An all steel 1911 in .40 S&W would likely be popular. Should be a lot less snappy in that platform than in something like a Glock 23.
The opposite is true. The plastic frame of the Glock flexes some during recoil plus the wider grip spreads out the recoil over a wider portion of the hand. My 1911's shooting standard hardball 45 ACP ammo at around 850 fps kick harder than my G20 shooting 200 gr hardcast at 1300 fps.
I still think 40 offers a small advantage over both 9mm and 45 ACP. But the advantage isn't enough to justify the added costs, recoil, and reduced mag capacity. I can get practice 9mm for $8/ box. Both 40 and 10mm runs about $14/ box locally and 45's $16/box. I'm sure LE can get bulk prices cheaper, but 9mm is still cheaper and if you shoot a lot it adds up.
I like the 40 well enough, but I have a couple of 10mm pistols that do everything better. Ammo is the same price and is just as easy to find anymore.
