Gun Tests has reviewed hundreds of 45 ACP pistol selections in various configurations over the years.
From those tests, we’ve assembled the top 10 Affordable 45 ACP 1911-style pistol choices that our testers liked after head-to-head shooting comparisons.
What does affordable mean? It’s different for everyone, of course, but in this list, we’ve kept the recommendations under $1000.
The pistols are arranged from most expensive to least expensive, rather than by their Gun Tests grade.
We shopped for new samples of the guns on June 29, 2026, and we list their current prices, along with their original test prices.
You can decide which flaws you’re willing to put up with for the money.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Desert Eagle C, for Commander, showed good to excellent fitting, a good trigger action, offered good sights, and delivered good performance. While the Desert Eagle 1911C and other Commander handguns tested are lighter than the 1911 Government Model, none were uncomfortable to fire. The pistol gave good, tight groups during double taps on the combat course. We found a new sample of this gun selling for $970 on June 29.
Overall Length: 7.87 in. Overall Height: 5.5 in. Weight Loaded: 39.4 oz. Barrel Length: 4.25 in. Magazines: Two 8-round. Trigger Pull Weight: 6.0 lbs.
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
The thumb safety is a bit smaller than we prefer, but we never had a problem disengaging it or the grip safety. The smooth finish on the front strap would make this pistol easier to carry under a shirt than some of the others. This hammer-fired item was not the fastest or the most accurate pistol in our tests, but it balanced well, shot well and worked perfectly. We want our frames to last for years, so we are not great fans of aluminum feed ramps as on the Colt. A June 29 price check showed the pistol selling new-in-box for $965.
Overall Length, 6.8 in. Overall Height, 5.2 in. Maximum Width, 1.2 in. Weight Loaded, 2.0 lbs. Slide Retraction Effort, 22.4 lbs. Barrel Length, 3.0 in. Magazine, One 7 round. Trigger Pull Weight, 4.1 lbs.
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
Reliable and well suited to personal defense. Good sights, a good trigger, and feeds with reliability. We didn’t like the slim grips, but they are easily changed to something you prefer. The Garrison uses a standard barrel bushing and recoil-spring lockup. This is a lot of gun for the dollar. We found this selling NIB for $854 on June 29, and it’s still listed on the company website with an MSRP of $927.
Overall Length, 8.5 in. Overall Height, 5.5 in. Maximum Width, 1.25 in. Weight Loaded, 43.0 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 18.5 lbs. Barrel Length, 5.0 in. Magazine, One 7 round. Trigger Pull Weight, 6.5 lbs.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The hammer-fired SR1911 shot accurately and functioned well at a very respectable price. The SR1911 did not disappoint, averaging 1.44-inch five-shot groups at 15 yards for all ammo types combined. All three types of factory ammo shot very well, but a little to the left of point of aim. But that’s why we have a drift-adjustable sight. We found it selling NIB for $920 online. Ruger’s website says it is in limited availability.
Overall Length, 8.75 in. Overall Height, 5.5 in. Maximum Width, 1.367 in. Weight Loaded, 2.73 lbs. Slide Retraction Effort, 21.5 lbs. Barrel, 5.0 in. long, 1:16 RH twist. Magazines, Stainless steel, (1) 7-round and (1) 8-round. Trigger-Pull Weight, 3.77 lbs.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The MAC is a retro-style gun reminiscent of the MEUSOC-style pistol. It performed well, was accurate, and was fast to reload. We would not hesitate to use this as an EDC gun. The MAC 1911 JSOC was listed on the company website for an MSRP of $900 on June 29 and selling online for $850.
Overall Length, 8.5 in. Overall Height, 5.8 in. Maximum Width, 1.4 in. Weight Loaded, 41.5 oz. Barrel, 5.0 in. Capacity (Single Stack), 8+1. Slide Retraction Effort, 19.0 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight, 6.0 lbs. Magazines, 2; steel w/bump pad.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Defend Your Legacy has a lot of Mil-Spec features that make it look like an original, but modern refinements like the sights make it easier to shoot. While it is not a true Mil-Spec copy, we liked this pistol best for everyday carry due to the larger sights and better trigger. It’s still offered by Springfield for an MSRP of $725, and multiple sources had it in stock and on sale for less than $675 on June 29.
Overall Length, 8.6 in. Overall Height, 5.5 in. Maximum Width, 1.2 in. Weight Loaded, 44.7 oz. Barrel, 5.0 in. Capacity, 7+1 (single stack) Slide Retraction Effort, 19.0 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight, 4.3 lbs. Magazines, (1) steel.
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+ (Aug-Sept 2025)
The Stingray offers good looks, performance, and okay accuracy. After a few initial FTF jams, the Tisas ran perfectly. Consider the Tisas Stingray Carry a budget bobtail that performs well after break in, has decent accuracy, and looks great. We missed front slide serrations and grip-strap checkering. We didn’t miss the accessory rail. Buy this single-action Series 70 gun if you want to try out a bobtail without paying custom gun prices. Shoot the Tisas Stingray Carry a lot to break it in before you carry it concealed. We found the Stingray new and in stock at $667 on June 29.
Overall Length, 7.9 in. Overall Height, 6.8 in. Maximum Width, 1.4 in. Weight Loaded, 35.9 oz. Barrel, 4.25 in. Capacity, 8+1. Slide Retraction Effort, 21.0 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight, 6.0 lbs. Magazines, 2, steel w/bumper pads.
Rock Island Armory 1911 A1 Tact Standard FS 51484 45 ACP, $580 (November 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A [BEST BUY]
This was the Best Buy among three MEUSOC-style 1911s. The full dust cover offers a smidge of extra weight that helps control the pistol. Accuracy was very good. The one-piece guide rod ensures the pistol cycles smoothly. Comparing features and performance with price, this 1911 is a bargain. We found it available as new-in-box for $600 on June 29.
Overall Length, 8.5 in. Overall Height, 5.5 in. Maximum Width, 1.4 in. Weight Loaded, 49.8 oz. Barrel, 5.0 in. Capacity (Single Stack), 8+1. Slide Retraction Effort, 18.0 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight, 6.0 lbs. Magazines, 1; steel w/bumper pad.
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
The Taylor’s A1 1911 is more like an M1911 than an M1911A1. The trigger was heavy, but we still squeezed out some impressive groups. The Taylor’s is unique due to the M1911 style frame. Accuracy was very good. We’d swap the grips for classic double-diamond-style wood grips, and we might swap out the flat mainspring housing to one with a lanyard loop to make it a more period-correct piece. Even on this list of affordable guns, the Taylor’s stands out for its low price. We found some listings as low as $405 on June 29.
Overall Length, 8.5 in. Overall Height, 5.5 in. Maximum Width, 1.3 in. Weight Loaded, 46.1 oz. Barrel, 5.0 in. Capacity, 8+1 (single stack). Slide Retraction Effort, 21.0 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight, 6.9 lbs. Magazines, (2) steel w/bumper pads.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The SDS is mostly a clone of the original M1911A1, had great accuracy, and ran well. The SDS offers a lot of value and performance in a gun that looks like a brand-new M1911A1. If you are looking for a near-period-correct M1911A1 that you won’t be afraid to shoot, this is your choice. We found this selling new and in stock for $350 on June 29.
Overall Length: 8.5 in. Overall Height: 5.5 in. Weight Loaded: 46.1 oz. Barrel Length: 5.0 in. Capacity: 7+1 (single stack). Trigger Pull Weight: 5.6 lbs. Magazines, (2) steel.
