What style do you prefer? I recently received at 1974 70 series colt that is worn and was used a great deal by my late great uncle. I have had kimbers smiths all with beavertails, triggers, checkering everywhere and all kinds of stuff. It seems I shoot the plain Jane colt 70 series just as good as any other. The only real gripe I could have would be the sights but I can still work with the standard GI Sights. What are your thoughts?
Modern. My hand is too chunky for the traditional tang grip safety.
I’ve used 'em both ways.
G.I. configuration is perfectly usable, bigger sights and a bigger thumb safety do help though.
Not really a whole lot of difference.
No real choice for me, since I would need at least an ambidextrous safety (southpaw). Sights would be my next priority, and if you find them usable, don’t worry about upgrades. Just go out and enjoy shooting the gun.
AC
AC Thats exactly what I’ve been doing I replaced the recoil spring with a Wolff and have been proceeding to let the lead fly. I found about 500 rounds of old lead reloads in my grandpas building and it has surprisingly been eating all of it.
My apologies…I thought you were talkin guns not strictly sights.
I much prefer a modern set-up but could use a GI configuration if forced too.
I have the Colt WWI repro and a Colt WWI commemorative from the late 1960s that both have the small sights but I don’t have any major problem using them. It is, however, somewhat easier on older eyes to have the newer, larger sights on my other Colts.
Here is my slightly modified series 70 reproduction, with just enough mods to make it more comfortable to shoot and easy to manipulate.
The factory sights were discarded as they are small and thus slower to acquire. They’re replaced by a dovetail post front sight and a Harrison rear sight.
All the edges on the frame and slide were dehorned just enough to remove the razor sharp corners from the factory. The grip safety tang was contoured to match the contoured grip safety. They are reshaped for comfort and no bite. The hammer is a Harrison bobbed component as well as the short Harrison trigger and fire control group. The trigger is set at 4.5 lb. Yes Irene, it’s 4.5 lb. This is a gun potentially used for self defense, not a game gun.
We left the barrel, bushing and slide to frame fit alone. The gun shoot straight and tight groups from the factory. The ramp and throat were slightly polished to insure 100% feed.
There is no serration or checkering on the front strap. The mainspring housing is smooth and was round butted for comfort. Once I held my first round butt 1911, there is no going back to the old traditional MSH. It is simply more comfortable without giving up any handling characteristic.
All work by John Harrison. There is no extra superfluous modification to drastically alter the look or add to the work cost. I still have a gun that looks almost GI but shoots like a modern day laser.
The finish is Armor Tuff by Wilson Combat for corrosion protection. The grip is ivory for contrast 
and just because I’ve always wanted one. The custom made wood grip by John Harrison is for the occasions when I want a different look.
Yea,a basic GI 1911 is a great gun,but the sights could use some help,check this one out,looks like a good improvement !
http://shop.harrisoncustom.com/hd-003-retro-rear-sight Just have to make sure the Front will work with this or if you should change it out also !!
I like 'em both. I prefer the cleaner G.I. look with an extended safety (ambi) and better sights.
Somewhere in between. Ring hammer, better sights (Novak or 10-8), lower and flaired port with live round clearance, and some checking is enough to make it usable. IMO.
Modern for me, I have large hands and the stock grip safety and spur hammer tear me up. I really like the modern extended thumb safeties, sights and other enhancements that make a great gun even better.
I prefer the modern touches on a 1911. The G.I. grip safety bites into my hand and I like more modern sights.
Pretty much the same as my Retro gun built by LAV. The gun was unassuming, and ran great. Most people thought I was shooting a stock gun. Larry profiled the grip safety, I got NO hammer bite.
Sights, fitted bushing, colt barrel, trigger, profiled grip safety, extended thumb safety, dehorn, reliability work:
sometimes I regret having Larry put a beavertail and hammer on it. sometimes 
Sam, that is a sexy gun!
I put modern stuff on my 1911’s, but under the right circumstances I would love to have the traditional look like any from that era or some of the 1911’s from Heirloom.
COLT S80 MK IV Government Model
Updated sights and this one still has the collet bushing it came with.
Colt Commander M1991 S80 (ORM)
Also with updated sights in Melonite (Mods by Bob Miller).
Modern: much better sights, a beaver tail and round hammer so my hand does not get beaten, a good extended safety to rest my thumb on, and a mag chute if possible. Checkering on front and backstrap, or some grip tape.
Except for tiny sights I prefer the gi set up. I have small hands and don’t get hammer bite. I also much prefer the short a1 trigger. Never hAd a problem fully depressing a regular grip safety either
Definitely prefer a GI config 1911, although I also prefer Commander-length.