If you want the best don't run out and buy a mass produced sem-custom gun. You will not only probably pay more but will often get less.
Most people who belong to large gune clubs that shoot NRA bullseye competition can often recommend a local Smith, preferable one who has been specializing in building .45's for years. You can talk to him face to face and if there are any problems with the finished product the communication will be much better in person than when one sends a gun in to a national smith who is often overworked and months and months behind on jobs. The local Smith is often way cheaper too.
If you are part of the masses that are basically sandbag weekend shooters then your other option would be to send it too a well known Smith. Prepare to spend some big bucks and wait a long time to get your weapon back. If there are problems just trying to get a hold of some of the famous Smiths is a real exercise in frustration.
The last option would be to get the semi-custom mass produced gun but do not expect to have the same level of accuracy or workmanship from most of these outfits.
You can spend a little on building a 1911 or spend a lot. It all depends what you want and how much you have to spend.
If you by pass all the bells and whistles and start off with a good core gun like a series 70 Colt or pre-series 70 Colt (the next choice by many are the Springfield armory guns) you basically need to start out with a good quality barrel. Colts generally have such good barrels that you will save a lot of money by not needing to buy a super custom barrel but if you do need one (replacing the Springfield barrel is often recommended) you could have a gunsmith install a match Kart barrel and match bushing. The other basic modification would be a good and safe trigger job. A good set of adjustable sights is a must for competition. A tightening up of the slide to frame fit is also recommended. For hardball an extra strength set of Wolf springs which are comprised of a recoil spring and matching firing pin spring. Most go with the 18 lb spring over the 16 lb factory spring but even heavier springs are available providing that you have the arms of a Gorrilla to pull back the slide.
Now of course beyond this is entirely up to you. Wild beaver tail grip safeties, extended mag releases and extended slide release levers, and ambi-dextrious safeties, stippiling or checkering of the front and back straps, grooves on the front of the slide, Engraved pictures of scantily clad young women, inletted electric clocks like those found on the latest Swiss Army knives, Damascus finishes, Gold finishes, Silver finishes, Polymer finishes, chrome finishes, deluxe blueing. And perhaps even a computer chip that limits the amount of ammo you can shoot through it in one day to help save you money. I think you get the picture on some of the options people actually think they cannot live without.
A good bullseye gun will do 2 inches at 50 yards. Anything less and you are at a disadvantage when in competition
Although the 1911 will soon be 100 years old the ones that are still being built today that are being built with quality parts and workmanship make them the most advanced handgun and the most accurate handgun in the world. Nothing has been invented since that even comes close to the 1911. It is used more than any other handgun for serious competition and for many good reasons.
And if you are just wanting a super gun don't rule out the custom High Power or the bare bones Sig-Nuehausen P210. The Nuehausen can often be purchased used for way less than most custom 1911's and they shoot every bit as good.
