@LouisIngenthron I can see some reasons the design might be popular with some. A good exampleis that it is one of the few only single action pistols (most are DA or DA+SA)... for some that may be a safety feature (as it is hard to accidentally go off if you uncock it). The single stack also gives it a nice feel in the hand.
But I agree, if all platforms came out today for the first time I dont think 1911 would come out on top, and its the historic aspects thatlikely cause that overall.