Where to start?

First, as far as CZ buying Colt: As a long-time admirer of Czech weapons, I'm actually relieved. "Shareholders" are only concerned with money, and have no compunction about selling off their history to foreigners. If ownership must go overseas, then there can't be anyone better than the Czechs with their long history of fine gunmaking. At least it didn't go to the usual lot (don't get me started on Indian Land Rovers and Chinese Volvos....)

Second, .45 ACP vs 9mm: the old Ford/Chevy thing all over. Split the difference - 10mm Auto. If you want more weight than the 9mm, or more velocity and capacity than the .45, there you go, and more power than either of them. AND it's available in a Colt auto.

That brings me to my third point: If you must use a 9mm, dictated by policy, or law (sorry Aussies), or personal preference, why the hell would you chose the 1911??? It's the worst of both worlds. You have all the disadvantages of the bulky, low-capacity old platform, but still firing the little round. Lose/lose. If I were mandated to use the 9, I wouldn't chose the fine old 1911, nor would I go to a plastic flexi-gun, with their clunky square slides. (What is it with square slides, anyway? I hate the lack of "pointability" of them. They compel you to use the sights for everything beyond pointblank. Every time I hold one, I feel I should be scanning barcodes in a supermarket.)

No, compelled to go 9mm, I would avail myself of the 1911 Improved, alias the Browning Hi-Power. 13+1 rounds (more if you know where to look), slimline contoured slide with beautiful pointability, and rock-solid John M. Browning logic. And my choice is only partly influenced by the fact that the best action shot with a sidearm I ever managed was with the Browning, even though 9mm wouldn't be my first choice. But then, this thread is about Colts.

In answer to your question John, FN only ceased production of the Hi-Power two years ago.