I have one, and probably always will. It isn't my favorite gun, but I can't bear to part with it.
It is everything a self-defense weapon needs to be for me: accurate and reliable.
I actually sold an H&K USP 45c as well as a SA loaded target blackened 1911 and kept the Ruger P97.
In my 'informal' accuracy comparison, my P97 gave me the tightest group of the 5 1911s I was shooting at the time [7 yards, free-standing, 2-handed grip, indoors range]. I kept the top 3, and sold the two listed above.
My Ruger group was around 2.5" for 8 rounds, while the H&K was like 4.5" and the SA 1911 was like 6". I had put around 1000 rounds through the USP and the SA 1911 in the past 6 months before this evaluation, but had not fired the Ruger until the contest in the past 5-6 years. So having the Ruger for so long wasn't a deciding factor: I had more recent experience with the other two.
I am NOT saying the Ruger is a
better gun. I AM saying that it works better in
my hands.
I know I can't get much money for it, and it isn't the most attractive gun in the world. [although I like the looks!] However, I am sure it will
always work when I need it to.
I enjoy 1911s more for range trips, and have a .45 with a weapons light for home defense/nightstand duty. Yet, the Ruger is more accurate in my hand than most and just works well for me. I get too attached.
Just because there is a fancier model with more attractive lines doesn't mean I should junk the one that does everything I need and want it to: No divorce for me as long as things are working well.