Ballistics are similar, arguably negligible(depening on the bullet), but not the same(again depending on the bullet).
Price, number of rounds available, and less felt recoil from a polymer gun for easier follow up shots were probably the leading factors, but that is all just speculation.
Price, number of rounds available, and less felt recoil from a polymer gun for easier follow up shots were probably the leading factors, but that is all just speculation.