We will look at some of the best 1911 models out there. John Moses Browning’s design is iconic. Any gun person can tell that it’s a 1911 at a glance. There weren’t many models before, but now there have been changes. Currently, there are new features and more calibers to choose from, attracting more shooters.
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A Short History of the M1911
First, a little history lesson. This will be relevant later on, and I will not bore you with too many details. It all started when John Moses Browning wanted to supply the military with a more powerful handgun round.
He was not alone in this endeavor. He had to compete against other well-known gun manufacturers such as Smith & Wesson and Savage. Then, the US Military adopted his gun, the 1911, as their sidearm of choice, for very good reasons.
The 1911 and other contenders were put through multiple endurance tests to simulate the environment on the battlefield. They were used to shoot 6,000 rounds, submerged in acid, mud, etc. One of the tests involved shooting the gun with deformed cartridges. The 1911 passed all of those with flying colors.
At the turn of the century, the US Military wanted something more powerful than the .38 Long Colt that they had used until then. They got an idea that the new gun should chamber a .45 caliber bullet. The 1911 serves as the perfect replacement as it chambers the .45 Automatic. It uses a 230-grain projectile, which can reach the speed of 850 feet per second (FPS). From a self-defense perspective, it is a more potent round than the .38 Long Colt.
Certain purists may claim that any 1911 not produced by Colt is fake. Now, I’m not going to denounce their love for the original 1911. From a performance perspective, they work just the same. Moreover, it’s not like Colt wanted to outsource their production to other companies. It was a necessity because they needed to keep up with the demand. You don’t have to worry about quality either since many reputable gun manufacturers helped with the production, such as Springfield Armory, Remington Rand, etc.
Nowadays, you can still see the 1911 being used by some military units and law enforcement, and it is still a viable self-defense firearm regardless of the manufacturer and caliber. Ask any gun enthusiast, and they will say that they have at least one 1911 in their collection. Again, the 1911 just works. It is reliable, accurate, and looks fantastic. There isn’t much to hate about this gun.
In fact, many major shooting sports have a special class for 1911 pistols, even if the original model is over a century old. Needless to say, the 1911 is here, and it is here to stay.
But that’s enough history lesson. I will give you a list of 1911 pistols in various price ranges, starting from the most expensive to the least expensive, and you can decide which one to buy.
Best in Any Price Range
If you can afford it, I recommend going for the Colt Gold Cup (.45 ACP) or the Colt XSE Government (9mm). As you will see further down the list, people will have something to complain about gun manufacturers except for Colt. The only thing people will complain about Colt’s 1911s is the price. Buying a Colt 1911 is totally worth the money, and you can find many models between $800-$900. The reason is that Colt’s 1911s retain their value very well. This is expected from a gun this reliable, iconic, and sleek. Colt is one of the few gun manufacturers that can sell you a handgun that is older than you. It will last you a lifetime.
Over $1,500
You see many 1911s in this price range. Here, you can see all the elegant designs with all the bells and whistles.
Springfield Range Officer (9mm)
The only 9mm that is better than this one is the STI Trojan, but it is discontinued. So, the next best option is the Springfield Range Officer. At this price range, you are getting a very potent and reliable gun. It is accurate and comes with all the features you want. The rugged, forged frame and slide means that this pistol will last you a lifetime. The gun is also very pleasing to the eyes with its gorgeous and classic style.
Wilson Combat CQB(with rail)
The Wilson Combat CQB is as sleek as it is expensive, at a whopping $3,100 at the moment of writing. Gun builders who have a lot of money to spare will always go for Wilson parts since they are some of the best money can buy.
I recommend the Wilson Combat CQB for this very reason since every part of this pistol is from Wilson. It has everything: Wilson quality, aggressive grips, fiber optic sights, rails, etc. It is expensive, but it is worth every penny.
Kimber Amethyst Ultra II
Many of Kimber’s pistols come from the 1911 platform. Unlike the tactical look of the Wilson Combat CQB, this one is flashy in terms of design. They come in many sizes and calibers, but I recommend going for the Kimber Amethyst Ultra II.
It is a sub-compact pistol, chambers 9mm or .45 ACP, with a 3-inch barrel. The color might put you off since it is an attempt to cater to women who want a girly gun. Visuals aside, it is just as reliable and durable.
Vickers Tactical Master Class 1911
The Vickers Tactical Master Class 1911 is an excellent firearm brought to you buy Springfield Armory, Wilson Combat, and Larry Vickers. The look screams “tactical,” and it is a badass gun—end of discussion.
