1911 reviews from Reddit

Summary

We analyzed 228 Reddit reviews across 9 subreddits and 37 posts to rank the best 1911 brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/1911, r/CAguns, r/Firearms, r/10mm, r/NYCGuns. Top-rated brands include Tisas (4.3/5), Dan Wesson (4.6/5), Springfield (4.5/5).

Stats
Reviews228
Subreddits9
Posts37
Brands37
Products88
228 reviews from
and
By Brand
/
By Product
#1

Tisas

4.3
(41)
"I own Tisas, Girsan and RIA for imported 1911 pistols. Tisas is by far the best choice."
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"I have several Tisas 1911's including .45 9mm 10mm, all run flawlessly so far."
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"Tisas, I’ve had great experience with mine."
·
"A tisas GI 1911 for $500 or less and buy a case of ammo."
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"The Tisas is a far better pistol than the other two. Fit and finish are outstanding."
·
"The Tisas is head and shoulders above the Girsan and FAR FAR better than my RIA."
·
"Tisas is your solution"
·
"Tisas or Springfield"
·
"I have a Tisas Stakeout and I love it. Just over $300 and I have never looked back."
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"The answer is and always will be for any price point on this subreddit 'Tisas'."
·
#2

Dan Wesson

4.6
(35)
"I too, vote for the DW Vigil. Just about perfect for a concealed carry 1911 in my book."
·
"I used to carry the DW Vigil CCO, had to get rid of it for $ reasons. Finally got around to replacing it and got the Guardian. I absolutely love carrying that."
·
"My Dan Wessons are my "nice" 1911's lol."
·
"Don’t get discouraged by 45. My wife (very recoil sensitive) was on a 5" 9mm for the first year of her shooting, but switched to commander 45 because "it feels more balanced"."
·
"One of my favorite carry guns is my DW Vigil CCO."
·
"Dan wessons are just perfect especially for carry."
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"Have owned multiple of both brands, Dan Wesson without question."
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"The DW is just a better overall gun out of the box (internals, trigger pull, front sight, etc)."
·
"I love my Springfield but it’s no question, Dan Wesson all the way."
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"Dan Wesson guardian will treat you right. It will be an accurate shooter and reliable."
·
#3

Springfield

4.5
(31)
"It quite literally is the standard for a duty rated 1911."
·
"I have a SA Mil-Spec with 15,000 rounds through it without a malfunction."
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"Agree what others suggested: TRP."
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"Springfield TRP... It's essentially the same look as the professional without the extra hand fitting."
·
"If you can get a Springfield loaded in 9mm, that would probably be a solid base."
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"You will not regret owning one."
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"Garrison was my first 1911, it's fantastic."
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"Honestly you'll love that gun."
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"Garrison is much nicer overall IMO."
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"Great firearms that don't break the bank."
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#4

Colt

4.4
(20)
"If I were looking for a 1911 in 10mm, it would be a Delta Elite."
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"Colt O1911C is the way to go"
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"Just get a Colt O1911SEA1. Novak sights and WWII style markings."
·
"I have a colt comp 70 and love it."
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"The Colt/Walther 1911 would be my choice now."
·
"I pick mine up from the ffl soon but not soon enough."
·
"Plenty on Gunbroker."
·
"We have a Colt 1911 on our rental wall and has had thousands of rounds through it w/o anything breaking on her."
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"I have the Colt 1911 Gold Cup Trophy in 45 and 9mm. I can recommend them both."
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"Saw a NIB Colt Delta for $1000 today"
·
#5

Rock Island Armory

4.1
(14)
"I sold my rock island to a friend and kept the tisas, but I would buy another rock island in a heartbeat."
·
"I have a .45 RIA that runs flawlessly."
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"I have the Ria 1911 and it's been fantastic I'd trust that thing with my life."
·
"I love my RIA. I’ve had it for 7 years and runs great. It runs flawless with the Mec-Gar mags."
·
"Rock island"
·
"Rock Island/Armscor 1911s are great value, and they offer 10mm versions now."
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"Rock Island 1911 are solid and fully reliable pistols I would recommend all day long."
·
"I have one in 45 and it's run great for me. It was my first 1911."
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"Rock island armory for the price are pretty great. I own a couple and I have not been disappointed !"
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"Rock Island is my budget choice."
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#6

