Folks on these kinds of forums represent gun enthusiasts, and I'd hazard at a guess make up less then 5% of the actual gun owners (maybe even less then 1%, given estimates on the number of handgun owners). The makers of 1911's know that within their niche, the .45acp still rules as most sought after, and 10mm and 9mm as marginal market share. Just like the even rarer .40s&w 1911.
I think that hits the nail on the head.
It reminds of a conversation a rep had with a few other folks and me at the local cigar shop. We were discussing the fact that we, the cigar shop regulars, couldn't believe that a certain brand's new Connecticut Shade wrapped (very mild wrapper leaf) cigar, with a toned down filler blend version of that brand's signature full bodied flagship cigar, was now one of the brand's best sellers. We all agreed that it was a very flavorful mild cigar, but this brand made its name on full bodied smokes. The rep then told us that he has to constantly remind himself that we who frequent the cigar shops, hang out, and talk about cigars are less than 10% of the cigar market. He went on and told us that a very well known, and very mild brand, is still a top seller; because most folks go into the shop grab their box to last them a month or so, and go home. The majority of the market isn't looking to broaden their pallettes, nor sit & talk with aficionados in the shop.
We, the folks on THR and other firearms forums, are the aficionados, and we're sadly the minority as well.
Yep, they're called .38 Super 1911s. I think that's another piece of the puzzle. Colt has been making "Government Models" in .38 Super since the 1920s. The Super is the historic small bore chambering for a 1911. I think most non .45 ACP 1911 buyers either step down to .38 Super or step up to 10mm. I don't know the ratios, but from experience, 10mm and .38 Super 1911s are far more common than those in 9mm NATO/Luger/Parabellum.
You can also use that to your advantage on the used market though. In areas where 1911s are more common, I see shops putting less money in those chambered in .38 Super, because a used Super is more difficult to sell than a used .45. Keep in mind that with a barrel & magazine swap you can convert a .38 Super 1911 to 9x19. Hunt a good deal on a Super, and get the new bbl to run it with 9x19. If the frame is a quality forging you can also add a stiffer recoil spring, ream the Super barrel's chamber, and run 9x23 Win if you're feeling adventurous. Last, 9x19/9x23/.38 Super and 10mm/40 S&W also run the same ejector. That leaves you with a top end swap to go between the 9mm family and the 10mm family on a sound 1911 frame.
Sorry for the information overload.
