Thanks for all the input fellas, glad to know the single actions are safe because I really do want a 1911.

Yeah, dropping the firearm is not on my list of things to do , and of course when its away from you i.e. in transport or storage its never loaded (if you're following safety regulations properly) so really there should be no issue. I think what the instructor said just stuck in my newbie mind for some reason but it sounds like it wouldn't apply to the modern offerings on the market today.