Retired from service 10 years ago in favor of the M9, some soldiers still use it today. The Colt .45 was designated the M1911A by the Marine Corps and fires a minimum of eight .45 automatic Colt Pistol rounds, but can also be equipped with an extended magazine. It is a single action pistol, which means you will manually have to pull back the hammer for the first shot, but will then have semi automatic fire until your clip runs out. This is a superior weapon and was retired only because NATO allies favored the 9mm parabellum round.