First 1911

[Good Ol' Boy]

So I've pretty much made my mind up on this gun but would still like to hear from others, particularly ones that have experience with this brand.

This is what I'm planning on buying here very soon as my first 1911.

https://www.cdnnsports.com/para-ordnance-1911-45acp-4-25-bl-sts-elite-2-8rd.html?___SID=U


Aside from the die hard more common name brand supporters, can anyone tell me why I shouldn't buy this USA made hand fitted life time warranty gun? All reviews I've seen have been positive.


Thanks, Jon

 

[highlander 5]

Not sure about now but Para Ordinance had a spotty reliability record since they were bought by Freedom group that may have changed. They use a different type of extractor that is much bigger than your standard 1911 extractor. If I were you I'd look at Rock Island Arsenal,Remington r1 or Ruger 1911 not that much more in the cash department and as far as the Ruger goes if you have a problem their customer service is 2nd to none . The Ruger is stainless steel btw.

 

[jjones45]

I've only heard horror stories of the double stack para 1911's, by all accounts the single stack para's have been solid performers. However I have also heard the freedom group theory of them ruining para as well. I have no personal experience with para 1911's, but a friend of mine had the full size expert or elite years ago and loved it. He claimed it ate everything and never jammed.

 

[35 Whelen]

I've owned an old Colt Series 70 Gov't Model now for 34 years, shot a Norinco quite a bit when they came out, shot my cousins Kimber (talk about an incredibly accurate pistol!) and bought one of my sons an RIA which I subsequently shot quite a bit too. In my opinion, it's really hard to screw up a 1911. If I were in the market today for a 1911, the only thing I want to be certain of is that it was true to the original design and would accept standard 1911 parts.

35W

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My son bought one of the first Para 1911s made here in the USA. He likes the gun, I thought the fit & finish was lacking. I can't comment on that model but I also have not heard many good things,about Para.

 

[pblanc]

I have known a few people who had pretty bad experiences with Para-Ordnance 1911s. Para-Ordnance was the forerunner to Para USA. I don't know how much things have changed, but for that price you could get a Springfield Armory mil-spec, for a little more a Remington R1 or Ruger SR 1911 and for less a Rock Island Armory GI or Rock model.

 

[gotboostvr]

The main reason I can think of is Para shut their doors and they had a habit of using allot of non standard parts comparatively.

I'd look at Ruger and Springfield if I was looking for an affordable American made 1911

 

[bannockburn]

Good Ol' Boy

No first hand knowledge of Para USA quality so I'm no help there. Have quite a bit of experience with Colt, Springfield Armory, RIA, and Kimber. Mostly positive on those manufacturers but have also heard good/great things about a number of others, including Remington, Ruger, SIG, S&W, Dan Wesson, Ed Brown, STI, Les Baer, Wilson Combat, and many more.

Since you are interested in the 1911 Elite Commander in .45 ACP (and at that price and with a lifetime warranty I would be sorely tempted as well), you should buy one and give us a review of it when you get the chance. Nothing better than an actual accounting by the original owner to give us the facts and how well (or not so well), it does at the range.

 

[railroader]

I had a para expert a couple of years back. Over all it was a reliable accurate pistol. It shot about 3" low so I sent it back to Para USA on there dime. They sent it back saying they changed the barrel and the front sight but it shot the same. I don't think they did anything. I changed out the front sight my self which fixed it.

 

[Martowski]

Paras I have seen were lacking in the fitting department. Example: a 1911's barrel hood should not depress when pushed if properly fitted. The worst example of this fit I have seen was on a Para Elite, which had considerable barrel hood movement. Also, I'm not sure where you are getting "hand fitted" in terms of describing the Para. The ad copy states they are "hand assembled." Hand assembled could simply mean that someone put two parts together, which is likely the case in terms of the Para. Paras are generally viewed as lower end production pistols in the 1911 world, not due to "gun snobbery" but due to lackluster reputation for parts fitting and quality.

I would go with a Springfield Armory over the Para hands down. I would also go with the Ruger SR1911 variant as well over the Para. Kimber too.

Your money, your decision, but since you asked my honest advice would be to steer away from the Para. Could you get a good gun that goes bang every time you pull the trigger with a moderate degree of accuracy? Sure, but will you have a chance of getting a better gun with a Springfield or a Ruger (both of which have excellent reputations for customer service)? Most likely, yes.