A couple of years ago, I decided to get my first 1911.
I wanted something that would be really nice to shoot at the range, so I really didn't want to have to modify it (at least, not immediately). I wanted it to check all the boxes from the get-go.
I did a lot of research and ended up with a Dan Wesson RZ-45 Razorback "Heritage". At the time, it was their full-size, entry-level model. I paid $1039 plus shipping/transfer. Even though it's their entry-level model, it still has no MIM parts, and fit & finish is exceptional. Particularly the slide-to-frame fit is impressive.
If you do some reading and research into 1911-style handguns, the names "Wilson Combat", "Ed Brown", "Les Baer", "Nighthawk", and a few others will come up. These are referred to as "semi-custom" 1911s. In other words, most, if not all, of the parts are "hand-fitted" together. That is, they are "roughly" sized when they are made, being a little too big to fit together, and are actually worked by hand, with files, stones, sandpaper, and other hand tools, with high metal being removed, until they are mated together very tightly. Obviously, this is a labor-intensive process, requiring skilled craftsmen with lots of experience, so, the prices reflect that. But you get a pistol that has very tight tolerances, and is very accurate. And, of course, frames and slides are forged or billet, small parts are made of tool steel. Basically you're getting the "Swiss watch" of pistols. However, being that these are, essentially, handmade pistols, there is the chance that you might get one that is not perfectly-functioning, as many people have with these semi-custom 1911s, and, in that case, it would need to be sent back to be tweaked.
The difference between the aforementioned semi-custom 1911 builders, and Dan Wesson, is that DW has figured out how to offer a 1911 that HAS most of the benefits that the real semi-custom 1911s have (excellent fit & finish, top-quality materials, no MIM parts, very close tolerances, excellent accuracy) at a much lower price. They've done this by utilizing the latest computerized machining, minimizing the amount of time that needs to be spent by a gunsmith, hand-fitting parts together. So, they're able to offer a 1911 that comes very, very close to a semi-custom in those categories of fit, tolerance, and accuracy, at a FAR lower price.
In fact, if you go to the 1911 forums and do some research, you'll run across many posts made by folks who own both actual semi-custom 1911s from makers I listed above, and Dan Wesson, and many will tell you that they can't tell a difference. Some even like their DWs better. There's a real cult following.
When I make any purchase, I really like to get a lot for my money, and, again, from the research I did, this was the most 1911 I could get for my $$$.
Also, I've put a few thousand rounds through it (mostly cheap, Walmart Federal aluminum case target rounds) with zero malfunctions of any kind.
Dan Wesson RZ-45 Razorback "Heritage" Government Model 1911
Frame: Forged Stainless Steel, matte finish, flat mainspring housing with checkering, undercut trigger guard
Slide: Forged Stainless Steel, brushed flats, serrated "razorback" top
Barrel: Match, throated
Trigger: Match, medium length of pull, 4-lb pull as measured by me on Lyman gauge, zero overtravel, zero creep, zero grit
Safety: Extended
Beavertail: Ed Brown-style, extended/high-ride, with memory bump
Slide release lever: extended
Hammer: skeletonized, commander-style
Sights: Novak-style ramp rear, plain black, Trijicon tritium white dot front, dovetail-mount
Grips: (aftermarket, installed by me): G10, "Simonich Gunner". Came with plain black rubber Hogue grips.
Here's my favorite video of the gun - this is the same model I have, and the guy detail-strips it and shows the exceptional finish on all the little parts, and the way the slide mates with the frame: