If you have the $$$ go ahead and be a COLT "snob". Get the real thing, you will not be disappointed. But, if it is just a 1911 you are looking for they are all pretty good. I lean toward the Dan Wesson. But Springfield is dandy. I'm sure others are equally good. I enjoy all of mine made by several manufactures.
My XSE Colt Combat Command in .45 ACP, was rife with problems when I bought it due to underpowered springs...it took me some time to figure out what the hell was wrong. The weak recoil spring was hardest to figure. When I replaced it with a new spring, it cured the current problem. Then I found that the firing pin spring was so weak it would not hold the firing pin retaining plate (I don't remember the name of that part for sure anyomore and at my age don't care) in place and the plate would drop down and tie-up the gun. replacing that spring cured that problem. That only left me with the very badly executed checkering on the stocks...I did not change those however, inasmuch as it is nice that Colt hired the handicapped (must have been a blind man), to do the checkering.
My point is, just because you buy a Colt it does not mean you are going to get a gun that functions right out of the box. And don't give me that crap about I "should have sent it back...", it is not unreasonable to expect a gun to work correctly when it is shipped. If it doesn't, their quality control system is faulty.
Don't get me started on the seventies era .38 Super Colt Combat Commander I bought new in the Seventies...that one was a disaster of out of speck barrel lugs to frame fit. The Slide and Barrel both had to be replaced on that turkey (however it is now a favorite of mine). But when ever I hear about Colt quality, I want to retch.
Given my experience with Ruger's response to my dealings with them in regard to minor problems I have had with their revolvers, I would suggest looking at their five-inch 1911...at least if their is a problem, they "own it" in contrast to a Colt spokesman who stated on line that, "...they did not make the springs in their guns...". The old, "pass the buck", evading responsibility. In contrast, Ruger never did that, even when It was my fault when I lost a cross-bolt screw assembly (it backed-out and fell out when I was hunting...I should have made sure it was tight), in a second-hand Super Blackhawk .44 Magnum. They had me send in the gun (had to be factory fitted), and replaced it at no cost to me...they did not alibi, or accuse...they just fixed it. So, it would seem that a Ruger 1911 would be a safer bet all around.