As the name suggests, it is designed for combat. Every feature of this pistol is geared for modern combat, including the gun, the trigger, the grip, and color. The combative design makes the Master Class stand out from other 1911s.
The Master Class comes with certain upgrades that you need to pay to install when you buy any other gun. When you buy the Master Class, you get the upgraded trigger, hammer, and more right out of the box. The Vickers Elite blacked-out rear sight is my favorite feature as it provides high visibility during both day and night, so it is a breeze to acquire a target.
There are many things I want to say about the Master Class. But long story short, it is an excellent firearm, and it is totally worth the money.
$1,000 – $1,400
This is a little step-down, but the guns still perform flawlessly. The ones I will show you below are amazing out of the box.
The Springfield Armory EMP 3 inch (9mm)
The Springfield Armory EMP is reliable, as it should for its price. Many gun enthusiasts have reported owning this gun for many years, and it still works like a charm. No malfunction whatsoever. The 3-inch barrel is perfect and provides excellent precision and accuracy up to 15 yards, even if you shoot it rapidly.
The Kimber Warrior
The Kimber Warrior lives up to its name. If you feed it good ammo and magazines, it will perform flawlessly. The accuracy is perfect, even if it is not a match 1911. It is a gun that some law enforcement officers use, so you know that it is worth the investment.
Colt Delta Elite (10mm)
The Colt Delta Elite is an ideal pistol when you need one that can shoot both human and animal targets. It chambers 10mm cartridges, which outperform most self-defense cartridges in semi-auto weapons. The only downside is that the ammo is more expensive, but this is a more powerful round. If you’re not familiar with 10mm rounds, I will tell you right now that you will not have a good time with this pistol if you do not like the recoil from the .45 ACP or .40 S&W.
For self-defense purposes, I recommend spending a little more money to get the rail so you can mount a laser or a light under its 5-inch barrel.
Springfield Loaded Operator
The Springfield Loaded Operator is yet another sleek-looking pistol. It has pretty much everything you need such as accessory rail, two-tone styling, and night sights. It works perfectly, so you will not be disappointed.
The Colt Gold Cup
The Colt Gold Cup is a fine pistol. It comes with aggressive texture on the front and back of the strap. The rear sight is adjustable, and the front sight is fiber optic. Combine that with a match barrel, and you have a masterpiece of a gun that outperforms many in its class.
Sig Sauer STX
The Sig Sauer STX is an excellent 1911 option for duty carry. There are a few 1911s in the Sig’s offerings, but nothing quite beats the STX. It comes with a wide mag well, Nitron Stainless Steel slide, and also a custom Burled Maple grips. It looks elegant, and it works.
$700 – $900
The guns in this range are affordable, but they are more reliable than other pistols in their class. This is also the most popular category since most people just want a gun that shoots when you pull the trigger and does not care too much about the bells and whistles and tactical values.
Springfield Armory Mil-Spec
Other than the stampings on all their guns, Springfield Armory makes excellent guns. One of their best models is the Springfield Armory Mil-Spec. It has a 5-inch barrel, and you can choose between stainless steel or a parkerized finish.
The Remington R1 (Enhanced)
The Remington R1 Enhanced is also a good pistol for two reasons. For one, Remington is one of the first manufacturers that Colt contacted to ramp up production. So, you are getting the 1911 build experience, and it shows in the R1. Another reason I like the R1 is because of its futureproof potential. You can upgrade the R1 to what you want it to be. That way, you have a solid gun right out of the box, and you have the option to upgrade it to suit your need better.
The Ruger SR1911
At this price range, you start to see the quality beginning to fall off somewhat. It shows in the Ruger SR1911. For one, the trigger is a bit spongy. It lacks that crisp trigger you expect from more expensive models. Still, I will not complain much considering its price. It works in a duty roll or as a concealed carry weapon.
$500 – $600
There are not many 1911s in this category that I can say are good. This is for those who want to get a taste of what the 1911 has to offer, but does not want to risk spending a fortune on one. For this, I recommend the Rock Island Armory 1911.
Rock Island Armory 1911
Designed by Armscor and manufactured in the Philippines, the Rock Island Armory 1911 does not look as flashy or “tacticool” as the guns I’ve shown before. Despite its unassuming looks, it does its job well, which is more than I could ask for considering its price. It shoots when you pull the trigger. It is reliable and reasonably accurate, so I can say with confidence that this is a safe first investment if you want to step into the world of 1911s.
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