Para GI Expert or STI Spartan

[jc650]

Im lookin for a 1911 that wont break my bank. Does anyone have experience with either of these two listed guns? Im aware of the STI being assembled in the Phillipines using the Armscor frame and slide. Im also open to other suggestions iin this price range. Thanks in advance.

 

[barrow]

Definitely Spartan. No contest.

 

[JDGray]

With my experiance I had with Para's CS dept, I'll always vote against the Para line of 1911s.

So I guess that leaves the Spartan

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

para gi expert, without question (100% made in america, not the philippines). plus, STI is discontinuing the spartan....

my gi expert is a flawless tackdriver.

check out my full review:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=495030


the spartan can't touch the gi expert's fit quality. best gun para makes. under $500 too...

 

[HexHead]

If you're going to get an Amscor built one anyway, might as well get a Rock Island for $399 and be done with it.

I'd get the Para.

 

[Sapper771]

My vote goes to the Spartan. My friend had one and it was just as accurate as his STI Trojan. Very tight gun, but it never malfunctioned. The Spartan is backed by STI if something goes wrong with it.

Read too much bad stuff on Paras and their customer service. A friend's recoil spring plug broke on his P-14 Limited after 200 rounds. Para wouldn't do anything about it.

 

[txgolfer45]

I have a GI Expert. It is an excellent 1911 for the money. Accurate, reliable. I changed the grip panels to VZ Grips as the factory ones are nothing special. Slide to frame fit is nice and tight. Works well with Wilson Combat ETM and Trip Research Cobramag magazines.

I also own an STI Trojan in 9mm. It is awesome. Functions perfectly. Can't speak to the Spartan though.

 

[LeonCarr]

STI Spartan

 

[LiveLife]

If you want 100% USA made, save up a little money and buy the STI Trojan. (If you check the lower priced (sub $700) 1911 parts source, often they are non-USA).

If you don't mind non-USA parts and want better accuracy/performance, then STI Spartan.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

I have a GI Expert. It is an excellent 1911 for the money. Accurate, reliable. I changed the grip panels to VZ Grips as the factory ones are nothing special.

me too

 

[MICHAEL T]

After my experience with Para I say the STI Spartan I would take a hi point before another Para least the Hi Point will work more than 1 shot

 

[BMF500]

Go Para GI, $ for $ best 1911 on the market right now.

 

[Radagast]

Another disenchanted former para owner. Go the Spartan.

 

[fast200]

What are the problems many people seem to be having with Para? Is it simply customer service related or the quality of the product?

 

[Strahley]

I'd go with the STI. I had a Para before, won't own another one (was a jam-o-matic for me)

 

[JDGray]

What are the problems many people seem to be having with Para? Is it simply customer service related or the quality of the product?

Both

New broke gun(frame), and a CS that blamed the owner for the issue.

 

[jc650]

Thanks for all the responses. Ive read some good reviews on the Para but have heard some real bad stories too. Im leaning towards the Spartan at this point, if I can get one.

 

[Mags]

Finish on my Para GI sucked I sold it, get the STI.

 

[iblong]

Spartan.

 

[verdun59]

Spartan, mine has been flawless. I can't comment on Para.

 

[Kingofthehill]

Id go spartan. Smaller company with great Customer Service from what ive seen friends go through.

JOe

 

[Ben86]

I've considered the para but decided against it when I found out it doesn't even have a feed ramp. I'd go with the third option: Taurus PT1911 It also comes in 9mm.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

there's no such thing as a 1911 that doesn't have a feed ramp.

some are fully ramped, but most have a ramp that is integral with the frame, like the gi expert:

 

[Ben86]

Ahh....good to know.

 

[Radagast]

I've only seen one STI with function problems, a Trojan thaw had feed issues, but thtat may have been related to the owners reloads.

I had a second hand P16-40 that would not extract and occasionally would not feed. The swinging link was peening as well making it hard to work the slide.
I've seen a P14-45 with a cracked frame, a brand new Para that had to have the mags replaced with STI mags to get it to function, another with the same problem that functioned well, but over a year of IPSC shooting _all_ the internal parts wore out and had to be replaced with aftermarket bits. I've also seen one where the rear sight came loose.

As a result of the above I am not interested in any Para Ordnance product.