Know to throw a monkeywrench onto the whole process.

Kind of.
You mentioned IDPA. Either a PT100 or a PT1911 would be in order. Manual of arms and shot to shot consistency would be the reasons.
SA only or DA/SA semi-autos are the main types guns used for this branch of the sport.
Manual of arms and trigger pull for the 24/7 takes a bit more getting used to.Not that it can't be done, but DAO triggers and similar brethren take more to become proficient with.
1911s are easier to learn and shoot with for most people. Consistent single action pull for each shot.
DA first shot and then going to SA for each additional one takes some learning, but can be done with some practice.Thus the PT100.And in terms of safety there is a declocker that lowers the hammer. Nice thing to have on a gun. No manual lowering of the hammer over a live round. Slip of the hand or fingers and OOPS. Negligent discharge.
DAO triggered semi-autos are not that widely seen in most IDPA local matches.There are exceptions to this. DAO, no matter how light the trigger pull, still has similarities to pulling the trigger on a revolver. And some feel that this is not conducive to winning times or accuracy.
Doesn't mean it can't be done. IDPA has some National matches have been won at times by DAO semi-auto wielding shooters.
You may be joining IDPA more for what you can gain in shooting experience and competition isn't important at the moment and may never be. Some join to get some "tactical" experience. This is still a game. Except for shooting under pressure and using real world equipment this has no bearing on what happens in the real world gunfights.
Having said all that IDPA is just plain fun.
Have to throw this all in because this all has to be considered.
Don't know your situation so cannot say.