I think a big part of it is that People just don't associate S&W with 1911s.

I think people typically associate Quality Revolvers with S&W first and Foremost. Then the M&P/Shield, then the older Semi-Autos.

S&W 1911s also just don't look like traditional 1911s either. That is OK, I have a Custom Caspian Build that is non-traditional and is the best gun I own.

Every S&W 1911 I have handled seemed extremely well made, I just think people don't associate 1911s with S&W.

The funny thing is that for a long time, they provided Frame and Slide forgings to Kimber, and Kimber was making more 1911s than anyone. So S&W in a way, has been at the 1911 game for a while.

It's also interesting that note that as much as I really like Sig Sauer, and I equate Sig Sauer to S&W in terms of Quality, fit/finish and value, that I am not a fan of Sig Sauer 1911s. I have a P226, a P227, a P239 - all EXCELLENT Semi-Autos, but I would pass on a Sig 1911.

I know I am weird...

If a S&W 1911 fell into my lap, I would snag it though.