Which 1911 would you buy for <$1000?

[Notso Slim, SASS #67301]

I'm having to replace my stainless Springfield 1911 in .45 acp that was stolen during a burglary. I have not looked at 1911's in a longtime and I'm confused. I thought Kimber's were top of the line but looking at the prices I'm guessing "not anymore". I want a basic GI style but one will function solidly with having to work on it and I don't want to pay more than $1000. The only competition I might shoot it in is Wild Bunch once or twice a year. Thanks.

[Tex Jones, SASS 2263]

Springfield is still worth the money.  Their Mil Spec model looks interesting.  Others have mentioned Tisas.  Post your question on the Wild Bunch Forum; plenty of suggestions there.

[Whitey James]

There are lots of good options these days especially under 1k. My current Wild Bunch pistol is a Springfield "Garrison". I also have a series 70 Colt Gov model in case I want to shoot traditional. Both were under 1k. 

 

[J.D. Daily]

A Plus 1 for TISAS is the CMP is selling a CMP TISAS.  https://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/cmp-tisas-m1911a1-pistol/

[Boggus Deal #64218]

Colt, if you’re patient you can find one under $1000. 

[Sheriff Dill]

I really like my Tisas. It shoots very nice and was $500 new 

[Widder, SASS #59054]

A friend of mine who loves Colts, actually really likes the Springfield models.

And from my experience and the price range you are wanting..... SPRINGFIELD.

 

As for other, more refined 1911's under 1K, ya gotta check out some of the BUL's  (I have one), Magnum Research (mine is made by BUL),

the new SAVAGE 1911 (I have a pair and love em both) and last but not least..... Rock Island Armory (I have one of those)

 

Also under 1K is my Kimber 'Long Slide'..

 

If ya want to add a few $$$ to your purchase, the Springfield 'EMISSARY' has been a top notch 1911 for me.

 

..........Widder

 

Edited September 28 by Widder, SASS #59054

[Nimble Fingers SASS# 25439]

Check out Taurus’ 1911 in ether blued or stainless. Great value and I believe they are no more 600. Shoot well, handles great!

but there are a lot of “blemished” Colts out there for under 1,000!  They hold on to their value!!  

[Dred Bob]

Kimber's are nice but basically overpriced for looks not really great on performance or quality.   They were my first 1911's about 20 years ago because I thought they were the best factory build for carry.  I love Springfields for performance and shot one for over a decade in Bullseye.  They are solid excellent guns out of the box.  You can't beat the performance and quality at a reasonable price.  BUT, I bought a couple of Tisas 1911A1 when I started shooting SASS / Wild bunch and I'm amazed at the build and the price on these guns.  I've never had a misfire / misfeed on the Tisas and it is one of the tightest 1911's I've ever handled.  The price was about $300 two years ago.  I bought it because I wanted a "service" A1 style replica for Wild Bunch and I knew it would get beat up.  The price was rediculous and worst case I'd have an extra beater in the safe.  I've since bought more Tisas and I shoot them more than my Springfields (which are still my favorites but ....).   I don't think you can go wrong with a Tisas, certainly worth giving a try especially if you're looking for an A1 style.  The quality is way above the price and I think I spent more on ammo for it this season than I paid for the gun.

[Sedalia Dave]

Plenty to choose from.

 

Springfield Armory, Tisas, Rock Island Armory, Colt are all good

 

PSA has really good prices and they even have a Colt for just over 1K.

 

https://palmettostatearmory.com/guns/handguns/1911/45acp-1911.html?barrel_length_v2=5

[Sedalia Dave]

Forgot to add that most 1911 issues are caused by poor magazines.  Good magazines are worth the investment.

[John Kloehr]

3 hours ago, Notso Slim, SASS #67301 said:

The only competition I might shoot it in is Wild Bunch once or twice a year. Thanks.

That takes my carry out of consideration. Springfield EMP in 9mm. Leather from Bullhide (steel core), and Mitch Rosen plus his mag holder, and extra mags.

 

And now looking it up, broke your budget too. Did not realize I paid that much (assuming I did). And I got thinner grips too, now the gun just points itself.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

About a week ago, I bought a Colt Officer's Model for $1050.   Been looking for one for years and finally found one.

I often see real Colt's on the used shelf for less than $1000.   Generic ones.   

[High Noon Henry]

Take a good look at the  Ruger SR1911.  An excellent firearm.  Lots of added features.   I would also highly recommend a Springfield.  
 

