Recently, my wife and I shot our friend's S&W 1911 .45 Doug Koenig Edition we were surprised that although we own several Glocks, M&P 45, and a very old Colt Combat Commander .45acp, among others, we both fell in love......with the pistol. Probably the smoothest, sweetest pistol we've ever shot. But, as with all 1911s, "it is not a beginner's pistol."

Other choices would be my wife's Glock 36, compact .45, highly reliable, easy to maintain, etc........and half the price of the above S&W 1911 DK.

Any S&W in double/single action, like the 4506 are good choices but heavier.