You don't have to break the bank to get a high-quality pistol. Check out our recommendations on the most reliable and cost-efficient 1911 handguns you can get for less than $1,000.
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Most Reliable 1911 Handguns That Cost Less Than $1,000
1. Best Overall: Springfield 1911 A1 Range Officer
The Springfield 1911 A1 Range Officer takes the spot as our top choice of modern 1911 handguns. The gun offers high-grade, premium-quality features that no other model below the thousand-dollar price can beat.
Price Point
Springfield sells the 1911 A1 Range Officer at $980, so you can expect some gun shops to sell this model above a thousand dollars already.
Accuracy
The standard 1911 A1 Range Officer has a high-quality match-grade optic and adjustable rear black-out sight combination for accurate shooting. You can easily hit the narrow sides of a target positioned a few dozen yards away.
Concealed Carry
You can use the 1911 A1 Range Officer for concealed carry and every day home defense purposes.
Fine-Tuning
The 1911 A1 Range Officer has a match-grade barrel for quick cycling, a crisp and no-creep trigger, and a super smooth-gliding barrel that cocks all the way to the back.
Overall Verdict
If you have $1,000 you would want to spend on a 1911 handgun, definitely check out the Springfield 1911 A1 Range Officer. It offers premium-quality shooting features that both beginners and competitive shooters would benefit from.
2. Best Bang for Buck: Ruger SR1911 (Full-Sized)
Ruger first introduced the SR1911 handgun to the market in 2011. The standard 5-inch model comes with a five-inch barrel, but shooters can also opt for the lighter 4-inch barrel variant. We prefer the former over the latter.
Price Point
Shooters took a liking to the SR1911 for its excellent value for money. This handgun comes with a heavy-duty, sturdy frame, which gives it good overall resistance to daily wear-and-tear damages for roughly $750. You won't have to worry about dropping or bumping this gun a few times.
Accuracy
The SR1911 is not the most accurate pistol on this list. Any shooter can easily hit a board plank positioned a few yards away, but beginners might struggle to hit smaller targets likes cans and bottles.
Concealed Carry
The SR 1911 has a heavy frame, which makes it awkward to carry around. If you can find a way to work around this, shooters should have no problem using this handgun for concealed carry purposes.
Fine-Tuning
Unfortunately, the SR1911 does not have the refined mechanism shooters would expect from pricier handguns. It has a bouncy, sponge-like trigger, and the barrel does not cock smoothly.
Overall Verdict
The SR1911 is an excellent workhorse gun. It has an overall durable body, and shooters can depend on this pistol for everyday self-defense and conceal carry purposes.
The only downside is that the SR1911 lacks the refined, smooth mechanism of higher-end models. Although, shooters would be hard-pressed to find any other handgun on the market that offers similar quality at such a low price.
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3. Best Starter Competition Gun: Remington Model 1911 R1 Enhanced
Getting into competitive shooting does not have to cost you an arm and a leg. You can confidently enter competitions with the Remington 1911 R1 Enhanced knowing it has above-average accuracy, aesthetics, and quality.
Price Point
The Remington R1 Enhanced sits just below the $1,000 threshold, and shooters will find cheaper alternatives. However, the quality this handgun offers justifies the slightly steep price tag. You can easily mistake this for a high-end firearm that costs double or even triple the price.
Accuracy
The blacked-out rears bright-red front fiber optic makes outdoor shooting a breeze. You can hit your target at least four out of five times at a distance of 25 yards.
Concealed Carry
The Remington R1 Enhanced has a unique gun design, making it more suited to competitive shooting than concealed carry application. Although, shooters should have no problem using this for home defense.
Fine-Tuning
Shooters can enjoy high-end shooting features for far less than what a premium handgun costs. It has a smooth-cocking barrel, quick-cycling skeletonized hammer, and crisp, match-grade skeletonized trigger.
Overall Verdict
The Remington R1 Enhanced easily ranks among the best 1911 handguns for those who want to get into competitive target shooting without spending thousands of dollars. After all, competition fees already cost quite a lot.
It has an overall smoother mechanism than cheaper options, including the SR1911, so shooters would have an easier time firing this gun.
Check out this video by Green Light Shooting where they feature the best 1911 handguns you can get for less than $1,000:
Bear in mind that shooters need to consider multiple other factors apart from price when shopping for 1911 handguns. Find a pistol that suits your individual needs. Do not blindly go with the cheapest, most popular option that most of your peers have in their collections.
This list includes just some of the top 1911 handguns for sale, so feel free to expand your options—especially if you have a higher budget. Also, do not forget to compare your prospective pistols with your current handgun collection. Owning multiple weapons that offer almost the same features seems redundant and inefficient—unless you collect handguns, of course.
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Rock Island 1911 for $450
I had a Rock Island 1911 CS had problems with the ejector coming loose and ould stop it from cycling. Sent it to Rock Island for repairs they sent it back saying that it was fixed but after firing about 40 rounds through it it did the same thing got rid of it.
Kimber 5in Stainless LW Arctic for 750.00
My own CC is a Kimber Micro 9 Two Tone, I bought new for $650, including tax. First time out I ran a 5” 7 shot group right out of the box at 25’, just around the 9 o’clock position on the target, plus able to hit a 2 liter Coke bottle at 100’! Three times in a row, after about a hundred rounds. Now it’s all broken in with approx 700 rounds in about 30 outings, with the intended cleanings. Not one failure to fire! But I do need to do something about the heavy trigger pull! I’ll be getting a new spring kit shortly. I have acquired 4, 8 round magazines, to go with the 6 and 7 round that came with.
I had a Rock Island 1911 CS had problems with the ejector coming loose and ould stop it from cycling. Sent it to Rock Island for repairs they sent it back saying that it was fixed but after firing about 40 rounds through it it did the same thing got rid of it.
Sigh – again with another ‘opinion’ piece with a bit of decent info BUT how in the world can you “cock’ a barrel?
I’ve been shooting Mr. Browning’s best design (with a few improvements mostly due to better metals and production techniques) for nearly 50 years and I may or may not own a couple of the ones on that list so I reckon I know a little about the platform. If you are gonna shoot old slab sides, do yourself a favor and get some quality instruction in proper handling.
I have a ruger 1911 and I love it I have a very good arsenal of pistols and it’s always ready to go to work
I have a series 70 Colt Commander Lightweight and I have carried it as a routine for the 49+ years that I have had it, it still shoots quite respectably and it packs well in an IWB holster. At 50 feet, even at my advanced age, it holds a 8-10 inch group. The only time that I leave the house without it will be when they come to carry me away.
Springfield Armory 1911 Stainless best for this 68 yr old Love it