I have a Glock 19, M&P .40, Sig Sp2340.Now I need a 1911 to complete my little armory. I’m looking for recommendations on a 4 inch 1911 all steel or polymer frame.It doesn’t matter if it’s single stack or high cap. just as long as it can fit my average size hands. I don’t want to spend over $1000.Thanks in advanced.
I would get a full size 5" Springfield loaded
4" 1911s are problems
i would not get anything with an internal safety like colt 80 series, S&Ws or Kimber series II
Mike
At that price point, for me it’s going to be a Colt Series 70 reissue, every time. Should you decide to use the pistol for a custom base gun later on, you’ll have the best possible starting point.
Chief
At that price point, for me it’s going to be a Colt Series 70 reissue
the Colt re-make of the series 70 is one of my favorites too.
But for me it will take some custom work before it is shootable like a beavertail and sights and that for sure would take it beyond $1000.
As a base for a custom gun there would not be anything better.
Mike
4 inch 1911 for under 1k? the choice is clear:
Colt Combat Commander XSE or Colt Lightweight Commander XSE …depending on yr preference. I like the all steel Combat Commander over the light aluminum frame, personally.
i’m also just a heathen who actually likes the Series 80 LOL i don’t care if they are harder to work on, I like all my pistols to be drop safe.
- Is this going to be a plinker/toy, a competition gun, or is it going to be a defensive handgun?
- New or used?
- What caliber do you want?
- If it is going to be a defensive handgun is it going to be a “nightstand” gun, concealed carry gun, or a tactical gun?
Not completely true, 4.25" Commanders and 4" Compact/Champions can be as reliable as any 5". Once you go shorter than 4" you can run into trouble.
Under $1000, Colt and SA get the nod.
Compact, high cap 1911s have more problems (the worst combination possible).
Stick to single stacks.
Stick to internal extractor models.
At your price point, depending on purpose you are going to use it for. Some models to be on your short list:
5" 1911s: Springfield MC Operator, Colt New Series 70, Colt XSE
4.25" 1911s: Colt XSE Commander
Unfortunately if you are going to get a good 1911 ready for serious use, you will need to spend significantly more funds to ensure a 100% reliable and durable weapon. Right now, about the only relatively easily obtainable 1911 that I would feel comfortable purchasing for duty/carry use would be the SA Professional 5" barrel, single stack, steel frame…and even those are sometimes in need of a little tweaking.
SA Professionals are not readily available, that’s a good thing for me…I’d have too many of them. Any Semi-Custom from Baer, Wilson or Brown is going to run out of the box. I like my Pro but my Wilson CQB and Baer TRS are as reliable and they actually are readily available.
If I had it to do over again…
I’d buy a Springfield mil spec and send it to good gunsmith (e.g. EGW, Berryhill, or any number of others) for a reliability job. I’d have the fire control parts and ejector replaced with tool steel.
You would have a reliable, albeit plain Jane, basic fighting pistol.
You’d have about $1000 in the weapon.
If you go to $1500 price point, you have a lot of good choices.
But for $1000, the approach I outlined above would be what I’d do.
Good luck.
Stay safe.
Colt.
Take a look at the “1991s.”
I hate to step outside of the box, but you said “or a polymer frame”. Are you refering to the polymer 1911’s like the Wilson’s and Kimber’s? If not, for under 1k a solid plastic .45 can be had in a M&P 45 or a HK45. Both are being released in compact models this year and both of these pistols are solid performers for under $1000.
On the flip side, I believe it is un- American to not own at least one 1911. 
Hmmm … Brazilian-born 1911 or Made-in-the-USA M&P? Hmmmm … 
+1.
Theres nothing like a fine tuned 1911…but they don’t come easy, and certainly not for less than $1000.
Mine (a Baer) set me back $1700…but its worth every penny (to me).
I second the Colt Commander or Springer Champion. Although I too prefer a 5" Gov’t model. I just personally never gained anything from the shorter slide.
-RD62
Thanks guys for all the replies , I’m going to write down several of your recommendations and hit the gun stores tomorrow and see how they feel, and check out the quality of these 1911’s that you gentlemen suggested. As I stated in my original post I definitely want a 4 inch, and nothing larger than 4.25". It will not be my carry gun,my M&P .40 and G19 have those . It’s more or less that I don’t have one and would like to add to my arsenal and increase my Knowledge on a quality 1911. Thanks again fellas for your wisdom.
Bust the bank and get a NHC T3. Absolutely the sweetest 4.25" 1911 I can imagine.
Tim
If it’s not going to be a carry weapon, I would strongly urge you to reconsider the barrel length issue. As many experienced people here have already said, you are much more likely to get a satisfactory 5" gun than 4.25" gun, especially at that price point.
I’d certainly be reluctant to use anything less than a 5" gun, allthou they CAN in limited instances be made to run. I’d run a 4" gun if it was from someone like Heinie, but barring that no.
Doc’s recommendations are certainly relevant.
Hell, I’m reluctant to use a 1911 AT ALL anymore, simply as a cost issue. Its really too bad because in terms of shootability there is a LOT to like there. The first time I shot one it instantly felt ‘at home’ in my hand.
Whatever you decide to do, make sure you do your homework. Its not for the faint of heart Both the homework, and the platform.