Well, since we're talking 1911s...
If you've ever competed in a speed match with one, you'll know why the safety is so important both to safety AND speed.
Most of us who've shot the plates or pepper poppers use the "thumb high" hold - in other words, our thumb rests on the safety at all times, shooting or not. After awhile, as you reach for your pistol, your thumb automatically slides on top of the safety, and as you draw and present to the target it "wipes it off" - simply pushes it down as your grip tightens up.
This is one reason larger, custom safeties are so popular. It's not because they're faster, but they provide a comfortable resting place for your thumb under recoil!
Moving right along to shorter, smaller 1911s...
It seems to me that Colt pretty much set the true, 100% reliable size reduction bar when it introduced the Commander (now called the Lightweight Commander). The original Commander was aluminum framed. Some actually prefer the Commander's balance; to me, I like the slightly muzzle-heavy feel of a full-size model. It helps keep that front sight steady.
The efforts to further reduce the pistol's size (the Officer's Model, for one) have required a pretty drastic change in the entire pistol's recoil system and lockup characteristics.
In short, while I admire the many small 1911s on the market for some pretty innovative features - I can't get myself to trust it. This pistol and it's cartridge were designed specifically for each other, something VERY few pistols can claim. If the design is altered and miniaturized enough, you're tampering with the very carefully crafted combination of the gun and it's ammo... and in my experience, at least, the 1911 doesn't like it a bit.
This is why, when a small .45 is called for, I don't opt for the 1911 format, but rather a Glock or other, modern design intended to be small.
Okay, end of speech... I don't even know why I made it anyhow. I guess I should find something to keep me busier at night. 8)
Flyer