The S&W E-series has received similarly high marks from the guys over at 10-8, and I think if I were going to go with a 1,000ish dollar 1911 that wasn't a SA or Colt , I'd probably go with the smitty just because I'd have less to worry about as far as tension is concerned. But for a 650-700 buck 1911, I think Springfield and Ruger would be close to the top of the list unless you could find someone dumb, gullible or charitable enough to give away a S70 colt for that price.