Tropical Z,
With respect, I take exception to your statement "Unfortunately all I read about is that if you spend less than $1000.00 on one you might as well head straight to your friendly gunsmith and have it rebuilt upon receipt".
I really like the .45 ACP round; therefore I own six full-sized .45 pistols: a pre-WWII Colt Government, a stainless Kimber Custom/Classic, a stainless Springfield "loaded", a Sig P-220, an H&K USP Tactical, and a Glock 21. Please note that the first three autoloaders are 1911A1 "types".
While all six semiautomatics are excellent handguns, I have experienced the greatest accuracy -- with no reliability or durability problems -- with the 1911A1s. Perhaps this is due to their SA design, but the fact is -- in my hands -- they out perform equally or more expensive non-1911A1 .45s.
The pre-WWI Colt was legacy from my father. However, the Kimber and the Springfield both cost approximately $600, well less than the $1000 cited in you posting. Further, as mentioned above, both the Kimber and the Springfield have provided really excellent service and they're a great deal more accurate than I.
In sum, for $500 to $600 you can buy a new 1911A1 that will be reliable, durable, and accurate.