I don’t particularly like recoil but the Star PD never bothered me.
I have owned two of them and thought they were about the right size for a lightweight .45. I also like the Combat Commander and regular Commander, but I guess the full size standard model is my favorite.
I agree with Jeff Cooper on one thing. The closer a 1911 is to stock, the better. About the only thing they need is some could use a better trigger. Some are fine as is.
The regular sights are OK to me but a lot of people prefer a higher, easier to see one.
First .45 I owned was a Star PD. I bought it used and shot it a lot, thousands of rounds, and the frame cracked. I used it a lot harder than it was meant to be used, so I still think of it as a decent carry pistol. If another came my way, I wouldn’t turn my nose up at it.
As to the USMC purchasing this gussied up M1911A1, I think it’s a good decision. I never had a problem shooting those “old, worn out” pistols that Uncle Sam issued to us, even though several examples required some pretty pronounced Kentucky windage and elevation. Never did feel as secure with that M9 as with that old slabsided hand cannon by my side.
If I recall correctly, the USMC fairly recently decided that sidearms were only going to be issued to officers O-6 and above, and the SNCOs and junior officers were going to get M4 carbines. This new 1911 is going to be for special operators, an important but limited role. It’s not like they are ditching all the M9 Pistols and M4 carbines USMC wide to go back to the 1911.