It's been over 10 years since I had mine, so how shootible it is compared to others is tough to pin down. I'm certainly a better shot today with any gun than I was with that one.
For me it comes down to being easy to carry. The Shield or compact 1911 are thinner. Now if you want a full size/duty polymer .45, the 21/30 are very attractive offers. They've been around forever and if you like all things that a Glocky, they certainly fit the mold of the very sameness you expect out of a Glock pistol. The 36, to me, just seems more difficult to carry than a 1911 that holds less ammo. I shoot my Shield just as well as my 1911. It fits my hand better than a Glock and is thinner IWB.
Im not really sure how the 36 has stuck around this long. There are guns out there that do the same thing better and cheaper. Also with the pendulum swinging back towards "9mm is just fine for SD", I dont see a "slim" (by Glock standards) .45 being as an attractive carry piece.
Once again, not a thing wrong with the 36. It just doesn't fit in anywhere and costs 150-200 dollars more.