Take a look at the "loaded" Springfields.... best bang for the buck. The "loaded" series come in Government, Officers, Long Slide, Stainless, Blued, Parkerized..... But they all have decent sights and a decent trigger.
CDNN, as a matter of fact, has one on sale now for $800, I believe.
Another option, should you come across a good used one, is a Colt Gold Cup.
Edited to add:
A 230 grain round nose hardcast & copper plated (keeps the barrel cleaner) at about 850 fps is just what the doctor ordered. I don't know if you're a handloader or not, but if you are, look at Rainier Ballistics bullets. I load 'em with 6.3/6.4 grains of Longshot, and they chrono 850 - 860 fps out of a 5" Government Colt.
CDNN, as a matter of fact, has one on sale now for $800, I believe.
Another option, should you come across a good used one, is a Colt Gold Cup.
Edited to add:
A 230 grain round nose hardcast & copper plated (keeps the barrel cleaner) at about 850 fps is just what the doctor ordered. I don't know if you're a handloader or not, but if you are, look at Rainier Ballistics bullets. I load 'em with 6.3/6.4 grains of Longshot, and they chrono 850 - 860 fps out of a 5" Government Colt.