Yeah, I missed the 5" model, knew it had been produced but didn't see it on a quick glance of the site for current models - it is still there. But sort of like the XD in 45GAP, HS offered it but a sizeable market never developed. Don't see that being offered in the newer XDm line. Economics of production costs plus marketing vs expected sales market indicate it just doesn't pay to pursue minor % interests when your total production of mainstream product is currently selling out. When sales flatten and no other large market segment is left, then go and backfill the next easiest niches (& thanks for the SP correction). Sure SA is only a distrubutor and not the producer but with US sales accounting for something over 95% of the total HS production, market research conducted here is going to be the major driver of near future design. But really, from here it is all a guessing and wait game as to what direction HS intends to head next. Over-expansion overhead can be a killer if there is a market shift. To be sure someone over there is also watching where our political climate, import policy and economics are headed as part of the what next game. There are several product directions that I would like to see developed in the future but I can only wait for what comes.
Maybe the XDm 45acp in 3.8, then the compact. Good discussion but done speculating for now.