Kimber

4.1
(10)
"Kimber, own one, fired 3 and all three are most accurate 10mm’s I’ve shot & most accurate 1911 I’ve ever shot in any caliber from any brand."
·
"Kimber TLE/RL2 is the best 10mm 1911 overall, IMHO. That's my personal #1 over the others."
·
"I cannot find anything better on roster for that price range."
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"Is great, low recoil, accurate."
·
"Love my kimber tle"
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"Kimber just add some 9mm 1911. that are optic ready id probably go with that."
·
"Have you looked at Kimber? Fantastic feel and balance. Very accurate."
·
"My personal 1911 I use as a hiking gun and hunting back up is a Kimber and it runs great but Kimbers can be pretty pricey."
·
"Generally has good reviews."
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"Stay far away from Kimber"
#7

Springfield Armory

4.3
(9)
"TRP, full rail or regular depending what you like, I have the full rail and am in love with it."
·
"Springfield target loaded or EMP are both great."
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"I absolutely love my Springfield Armory Loaded Target in 9 mm."
·
"New or used?? Springfield Ronin,"
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"Spring field ronin has been good for me, kimber has several you can find, ruger is decent (shot dont own). Tissa is good for a cheaper gun."
·
"SA Ronin or Magnum Research. You can get the Ronin optics ready but those are hard to find."
·
"If you only want the new car on roster smell, then Springfield TRP, Dan Wesson PM"
·
"SA Trp"
·
"The Ronin in particular is a good starting point."
#8

Les Baer

4.7
(7)
"Dead accurate I’ll go with Les Baer for the money and time saving."
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"Les baer. I’ve shot a lot of guns and have to say my baer is the best."
·
"Les baer."
·
"You can get LB's new in that range!"
·
"Do you want classic or tactical? You can find Les Baers in that range."
·
"Nighthawk/Wilson/Wesson/Baer in the “semi custom heirloom quality with care” bracket imho."
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"Off the shelf? Any of the semi-customs: Wilson, Baer, Nighthawk, ACW, Guncrafter Industries."
#9

Nighthawk

4.0
(6)
"Bang for the buck I would recommend alchemy or nighthawk."
·
"Nighthawk/Wilson/Wesson/Baer in the “semi custom heirloom quality with care” bracket imho."
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"From the mass-produced but pretty awesome, like Dan Wesson and Nighthawk."
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"It’s opinion based imo nighthawk/wilson combat"
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"Have owned most of the nicer brands. I'd say something from Nighthawk."
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"Off the shelf? Any of the semi-customs: Wilson, Baer, Nighthawk, ACW, Guncrafter Industries."
#10

Magnum Research

5.0
(4)
"10mm Magnum Research 1911 for sure in that price range, if you can find one. I love mine, made by BUL Armory in Israel."
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"My magnum research 10mm is awesome very smooth pistol"
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"Fantastic balance."
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"It's my favorite pistol."
#11

Hornady

4.3
(4)
"Cant go wrong with Hornady critical defense"
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"Settled on the Hornady critical defense, but I know some people have trouble feeding it in their 1911s"
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"Mine personally is critical duty because my 1911s feed it reliably."
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"You have hornady critical defense for a basic but consistent and well made round"
#12

Bul Armory

4.3
(4)
"The best 1911 under $1,000 is probably the Bul Armory/ Magnum research 1911."
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"Bul Armory's 1911s - both single stack and double stack - perform well above their price tag."
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"I am also considering the bul edc 2011. It is in my price range and I’ve been very happy with my bul tac 5"."
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"Without a doubt it’s the Israel made Bul Armory imported by Magnum Research as the "Desert eagle 1911"."
#13

Sig Sauer

4.3
(3)
"I've been happy with my Sig Sauer 1911R."
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"Sig Nitron 1911"
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"Sig Sauer or Springfield for your specified budget."
#14

