I don't know where else you would find a usable Greener at that price. It doesn't appeal to me because of the cosmetics, but then again, if it didn't have the wood issues, it would be north of 1250.

More generally, I don't see the problem with the side safety. I admit that I have spent 30 years fooling with drillings, but to me, such safeties are like double triggers. With a bit of use, hitting it with the thumb on the way up becomes about as instinctive as the tang.