Absolute best 1911 for the money 1500-2000$

[MnP]

Hey guys, I really like 1911's I've had 2

1st was an American classic commander cost was 475$ with back ground check. sold that cause it was about as accurate as Elmer Fudd

So I figured it was time to upgrade a bit and pay a little more which led to number 2 which was a Desert eagle 5" 1911
Cost 735$ with back ground check.
I was Very happy with it but my dad was drooling over it ever since I bought it so I gave it to him for his 50th birthday


Now I'm ready to up the anty a bit more of course I really don't want to spend more then 2k because that's ridiculous #1 and #2 I don't need ed browns best gun or Wilson combats "top of the line 4900$ 1911"

**EDIT
POU;
Beautiful Reliable non railed plinker/BBQ GUN

Possibly a 3-gun competition gun in the future.

Needs to be full size steel frame fixed or adj sights don't matter to me but the gun must be aesthetically easing to the eye


I'd rather have more ammo or more guns then have 3 guns with no ammo...

So far I'm looking at sigs, S&W performance center, Springfield TRP, and Dan Wesson..

Willing to spend UP TOO 2000$$ not a penny more (except for back ground check(; )

but if I can get a great gun for 1000$ that's just as good as the other guns that cost more I will do that, and spend 1000$ on ammo and tactical gear.

Any help or advice is appreciated

Thanks
-Jesse

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[BAMCIS]

This is a hard one. For me at least. I've got 2 Colt Government models and a Colt Defender that cost way below $1500. (Around $1000 ea.) My two Ed Browns that cost me way above. ($2500 ea.) They all shoot really good and, truthfully, only a 1911 aficionado would be able to tell the difference between them.

I've posted this pic on here before but here's some of what I'm talking about:

​

You can find really nice 1911's for the price point you suggest. In fact, I dare say you almost can't go wrong. You get what you pay for.

 

[asiparks]

You don't say whats important to you, fixed sights/finish/checkering etc...so some shots in the dark..

Railed gun- Dan Wesson Specialist ~$1400 in stainless
Unrailed - Springfield TRP ~ $1300 in stainless from CDNN, DW Valor ~ $1500 in stainless. Used Baer TRS or UTC ~$1500. New Baer through Crazy John $1900

Under a grand
Springfield RO
Kimber TLE
Kimber Classic Custom

 

[MnP]

I realize you get what you pay for that's why I want to up the Ante and spend 1500-2000 preferably less but I wouldn't mind having a nice "custom 1911" just because I can say I have a xyz and people say ooooooohhh aaaawwwwweee but when it all comes down to it I'd rather have a reliable subaru impreza then a good looking Mercedes that's always in the shop... Lol

 

[MnP]

Sorry Asiparks I edited the OP-

 

[PuddleMonkey]

in that range I'd check out Springfield TRP or a couple Dan Wessons. Your standard Sigs and Kimbers shouldn't be 1500-2000, but you can go that route and have a sweet 1911 while saving some $.

 

[Mark W.]

Buy a Remington R1 base model put a Wilson lt wt combat trigger and hammer in it along with a Wilson drop in Beavertail and then spend what ever it costs to have the same pistol smith do the same trigger job to yours as he did to mine right before I bought it. Cause its the most accurate handgun I have ever owned (owned a couple 3 dozen) and the sweetest trigger even the guys in the club who do triggers have ever felt.

Sorry I have no idea who the mystery pistol smith (somewhere in the Portland area I believe) is.

 

[Velzey]

Remington or a Ruger 1911! They did a great job on them, and they are built built very well!

Or you could get yourself a couple of them...

Mark W. how long ago did you get the Remington? I may know the fellow that did the work on it

 

[ZA_Survivalist]

But, what I don't understand is how does it (other than the brand name, flair and finish) differ from a standard mid range.. dare I say, entry level 1911!?
Unless we're talking about a supped up race gun.

For 2k Id just buy two platforms, hell maybe 4!

 

[Mark W.]

Remington or a Ruger 1911! They did a great job on them, and they are built built very well!

Or you could get yourself a couple of them...

Mark W. how long ago did you get the Remington? I may know the fellow that did the work on it

Less then a year ago pretty sure. The work may have been done a few months before I bought it. Previous owner had the work done to a brand new pistol fired it 7 times after picking up the gun and then before he could take it back out got a notice an offer on a short sale had been accepted and he had 6-7 guns up for sale in a panic to make the down payment required. I got it for a song.

 

[orygun]

Dan Wesson.

 

[Nickb]

If you want off the shelf I would say a Dan Wesson or TRP. If you want something custom contact Springfield's custom shop and have them build the pistol you want. The only problem with custom is the wait, I think Springfields turn around is 18-20 months.

 

[asiparks]

But, what I don't understand is how does it (other than the brand name, flair and finish) differ from a standard mid range.. dare I say, entry level 1911!?
Unless we're talking about a supped up race gun.

For 2k Id just buy two platforms, hell maybe 4!

Honestly, it doesn't....

I've got Wilson's Nighthawks, browns, DW, Springfields and Kimbers...
You (should) get better fit and finish, a properly fitted hammer and sear, some better blending, maybe a nicer finish.
I found all my 1911 triggers are within a whisker of each other, the most expensive not being the best either. Accuracy will depend way more on finding a load that suits your particular gun, but again, not much between them at all.

I like DW because I like the clean looks, they're very well machined and fitted with all tool steel parts and they have the features I want at a decent price.

 

[jrprich]

COLT

 

[asiparks]

COLT

because ?

 

[orygun]

because ?

Because they are well made, too. Would be my 2nd choice.

Although, for that money I'd find a pre Series 70 gun.

 

[jbett98]

Pre 70's series Colt National Match.

 

[orygun]

Pre 70's series Colt National Match.

I had one of those. Made in '62 and didn't have a mark on it. Too nice for me, though. I sold it.
If I didn't have my '51 Commercial, I'd have kept it just for the "bling" in the safe.

 

[mjbskwim]

By no means am I a 1911 aficionado......but! i can hit most anything I want to out to 50-60 yards and sometimes to 100,with my Springfield RO.
The other 1911 that was golden was my Sig Tac Pac kit 1911. I di good with Kimbers but nothing like these 2 guns,
And the kicker is you can have both (not mine but brand new) for inside your budget.
I believe the Range officer is around the $750 mark and the Tac Pac w/railed gun and laser is around the $1k mark. I've seen plenty 1911s come through the shop I work at and without shooting them, mostly fit and finish determine the cost. Unless you go to the custom makers who hand fit the guns.
So I guess it depends on what you want out of your gun.accuracy first or great looks. I think all but the cheapo imports look great.And some of them are handsome. But you can tell the difference between those and the ,say $1k mark guns.
Shoot, a friend has a Ed Brown. I haven't shot it but truth be told,I can't see where the other $1500 plus went to over my Springfield.I kinda think its a " look at this " gun.

 

[jbett98]

I had one of those. Made in '62 and didn't have a mark on it. Too nice for me, though. I sold it.
If I didn't have my '51 Commercial, I'd have kept it just for the "bling" in the safe.

I took the slide off of my 68 NM and topped it with a Colt Ace .22lr Conversion kit.
That way, I get the best of both world's. A super crisp trigger, heft and feel of a Colt 1911 and accurate and cheap .22lr plinking fun.