Different people have different definitions of accurate and reliable.
I would add to those two; ergomonic.
How accurate is accurate enough? How reliable is reliable enough? How comfortable is comfortable enough?
I think that when a 1911 is held, it should be an extension of yourself, it should be melded to yourself like Tony Stark and his suit of armor. No stock gun is going to give you that.
True 1911 operators are skilled pistoleros. They know what the platform's capabilities are, and they are good enough shooters to where the stock platforms are limiting their abilities and performance.
This is similar to dedicated glock operators that know what some mods can do for them, and their shooting.
Folks (and Im not talking about you, Neil; just in general) that look at a custom gun as 30 hundred dollar bills, and look at the aspect of modifying their glock as possibly hurting its value, or their idea of what a gun should look like, just simply dont get it; they are more collectors, or general gun enthusiasts, or are deluding themselves as to their (and their guns) potential.
Good question, Neil. I was in your shoes about 8 years ago. Im pretty deep in the rabbit hole now!
Absolutely.