Geez guys, sorry i didn't write a book after I mentioned the Taurus might make the best 1911 out there.
The 3 1911's i compared were the Rock Island Armory 1911 Tactical, Taurus PT1911B, and a Springfield Armory 1911 GI 45. I lumped them into the "under $700 1911" category. Only the Springfield was brand new, the Taurus and RIA were owned by other customers in the gun shop.
We field stripped them all down & laid them out on the counter. The only one that really stood out was the Taurus. It was because of all the metal shavings inside the slide rails and uneven wear on the right side of the barrel lug, there was a noticeable indentation there. The owner was dumbfounded at the sight of it, said he only had about 1,100 rounds through the gun (no malfunctions in that time either). The RIA had a couple burrs inside that gave it an unfinished look, but the owner said he hadn't had any function problems in 750'ish rounds.
After putting the guns back together we all dry fired them a few times to get a feel for the triggers. We all agreed that the new Springfield had the smoothest trigger of the 3, then the RIA, and lastly the Taurus with a really sticky, gritty feel to it (could be the metal shavings made their way into the trigger assembly). Also with the Taurus and RIA I personally couldn't reach the hammer because of the enormous beavertail. Had to use 2 hands to cock and decock these guns. But really, who carries their 1911 NOT cocked & locked anyway. A non-issue for the most part.
The wear on the slide rails and barrel lugs was really the only concern I'd have about buying the PT1911 for myself. Maybe this one Taurus was just a lemon from the start, it's the only one I've held so I couldn't tell you if they were all like this. Triggers can be reworked, internals deburred, beavertails bobbed, and there's tons of options out there for grips, as was seen in the original review (Punisher grips)
That's my $.02 take it for what it's worth. Opinions are like a$$holes, everyone has one and they always stink. etc..
edit: i really don't care how 1911's stack up against each other, i don't own any or plan on owning any. the only reason i was there comparing them was because my dad wants to get a 1911 as a retirement gift to himself.