Gents, I'm presently looking to trade up my current SA Mil-Spec 1911A1 and I'm looking for something in the $700-1000 range.  The one I have now was bought 2nd hand from my best friend, but I feel like I'd spend a small fortune to make this gun into the one I want.  I'm looking for a 5" with a light rail, checkering on the front and backstraps.  internal extractor, commander-type hammer and beavertail grip (magwell would be nice, but not a must).  I have been looking at a Kimber TLE/RL II and a new SIG GSR w/ Rail but both of these have external extractors, and I'm a little iffy.  Any information you can provide is greatly appreciated.

AKTactical

I'd say go with a Springfield Operator.  That should fit the bill.  MJD

Don't trade.  Upgrade.  1K is enough to turn your pistol into a serious custom gun.

You are not going to be able to afford decent checkering for that price.  You are going to have to settle for serrations.  They are a little softer, but look very nice.

You can get new sights.  Heinies with the rear notch opened to .140 are very quick.  Leave the sights black, for now.

A trigger job comes witht he added advantage of replacing all of your internal components with better ones.

Beavertail fit is important to me.  It takes about 100 dollars to get a smith to do it right.  It is worth every penny.

You won't need a new barrel, just a tighter bushing fit.  The pistol will shoot better than you ever will.

A Yost 1* Enhanced comes with everything you want for 1045 on your gun.  Add a light rail/light for 80 dollars, 60 if you get the light at the same time, and subtract the lanyard loop in the mainspring housing for, I believe, a credit of 55 dollars.

I've always read that those SA GI's and mil-specs are the best to turn into your own custom gun.

Alot of the kimbers that had external extractors are now being shipped with internal.

What's funny is I'm in the opposite situation.

I have a badass Kimber with all the goodies and now I'm looking into a pistol like yours to slowly upgrade how I like it.

I recommend you try to hold to your current pistol but by all means, find a kimber with an IE or just buy a nice SA.

Quoted: Don't trade.  Upgrade.  1K is enough to turn your pistol into a serious custom gun. You are not going to be able to afford decent checkering for that price.  You are going to have to settle for serrations.  They are a little softer, but look very nice. You can get new sights.  Heinies with the rear notch opened to .140 are very quick.  Leave the sights black, for now. A trigger job comes witht he added advantage of replacing all of your internal components with better ones. Beavertail fit is important to me.  It takes about 100 dollars to get a smith to do it right.  It is worth every penny. You won't need a new barrel, just a tighter bushing fit.  The pistol will shoot better than you ever will. A Yost 1* Enhanced comes with everything you want for 1045 on your gun.  Add a light rail/light for 80 dollars, 60 if you get the light at the same time, and subtract the lanyard loop in the mainspring housing for, I believe, a credit of 55 dollars.

Truer words have never been spoken... go with a YoBo 1* package and you will not regret it.

Thanks a lot for the info guys.  I looked at the Yo-Bo package and that may be a little too rich for my blood.  I saw someone post earlier about stippling.  I'd love to have that but I don't know of anyone that does this to 1911's.  Thoughts?

Robar is big on stippling, and Yost-Bonitz can and will do stippling on 1911s too. Burton tells me they have a really neat tool for it.

I'm in bed with the "Customize it" guys above. Frankly the price range you are quoting will only yield you a marginally better pistol, but adding a few hundred to your already existing one will make a major difference. Aside from YoBo, Wilson Combat and others offer all kinds of packages on 1911s and SAs (and Colts) are the brand(s) of choice for these customizers. Aside from some of the above suggestions, I'd make a reliability package top priority if this is a carry gun.

Quoted: Thanks a lot for the info guys.  I looked at the Yo-Bo package and that may be a little too rich for my blood.  I saw someone post earlier about stippling.  I'd love to have that but I don't know of anyone that does this to 1911's.  Thoughts?

Thoughts?  Yeah, Ramen noodles....ten for a buck.

If you "need it now"...just send it for a reliability job, good sights, and a match bushing.  That should hold 'ya.   In the mean time, get used to noodles.