

AZAndy said:

Were I in your shoes, I think I'd be looking at a Ruger SR1911. They're put together well and shoot well without being too high-end on price.

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I second this notion. The Ruger is my bedside gun and is an absolute workhorse. It's stylish, but not so much that you're afraid to use/carry it.

Sistema/Argentine are decent guns, and they vary in price. My choice for a shooter grade 1911 that still gives you the classic feel of a basic 1911 is the Springfield Mil-Spec 1911-A1. They shoot extremely well, and still give you the classic 1911 feel. Plus they're built with forged slides and frames. https://www.springfield-armory.com/products/1911-mil-spec-45-acp/

I agree with bersaguy and the OP's first impulse about getting an Argentine Sistema 1911. It's a Colt clone, which is advantageous for parts, has character, and is reasonably priced, if you take your time buying. I got one recently, and am glad I did. Unfortunately, I have not shot it yet, so I cannot comment on that aspect. They are old and have seen a lot of use.

A Ballester Molina, or HAFDASA, is a simplified 1911, based on Spanish designs, made in Argentina. They are said to be good guns. They are NOT Colt clones, so you lose that advantage. They were, as I understand it, made before the Sistemas.

Springfield Armory 1911 A1 Mil-Spec. I bought this new last summer for $475 total and so far I could not be more pleased with it. I had it out again just this morning for some plinking enjoyment.

Redcoat3340 said:

Went looking for sistema and found turned
up ballasta molina....anyone have any experience or opinion on these semi, kinda like, almost 1911s?

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My dad has a Ballester Molina he will never part with. Very nice gun especially if you are not fond of grip safeties.

Many were made for a British contract to issue to special forces operatives in occupied Europe and there is a possibility some of them were made from steel salvaged from the German pocket battleship Graf Spee. Some Colt parts will interchange, some won't. They do accept standard 1911 magazines.

Great gun if you can find one!

What about a star super b? Or cheaper bm? Has character, affordable, different.

At least, that's what I got out of the original post. He's not looking for a decent, new 1911 under 1k. But if that, I've been impressed with the limited samples I have seen from metro arms, for the price. But they're basically your Taurus.

For 1k, I'd try to pick up this sti trojan https://www.gunbroker.com/item/789731774

For a .45ACP 1911 I'd go Colt. Second option Remington.

Character to me means old and experienced.

If you mean with a few bells and whistles you can never tell....

I picked up a new Kimber Pro CPD II at Cabela's a couple years ago when the new CPD was being introduced. It was listed on the website for $639 (the store had it tagged $160 Higher, Not sure if the website price was mistake or not). Between Coupons, Cabela's Bucks and a couple of gift certificates I basically just paid the tax out of pocket.

I picked up a Les Baer Premier II used but in NIB condition around the same time for $900 (that one unfortunately I had to part with real cash).

Keep your eyes open the deals are out there.