Your kind of speaking out of both sides of your mouth there berettabone.
You say you want it mainly for range. For that I would prefer full size 5" or commander at a minimum.
Then you say all the ideal carry sizes.
I've run the gammut from full size to compact but found the circle continued and I now carry full size or commander everyday. A commander isn't difficult to carry at all really.
I have an officer size 3 1/2" Para that has been trouble free. No issues. I haven't shot it in a long time.
I had a Colt Officers Model which in spite of all the bad things I heard about with others also was trouble free. Wish I still had it today.
All things being equal it seems that when you get into the compacts there seems to be more issues.
BUT also I think a lot of those issues have been worked out these days. The Ultra you mention seems to run well. My cousin has one and it's a dream to shoot. Very very accurate.
My Magnum Research 1911G is a delight to shoot, incredible value and probably the most accurate 1911 I own. They now have a commander version of that out that I have not seen yet.
I see a 1911 in your future, I can feel it in my cells. Maybe more than one too.
In Memory of Paul "Dietrich" Stines.
Dad: Say something nice to your cousin Shirley
Dietrich: For a fat girl you sure don't sweat much.
Cue sound of Head slap.
RIP Muggsy & TMan
"If you are a warrior legally authorized to carry a weapon and you step outside without that weapon, then you become a sheep, pretending that JOCKO will not come today."