[ChrisBennet]

I haven't shot in a while but my philosophy was to shoot a decent gun (not a fancy one) but shoot it a lot. I beat a lot of guys with 1911 "race guns" shooting a stock 629 (.44 mag revolver).
It's similar to the "Track time vs performance parts - which will make you faster?" argument.
The last Colt 1911 I bought had a factory "improved" beavertail which forced you to grip the gun lower - just the opposite of what you want. I had it "back dated" to a normal grip safety.
-Chris