I think there's a whole category of guns that are underrated by most of the shooting public: competition-oriented guns (especially pistols). I'll explain my thinking:
Most gun owners these days are drawn to the "tactical"/service-type guns (especially in pistols), or to smaller guns for carry. The number of times they will use these guns to actually shoot someone averages about zero. If they are CC'er's, they will carry their carry gun(s), but will spend a lot of time at the range shooting service-type pistols, because those are more enjoyable and easier to shoot than smaller things. They will likely keep a larger pistol by their bedside and perhaps in their vehicle.
The service-type guns that people tend to select for these uses, and for 90+% of their actual shooting, are generally guns that are designed to: 1) be competitively priced for winning government contracts; 2) be designed to be usable to a fairly low qualification standard by a wide range of individuals (many of who don't care about shooting; and 3) be suitable for wagging around on a duty belt/rig. None of those are particularly relevant to the guy or gal looking for a gun that is the most enjoyable gun that will help them shoot their best, whether for recreation or for home defense.
A far better fit for most actual civilian/private gun use would be, finances permitting, the competition-oriented guns that are designed around performance. Most of us would have little or no interest driving around on a daily basis in a service-grade transport or a cop cruiser. Most of us would not want to eat MRE's for dinner on the regular. I don't think it makes a whole lot more sense for most people to focus so heavily on the service-grade pistols.
I will note that, like most shooters, I absolutely began by acquiring service-grade stuff and thinking the service-grade stuff was cool. Now, after years spent shooting competitively, I find I have very little real interest in the service-grade stuff. I think a lot of other people would similarly shift their tastes if they spent a little time shooting something nicer.