browning's boxcar
the old series 70 colts, in govt mdl, commander, combat commander, and gold cup were all good functioning firearms. this based on units i have owned and those i have fired extensively. they were bad about dumping the front (staked) sights after extended use, however. also the issued front sights were to short, and narrow. most of the new 1911 clones have dovetailed front sights, get one on your new purchase.
as above stated, i too was not impressed with the series 80/90 offerings. not due to poor functioning/quality, but the resurection of the schwarz saftey system. lots of folks don't know that colt deemed this system unworthy of continuing before WWII. col. cooper wouldda called it a "cure for a problem that doesn't exist." still i haven't had any of the newer series that wouldn't function for me. a friend had a series 90, 1991A1 mdl combat commander that required herculean effort to cycle the trigger. but we fixed that easily with an allen wrench applied to the trigger overtravel adjustment screw.
the major selling point for a boxcar is the sweet single action trigger, and accuracy/speed derived frome same. train in safe use practices, and forget the add-on saftey devices. my dear departed mother usta say that trying to make a better idiot proof device was an exercise in futility. simply because the people engaged in these activities were out numbered 2 to 1 by those trying to make a better idiot.
same-o for the new kimbers. the pre "II" mdls have all done what i hoped they would do, including not accidentally discharging. the warrior is the only non-block firing pin mdl i know of that they currently offer. it IS a nice handgun, more the pity.
same-o for springfield armory. good quality iron here. i have even shot 500rds through a rock island armory commander sized mdl, just for reliability testing. it misfired the first three rounds, untill the shipping cosmoline got plowed outta the way in -20 degree alaska interior winter weather. the rest cycled fine, without cleaning in between. the front sight was way to tall on it however, and it shot about 10" low @ 20'.
i'd hafta say the real choice for you to make is whatcha wanna do with said aquisition. if target grade accuracy is yer main concern, heed an above posting about loose slide/frame fitting. get one with 1/8" wide front sight, and adjustable rear.
if it's only to save yer assets, SHTF, a loose fit will make the firearm LESS likely to jam if mung and spoo get introduced into the weapon. don't kid yourself into believing that you'd never let this happen, even in a firefight. fixed sights, with above mentioned 1/8" blade width are better suited to self defence uses. as are tritium element inserts in front and rear. i have lately become a fan of the light rail frames, in conjunction with a surefire X200.
find friends who own the particular iron you are interested in, and try them prior to laying out your hard earned money... even this is not an absolute proof that whatcha buy won't be a lemon. i've been lucky, judging from some of the postings i read above.
gunnie
Guess no one will ever ask to borrow my Colt again! 
