Hi ugly dog,

Decide what your budget will allow......handle as many models as you can afford....do the paperwork on the one that "feels best"....and take it home! I have owned 1911 style pistols for over 30 years. From Colts, Norincos, Thompson Arms, Para-Ordinace, Springfields, and even a few "parts bin" combos. They all worked well, instilled confidence, and the only one I didn't care for was the Thompson Arms. (Can't quite put my finger on why that one didn't suit me....but it didn't!) All the rest of them went bang every time I pulled the trigger! (And that can't be overrated!) Great gun design.....great caliber! Once you've shot a 1911....you'll never go without one for long.

BTW....my current 1911......a Para-Ordinance P-12! (It feels a little different than the original single stacks. Only you can decide if you prefer it....or not. I like the single stack magazine grips for fit....and they fit many women's and smaller hands as well as any man's. But for compact firepower in a 1911 package.....it's hard to beat Para-Ordinace's high capacity models, either the P-10 or the P-12! (For most people they either love 'em.....or hate 'em!) You decide!