If you keep your eyes open, you might find a used Les Baer for under $1500. I did, and I am very happy with it. I also "just missed" two Wilsons in the same price range ($1200-1500). One right here on THR and the other at a gun show. To be sure, if you see it, you had best grab your wallet immediately, or someone will beat you to it.
I have also owned three Colts. Started with Colt because that is what my dad carried in WWII. It is also the first handgun I ever shot. It is "what a real 1911 is", "if it's not a Colt it's a copy", etc. My experience was not all that favorable. If you want to talk about a 1911 maker who is existing on their reputation, Colt would be my first choice. And mind you, I was born and raised in Connecticut, and my dad took me to visit the Colt factory as a young lad many years ago. I was born and raised a Colt 1911 fanboy. But I grew out of it. All that said, and all these years later, I am not all that impressed.
I have also owned three or four Springfields. Again, my experience clashes with internet "reality". I don't see myself owning another springer.
I've had four Paras, and my wife still has one. If you are not comfortable with the traditional 1911 trigger, the LDA is a neat idea, but it is not my cup of tea. Still, I had better luck with Para than I did with Colt or Springfield.
One Dan Wesson, overpriced and honestly not worth the price.
The aforementioned Les Baer, that I got for a good price but needed some help from my 1911-wizard (a Baer-specific issue that Baer does not deem to be a problem but a "feature"...pm me if you choose to) but it was resolved for about $100, and it is now an outstanding 1911.
And eight or so Kimbers. Why so many Kimbers? Because I had good luck with the first one I bought. Bought another and it was just as good. The next, same story...and so on. They shoot anything I can fit in the mag, which includes large quantities of my 200 gr SWC handloads. That includes 3", 4", 5" Kimbers in alloy and steel frames, with both internal and external extractors. Just haven't found a bad one yet. Just one man's experience.
Note that I am a serial owner, and no longer own most of these guns. This is not so much a reflection on the guns themselves as it is a reflection upon my poor economic state (I have to sell one to buy one) and my fickle nature (I frequently see something I want to try, so I sell something in order to buy it)
Now, let's talk S&W. I have owned two PD 1911s (one early and one more current) Scanduim 4" 1911s.
IMHO, this is the best value in a carry 1911. Reliability (in my admittedly small sample size) is exemplary. I shoot a variety of ammo, including my handloads through all of my handguns, and my S&Ws were/are not at all picky about bullet profile. Very nice build quality, accuracy is as good as I am, weight is the same as any other aluminum alloy framed 1911 (which is to say, pretty dang light, esp if we are talking 4" barrel length) and the durability of the Scandium alloy is likely to exceed that of an "normal" aluminum alloy...although very few people shoot any alloy framed 1911 enough to render it unserviceable. My first was a Gunsite edition that I bought used for $800. The newer E-Series with the bobtail frame cost a bit more, but I have seen used ones for less than $1000.
I think Kimbers are pretty and sell based on their name, but I think they are jam-o-matics...
You are entitled to your opinion, but I believe we have established that your opinion was form from hearsay, and not from actual experience...
My opinion is formed from actual experience. I am not the world's foremost expert on 1911s, but I shot my first one in 1964 or so, and have owned 25 or more since I was old enough to own one of my own.