I'm now thinking about buying a Para GI Expert. I know I have to pay shipping to take advantage of the warranty. I've done a lot of research, but it's all biased one way or the other. Sounds good for the price, possibly needs some minor work, which might void the warranty. Anybody have any experience with this 1911? The reviews I've read are a couple of years old so I'm wondering if Para was smart enough to have fixed the problems.

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Hold on. SWAT's at my door.

Never owned one. My only experience was with other Para 1911's when I worked at an indoor range.

We had several for rent under Para's rental program. They all broke. And they did so while other 1911's such as Colt, Kimber, and Springfield continued to run well.

We returned them for repairs. Upon recieving two from Para, they immediately broke again.

That was six years ago so things may have improved. I also know others who have owned Para guns and never had an issue.

Me, I won't own one when there are other well built 1911's to choose from.

I wish you well with yours.

Lack on any input is as disturbing as some reviews. Nevermind, gonna get a Remington R1. Great reviews and a known and trusted brand. I'll gladly pay a few more bucks for less head aches. Don't say SA mil spec. I can't find them anywhere.

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Hold on. SWAT's at my door.

Not to burst your bubble, but the one and only R1 I looked at was seriously lacking. Didn't care for it at all.

What's wrong with a Springfield? Or Dan Wesson?

Someone please mention that Smith makes a fine 1911.

My 2c ... I owned one of the first LDAs a while back, and had trouble with it from the moment it arrived. Para CS was dreadful to deal with, and once I sold the pistol soon after, I vowed never to patronize Para again.

I'd go unarmed before I'd waste money with a company like Para a second time.

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I'm with the banned ...

I'd love to have a Smith or a Springfield 1911. The Smith is a little out of range for my situation. Can't find one anyway. I was originally looking for a Springfield Mil Spec, but can't find those either. I don't want to go through gunbroker again. I agree with the thread about doing my part to keep the locals in business.

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Hold on. SWAT's at my door.

I have 2 compact Para LDA's and love them. Did have to send one back, CS has been moved to Florida, quick turn around, no charge except freight. That LDA trigger is fantastic. Thanks for reminding me, that's my carry gun for church today.

I had a brand new one here in my shop. Came with factory installed Crimson Trace Grips, Stainless lower and blued upper. Model PX745TCT .

It came in from my distributer and some of the bluing was missing near the front sight. Like that spot didn't get blued "how did that get past QC?"

Called PARA, it's warranty work --- BUT I had to pay the shipping, so I sent it Priority Mail for around $15. You would think that because I'm a dealer and this was new inventory for sale they would pay shipping. No luck.

Gun came back and finish was good.

SO, I decide to demo the gun. Laser was dead on. Novak-Style rear sight is non-adjustable, and it is hitting VERY low at all distances -- unacceptable. Called PARA again -- this time they paid for shipping & sent a FED-EX label via e-mail. They installed a higher rear sight. I shot it a bit and it works fine. PARA made it right.

I now have it as "used" on Gunbroker, too many 1911's to keep around.

So -- PARA will pay for shipping, I think it depends on the customer rep. Or since this was the second return they would pay.

Fit was OK, finish is a little rough. Functioned fine.

I had a Para Ordnance Warthog and I loved it, one of the guns I wished I never sold. I shot alot of different ammo through it with no problems at all. I don't know if maybe something was different a few years back when I owned that gun but I can tell you that it had one of the nicest trigger pulls of any 1911 I had and it was quite accurate even with its 3-inch barrel. I can't speak for any other Para's but I never had any issues with mine.

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Vaya con Dios

How about the Ruger or as mentioned a Smith????

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Still Running Against the Wind

I've never seen the Ruger in person. Shops don't even have an idea when they'll get it. The Smith is out of my range, and frankly, a lot fancier than I want now. I'm looking for a basic 1911 and I don't want to have to sell something to buy it. The further I can get under 1000 the better, and I'd rather not own a 1911 from the Phillipines. I want to buy a new, good shooter. I'm not affraid of working on it to make it more reliable, but would rather it had somewhat of a reliable reputation. Thanks for your responses, but yes, I know S&W makes a 1911. Maybe someday for me, but not today. Same with Colt.

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Hold on. SWAT's at my door.

I bought a Para Stainless GI Expert and my experience with it was not good. It's really the only gun I ever regretted buying. When using the Para mags, I experienced constant failures-to-load on almost every round. I tried 3 or 4 different ammo types and it made no difference. I followed the "break-in" procedures in the manual and it made no difference. I bought a Kimber mag, and it worked perfectly every time.

I called Para about this, they said send the mags back and then they sent new ones, and the same problem existed with them. After about 500 rounds, I said the heck with it and sold it for almost what it cost me and bought a SIG P220. It works perfectly every time, just like my Berettas, Smiths and Rugers.

I have 2 Para's that are great, one is a Hi Cap Limited, the other is a Tac-Five. I owned other Para's previously and just wasn't impressed, but both of these have changed that. Also, I have had great experiences lately with Para Customer Service.

Given that Para is now under the aegis of Freedom Group, I would avoid them..........based solely on what's happened to the QC of the other companies they've acquired. Marlin/Remington, Bushmaster, DPMS, and a few others are having serious quality issues, and prices seem to increase quickly once FG gets involved. I now avoid ANYTHING made or sold by their "family" of companies. I expect Para to be the next victim of their corporate strategy.

Yes the Ruger is hard to find but I have actually seen and played with one. It is a excellent gun and for a stainless gun less than $800 (SRP) it's a deal. The will eventually be around,

That being said, there are lots of good slightly used 1911's around. I have no interest in a Para and have never cared for them. The reviews are iffy at best. I could probably find you a nice gun at my local shop and have it shipped for less than a new gun (just an offer, I have nothing to do with it)

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Still Running Against the Wind

Those Philippine made 1911s (Rock Island?) are getting pretty good reviews. I am running for cover while writing this, but the Taurus 1911 seems to run well, too.

Just buy a Colt.

My personal experience with PARA CS was terrible. I still have the gun, because I couldn't conscientiously sell it, but I will never buy another.

The story:

I purchased a used C-6. This is their sub-commander size LDA bobbed carry gun, it's nice and small (not very light, but that wasn't why I was buying it) They no longer make the model.

After sending about 25 rounds down range, I noticed that the slide had cracked. I called Para to discuss options. I couldn't get ahold of anyone, or get anyone to call me back for a month. A MONTH!

Once I finally got a person to talk to me, I asked about whether there was something they could do to help me out. Their response was that since the gun was used, they wouldn't do a darned thing (not their words, but the meaning is the same) They wouldn't even sell me a replacement slide. The only way to get it repaired was to send it to them, pay ridiculous shipping, pay full retail for the slide (not even a discount!) and pay shipping back. All told, the repair was going to be over $400.

I rewelded the slide and had it re-heat-treated, and I've shot another 1,000+ rounds without a problem since. I left the weld bead on the slide, and every time I shoot the gun, someone at the range asks me about it. I tell this story, and I'm betting that most of those folks haven't bought para's either.