Well, that price range covers a lot of territory!
I suppose it all depends on what is important to the prospective shooter. I shoot a stainless Colt XSE and love it. That doesn't prevent me from ogling the Wilson Combat 1911's at about $2500. I would love to have a Wilson, but probably never will. It isn't that important to me. I would rather spend $2500 on a Beretta Silver Pigeon, or a custom-built Model 70, or something. Others will no doubt feel differently.
Yeah, I wish I had bought more of a lot of guns, not only S&W 41's, but Colt SAA's, .22 Peacemakers, Diamondbacks, and so on!! One I never did get was a Browning Medalist. Man, I need so many more guns!!
And, for sure, your observation that guns are rocketing up in price has not escaped me either!!