Less than $1000 for a Colt Gunsite Model is a steal! New ones are going for between $1200 and $1500 depending on how badly the seller wants to finance his new Hummer.
Colt's quality control is still hit or miss in the cosmetics department, but they always seem to be made well enough to function right. In addition, Colts only use four MIM components (sear, disconnect, mag catch and plunger tube); most of the sub-$1000 competitors are laden with that junk. The best value in a new Colt is the "New Rollmark" Series 80 1991, which is basically the older M1991A1 but with a better finish and nicer-looking slide markings, hence the name. The Series 70 reproduction is also very nice, but you pay a $150-$200 premium over the 1991 just to be rid of the firing pin safety and to have a finer polish on the flats. They also use the solid bushing instead of the original's collet bushing, so in effect these are technically "pre-Series 70" guns.
The main caveat is to look over any new Colt before you buy it. Like I said, while they function well, lately they've been coming with all sorts of cosmetic flaws like uneven edges, polishing/marking goof-ups, and off-center machining cuts. But if you can find a good one it'll last you a very long time.
