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While there are hundreds of excellent 1911 variants on the market today, it's tough to beat a classic full size Government model chambered in .45 ACP. Continue reading to uncover our picks for the top 5 full size 1911s you can buy in 2025!
The 1911 platform is renowned for its exceptional ergonomics and impressive accuracy. Moreover, the pistol's legacy of military service has inspired many collectors, firearms enthusiasts, and professional shooters alike to select the 1911 over more contemporary handgun designs.
As a result, many prominent firearms manufacturers have added the 1911 to their lineup of pistols. There are entry-level models for first-time buyers, intermediate options for experienced shooters, and high-end custom models for the most discerning of 1911 aficionados.
There are many excellent models available in 2025; in fact, there are so many 1911s on the market that many buyers aren't sure where to start. To help you narrow your selection, we've decided to highlight what we think are the five best full size 1911 pistols you can buy today!
To be considered for our list, each 1911 must have a barrel length of 5" and must be chambered in the original .45 ACP. Any 1911 pistol that satisfies both conditions is fair game, regardless of price point or features. If you're in the market for a great full size 1911, consider starting with one of these variants.
The Tisas 1911 Duty B45B is a well-rounded, budget-friendly option for shooters who are new to the platform. It features forward and rear cocking serrations, an ambi thumb safety, a beavertail grip safety, and an Ed Brown Bobtail carry cut for improved concealment. That's pretty much everything you need out of the box, but it's also a solid platform to build from.
Like most Tisas 1911s, the Duty B45B uses Series 70 internals. This means that most aftermarket parts designed for Series 70 Colts will also be compatible with the Tisas, so as you learn what qualities are important to you in a 1911, you can customize the Duty B45B to your liking.
For the money, Springfield Armory's Operator AOS variant is perhaps the best bang-for-your-buck 1911 on the market in 2025. It features an optics-ready slide and a Picatinny accessory rail for mounting a light or laser module. Best of all, each AOS optics plate incorporates a rear sight, allowing for a positive co-witness with virtually all optics configurations.
The 1911 Operator AOS is an excellent choice whether you're buying your first 1911 or growing your collection. These can often be found for under $1,000 - which is around the price point you typically start spending more and more money for features that come standard on the Operator AOS.
The Tactical Response Pistol (TRP for short) is built upon the foundation of the 1911 Professional Series pistols that were famously carried by the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team. Each forged steel slide is hand-fitted to a matching forged steel frame, ensuring exceptional precision and reliability.
Features like Springfield's AOS optics cut, ambi thumb safeties, beavertail grip safety, and Picatinny accessory rail carry over from the Operator AOS. Plus, the TRP adds aggressive front strap checkering for a secure purchase. This gun is very grippy, which is great because once you pick it up, you'll never want to let it go again. In our opinion, the Springfield TRP is one of the best production 1911s on the market and is worthy of a spot in any gun safe.
If you want the look and feel of a custom shop 1911 without the price tag, the Dan Wesson Specialist OR is the pistol for you. Fit and finish are exceptional, as is the trigger. This gun is an absolute pleasure to shoot and is incredibly accurate, with the option to mount the red dot of your choice.
The Dan Wesson Specialist is just a little smoother and a little tighter than the other 1911s on this list, elevating it above other production guns and into a tier between production guns and custom shop models. The best way to think of the Specialist OR (or Dan Wessons in general) is that they are the closest you can get to a made-to-order gun without spending $4K+ for one handgun.
Wilson Combat is synonymous with high-quality 1911s, and their CQB Elite perfectly encapsulates the company's dedication to precision as well as performance. This pistol comes standard with a number of custom featurers like a hand-fitted slide with forward, rear, and top serrations.
Retaining the classic lines of the original 1911, the CQB Elite is the perfect choice for those who prefer a more traditional look and feel yet still want the uncompromising quality of a modern 1911 pistol. We've shot a lot of handguns (and a lot of 1911s in particular), so you can trust us when we say the CQB Elite is one of the best 1911s ever made.
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At Classic Firearms, we're of the opinion that every gun owner should have at least one 1911 in their collection. These pistols hold so much history and still shoot really well compared to many modern semi-autos. Whether you're looking for a new range toy or a new EDC, we've got something here for you.
Click here to shop all 1911s, and watch below to find out if the 1911 is still the best .45 ACP pistol you can buy in 2025!
