My hands on experience with 1911s is a microcosm of what many of the top 1911 smiths publicly say. I've had a series 80 Colt firing pin block plunger fail. It matters not if the firing pin safety is Series 80 Colt type, or Swartz type(like the Kimber Series II); if the firing pin block breaks, then the pistol is a short club. I've had a new to the game, at the time, SIG GSR that on paper had many features for the price, but in reality didn't run worth a crap. I have an older Kimber (way before the series II guns) that, although bought used & rough in finish, is built better than the stuff they're turning out now. I've owned & shot the current stuff too. I had a Springfield Mil Spec that I should have never traded away. While I no longer own recent production Kimbers, I do own (and have no plans to sell) a current production Springfield Operator. I just bought my first Officer's Model, and, true to what many 1911 smiths will tell you, it wont feed 230gr JHP, but likes 185gr JHP & 230gr ball just fine. It's also a series 80 gun, and the first FP safety equipped pistol I've owned since the one that broke. However, I knew what I was getting myself into this time.
Here's what renown 1911 smith Hilton Yam has to say about first 1911 choices -
http://10-8performance.blogspot.com/2011/01/choosing-your-first-1911-some-thoughts.html . He continues in the comments section with more insight in response to questions asked.
In short, I agree with you staying away from FP safety equipped 1911s, or staying with Series 70 guns as everyone calls them now. I really like the SA Mil Spec & GI as no frills 1911s. The Imbel forged frames & slides on the SAs are a solid base to build off.
I still think the base model SA Loaded (PX9109LP) is the way to go though. The beaver tail grip safety isn't as classic looking as a GI style safety, but it makes the pistol far more comfortable to shoot. The Novak style tritium night sights are a huge improvement over the GI style sights. That pistol is also parkerized. You could always through a black solid trigger of your preferred length in there, and an old Commander style ring hammer to make it look more old school & classic. At prices in the low to mid $700 range the base loaded model offers a few major upgrades at a very minor premium over the Mil Spec.
Sometimes I need a different look at things. I had another question. Why do people perfer a flat mainspring housing?
