Just to clarify, when I saw low end, I'm referring to one thing only, and that's cost. Because just like with everything, cost is directly connected to the manufacturing quality you get. Does that mean a $500 1911 is going to fall apart when you pick up, of course not. But it's definitely not going to look or feel the same as a $1500 pistol. And when I say low end, I don't mean anything derogatory by it. I should have said "low cost" in my original comment, to keep from ruffling feathers lol.
You know Kimber makes more than one model!! lol... My TLE Stainless II, which I believe I gave $900 for new, is by far my lowest quality 1911. Everything is fit sloppy, the finish is spotty, the slide stop had to be replaced out of the box because it wasn't in spec and prematurely locked the slide open. That's the low end to me, but still not the lowest end! I also have a Kimber Warrior that is the complete opposite of my TLE. It also cost almost twice as much. As for the Rapide, which is like what, $1600+? I highly doubt that exhibits the same issues that the lower cost models suffer from.
The Emissary is most definitely in the low end/low cost bracket. All MIM small parts, and I don't believe it has any type of hand fitting like the TRP's do. But even with my janky slide over hang, it's still a solidly built pistol, with some cool features that you normally only see reserved for more costly variants. So while it's low end, I wouldn't consider it the lowest end. The LB Operator I purchased a few years back, which actually had some hand fitting, and still had issues out of the box lol. It ended up being a great pistol after an RMA. If SA could just reel in their quality control, I would recommend them up and down.
As for comparing DW to Nighthawk, those two aren't even in the same realm!! DW's are still production guns, with some hand fitting. Nighthawk's are meticulously built from the ground up, hand fit everything. So comparing productions to customs just doesn't fit. Be better served comparing Wilson with Nighthawk, etc. DW's are great guns, and some pretty costly, I gave like $2100'ish for my Discretion. Did I get more for the cost than I did with my $900 Kimber? Most definitely. That thing is pristine. But it's still comparing an Accord to a Corvette to a Ferrari.
LOL!! She was just like "it work, no fix. No work, we fix." I was actually surprised with how short the responses were. Like at least fake like you give a **** lol... DW will foward you to a gunsmith to at the very least get a second opinion from a specialist.