I currently have a Kimber 5" full-size (Custom II) in .45 and want something different...so I'm looking at purchasing another 1911.
It might be sometimes carried but probably leaning towards more range/home defense. I have Sig P238 for dedicated carry.

I have narrowed it down to two - either Colt LW commander or SA RO Elite champion.

Things I like about Colt
-Simpler Novak sights
-Safety on the left side only (I'm right handed)
-Trigger guard seems to be more undercut, so should be able to get higher grip
-More traditional barrel/bushing setup with shorter recoil plug for simplicity
-Dual recoil spring system is supposed to reduce the felt recoil

Things I like about SA
-I like the thin G10 grip which comes stock. (I also have thin VZ grips on my full size Kimber due to me having small hands)
-Fully supported ramp (not sure if this makes a difference in shooting experience much though)
-At similar price, it comes with 4x magazines. Not that I need more 1911 magazines, but this is a good touch
-Slightly shorter 4" barrel so makes more difference from 5"
-No firing pin safety for simplicity

I still haven't decided whether want it in 9mm or 45 ACP...might end up with 9mm just for variety but I still like the 45 ACP.
My local gun shop has a range of SA RO elites available, from compact, champion to operator. They will have to order the Colt.
The price between the two is a wash.

Any recommendations?

Buy another Kimber.  HD2 lightweight in .45 or 9mm.

What's your budget OP? If budget not limited take a look at the Dan Wesson Specialist Commander model.. Otherwise, I am a Colt fan, so I say Colt. Springfield strays a little more from the classic John M Browning functional design.

I heard Kimber quality slipped recently, so that is why I was considering just Colt and SA. My Kimber is from 2001-2002 so I haven't bought a new Kimber in years.

My budget is ~$1200 or lower. Heard real nice things about Dan Wesson (Valkyrie specifically) as well but it is hard for me to spend over $2000 for a pistol...

I would pick Colt over the Champion.   Less goofy recoil / bushing system, lighter to carry, better parts made closer to spec.

Both are great guns. Check out the Colt Wiley Clapp LW Commander. Couple extra features, NM barrel and checkering. And it’s a series 70 with thin grips.

Colt Wiley Clapp Commander.

I found mine for just under 1k.

Colt all the way, a LW Commander is a must have carry gun.  The SA doesn't have anything special you can't add to the Colt.  Novak sights are my preferred sight for 1911's.  Extra magazines are nice, but I never had any faith in SA magazines.  A nine Commander shoots very nice.  I say get the Colt.

I too vote for the Colt LW but with one caveat!

Get it in .38Super rather than .45 or 9mm! Dare to be different!

For the record, I carry one in .38Super & love the thing. Can't believe I waited so long to get one. I rotate with that & a 10mm 1911.

My .o2

I have both guns and they do well for me, only negative I have to say about the Springfield is the darn FO front sight the rod came flying out during the first magazine.

Ended up with a Colt competition Govt 9mm instead somehow.

Series 70 and 10-shot (with Wilson combat mags) 9mm makes it the softest and fastest shooting 1911 for me. 200 FMJ and HP rounds in the first session and zero malfunctions straight out of box. (I did not bother using Colt mags)

Still going to get the 45 ACP LW version though, and I think I am going with Colt. I might buy another Govt sized 45...or a Delta Elite
This latest purchase is leaving a very good impression of Colt in me.

Are you going to modify the competition model at all? I just got one too and agree it shoots very soft.  I've read that its over sprung with the dual recoil spring,  so I'm going to try a 10lb or 12lb recoil spring and a 19lb main spring.  I also changed the grips to the colt branded vz grips but in black cherry with a magwell cut. I also have a S&A magwell coming too.

Yes, I am going to replace the grips with Colt branded blue ones first (not sure if there is a thin version of Colt branded G10s around) and maybe front sight if the FO comes off.

I shot some +P JHPs and these were relatively soft shooting too...I really like this pistol. I don’t feel too bad dumping a 10 rounder since it is just a 9 vs 45 :)

It should have came with the standard branded blue grips. They don't make a thin version of the branded grips,  but you could get a thin version of the double diamond which are the same without the logo. You may be able to call VZ and see if they could cut them down to thin profile.

Right, it should have but mine is stainless / titanium blue finish version which came with some white/grey looking grips w/o Colt logo.

When you go looking for a LW .45, see if you can find one of the LW Government models.

Colt and SA don't exactly have stellar quality.  Slipped?  LOL.