Thanks, I fit in that 5' 8" category but i'm 160 +++++.
I appreciate the info on the other brands as a salesman tried to point me in the Franchi direction. I was also told that the M 2 was similar to the montefeltro. (As far as working parts go) Not sure about any of that but when I picked up the Franchi and then the Legacy I could feel a difference, I went back to the Benelli. I am reading a little about the Cordoba but have yet to pick one up.
As for the 1911, I have a Springfield EMP that works well.