I've been carrying a 1911 for a few years not. I started out with a Sigma 9VE, and after a couple of years, got a Taurus PT1911 thhat hasn't let me down yet.
I sometimes will carry a smaller gun for when I need deep concealment. My choices have included: Keltec P3AT, S&W Model 642 Airweight, Keltec PF9, PSP-25 (a superb Baby Browning clone), a piece of crap Davis CA380, and a Taurus 85UL.
Currently I carry a Rossi 462 as a back up, or an alternative to the 1911.