ParaUSA 14-45.
Yes, the other semi-custom 1911's are sweet, but for the price difference between this one and those, I got my wife an XDm as well. I went through the same mental gymnastics when looking for a quality 1911, but in the end could not justify 2000+ on a range toy. Not sniping at anyone's Baer/Brown/STI/etc...but my Para does exactly the same thing, is equally reliable (youtube videos of the para 14-45 shooting 1000 rounds as fast as trigger can be pulled) and costs a hell of a lot less.