Top 1911 Handguns Under $1000

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 everyday 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.