I have one I was considering getting re-bead blasted just to get it back to minty again before trying to sell it. Great shooting gun with an AMAZING trigger.
I'm probably missing something in your post but why would you loose any brass? I have a brass catcher that can be placed beside your gun on a bench or mounted atop of a tripod for when you shoot while standing. Now if you're shooting while running around, I guess that's the price you pay.
I have 1911s in .45ACP and .38 Super and it is rare for me to return home without as much as one piece of brass. A friend uses one with his AR-15 and might have to walk around in search of two or three cases.