Para GI Expert Headache

[WaMason]

Had an issue with my Para GI Expert 1911 today, was wondering what he next step for me is, do I send my gun back to Para for service, or simply buy a replacement thumb safety. I HAVE had some trouble with failures to feed, despite proper cleaning and maintenance.












Wondering if could get a couple pointers from you who are more familiar with 1911's this one is my first, and with only a couple hundred rounds through it, this thing is becoming more trouble then its worth.

 

[average_shooter]

I vote for sending it in for the company to deal with. Thumb safeties need to be fitted properly to work properly. Also, if you're having other problems with it have them look it over completely while it's there.

 

[WaMason]

Has anyone else dealt with Para, what do I have to expect when I call tomorrow?

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I don't understand, it shot perfectly in the magazine article.

I vote for sending it in for the company to deal with. Thumb safeties need to be fitted properly to work properly. Also, if you're having other problems with it have them look it over completely while it's there.

Agreed.

 

[Evenflo76]

This issue has come up on these pistols before.

You can call Para and they will fix it free, or you can pay someone to fix it local.

Check out forum.m1911.org They have a Para section and contact info for CS.

Also read the response thread to their review to see how this was handled by a fellow owner of the same pistol.

 

[G. Freeman]

It is not worth your while to send it in. It may even take a very long time. Read about Para's current cust svc record in the 1911 forum or m1911.org. If I were you, I'd buy a new thumb safety and install it or have a local smith do it.

 

[WaMason]

Sounds like time to cut my losses and upgrade, or try a different platform for a while.

 

[railroader]

I'd send it back and at least give Para a chance to fix it. I'd ask for a shipping label too. Mark

 

[1911Tuner]

Ah...The joys of MIM.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

you don't want to send it to para!

i had a problem with my gi expert where the extractor was malformed, and casuing ftf's.

i called para and they refused to simply send me another extractor, even after i offered to send the bad one to them. they wanted to send in the whole gun--on my dime, or she said i could go onto brownell's and buy another.

"gold medallion" lifetime warranty my ass.

so i fit a wilson bullet proof to it. i love this gun, but will not buy another para due to lack of any sort of aftermarket support. almost everyone that i've heard of that sent a gun to them had to wait 4 months or more to get it back. ridiculous.

OP, i would not send it in to them, unless you want them to keep it half a year, and you pay for shipping too. get a replacement from midwayusa or brownells.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

I HAVE had some trouble with failures to feed,

prob a out of spec extractor like i had. put in a wilson bullet proof one, and fit a bullet proof firing pin stop too.

the factory firing pin stop was way too tight in mine. i had to bang it out with a screw driver and a mallet.

 

[WaMason]

UPDATE!!!

This particular gun is turning out to be such a dog....

So I went ahead and had a local gunsmith swap out the thumb safety on this firearm after being cautioned to not do it myself. I opted for a replacement from Brownells, which the gunsmith installed for me.

I did all of this about 2 months after this thread was created and since then have shot it 3-4 more times putting around a hundred rounds through each time and lovingly cleaning it and lubing it each session.

Today, I went out with my boss, and after the last shot of the first mag I felt something smack against my hand. Low and behold the plunger tube had exploded off of the gun and fallen 3 feet from where I was standing.

I'll upload photos tomorrow but boy am I starting to lose faith in this product.