HNH

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

I love my Cimarron (Armscor) 1911's.  One is nickle, one is polished blue (they currently only offer nickle and parkerized).  Being for Wild Bunch Traditional they have the look  The original 1911 frame, and patent dates etc on the slide, lanyard loop, etc.  I have used a variety of magazines and I never have gun/ammo problems.  A Lee Factory Crimp Die probably helps.  Colt parts compliant, lifetime warranty.  

[Whitey James]

The Springfield's are one of the few in this price range that has a forged frame instead of cast....if that matters to you. I have and had Ruger 1911's with cast frames with no issues.

[Three Foot Johnson]

I don't think the Taurus or Ruger are available in a "basic GI style" as per the OP's specs.

 

A lot of folks around here shoot Armscor/RIA, with their various brand names, for Wild Bunch. PSA often has either the Armscor/RIA or the Tisas on sale - right now the Tisas fixed sight mil-spec is on sale for $319.99 - shipping used to be $17, but I think it's gone up to $19.99

[Sawhorse Kid]

I have personal experience with Springfield's Mi Spec model, I like it very much.

Give it a look. 

[El Sobrante Kid]

1 hour ago, Whitey James said:

The Springfield's are one of the few in this price range that has a forged frame instead of cast....if that matters to you. I have and had Ruger 1911's with cast frames with no issues.

 

The Tisas in the GI style in both barrel lengths have a forged frame, slide, and barrel.

[Dusty Sights, SASS # 2782]

Twenty years ago, I bought a Springfield Armory GI .45 to scratch the 1911 itch I had.  Shortly thereafter, they discontinued that basic model.

It has been an extremely reliable pistol.  As a ccw, I trust it completely.  I use the 8 or so magazines that I purchased with the Springfield Armory coupon enclosed with the pistol. 

A few months ago, I purchased a .22 caliber Colt conversion unit for it.  It fits and functions very well too! 

So yes, I'd recommend Springfield Armory. 

 

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

[Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655]

Being left handed I bought a tisas carry ambi safety commander size 4.25 inch barrel.  Shoots to point of aim functions flawlessly so far maybe 2 boxes of hardball and a couple of mags of hollow points thru it.  Years ago I built a bow for a guy he gave me a ruger mini 14 in trade, not being a fan of Mini 14s I took it to a gun show in Austin and traded it straight across for a Interarms Silver Cup (GI 45 frame that stayed in Europe after the war, added National Match Slide, Barrel, Barrel Bushing and a Match Grade Trigger) essentially a poor man's gold cup with those really high Ken Sights on it.  Not something you could carry stuck in your pants as the front sight would perform surgery every time one drew the pistol.  Went to another gun show and bought an Israeli GI slide, ordered a GI chrome barrel and GI barrel Bushing from Amherst and made myself a carry gun.  After a few years bought an Armscor Frame made in the Philippines from sarco and the grips, grip screws, springs, slide stop, sear, hammer and trigger along with the tube that holds the plungers for the safety and slide lock.  I found a staking too, bough the appropriate size left handed trill to install the ejector and made myself an international GI 45 using the  Israeli slide assembly complete.  Put the national match frame complete on the interarms silver cup frame restoring it to its match configuration.  Was thinking about putting an Ambi Safety on the GI configured gun but was scared off by fitting may be required.  At that point if I had to take it to a smith would be with in a couple hundred of what the Tisas Carry would cost which had the advantage of having a 3 1911 stable vs just 2.  The all work just fine. The GI sights are getting a bit harder to see but I can still shoot minute heart at 10 yards with the GI sighted 1911 and my Makarov which if it is possible has even smaller sights than the GI 1911. 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

Speaking of left handed/ambi safeties for the 1911...

Why has it become impossible to find an ambidextrous safety without all kinds of extensions and other pokey bits that stick out from it?   Why can't we get one that looks just like the factory safety, just on both sides of the pistol.

I got one YEARS ago for my Colt replica of the WWI era 1911, and I have a couple of others that I'd like to ambi safety, but everything on the market now has those irritating extensions or strange shapes, or most offensively of all, a long tab that requires you to undercut the grips.   No, I will not put these on my GI Colts, but on modern made ones, sure.

[Rye Miles #13621]

 Colt 1911 Government model or any other model they have. I’m a big Colt fan. You can’t go wrong with a Colt.

[Totes Magoats]

~$1K?  A Colt series 70 and 300-500 rounds of ball ammo to run through it.  Then a YouTube video on adjusting the sear spring.  You'll be all set for WB after that.

