Up until a few weeks ago I would never have considered a Taurus for a 1911, that has changed. I had an opportunity to shoot a PT1911 in 9mm, price around $560. Wow what a good shooter, equal to my $1400 STI, way better quality than I expected. PT1911, forged frame and slide, real Novak sights, ramped barrel, well fit and finished firearm. The trigger was the best I have ever seen out of the box in a 1911 this "cheap". I also was able to shoot a S&W E series 1911, price about $1300, nice "pretty" pistol with a really ugly trigger pull, what a bargain. Really impressed with the Taurus 1911, not so much the S&W E series 1911. Taurus not under tha $500 but does come in under $600 on some models, to get a Rock Island that has a finish other than parkerized may cost just as much as the Taurus