Simple. Get the real thing. Colt.

I've owned and competed with a number of 1911's over the years and definitely have an opinion. The very first pistol I would cross off the list is Colt, don't get me wrong they make a good pistol but of all I've owned Colt was the least reliable. I only have one 1911 anymore and it's in the drawer beside me, Springfield Loaded Model. I don't know how many rounds it's had through it but I do know it's never failed me. I can't say that about the Kimbers or the higher priced ones I've had. No experience with the Ruger, S&W or SIG 1911's.

What HWY said might be true. I've owned 3 Colt 1911's and never had issues. My current EDC is a Colt lightweight commander. I did replace the barrel with a ramped Nowlin barrel, and it has been flawless.

I've owned all of the 1911's listed and many, many more over the years. You can't go wrong with any of those listed. I've had several Rugers and for the money (you can find them for $500-550 if you look a bit) they are hard to beat. I've never had one fail me.

On Colt's I've had all models, compacts, lightweights, officers, commanders, government models, CCO, Gunsites, Combat Special Governments, M45A1s, Rail Guns, etc. Just about everything but Gold Cups (I personally have no use for them). I've never had a problem with any of them either. A complaint about non tactile safeties in many of the recent guns but other than that they've all been fine whether Series 70 or Series 80. I would in particular recommend the recently produced Series 70's. Just last weekend someone locally had an almost new Series 70 Competition Series that they had put Novak Trijicons on it for $750 - I added that to the pile. My favorite carry gun is a CCO Series 70 Gunsite so I guess I'm partial to Colts.

But I've owned many, many Springfield Armory 1911's and love them too. I currently own a non rail TRP and it's a dream. But at almost twice the cost of the Ruger I can't really say it's twice the gun. Do I like shooting it more? Probably so but anything shot with any of these .45's is just as dead as the other because they are all reliable and accurate.

I obviously want all of them. If I was limited to only one and cost were an issue, I'd opt for the Ruger. But that Series 70 Competition with Novak night sights was only $150 or so more than a Ruger...given that difference I'd go with the Colt since it had the night sights (even the factory Competion Novack rear and front fiber optic sights are better than standard Rugers IMO) and the Competion has a national match barrel and nice polished blue finish. If I could only have one and $1000-1200 to spend I'd go with the TRP.

Earl