While I've also got the AR15 platform covered what with both my lightweight middy and my scoped A4, I too got the itch for both a good 1911 as well as a M1A. I couldn't swing the budget for but one high end version of either at this time but couldn't decide which to get. After much thought, and realizing that I was really shooting my middy most of the time using the BIS rather than detachable scope, I decided that I'd pick up a good milspec style 1911 first followed by an iron sighted M1A because that way I could afford both.
I got a Springfield NM Mil-Spec 1911 last March and couldn't be happier
with it. While quite different than my Glocks, it's a great pistol to
shoot at the range even out at distance. While I considered a loaded version, I settled upon the Mil-Spec instead because it's true to the original design of the Colt I carried in the Army some 40+ years ago but with better sights (a concession to my 64 yr old eyes) plus a fitedt and throated barrel and bushing for accuracy and reliable feeding. I especially like to shoot at
bowling pins set out at 75yds with it and I've found it to be accurate enough so that it I do my part, the pins drop.
My Army days also introduced me to the M14 which I found amazingly accurate even out to 600yds. While my eyes are no where what they once were, I still was intrigued by the thought of an iron sighted M14 in part because of the skills I was relearning with my iron sighted AR. I decided to go for a NIB Springfield std M1A to start, with the understanding that if I got good with it, I'd consider a second, NM version or a scoped version.
Turns out that I'm really liking the iron sights on my A1A as I'm getting to know it all over again. In fact, I've been able to progress to shooting those same bowling pins I mentioned above but at 200yds off the bench with just my iron sighted standard grade M1A. It also feels good to have it in my hands again after all these years, so good that I wish I'd got one much sooner.
Now I've got both and I think that they make a nice pair.