If you're looking for a GI type 1911, it's hard to find a better deal than the CZ 1911A1. The initial run of those were built by Dan Wesson and were built to Dan Wesson quality levels. Back around Christmas, you could find them for under $700 which was a steal for a gun built to $1200 levels of quality.
As said before, Colt is riding a name, doesn't mean it's quality cause it has the horse
Kimber make a good 1911 up until a certain price point, then it jumps up cause all the pretty features. When you hit that $1200 price point, there's better guns out there. Even the $1000-$1200 ones I think the actual value in the Kimber goes away (with a few exceptions). I've had a plain Jane custom 2 for 6 years and it's seen 4-5 thousand rounds. Besides the finish wearing a ton, it's been a great pistol and extremely reliable even when caked in old ammo gunk.
As a suppressor host I'm looking at the TLE RL TFS
This is a loasded question.
I have my opinions based on getting deep into the platform and seeing what some folks do not.
I lean towards the SA's and make no bones about that.
I have had some Kimbers and were no impressed. Like Vert said....very pretty. Beyond that not so much for the price point.
See if you can get to the range with some folks that have some 1911's and run them. Find one that fits you.
Kimber - Congratulations you are paying for a pretty gun, I personally call them "The 1911 for someone who knows nothing about 1911's" I myself started with Kimber and upon learning of the difference in quality versus say Springfield, STI, Dan Wesson and Wilson Combat the Kimber was sold off pretty fast.
The finish on the Kimbers especially the painted guns left allot to be desired with the finish chipping off after 100 rounds or so. At the price point they are loaded with subpar quality Mim and plastic parts that other guns do not have. Hell I left a TLE II in the safe for a few months and upon retrieving it from the safe the "Stainless" had rust on the slide and frame yet even the carbon steel guns in the safe and other stainless guns were 100% fine and they had been in there the same amount of time or longer.
Now the CZ 1911 being suggested is a great gun and they can still be found, but keep in mind that CZ actually discontinued the pistols due to Dan Wessons time being better spent making more "Modern" 1911's so in order to bring the CZ up to speed (if you can find one) adding the extra parts (Sights, and Grip Safety) would be expensive if done by a proper pistol smith.
Now for the $1000 and under price range old model Springfield Armory MC Operators can be found and they are fantastic for the money and I love mine. The new production Colt Competition Pistol that can be had for right at $800 or so is a really nice pistol as well. CM's usual recommendation of the Springfield Range Officer series is a valid option as well.
Why is a $1k SA, S&W, Colt, Sig, STI, etc, better than the same price range Kimber ? Looking for knowledge based opinions here (hello CM) not just fan boi responses or interweb gossip. Not looking to start a brand war. Thanks in advance.