SamColtFan,
Colt's my favorite gun company, followed closely by Smith & Wesson, and then Ruger. In spite of my disappointment in Colt's quality decline, my last two gun purchases were a Colt SAA in nickel and the 1911A1 reproduction.
I sort of dropped out of the gun world after the Brady think happened (1995). I'm kind of an impulse buyer and the Brady Bill did a real number on us impulse buyers. FYI, my last purchase before dropping out was one of the Colt Ultimate Stainless 45s (back when they were available and affordable). I've owned Aces, Diamondbacks, Troopers, 1911s in the past.
I rekindled my interests this Spring and started to replinish my inventory. I was unaware of the S&W controversy and Colt's problems. I was shocked when I went looking for their guns. S&W's product line really changed. IMHO, they ruined the 60, 649, etc. by adding that heavy barrel and chambering them for 357. Many of my favorites were grossly changed (10 shot 617) or eliminated 63, 4006, 4506. I'm glad I retained my old 66 and 649.
Colt's were also changed. I remember when the finish on Colt's was immaculate. I searched the gun shows and stores in DFW for 4 months looking for a quality 1911. I so much wanted to buy a Colt! I even found several older ultimate stainless 38 supers that I considered, just to get the pony. Every, without exception, new Colt was scratched. I don't have the capability to remove scratches on the sand/bead blasted areas or I would have bought one and touched it up. I then thought that I've consider a blued(?) Colt, thinking the color would hide the scratches -- not so. I was also turned off by the plastic trigger and 1991 rollmarks.
I then decided that I might need to look elsewhere for a quality one. I thought the Springfields were not finished any better. I then started looking at the Kimbers. Most Kimbers on display would exhibit some handling imperfections, but the ones not on display were perfectly finished. So I bought a Kimber Stainless. I shot it a few times and put it up. By the way it was an excellent shooter. It was very attractive too. But it wasn't a Colt.
I'm curious about the new Colts you've seen. I know that I'm somewhat of a perfectionist on the finishes (obsessive-compulsive probably), probably way beyond what would be considered normal. But I honestly haven't seen a new Colt without imperfections. Even my SAA and 1911A1 had some, whereas, my Kimber didn't. And I've seen many a Ruger with blemish free finishes too. In contrast, I've also noticed a lot of scratches in the bead blasting area of the new S&Ws -- they weren't like that just 6 years ago when I was an active trader.
I still think Kimber puts more quality into the 1911s than Colt. BUT, after all is said and done, I traded my Kimber in on the reproduction 1911A1. Down the road I'll buy another Kimber, but my 1911A1 won't be a trader. It along with my Colt SAA, Walther TPH, 66, 649 and High Gloss Stainless Single Six have all reached that no trade status.