Para GI Expert

[Ricochet]

Para GI Expert -- the Para Ordnance contribution to the entry-level 1911.



I just purchased one on a whim at the recent Ft. Worth Gun Show. I had not done any research on these guns and bought it based on nothing but a countertop inspection and the price: $485, NIB out the door.

I was, of course, familiar with the Para Ordnance brand although I have never owned one. This looks like it compares to the new Remington R1 and the Springfield Mil-Spec.

Here's the website: www.paraord.com/new/product_expert.php

["DoubleAction"]

Ricochet; No Time, No See !!!!!

.....It's good to see you again !!!!

..Entry Level ?

"Para GI Expert -- the Para Ordnance " ?

..... ;D...I don't think so ;D

...This 1911 deserves it's own place in our Member 1911 Galleries !!

..$485, NIB out the door; You did very good. Is this your first 1911 ?

[TMan]

Ricochet, I hope you realize that was one heck of a deal. The lowest distributor price (what dealers buy for) that has inventory, has a price of $487, so you bought it for less than wholesale.

Looking at the features, it is only entry level in price. They state that it has a crisp trigger. True? If you look at the picture with the fairly large sights, trigger and hammer, it is a far cry from the "GI" version that I had in Vietnam (that I never shot by the way).

I thought it rather interesting that they found that it was cheaper to make the guns in the USA vs. in Canada.

[Ricochet]

Yes, this has improvements such as easy to see Three Dot sights, lowered and flared ejection port, skeletonized hammer, etc. So it is a bit of a misnomer to call it a "GI" Expert.

I got to the range and ran 80 rounds of 230 grain FMJ thru it. I had one failure to feed (FTF) in the third magazine load. Other than that, it perfomed flawlessly.

I alternated four mags -- the two Paras and two Kimber Tac-Pro mags. I don't really like the cheesy followers in the Para mags and will probably upgrade. The trigger was a little stiffer than I was used to so my groupings weren't too good on this first range trip, but that just takes a little time. In general, I am very pleased. It seems to have good quality fit and finish. I have field stripped it about four times now and just finished cleaning again after the range trip.

My only other 1911 is a Kimber Pro-Carry II, which will remain my primary home and self defense choice until I put a couple of hundred rounds thru the Para.