If money's an object, then Kimber, Colt, or Springfield--plus a trip to the smith after the break-in for a trigger and reliability job--will get you in the game for about $800. Less than that and you're playing with fire in the 1911 arena.
If money's no object, then Ed Brown, Wilson, and the like make a heck of a 1911. However, if I had that kind of money, I'd get one custom made.