Technically even if you have a mag restriction, it doesn't mean go .45 is better. People still handle a 9mm better than a .45, full size or small. If you chamber a 1911 in 9mm, then the weight of the gun make the recoil of the round feel even better. Not saying you should go to a smaller gun because of wasted spare for rounds that you don't have. The handling of a full size gun in 9mm is still good. The only down size is that 10 round limit
I can not disagree. Keep in mind that I carry a commander sized 1911 in 9mm, shoot single stack minor at club activitie and my wife keeps a 9mm Kimber 1911 in the nightstand safe. So I am all about "full size" 9mm handguns. Although the 9mm 1911 has been around for years it is only recently, and well after the sunset of The AWB that it has gained popularity. It is becoming popular now for the very reasons you listed. But it is still somewhat of a novelty compared to the polymer guns and was near impossible to find in the 90s.
The better way of looking at this would be to ask this question. How popular would Glock 17 or 19s be if the 10 round magazine restriction were still in place? And California doesn't count here. My bet is the marketplace would look different then it does today.
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