A S&W Shield for $199 is about the best bargain I can think of and they are so superior to cheaper guns there would be no temptation for me to go that route in a small defensive auto pistol. Rock Island 1911s are great I paid $345 brand new for mine and I would rate it very close to my Springfield, Colt, and Kimber 1911s. I had an H&R 5 shot 4" .32 magnum that was solid and worked but the crude sights and stiff trigger just made me want to save up for a used S&W.