Most reliable 1911 for under 1000.

If I had to choose, I would get another Ruger SR1911, and wouldn't even look at anything else. Flawless, comfortable, and the most accurate semi-auto handgun I have ever owned.

How far under do you want to go. Rock Island makes a very reliable 1911 and the GI version is very cheap. It will be very basic and have rough edges but it will work well.

TheProf said:

Something easy to work on if needed.

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Just so you understand it's not a Glock. There are no "drop in" parts on a 1911.

TheProf said:

What about recoil springs and such? Are they easily replaced on 1911s ...same wy as on glocks?

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Recoil and hammer springs are easy enough to replace. The gun itself is not terribly hard to detail strip and put back together, its when you want to start changing out parts that the hand fitting comes into play.

TheProf said:

What about recoil springs and such? Are they easily replaced on 1911s ...same wy as on glocks?

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Usually you can replace a recoil spring simply by replacing the part.

The only two recommendations I now make to folks looking for a first 1911 is to make sure you pick a gun with the sights you want and decide whether you want/need a beavertail or GI grip safety. Choose wrong on either of those two options and you're paying a gunsmith to either grind or weld (or both) on your gun.

Otherwise, most are pretty much the same within the same price range.

The Colt Competition model sells for $899 retail. A lot of gun for the money and it's a Colt! Available in both 45ACP and 9mm.

I've owned a number of Colt 1911 pistols over the years. I currently have an even dozen 1911 pistols. Five of them are Colts. I've broken more parts on Colt 1911 pistols than any others. In fact, every part I've ever had break on a 1911 has been on a Colt.

Get a Ruger. Chances are Ruger will still be around in five years.

One might favor the colt for the exact same reason... it might NOT be around in five years, so get one while you can. .

Ruger, Colt, Smith, SIG all make very good 1911s for the money. I'd go around $700 and up rather than $400 RIA/Turkish pistols for actual defensive use. My RIAs have been solid but there are some quirks to deal with at that price point.

I have 2 Ruger Commanders, both are 45's. The stainless and lightweight. They've been fantastic, and if you do have a problem Ruger's customer service is outstanding.

badkarmamib said:

If I had to choose, I would get another Ruger SR1911, and wouldn't even look at anything else. Flawless, comfortable, and the most accurate semi-auto handgun I have ever owned.

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+1 on the SR1911. I've shot many and own one (the 10mm); very pleased with it, no issues so far, with round count at 566.

These are right around the $1000 mark.

Another vote for a Ruger. They are far less than $1,000 though, if that were my budget I might consider a SIG too. Then again, a German 1911 just seems....wrong.

bassjam said:

Another vote for a Ruger. They are far less than $1,000 though, if that were my budget I might consider a SIG too. Then again, a German 1911 just seems....wrong.

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Sig 1911 pistols are made here in the US.

The original Sig 1911 was the GSR for Granite State Railed, so named because they were built in New Hampshire and had a rail. I have one of the early ones. Hand built on Caspian frames and slides. Of course it has the external extractor. It shoots like a laser. One of these days I'll get some adjustable sights on it and start shooting it in matches.

Texas10mm said:

Sig 1911 pistols are made here in the US.

The original Sig 1911 was the GSR for Granite State Railed, so named because they were built in New Hampshire and had a rail. I have one of the early ones. Hand built on Caspian frames and slides. Of course it has the external extractor. It shoots like a laser. One of these days I'll get some adjustable sights on it and start shooting it in matches.

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Yeah, I know where they are made. I've shot a buddy's too, it was a super sweet shooting gun. Still, it seems wrong but I'm not saying I'd never own one.

I own a Sig 1911 45ACP. I paid around $1100 for it about three years ago.

For the OP, note the slide profile on the two SIG 1911's pictured. It is different from most other 1911's and may cause some issues fitting in holsters, primarily kydex holsters.

On the good side, if you like SIG 1911's, SIG also makes traditional slide 1911's, and the SIG profile slide, as seen above, has been around long enough that most holster makers produce a holster specifically for the SIG profile slide 1911.

Since this would be your first 1911, it's not like you have a dozen 1911 holsters sitting in a drawer that you won't be able to use. Just letting you know they are different.

Yeah. I love the 226/220. And I really like the sig 1911. But It has just enough changed for me to not consider it a 1911. That slide has more 226 than 1911 feel to it. Good gun though.
I'd second the colt. I have a couple of colts with decent round counts, and no issues. Even my delta has nearly 5k through it. plus if you want to resell later it will still have value. I've worked on 1911s from most every big company, Many need work. (I carry a glock most of the time, but sometimes a beretta/ sig/ or hk. Never a 1911 fwiw)
Either way a 1k limit will get you about 95% of the 1911s from the big guys. You should have no issues there.


ETA. As far a "combat accurate" that's the only similarity 1911s have in my experience. Ive not seen one that wasn't a shot to death service gun that wasn't "glock accurate". Ive seen some that were incredible pieces of junk, (including an 70s colt commander that would lock up solid every single shot.) but not one that wasn't pretty accurate. Find a reliable one and I'd wager it will be plenty accurate.

The Colt Comp pictured above would still be my top choice.

Ruger would be my first choice for under $1000, heck I would even look for a used one easily found for $500 to $600 with Ruger’s lifetime warranty. Use the rest of the money on ammo. My second choice would be the Colt Competition. I’ve got both and like them both equally (though the Colt is in 9mm), but for the money the Ruger is the better gun.

That being said, I’ve had zero issues with either of them.

For it to be "Glock accurate and Glock accurate" you don't even have to spend $500.

The basic GI Filipino and Turkish 1911's will do that. What you're paying for after that are beavertails, nicer grips, better finish, better sights, etc.

My Turkish GI shoots just fine and is reliable. My FiL wanted a 1911 with more bells and whistles. His sights are far superior to mine, which is very important to accurate shooting.

If I were buying my first 1911 again, upgraded sights would be more of a priority.

Springfield armory range officer was my first and I regret nothing

Jeremt said:

Springfield armory range officer was my first and I regret nothing

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Not even the adjustable sights?