Rock Island (Armscorp from the Philippines) makes a 1911 that gets rave reviews and goes for under 400 bucks. Centerfire Systems on the internet always carries them. I'm going to try one just to see how it does. I have a friend who bought one for the same reason and he was very impressed.
Bought a Taurus 24/7 in 45 ACP not long ago. It is a 12 round mag long slide. I cannot say enough positive things about it! It may be my imagination, but that long slide Taurus has less recoil than my beloved 1911. I can get the sight picture on the second shot much quicker. I own one of the 24/7 in 9MM long slide, and the 45 ACP seems to have almost the same recoil as shooting +P in the 9MM! Has a laser rail, too.