I purchased a Dan Wesson Commander Bobtail a couple of years ago, partly because I thought it was gorgeous, and partly because the word on the street referenced it to be a best value for the money gun- lots of upgrades, ie, Ed Brown,etc. I love this 1911, and it has been flawless right out of the box. DW dropped the CBOB from its lineup in 2010, with the exception of California. If the rest of the DW line is as impressive as my CBOB, I would say it's a great value for someone wanting a high end pistol, but for significantly less than a full custom. The DW prices have continued to rise, but I believe still fall into your desired range. There may well be other 1911 models that fit your needs, but this is the only one I have owned.