The Best 1911 Chambered in .45 ACP

I’ll never forget when I laid eyes on my grandpa’s 1911, I fell in love. Though the design is over 100 years old, it remains a favorite for many shooters and collectors. It’s a classic that’s served our country throughout the decades on the battlefield and at home. The 1911 is reliable, accurate, and just freakin fantastic, but there are many options on the market, and some are frankly better than others. So, what is the best 1911 chambered in .45 ACP?

Best Overall: Colt Custom Carry Commander 1911

Colt Firearms is the original manufacturer of the 1911 pistol, which means they had a headstart on perfecting a nearly perfect pistol.

Colt offers many 1911 models chambered in .45 ACP; the Classic, Colt Combat Unit, Combat Elite, Commander, Competition, Custom Shop, Defender, and Gold Cup sub-families all have various models within.

Even with the customized pistols, Colt has stayed true to the original design, so if you’re a sucker for nostalgia like me, then Colt 1911s are the only way to go. They’re rugged, dependable, and similar to what your (great) grandpa would have carried.

I appreciate that Colt 1911s remain reasonably priced. Yes, some of their models, like the Custom Carry Ommander Limited, get a little more pricey, but nothing is out of the typical 1911 price range, and if you want the best 1911, you’ll have to pay for the best 1911.

The Colt Custom Carry Commander is built around the 80 Series Stainless Commander, but it has custom parts to elevate it above the original design. The 4.25” barrel is long enough to keep you accurate but short enough to make it easier to conceal, and the compact hammer reduces the chance of catching on clothing as you draw.

While the Colt Custom Carry Commander is on the higher end of the price spectrum, it offers shooters custom parts you can’t find on basic models, which is why it’s the best 1911 chambered in .45 ACP.

Budget-Friendly: Tisas 1911 Raider

I had to do a double take when I initially saw the price of the Tisas 1911 Raider. I thought it had to be a mistake or a significant sale, but nope! It’s just a budget-friendly 1911.

The 1911 Raider is a reproduction of the M45A1 service pistol used by the Marine Corps Special Operators. This clone provides all the performance and value you could ask for from a 1911.

I love the matte FDE Cerakote finish on the forged carbon steel slide and frame. The internals mimic the Colt 70 series, and the barrel is 5” long, meaning it’s not the perfect concealed carry firearm, but it will get the job done. For those who don’t mind open-carrying, this is an excellent option.

Tisas has many other models, and several of them cost less than the Raider. If you’re looking for a concealed carry 1911, I’d check out the Tisas Stingray, as it’s lighter and a little more compact.

For the shooters on a tight budget, the Tisas line of 1911s is dang near impossible to beat. Tisas’s solid quality, pricing, and variety of options mean you’ll be satisfied with your purchase without busting the budget. That’s why I think the Tisas Raider 1911 is the most budget-friendly 1911 on the market.

Best For Home Defense: Kimber Rapide Heat 1911

Don’t worry if you’re not as nostalgic as I am; the Kimber Rapide 1911 Heat is ridiculously modified for a pistol from the factory, so your grandpa wouldn’t recognize it as a traditional 1911.

Kimber is known for its quality. I’ve never had issues with the Kimber pistols I’ve fired, and I won’t hesitate to purchase one when there’s room in the budget.

This 1911 pistol is the perfect home defense weapon because its threaded barrel makes it ready to attach a suppressor like the Dead Air Primal. So you won’t have to worry about ruining your hearing in a self-defense situation. The sights are also set higher so the suppressor won’t interfere with your sights. Silencer Shop makes getting suppressors easy and you can buy the Dead Air Primal suppressor from the link below.

It’s also equipped with a 1913 Picatinny rail, so you can easily add a light or laser. This gun also just looks sick. I love the black and red color scheme and the cut-outs on the trigger and slide.

However, because of the 5.5” barrel, this 1911 will be difficult to conceal for most people, so I recommend it only for home defense or collectors looking for a gorgeous gun.

Kimber is a brand that always grabs my attention at the gun store, and the Rapide Heat 1911 is no different. Kimber went all out with this pistol, crafting the perfect home defense 1911.

Honorable Mention: Magnum Research 1911

While Magnum Research is known for the Desert Eagle, which I’ve come to love, it also manufactures high-quality 1911s, especially the Magnum Research 1911 G Model (in matte black).

This MR1911G comes in at a basic model price but with a custom feel. The trigger is smooth, and everything fits together like each part was finely crafted for a snug fit.

While the stainless steel finish is nice, my favorite is the matte black. You get three barrel length options (5”, 4.33”, and 3”), so whether you want to shoot competitively or conceal carry it, you can choose the barrel length that’s best for you.

The reasonable price, paired with custom features like the high-ride beavertail grip safety, extended mag release, extended thumb safety, and many others, make this a tough deal to pass up, and I just had to mention it.

If you’re looking for a solid 1911 without spending thousands of dollars, then the Magnum Research MR1911 should be at the top of your list.

Parting Shots: Best 1911 Chambered in .45 ACP

I’m sure I inevitably left off your favorite 1911, so if that’s the case, be sure to leave a comment below, letting me know which 1911 I should take to the range next.

It’s tough to pry the tried and true out of my hands, but I’m willing to give it a shot for the sake of equality and fairness!