Wilson Combat

4.0
(3)
"Nighthawk/Wilson/Wesson/Baer in the “semi custom heirloom quality with care” bracket imho."
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"It’s opinion based imo nighthawk/wilson combat"
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"Off the shelf? Any of the semi-customs: Wilson, Baer, Nighthawk, ACW, Guncrafter Industries."
#15

GSG

4.0
(3)
"GSG makes a full size 1911 in 22 I'd definitely recommend upgrading the guide rod and springs."
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"Ive had fun with my GSG 1911s in .22."
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"I have both a gsg 1911 and a chiappa 1911-22 and they both run smoothly."
#16

Girsan

4.0
(3)
"My specific Girsan(MC1911S Hunter) is a little tighter than my specific Tisas(Duty SS45R). Better trigger. Better sights. Better grips."
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"I have a Tisss and Girsan, both cost me around $500 each, the Girsan seems just slightly better built."
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"I really enjoy shooting it. It's just the right size, eats any ammo I feed it, and it just runs."
#17

Ruger

5.0
(2)
"Ruger SR1911 in 10MM or 45ACP without question."
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"My ruger sr1911 in 10mm has been flawless since the day I bought it."
#18

1911

5.0
(2)
"Honestly I’d use 1911 for gone defense, anytime that I used one or shot one at the range. It has never jammed on me and always ran perfectly."
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"...continua a cercare un 1911 che ti piace. Sono certo che comunque non ti accontenterai."
#19

Cabot

5.0
(2)
"If money is no issue take a look at Cabot."
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"If you want heirloom, Cabot makes some pretty cool one-of-a-kind 1911s."
#20

Rock Island

5.0
(2)
"RIA EFS, just got one and it's wonderful."
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"I've put thousands of rounds through mine never had a problem"
#21

Guardian

4.5
(2)
"Fit and finish are beyond reproach and the trigger was the best I’ve ever felt in a 1911 out of the box."
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"I purchased a Guardian 9mm this year joining my 45 Guardian."
#22

Walther Colt

4.5
(2)
"Runs great, threaded barrel so you can add a suppressor as well."
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"Trigger is amazing, overall feel is excellent."
#23

Winchester

4.0
(2)
"Firstly Winchester Ranger-T if you can get them."
·
"No votes yet for Winchester ranger-T? Harder to find but expands to about an inch diameter in lucky gunner’s testing"
#24

Sig

4.0
(2)
"Check the Sig 1911R."
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"Don't forget the Sig 1911R."
#25

Platypus

4.0
(2)
"Pm7 or a platypus 2011. Since I have a 1911 already I’d go with a platypus."
·
"I would get the platty, DW, or the TRP if you want traditional 1911 single stack in 45acp."
#26

Underwood

4.0
(2)
"Underwood ammo 230 hollow points or if you want a lighter option go for the 185s"
·
"Underwood 45 acp+p"
#27

Milt Sparks

5.0
(1)
"One of the best and nicest holsters i have is my milt sparks for my springfield EMP."
#28

Fusion

5.0
(1)
"Definitely fusion. I own a 1911 and 2011 from them. Legit company."
#29

SIG

5.0
(1)
"Finest gun I have ever shot."
#30

Advantage Arms

5.0
(1)
"It’s a conversion kit that mounts on your 1911 frame."
#31

Fusion Arms

4.0
(1)
"I’ve been eyeing the fusion arms xp-pro but currently it’s only cambered in 9mm."
#32

Alpha Foxtrot

4.0
(1)
"If you want thin, the Alpha Foxtrot 1911-S15 is a double stack 9mm 1911 that uses Shield Arms S15 mags."
#33

Alchemy

4.0
(1)
"Bang for the buck I would recommend alchemy or nighthawk."
#34

Charles Daly

4.0
(1)
"I've had good luck with my Charles Daly."
#35

Para Ordnance

4.0
(1)
"I love my para ord"
#36

PPQ

4.0
(1)
"Try a PPQ 45 if you can find one."
#37

Norinco

4.0
(1)
"They're solidly built and generally have better qc/tolerances than most newly made 1911's."

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