I think I would stick to a S&W 686, pretty versatile gun, you can use it for personal defense, hunt with it, or use it for targets or plinking and it is almost indestructible.
I have a commander sized 1911 in .45 that I built from a fusion frame/slide kit a few years ago. Although I have pistols that have higher $ value, I have a LOT of time and effort in this one.