In 2002 I spent $630 on a NIB Kimber Custom II, and another $120 having night sights installed. No regrets of any kind.
In the price range, I would tell you to look at the Taurus 1911s, RIA, Springfield, and the Kimber.
There will be some that tell you, any 1911 in this price range is crap, because of looser spec assembly, MIM parts, etc, and I will tell you that I have had absolutely none of these problems.