1911, Para Gi Expert or American Classic II ?

Which one?

  • Para Gi Expert

    Votes: 23 62.2%

  • American Classic II

    Votes: 14 37.8%
  • Total voters
    37
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Rule3

Rule3

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Looking for a medium priced 1911.

The Para is Stainless, Made in US. It is a little bit more money.

The American Classic/Firestorm/Bersa is made in Philippines, seems to have good metal and gets favorable ratings, but not sure of their customer service and my one experience with Bersa years ago was not good, plus had to ship the gun to a Gunsmith in Colorado (he was great however).

Please vote for either and any comments appreciated also.

PS: I have two higher dollar 1911's but want more of range blaster general Mil Spec version.
 
Last edited:
i would check out the para gi esp. this would be what iwould buy if i didnt already have a 5" s&w 1911. this model wasnt out when i bought my smith. with the para it looks like you get alot for your money.
 
The ESP is worth the extra cash ($9 in my case) just for the FO sites alone. Might want to search for some of the other threads that have already covered the Para GI Expert quite well.
 
Yes the few extras on the ESP are nice, but the GI I am thinking about is the Stainless version which is more of a feature to me. Now, if they have a ESP in stainless that would clinch it,:)
 
The american classic II is actually made by metro arms- not Bersa. It is located in the Philippines though. I haven't seen a GI from Para yet- but I do own an ACII and I can say it is a great out of the box 1911. I was very impressed with its build quality for a 'budget' 1911.
 
I have 2 of the American Classic. They have nothing to do with Bersa Only thing in common is the Importer Eagle , and they use Eagle warranty centers.

These are trouble free 1911 that work right from box

Come to my board and ask owners http://bersachat.com
I have a American Classic and other 1911 section. You will find happy owners.

New blue commanders arrived this week and are at dealers now and the new Hard Chrome Commanders be here in June.
 
The American Cassic II has a forged slide where even the Spartan or the Para does not. FWIW I have a Firestorm that is the same as the American Classic II and both are made by Metro Arms. It is an amazing 1911 for the $, and I have never had any kind of a malfunction at all.I have had RIA's and one Springfeild Loaded and my Metro Arms 1911 was smoother and tighter as well as nicer fit than all the others. Maybe I got an exeptional one, but from all the other owners at Michael T's site, I must not be the only one!
Good luck!

For your question, no, Metro Arms and Armscor (RIA) have nothing to do with each other except being in the same country.
 
bdb benzino said:
The American Cassic II has a forged slide where even the Spartan or the Para does not. FWIW I have a Firestorm that is the same as the American Classic II and both are made by Metro Arms. It is an amazing 1911 for the $, and I have never had any kind of a malfunction at all.I have had RIA's and one Springfeild Loaded and my Metro Arms 1911 was smoother and tighter as well as nicer fit than all the others. Maybe I got an exeptional one, but from all the other owners at Michael T's site, I must not be the only one!
Good luck!

For your question, no, Metro Arms and Armscor (RIA) have nothing to do with each other except being in the same country.
Click to expand...
Thanks. How accurate is it? I know that's kinda subjective depending on the shooter and the ammo, but pretty decent?"One Minute of paper plate" or better:D
 
I can keep all shots in a paper plate at 25 yards, and I am sure if I tried rested shooting it would fall around 3'' groups or so. Not any less accurate than my Springfeild for sure. It would take a better shooter than me to tell the difference, or a ransom rest!
 
Thanks. Is the trigger metal or plastic?. Really miffs me that some guns (even Colts) have a plastic trigger. Yes they can be changed but really, how much does that save in production???
 
Yep. The Par I was looking at had plastic trigger and grips BUT it was Stainless and the fit/finish was really tight. Slide to rail felt tight also. I'll have to see them side by side.
 
Accuracy and FPS

Ammunition Bullet Weight Velocity Group Size
Cor-Bon JHP 165 1239 3.125
Cor-Bon JHP 200 1095 1.25
Cor-Bon DPX 185 1082 2.75
Cor-Bon PB 165 1263 2.875
WCC Ball 230 823.8 2.125
Extreme Shock AF 125 1487 2.375
Handload LSWC 200 876.6 1.875

smallest 1.25 inches largest 3.125 this 25 yds.

five-shot groups at a distance of twenty-five yards, with the pistol clamped into a Ransom Master Rest, to eliminate all human error.


http://www.gunblast.com/Firestorm-1911Deluxe.htm

This was the firestorm same gun as the Classic just different roll marking
 
Ac ii

I saw & handled an AC II at the NRA Annual Meeting, and it was very well finished, slide was tight, and all in all looked super. The very nice gentleman took it down, and everything inside looked well finished, too, and I think I am going to pick one up. Sticker is ~$550, but I have seen them new on GB for $440. That is a superb price for what you're getting, and I own Colts, so I'm not on the cheap, just on value.
 
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