I'll be in the market to buy my first .45 semi-auto pistol soon. Which makes/models should I focus on, and which ones should I steer clear of?

Budget will be between $1000 - $2000. I may go higher if it's worth it.

Thanks.

Wilson Combat 1911

What do you plan to use it for? Rail or no rail? Willing to buy used, or is new the only option?

In that price range the first pistols I think of are a Springfield TRP, most any Dan Wesson, and a used Les Baer. I've never been a big Colt fan, but the Wiley Clapp model is a good one. On Arfcom right now there is a nearly new Dan Wesson Specialist in Duty Treatment finish for $1,275. That's a fantastic deal even in this buyer's market.
https://www.ar15.com/forums/equipment-exchange/Dan-Wesson-Specialist-1911-duty-treat-full-size-in-45-acp-1275-shipped/88-1872896/

Your budget puts you above the mainstream production guns like Kimber, S&W, Springfield, Ruger, etc. Best advice I can give you is to spend some time looking over the 1911 Addicts website linked below, then snatch up a deal within your budget.
https://www.1911addicts.com/forums/firearm-classifieds.20/

Used Les Baers will come up regularly under $2k as well as some Ed Browns. If you wanted to stretch your budget a Guncrafter No Name is about as good as it gets below $3k and you can find them used for $2,200-2,400 if you are patient. It is a very soft buyer's market right now, so I'd strongly suggest buying something lightly used and letting your $$$ go farther.

If you want to buy new then Dan Wesson would be at the top of my list followed by Springfield, then Colt (because it will hold its value well), then Kimber (not thought of as highly in the >$1k market).

my next 1911 is going to be a dan wesson wraith. shes a bad *****

HK45c

That's the route I took.

At this point, almost all of my .45s are HKs, and my 1911s are 9mm.

Mr. McGibblets said:

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Wilson Combat 1911

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Going to have to preowned and still might have a difficult time finding one in that price range.

Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess

Ruger SR1911
That was my first 45 I purchased 5 years or so ago. Really like it. Shoots well. Zero issues w it.

I've got this one I'd sell. S&W Performance Center. Fired less than 50 times.

$1,100.00

Whichever Dan Wesson that's commander sized with the bob tail.

At least that's my next .45 so...

That gun is better in 9mm.

BenderRodriguez said:

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That gun is better in 9mm.

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Awesome to know. Thanks!

Not a fan of rails on a 1911 but I'm an idiot.

With your budget, Colt gold cup or anything else.

Yeah I would get a colt gold cup if I was in your shoes. But I do have a stainless hk usp45c that I was thinking about posting in the trading thread.

STI

So it appears there are actually other .45 ACP pistols than JMB's 1911. In light of this development let me add the CZ 97 to the discussion. I have a 97B with the Cajun Gun Works E conversion and full trigger work and it is amazing. The most accurate .45 I've ever shot. Plenty of bullseye shooters use this model. Give it a look if accuracy and trigger quality are highly valued.

BenderRodriguez said:

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At this point, almost all of my .45s are HKs, and my 1911s are 9mm.

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Dude.... I'm kicking around the idea of playing around in single stack major since there is a monthly single stack match down here. But that's another gun rig I'd have to put together.

Trident 88 said:

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I'll be in the market to buy my first .45 semi-auto pistol soon. Which makes/models should I focus on, and which ones should I steer clear of?

Budget will be between $1000 - $2000. I may go higher if it's worth it.

Thanks.

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Dan Wesson Specialist in 45 ACP. It is hands down the best production/semi custom 1911 on the market. Next step down would be pretty much any other Dan Wesson in the line up. After that, as much as it pains me to say it, Springfield TRP followed by Springfield Range Officer. After that I'd start looking at the Sig Sauer 1911's.

I personally covet a Dan Wesson Specialist. Badly.

I recently acquired a CZ 97 BD. It's a unicorn of a unicorn for me, so I had to jump on it.

Just ordered a specialist for a customer. Badass gun. Of course, we do have the class year 1911s coming out soon, as well

TheEyeGuy said:

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Just ordered a specialist for a customer. Badass gun. Of course, we do have the class year 1911s coming out soon, as well

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I still have my Sig 220 from my THP days, and I really like it.

As a long time 1911 aficionado, I recommend a used Baer or Wilson. These guns are $3-4000 new and resell
in the $1-2000 range all the time. Many of these guns have not been shot much. I like the commander size personally since I carry one frequently, but if just a range toy, a full size will work great.

No Kimber love here? I have a Remington R1S which is great, but also a Kimber Compact. The compact has a great trigger and "feel" but since it's a lighter weight, the muzzle flip is greater. Can't fault it, as it's meant to be a carry gun or at least a "commander" sized weapon. Even though it has a full sized magazine.

I enjoy my Kimber. There, I said it...

Those are good looking 1911s.

dr_boogs said:

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Those are good looking 1911s.

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Thanks dude! I like them a lot. The R1 is a great value in my opinon. It's cheap (for a 1911) and a great shooter. Plenty of heft and a decent enough trigger.

are there any advantages of the USP over the HK45?

I've got a series 91 colt 1911. I love the bluing on it and it's just beautiful. Not crazy impressed with the trigger, but I can't get that worked on.

My understanding on Kimbers are they are all series 80. That said I have a Colt Mark IV Commander that's had trigger work done that is fantastic.

Here's a Wilson in your price range. Looks like an awesome gun.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/Wilson-Combat-A-Auto/3129073.uts

Here's a Baer describes as like NIB right at the top of your range. Has a target rear site but that's an easy fix if you want to change.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/Les-Baer-Custom-ACP/2456731.uts

BenderRodriguez said:

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That gun is better in 9mm.

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No. No it's not. The V-bob Valor will make you want a 45 acp in a commander frame.

Unless, of course, you haven't shot one....

Good luck finding one.