1911s are great guns. for those that have not shot them, they dont hold 7 rounds, they hold 9; thats one less then the previously mentioned m&p.
That depends on the mag and how you carry the gun. The original GI mag was a 7 round mag. Most soldiers carried their 1911 hammer down on an empty chamber. How a Force Recon soldier carries his 1911, I do not know. I also don't know if they are buying 7 or 8 round mags.