When I was younger, I contemplated it, as well.
135 grain .40 projectile evidently makes quite a mess, and 155 grain lightly constructed .41 should do the same at reasonable velocities.
I keep coming back to this idea of balance, though. That means, in the projectile realm, that the lightest and heaviest, slowest and fastest rounds for a caliber probably all have unacceptable drawbacks. The fastest possible rounds will have dimished returns for what you're exacting from the frame and shooter. The slowest rounds in many calibers do not work as (these are often the heaviest, as well) reliably.
Hell, there may be situations where this does not hold true. One day I'm going to write a magazine article titled "The Mighty Middleweights", or some such. 200 grain .45 ACP, 155 and 165 grain .40, and maybe 124 grain 9x19 and .357. I reckon a 170 or so .41 would fit in there.
John