Whatever you do, if you do decide to remove it, make dang sure you either replace it or restore it back to original and working order, or else disclose this and in writing in the bill of sale if you ever sell the piece.
That is very important.
I disabled the key locks on a couple Smith revolvers that had them. I filed down the pin on the flag so everything looks normal, they just don't work. I think it increases reliability due to inertia possibly engaging the lock during firing. It has happened, rare, but possible. I don't plan on ever selling them, but if I did, I'd disclose it or replace the flags with new ones.
But I agree, if you don't like the manual safety, just get a Glock (make sure it is a 3rd gen!). Those are what I use, I have six. I think of them as tools, not as works of firearms art. I always wear a G29 or 27, my wife carries a 17. We have a 21 for bedside. I have total confidence in them, more so than a revolver in fact. My wife's 17 is a 2gen with tons of rounds down the tube, one factory rebuild, and I've rebuilt it and tuned it over the years. The pistol was made in '85 I think, a police pistol, and rebuilt before or after Glock did that trade for .40 pistols and resold the old ones. It is not only accurate, it is reliable and a great pistol. I'd carry it myself. She has polished components to reduce trigger pull, but a NY2 to increase it to a smooth but stiff pull.
The reason we like them as defensive weapons, among other things, is the fact they have no external safeties to manipulate. All three are inside. To me, it is the pinnacle of defensive hardware. Lots of other good stuff out there, yes indeed, but if you want these kinds of features, don't modify an important part of another pistol, just get a Glock. Seriously.