I am a diehard 1911 man. And I still carry one most of the time. But, for the same reason as you, I got an M17 to add to my military arms collection. I LIKE THIS PISTOL. Much nicer trigger than a Glock, and when you get used to it, you can be very good with it. Not as good as a 1911 of course, but very good by today's striker-fired standards.
I've since added the threaded barrel and the Sig Romeo red dot sight just to play with it with the silencer on it, but as just a standard full-size polymer 9mm service pistol, I think the military made a very nice choice. I've since added the M18 to my collection as well, but may never shoot it.
Ask me anything. If you were closer, I'd let you shoot it.
Removing any prejudice from "not being a 1911," the Beretta 92 is also a very nice pistol, and one of my favorite 9mm guns.