There are a lot of good guns noted in this thread. I do have something to say about 1911s, though. There are some people here who have listed specific 1911 pistols that are known to be reliable. As most of you know, there are many many companies making 1911 pattern pistols. They range from very affordable to very expensive, and cost isn't always a measure of quality or reliability.
In my personal quest for my very first 1911, I didn't have the luxury of buying a very expensive model, and I kinda wanted a no-frills (no ambidextrous controls, no beavertail, no lowered ejection port) model. I had heard good things about the Rock Island/Armscor 1911s, and that's what I was looking at when, for a number of reasons, I chose a slightly more expensive Springfield Armory GI45 instead. I am not pleased with it.
I can not speak for ALL 1911 pistols, because I only own one. What I can say from personal experience is that my Springfield Armory GI45 model 1911 pistol is accurate when it works, but it doesn't work 100% of the time. With almost all JHP ammo, it fails to feed. The nose of the round slams into the feed ramp and sticks instead of sliding into the chamber. With FMJ ammo, it works most of the time, but it will occasionally fail to go into battery (once every couple of mags). I've also noted at least two stovepipes in the first 500 rounds through this gun with both Atlanta Arms & Ammo and Magtech FMJ ammo.
The magazines I'm using are the original SA mag and two Kimber magazines. I am not limp wristing the gun. I don't have any similar problems with my other autoloaders.
I'm not slamming 1911s in general. If mine were reliable, I'd love it. It points naturally. It is easy to shoot tight groups with (when it cycles and fires properly). There are 1911s out there that are among the best fighting pistols in the world. Mine just isn't one of them. I would not carry this one in its current state unless all my other guns were stolen or destroyed first.
