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I think overall that interest in classic steel and walnut pistols like the HP and 1911 is not as high as interest in the hi cap striker fired polymers. Not to say the 1911 is not popular (100yrs later and EVERYBODY is making one) but there are skads of polymers too. Glock has about captured the LE market , and new poly's like the XD have provided shooters another options as well.
Cocked and locked/SA only has always been a sort of small niche. Many folks are not comfortable w/ it. Many LE depts forbid it, (LA gets special 1911's, the SIS, and FBI too, huh?) the military has moved away from it, (though I hear what....some marines are getting Kimbers?) It is not a newbie technique and cocked and locked carry serves a slim market. I betting the vast bulk of CC handguns are NOT SA autos.
The striker fired polymers have taken over the role that the revolver used to fill as far as arming the public and the rank and file. Load the handgun, shoot until its empty, reload and repeat. No safety, no decock....load and shoot.
All that said, I own a .40 HP and held off buying one until the bigger caliber became available. I was never a fan of the 9mm as a caliber. I hear the forged 9mm are sleeker, but do not have a history w/ the 9mm so it does not bother me. The mag safety is a burden and loosing it is said to improve the heavy trigger, but there are arguements pro and con on disabling a safety mechanism. Not to mention it is not as easily done on the new HP's .
I can't remember if it was Chuck Taylor or Ross Seifried (?) both avowed 1911 .45 fans, who once wrote that he liked the HP but wished it was available in a lager caliber. That was before the .40 had surfaced.
To me a .40 HP was the best meld of two worlds...the speed and accuracy of a SA auto, with heavier punch than a 9mm, and more ammo in hand than a 1911.
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