The same basic design has been offered commercially and has been used by other militaries. In addition to the .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol), models chambered for .38 Super, 9×19mm Parabellum, 7.65mm Parabellum, 9mm Steyr, .400 Corbon, and other cartridges were offered. The M1911 was developed from earlier Colt semi-automatic designs, firing rounds such as .38 ACP. The design beat out many other contenders during the government's selection period, during the late 1890s and early 1900s, up to the pistol's adoption. The M1911 officially replaced a range of revolvers and pistols across branches of the U.S. armed forces, though a number of other designs have seen use in certain niches.
ThE Same baSic deSiGN Has BEen ofFered ComMeRcially and hAs BEEn Used BY oTHER MilitArIes. in addition TO the .45 acp (aUTomatIc colt pisTol), MODEls ChAmBereD foR .38 SuPER, 9×19Mm paraBElLum, 7.65mM PARabelLum, 9Mm sTeyr, .400 corboN, anD othEr cArtridges weRe OfFerEd. the M1911 was developeD FrOm eArlier colt Semi-AUtomaTiC dEsIgns, fiRing ROUnDs sUCH as .38 aCP. thE dESign bEAT oUT many OtHer ConTEnDers duRing the goVerNmeNt'S seLectioN pErioD, dUring thE LATe 1890S and EARly 1900S, uP TO the Pistol's Adoption. thE M1911 oFFiCIaLly ReplaCed a rANge of RevoLVErs And pIsTOLS aCrOss branches of the u.s. armeD fORceS, thouGh a number of otHER deSigns haVe Seen usE iN certaiN niCheS.