For the budget you listed check out the cz USA 1911. They ended production but you can still find them just a hair over your budget and allegedly no mim parts and assembled at Dan Wesson

Other than that I've had good luck with ria for the cheap side and Springfield.
Ruger is nice too but they're a little on the loose side in my experience

You want he best? Add some more money to your budget and shop used dw or Springfield trp

How have you people never heard of Les Baer, Ed Brown, or SVI??

Yeah but I saw a 700$ budget mentioned ...those are well outside of that

I believe everyone here has heard of them, just not for $500-$700.

Why does everyone think the best can be had for $500-700?

No one thinks that, you’re missing the whole point. When someone says the best for $500-$700, it just means the best of the guns in that price range, not trying to get the best 1911 out there for that price.

I don't know about the best, because I haven't tried them all, but I really like my Colts, a lot! I really can't say anything negative about them. They don't have fancy safeties or sights, but they are smooth to operate, accurate, and function without any issues.

Ive seen them sell for 650-850$ recently on various websites and stores.

When you start your thread with "best," it adds confusion. It's like asking what the best pickup is and then stating you're on a $2000 budget.

Those are slick!! What are the grips on the full size?

Agreed. These threads seldom stay in one lane.

Thanks,

That is a set of figured black walnut grips I made to replace the factory black rubber grips. There for about a week, I thought I would make a sell figured wood grips for a 1911, but every tom, dick, and harry does it - so I donated about 12 sets of figured, spalted, and burl grips to the local Ducks Unlimited banquet to auction off.