[Rustydog]

I always leaned toward Colts. At one point I had 3 different versions. I wanted to go custom but decided after doing that with my combat elite years and years ago it was not a "money saver" when you really looked at the cost.

In today's market I have seen and shot some really nice 1911. I currently have a Kimber CDP2 along with my Colts that I really enjoy. It is on the upper side of your price range but Kimber offers a wide range of choices. I would look to them also in your search. You may find that finding a 500-700 used 1911 and then paying to have some "mods" done is going to be the same money. If you want to make it custom for you it is a good choice but if you are looking for capability and what are now considered "standard" features I would definitly look to Kimber also.

SA products and Kimber are really close in any reviews I have read and I have heard good and bad about both. My Kimber feeds all the ammo I have tried well, does not misfeed but it is sensitive to limp wristing (common with short barrel 1911) and the slide may not close fully if you "limp wrist" a manual slide racking. If you let it go to battery from the slide lock it will never present a problem or if you rack the slide fully and release.