You be surprised how many people buy guns like that, don't shoot them or shoot very little, then trade them several months later. Happens all the time. It's all about the hunt. And "I've had one of those" bragging rights.
Agreed, some people want to just have one of each. IMHO LB is the best high end 1911 value. If you don't mind used you can find some deals, I bought a late '90s IL gun (considered by many to be Baer's best guns) for $1,375, I checked with the factory afterwards and it turned out it is a 1.5" guarantee gun.