Para Expert 1911

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).
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You do know that Kimber made slides and frames for Wilson Combat for several years. :confused: They obviously can't be "junk parts" if Wilson was their go-to source. Only dorks that don't have much experience with Kimber call them "Mimber". Sure their small parts aren't the best, and I'm the first that will say I wouldn't pay $1400 for a Kimber, but the lower end ones are a decent 1911 at the price point.

Wilson actually used MIM parts for years on their lower end 1911s, including critical parts like the hammer and sear. Only after so many dorks called and complained that their $1800 1911 had MIM parts in it they said screw it. They started using tool steel parts and raised the price several hundred dollars. Be careful what you wish for, now Wilsons start around $3K.
 
You do know that Kimber made slides and frames for Wilson Combat for several years. They obviously can't be "junk parts" if Wilson was their go-to source. Only dorks that don't have much experience with Kimber call them "Mimber". Sure their small parts aren't the best, and I'm the first that will say I wouldn't pay $1400 for a Kimber, but the lower end ones are a decent 1911 at the price point.
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A Rock Island is an equal or better pistol for half the price, and a Colt is a far better pistol for around the same price.

Wilson actually used MIM parts for years on their lower end 1911s, including critical parts like the hammer and sear. Only after so many dorks called and complained that their $1800 1911 had MIM parts in it they said screw it. They started using tool steel parts and raised the price several hundred dollars. Be careful what you wish for, now Wilsons start around $3K.
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Wilson still sells MIM parts -- that's what their "value line" parts are.

BTW -- it's interesting that you chose a photo of an old, Canadian-built Para to show the broken slide. Forged slides have also broken at the same point, so that's not really a condemnation of investment casting. That said -- Para has been using extruded slides since just after their relocation to North Carolina. AFAIK, ALL GI Expert pistols have extruded slides.
 
Cast vs forged or casting being inferior only seems to come up with makers like ruger and para. (Though para is now forged for both except high caps) but for makers such as caspian there doesn't seem to be any questions. I have caspian frames and slides, including one that is a Baer pII w a caspian slide.
 
1stmar said:
Cast vs forged or casting being inferior only seems to come up with makers like ruger and para. (Though para is now forged for both except high caps) but for makers such as caspian there doesn't seem to be any questions. I have caspian frames and slides, including one that is a Baer pII w a caspian slide.
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It should also be kept in mind that FN Herstal changed from forged frames to investment cast when they introduced the Browning Hi-Power in .40 S&W because they thought the investment castings were better able to stand up to the hotter .40 S&W round.
 
Cast vs forged or casting being inferior only seems to come up with makers like ruger and para. (Though para is now forged for both except high caps) but for makers such as caspian there doesn't seem to be any questions. I have caspian frames and slides, including one that is a Baer pII w a caspian slide.
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That just goes to show you how smart the average person is on the errornet. :confused: Ruger has been making the frames for Caspian for a long time along with the frames for many other manufacturers. While technically not a "frame" because Caspian does final machining it's not anywhere close to a forged frame blank that needs a boatload more operations to become a frame.


For a long time, years ago, most of the 1911s with rails were cast by Ruger and machined by Caspian. The fact is though a frame doesn't see anywhere near the stress that a slide does, exactly why very few 1911 slides are cast. Pine Tree/Ruger makes a ton of other high quality cast parts for many other industries besides guns.
 
Rinspeed said:
That just goes to show you how smart the average person is on the errornet.
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Caspian slides and frames are used and well-regarded by some of the top custom 1911 gunsmiths in the country. People such as Terry Tussey.

We get it ... you don't like Para.
 
Caspian slides and frames are used and well-regarded by some of the top custom 1911 gunsmiths in the country.
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I'm well aware of that, what exactly in my post says, or even implies, Caspian doesn't make high quality slides and frames. :rolleyes:
 
In spite of concerted efforts to bring this FAR afield of the original post, let's try to circle back to PARA. :)

I was pleased to see that the Para Expert is specifically mentioned as being supported by the 460Rowland drop-in upgrade for the 1911 platform.

http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/rowland.htm#gunlist

For those that want muzzle energy closely approaching .44mag.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.460_Rowland

I'm now at approximately 500 rounds through my Para with a variety of ammo and haven't had a malfunction yet. The only thing I've done to it so far is an upgrade of the stock polymer grips with the Hogue rubber wrap-around grip. Makes it even more of a joy to shoot. Fits like a glove.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QVYT72/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Best,
 
Own and love my Para pistols.
Thousands of rounds down them.
Only parts ever replaced are recoil springs.
Fit and finish are great.
Say what you will but Para makes a fine pistol.
For all you haters, just keep hating – it’s your that is missing out on a fine gun.

To the OP enjoy.
You will be very pleased with your new Para:D
 
In spite of concerted efforts to bring this FAR afield of the original post, let's try to circle back to PARA.
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There are a couple other 1911 type forums where all the negative posts are deleted, thank God TFL is not like that.
 
Why be a troll? It's easy enough to start your own thread so why pollute someone else's?

Your own words (which I quoted above) show your disdain for internet trolls, so why be one yourself? I could go on about Kimber since that's your pet brand, but I won't. Please be respectful of others. Start a Para haters thread for all I care, but your irrelevant BS isn't welcome in this one.

Best,
 
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