I'll echo what some others here have said - "best" is a custom made by Harrison, Volkmann, Heirloom, etc etc etc.
Best for the money IMO - Dan Wesson
If I was going for a sub $1000 gun, I'll take a Colt. Springfield and Sig make nice guns too but having played with numerous examples of all three, I like the Colt best every time - they may not be as fancy/have as many stock options as the other two but the action and parts fitting have been better.
Of course Springer and Sig make $1000+ guns too, and those are going to be much nicer than their lower priced models, but at that price range I'll take another DW please.
Some like Kimber, some hate Kimber - I'm not in either group. I own one, but its a looker not a shooter. I think as a manufacturer they are inconsistent.
All that being said, I won't personally buy another (new) 1911 that isn't either a Wilson or NH. I can't justify 5K+ on a real custom, and the Wilsons/NHs are every bit as good of a weapon IMO.
Best for the money IMO - Dan Wesson
If I was going for a sub $1000 gun, I'll take a Colt. Springfield and Sig make nice guns too but having played with numerous examples of all three, I like the Colt best every time - they may not be as fancy/have as many stock options as the other two but the action and parts fitting have been better.
Of course Springer and Sig make $1000+ guns too, and those are going to be much nicer than their lower priced models, but at that price range I'll take another DW please.
Some like Kimber, some hate Kimber - I'm not in either group. I own one, but its a looker not a shooter. I think as a manufacturer they are inconsistent.
All that being said, I won't personally buy another (new) 1911 that isn't either a Wilson or NH. I can't justify 5K+ on a real custom, and the Wilsons/NHs are every bit as good of a weapon IMO.