I agree with Duane on the Springfield quality level, but if it's in the budget, I would go with the Loaded package unless you want the look of the 1911-A1 military type. I haven't put 80,000 rounds through any particular pistol, but that speaks volumes for the durability of the main components. The Kimber I purchased ran like a top out of the box and still does with excellent accuracy. The reason I bring up the Custom Kimber is that for $900-1000, they are an excellent value. I can't tell you how many times I've spent more than that to have a pistol accurized/customized and had an end product that was inferior to the Kimber, and don't forget the cost of the modified pistol to start with. The more money that you can afford to purchase the pistol up front, will save you a lot of money and time, and time without your pistol, down the road to make it the way it should have been to start with. I don't advocate the Kimber over the Springfield, it's just that that is the experience I have. I will say the Custom Eclipse is one Hades of a pistol for the money, right down to the low profile adjustable tritium sights, checkered front strap, great trigger right out of the box. Those mods alone, to a standard 1911-A1 will cost you more than the pistol I bought.