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.
That sounds about right for the PD. As you said it was intended as a carry pistol not for heavy duty use. Star certainly knew how to build heavy duty guns tho.
I have read that some of the model 28/30s have fired over 90,000 rounds.
I think part of the problem with the .38s in the Phillipines was those .38 Colt Army and Navy revolvers fired a really weak cartridge, less than half as powerful as the 9mm.