I've been on a bit of a quest over the last 4-6 weeks to find a commander size 1911 in 45 for daily carry in the under $1,500 range. Full disclosure, I own NHC, Wilson, Alchemy, Ed Brown, Les Baer, Springfield Custom, KC Kustoms MEUSOCs, etc. My thinking on this project was/is that I want a really good base gun to start and then will spend $ with KC to upgrade it to be in line with a commander sized MEUSOC. Did some research online and talked with KC and came up with Springfield, Colt Combat Commander and Ruger SR1911. Was lucky enough that a local shop had a Ruger SR1911 lightweight in stock and picked that up (unfortunately had to pay close to retail because these are hard to find in stock where I am). Gun shoots well and has a pretty nice stock trigger. Sights are terrible, slide to frame fit is ok, grip safety and thumb safety are a bit loose, but I like the weight of the gun, how if fits my hand and I shoot it pretty good. Another of my shops had a Colt Combat Commander in stock (I asked them to hold it for me) and I had them order me a Springfield Garrison Commander. Springfield came in a few days ago and finally had a chance to go in today to check out the Colt and Springfield and was completely blown away by the Springfield. Springfield had beautiful dark blued finish, great sights, tight slide to frame, rock solid and tight grip safety, tight and crisp thumb safety and very good trigger. Colt, not so much. Sights were good, mediocre finish, loose slide to frame, very loose (to the point of rattling grip safety) and an average thumb safety. Trigger was ok/fine given its an 80's series. Springfield was $799 and Colt was $1,049. Between these two, Springfield lapped the Colt and did it for $250 less.... No brainer