 

Totes

[Windy City Kid]

After much research, I went with the Springfield Mil Spec. But if I wanted to save a few $$, Tisas would be the way to go. 

[Tooky Slim]

19 hours ago, J.D. Daily said:

A Plus 1 for TISAS is the CMP is selling a CMP TISAS.  https://thecmp.org/cmp_sales/cmp-tisas-m1911a1-pistol/

I second the Tisas...I bought one about a year ago, and have had 0 issues through about 500 rounds. Machining is fantastic, and

gun is very smooth and slick. Great buy for $410

[Nimble Fingers SASS# 25439]

15 hours ago, Three Foot Johnson said:

I don't think the Taurus or Ruger are available in a "basic GI style" as per the OP's specs.

 

A lot of folks around here shoot Armscor/RIA, with their various brand names, for Wild Bunch. PSA often has either the Armscor/RIA or the Tisas on sale - right now the Tisas fixed sight mil-spec is on sale for $319.99 - shipping used to be $17, but I think it's gone up to $19.99

You are right I was interpreting “basic” as not having a lot of bells and whistles to keep the price low. My apologies for thinking outside the box with an inexpensive suggestion 

[Waxahachie Kid #17017 L]

Tisas, hands down. 

All steel construction, forged/machined, parts. NO plastic, NO M.I.M. parts. Original 1911 specs. 

All for a price that cannot be beat. Mine cost $390.00. 

It's a no-brainer...or should be.

Find out if the other brands use 100% steel, 100% forged & machined parts. NO plastic, No aluminum, No M.I.M.. 

Your choice, your money.  

 

 

[Vail Vigilante]

Don't overlook Auto Ordinance. They have a GI clone. Mine works great. I have a Ruger 1911 that is a Safe Queen because it is also a NRA commemorative. But I would endorse that one too.

[Pee Wee #15785]

If I was looking today it would be a Tisas.  I am a older Colt fan, but my SASS Wild Bunch gun is a Springfield 1911 Army bought a few years ago. I have a EDC 9mm Tisas that has what they call an Ed Brown cut.  After 1500 rounds it still goes bang every time.  Reloads or company made it feeds all shapes that I have shot.  All rounds were 200-230 gr.

Edited September 29 by Pee Wee #15785

[Pb Mark]

I would buy myself another stainless-steel Springfield since was what you previously enjoyed but had stolen.  Forged frame, series 70 safety.  Springfield easy warrantee if needed.  The thought of not working a bit on a 1911 is foreign to me...

 

Kimber uses Swartz style safety, no bueno to me at least.  

 

Rock Island and many others cost less but are cast frames.  Good value for the money, but Philippine or Turkey built typically.  New model Tisas are forged and great value for the money, made in Turkey just like my CZ Sharp-tail is if that matters to you. 

 

Colt forged frame and slide so far, but things might be changing in the future.  Colt is now owned by CZ Group, a Czech holding company.  Still has the Colt name on it.  Quality might actually improve via CZ ownership, time will tell. Good pistols usually.  

 

The list could go on and on.

 

Personally, I shoot older model single stack STI 1911's.  

 

Edited September 30 by Pb Mark
error correction

[Jackaroo, # 29989]

9 hours ago, Waxahachie Kid #17017 L said:

Tisas, hands down. 

All steel construction, forged/machined, parts. NO plastic, NO M.I.M. parts. Original 1911 specs. 

All for a price that cannot be beat. Mine cost $390.00. 

It's a no-brainer...or should be.

Find out if the other brands use 100% steel, 100% forged & machined parts. NO plastic, No aluminum, No M.I.M.. 

Your choice, your money.  

 

 

100% right Kid, I bought 2 of these over 10 years ago and never had a moments worth of trouble with any of them. Took them and a Para Ordinance

to a real hot shot pistol smith and he said ah well these cheap guns usually gotta throw all the internals out. Ok whatever.

When I went to collect them about 2 weeks later, he was astounded and said, well these internals of the Tisas's were perfect and in fact I threw all the rubbish out of the Para!!

[Waimea]

On 9/29/2025 at 1:14 AM, Sedalia Dave said:

Forgot to add that most 1911 issues are caused by poor magazines.  Good magazines are worth the investment.

 

Can you recommend good ones?

And ones to stay away from?

[Boggus Deal #64218]

21 minutes ago, Waimea said:

 

Can you recommend good ones?

And ones to stay away from?

Checkmate are the best ones out there in my experience. They make them for most all the OEMs of 1911s.