I have Colt Commanders from two different "generations" of manufacture. The first one is a "pre-80" and it came with an owner's manual that included instructions on how to detail-strip it. There is a caution, "When the pistol is loaded, do not allow the hammer to remain in the Safety (half cock) notch." There is a great explanation of how the 1911 works, including delayed blowback. There is nothing about modes of carry, and, while the various safeties are described, there is nothing describing when the Safety Lock (thumb safety) should be used.
The second is a Series 80 Commander. Its manual is quite a bit different. There is no description on detail-stripping. In fact, the manual says, "Do not strip your pistol further than previously described." There is a new section, "Carrying Modes", that describes
Mode 1: Magazine empty, chamber empty
Mode 2: Magazine loaded, chamber empty, hammer down
Mode 3: Magazine loaded, chamber loaded, hammer cocked, safety on
Colt advises the owner to use Mode 2 (Condition 3) when carrying the pistol ready for use, and to use Mode 3 (Condition 1) when you must be prepared to use the pistol immediately without warning.
I also like the repeated warning
"Warning: When you squeeze the trigger, you must expect the gun to fire and you must take full responsibility for firing it. Your care can avoid accidental discharge, and you will thereby avoid accidental injury and death."
So, yes, times have changed. The courts have forced the manufacturers to bend over backwards to try to make a product, and a user's manual, that is idiot-proof. It is not a reassuring development. If you don't follow the user's manual, you are afraid you are doing something wrong. What's worse, you might be afraid it will be used against you at some time in the future.
Other than the addition of the firing pin safety, there is no functional difference between these two pistols. Yet look at the difference in the manuals!
Do I carry both in Condition 1? Sure. Do I detail-strip both? Sure.
(However, I am aware that the older Commander doesn't have a firing pin safety. I replaced its firing pin with a titanium one, duplicating what Springfield Armory did to get its 1911's to pass a drop test.)
It's a shame to see common sense, useful information being replaced by "fear of litigation" nonsense.