re: Colt 1911

Vrai,
There've been some good suggestions already re:: higher end 1911's. Thought I'd share my personal experience in case you decide to sdend less money.

Although I've been buying/shooting handguns nearly 35 years, I bought my first 1911 just a few months ago. I didn't want to spend a whole lot since I wasn't sure I'd like the 1911 enough to justify a more expensive one. I ended up w/ an "American Classic," made by Metro Arms in the Philippines. At first, I was a little leary about buying a gun made in the Philippines. There are two large manufacturers in the Philippines making a number of quality, entry level 1911's (Rock Island Armory, Citadel, American Classic and Firestorm). These guns are well-repected on the 1911 forums on the 'net. For $450 I got a Commander sized 1911 w/ Novak style rear sight, beavertail safety, extended slide release/safety and combat trigger/hammer. After a couple 100 rounds, I'm very pleased. In addition, it's nice and slim for concealed carry.

There are a lot of very nice higher priced 1911's out there (Kimber, Colt, STI, Springfield, etc), but there are now some good options if one doesn't want to break the bank trying out a gun one has never had before.