1911 first. Not a 9mm either. A 9mm 1911 (yes they shoot but) is like buying a new mustang GT or full dress Camaro and opting for a V-6.....just wrong all the way around.
Springfield has some very good offerings in your budget and they are great guns. I know because we have several.
Nothing wrong with a Colt just pretty spendy.
+1I would vote 1911 if you have $1000 to spend.
I went through what seemed like hell to find an Italian made Beretta 92. Had to order it after a search. Finally got it, took it to the range, hated it, sold it. They aren't my thing I guess. I've never shot a 1911 so I guess based on my Beretta experience I'd say 1911.
Glock 19!
Those Italian ladies are hard to come by, took me a year to find one.