...if you read up on all of the 1911 out there you are going to find someone that just hates one brand or another just because of something they have read on the net.
Best advice on this thread so far.
As for Kimbers, for some reason people love to bash them (not sure why) but I would bet that MOST of it is being done by someone who hasn't had one. Same goes for most other brand bashing.
Find something in your price range that most people recommend and get it tuned. yes, tuned. Get used to the idea that some 1911's will need tuning to be carry reliable. That's not a bad thing just the way the gun is. Some people won't buy a gun that isn't 100% reliable about of the box. I say you need to run a few hundred rounds through any gun before you trust your life to it anyway.
My two cents.
BC