Thanks for all the great reply's---so far it seems to boil down to:
1. firepower 5-7 shells versus 2
2. wanting the latest new technology----driven by American culture and marketing in a free market economy.
3. acceptance by professional shooters----excellent performance when it matters
4. returning WW1 GI's familiarity with repeating firearms

John Browning's inventiveness kinda made it all happen in the context of the times.

Last edited by Craig Larter; 11/23/12 06:42 PM.