[Rick Lee]

I'm a Springfield fan and don't like Colt. I just think Colt relies too much on hits heritage and name, while other 1911 makers concentrate more on building great guns and always improving. I've owned five Commanders and none of them shot well. Why the hell should I have to have the ramp polished to make it feed SWCs? Any 1911 today comes with a polished ramp. A few Commanders ago I had a stainless XSE. Sure was a pretty gun, but any of my way cheaper Springfields would outshoot it any day of the week.

You can get a real nice Springfield Champion or Loaded full size for $600 used. Ditto for Kimber if you really shop. I've started lusting for Dan Wessons, but I think they've finally gotten the respect they deserve and their prices now reflect that.

Keep the Taurus for a beater car, boat or garage toolbox gun. It'll go bang every time, but don't dump money into it other than with rubber grips and range time.

If you really hate money and want to buy the best of the best so that you'll never go back, step up to Ed Brown Les Baer.