The DE was my first "Modern" 1911, and it is still the one I grab first. Have a few other manufacturers, and while they are all the same design, this one just "Fits" right. I've let a few folks try it out, and they all want to know who did the work on it. They always look at me funny when I tell them I did. I put a set of stag grips on it, and started shooting it. That's it. It has the nicest out of the box trigger in a production gun, and with good mags, it runs like a sewing machine. I like the performance and lack of problems, so I thought I would try the C model, and it's just like it's big brother, it just works every time. Does it look like a billboard, maybe? Is it reliable without having to have a gunsmith on speed dial? It is! Maybe it was just the luck of the draw for me, but dang it happened twice. I am not a 1911 expert, actually I'm very far from it, but I am enjoying getting to know the design, and these have made it more enjoyable.
I would be curious to hear from a 1911 smith, and know what they think.