Para Expert 1911

R

Ritz

New member
Anyone have an opinion on these? I shot one over the weekend and liked it, though I'd probably get one in stainless. Soooo...I looked around on gunbroker and there's a local dealer that'll sell a NIB one for $500. There's also $100 rebate from Para going on. A few articles online seem to be positive for a "budget 1911."

Good deal?

Any feedback would be welcome.

Best,
 
Great customer service, lifetime warranty, innovative product lines with quality components. I can't say I ever saw a report where someone complained about accuracy, everything I've seen says they are shooters. I know mine are. I think it's under rated and a good choice. $400 hard to go wrong.
 
I have the stainless expert. It's a accurate, reliable 1911. Mine shot about two and a half inches low. I sent it back to para so they could fix it. They took the front sight out filed on it, put the same sight back in even though the work order said they replaced it. The gun still shot low so I sent the slide to Dawson Precision and they fitted the correct height sight. The gun shoots to point of aim now.
 
I picked it up today and just put 50 rounds through it. At 25yds I put all but 4 rounds into a silhouette target. Of those remaining 46 shots, 29 were in the 9 and 10 rings. I love this gun.

Best,
 
Next step is to get a set of 45 dies for my reloading press and start doing research on some initial loads to try.

Thanks to everyone for all the comments.

Best,
 
I've never been a been fan of Para just because of the inferior quality parts they have always used. Many have had good luck with them even though I can't help but question how many rounds some of them have shot through them.
 
Rinspeed said:
I've never been a been fan of Para just because of the inferior quality parts they have always used. Many have had good luck with them even though I can't help but question how many rounds some of them have shot through them.
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What parts are inferior quality, and to what are they inferior? "Inferior" does not exist in a vacuum -- it exists only in comparison to something of similar design or purpose.

Ask Todd Jarret or Travis Thomasi how many rounds they've put through their Para pistols. Certainly in the tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands.
 
My understanding, after talking to a bunch of folks over the past few days, is that may have been true in years gone by, but they have stepped up their game quite a bit.

I'm no expert in what represents "quality" in 1911's, but I had mine apart last night and thought it was very well made with tight tolerances. It also shot VERY well right out of the box without any fiddling on my part. 46 out of 50 torso hits @25 yards with 29 landing in the 9 and 10 rings was pretty darned good and I didn't have any malfunctions. I guess we'll see how it holds up.

Best,
 
I have the Para 1911 Expert and it's one of my EDC weapons. Carry it in a IWB holster and love it. Shoots like Gem. First time I fired it was for qual. for my National Concealed Permit. Also carry a Para P-16 also a Full Size. But being a double stack, mostly for winter carry. Para makes a great Gun, and glad there here in America now.

Dave
 
What parts are inferior quality, and to what are they inferior? "Inferior" does not exist in a vacuum -- it exists only in comparison to something of similar design or purpose.
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Para has always been the king of marginally done cast parts. If you think they are great 1911s, or even use good quality parts, more power to you.




Para.jpg
 
Ask Todd Jarret or Travis Thomasi how many rounds they've put through their Para pistols.
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Both are paid by Para and I think the only two major shooters I've heard that shoot them in the last 10-15 years. ;)
 
Rinspeed said:
Para has always been the king of marginally done cast parts. If you think they are great 1911s, or even use good quality parts, more power to you.
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What Para parts are (or ever have been) cast? And to what are you claiming they are inferior? What factual or statistical data do you have to support your claim of inferiority?

Rinspeed said:
Ask Todd Jarret or Travis Thomasi how many rounds they've put through their Para pistols.
Click to expand...

Both are paid by Para and I think the only two major shooters I've heard that shoot them in the last 10-15 years.
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And all the other major competitors are sponsored by the companies whose guns they shoot. So the fact only two world champions have been sponsored by Para means Para didn't see a need to sponsor more.

And who sponsors them has nothing to do with how many rounds they've put through their pistols.
 
As I said, I believe they've stepped up their game. The 13.45 is an older model. I knew someone who owned one almost 15 years ago (though I never shot it).

It's getting good reviews and shoots well for me. And as someone else already mentioned, pretty much all of the top competitive shooters are sponsored. The same goes for tennis, golf, NASCAR, etc. Seems like we've got someone who's got an axe to grind here. *shrug*

I think Rinspeed actually hit the nail on the head in a previous post:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5881857&postcount=25

I'll summarize here:

I like the older Kimbers even though there are a lot of errornet "experts" that will tell you they are junk. ​

:rolleyes:

Best,
 
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It's ironic that the guy criticizing Para for inferior parts likes the company that's so well-known for junk parts that their nickname in 1911 circles is "Mimber" (for their extensive use of MIM parts -- more than any other 1911 maker).
 
Ritz, even though I was complaining earlier about the front sight on my expert I really like the gun. I took it to the range on Sunday and it ran like a top as usual. The icing on the cake was the $100 rebate check my wife handed to me yesterday. ;)
 
What Para parts are (or ever have been) cast? And to what are you claiming they are inferior? What factual or statistical data do you have to support your claim of inferiority?
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As I said, if you think they good enough quality for you that is great. I wouldn't own one myself, I'll just leave it at that.
 
Railroader,

Filled out the rebate form today. Can't wait for that to come back and bring my purchase price down to $400. :)

Best,
 
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