If you must have a more modern gun, you can't beat the FN FNX. It is feather light, holds 15 rounds and has a traditional DA trigger instead of the fiddly little Lego-like doohickey common on other polymer .45s.
“I say 1911 all the way. Not a modern, double-stack, plasticized “1911-oid” but the classic single-stack. Colt still sells them, and so does Springfield and a bunch of others”
Well, I’m an old school 1911 guy too. Been packing one since 1965 when I entered employment in the Big Green Machine. But, the 1911 is not for everyone. As with any machine, it requires practice to develop muscle memory so to use it reliably ans safely in a crisis situation. And, being that it is single action it is more complex than the double/single or double/double. So, if the creator of this thread is a novice shooter and is interested primarily in a reliable personal defense handgun, suggest a medium frame double action 357 (but shoot 38spl rounds). I own several hand guns of which four are of the 1911 type; old Springfield, Kimber Gold Match, LH Randall Service Model (flat top with adjustable sights), LH Curtis Lemay. Although the Randall’s have collectible value I decided several years ago to use them as shooters. So, had some mod’s done; had ejection ports relieved and feeder ramps polished and tapered some. After having these mods done they became reliable shooters. Actually, these mods should be done to any service model that is not a custom gun such as a Kimber, Wilson, etc. another tip and I suspect this will generate some disagreement; generally 1911’s don’t like exotic ammo. So, I shoot only ball in mine as the first and only objective should be to put a bullet on ones adversary. With the 45 acp, if this is accomplished the type of round is irrelevant. Anyway, guess I’m through, my two bits :)