Para USA GI Expert

[PacemParabellum]

hey i was wondering if anyone has had the chance to fire the new GI Expert by para usa formerly Para Ordinance. i purchased one as an entry level 1911 and i love it. its very accurate no feeding problems like i hear about alot of 1911 pistols. so im just wondering if anyone has similiar experiences. thanks!

 

[BMF500]

I bought one about 5 weeks ago. 600+ rounds through it now. Shoots like a dream, I'm loving it. It has opperated flawlessly from the first round, with nice grouping. The return spring it a bit stiff, but that's no biggie for me.

 

[Goofycat]

http://www.paraord.com/new/product_pistol.php?id=73

PLUS...the mfr's advertised price is $599 and the cartridge capacity is 8 + 1. I don't own one, but want to know if the increased capacity means a fatter handle? I am considering the purchase of a .45 ACP and also wondered if you two had considered other brands before you bought the Para, and if so, why did you finally settle on the Para? Good triggeer action, good finish and general quality build, or what?

I know there are many so-called "better" pistols out there, but they also carry a much higher price. I want a gun for home-defense only and don't want to spend extra money for a competition-type pistol. In the $600-700 price range, the GI-type .45s seem to be perfect.

 

[rbernie]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=454640

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

I don't own one, but want to know if the increased capacity means a fatter handle?

Nope, you can get flush fit 8 round magazines with external dimensions identical to the 7 rounders for any 1911. Supposedly modern metallurgy allows for higher quality springs that will compress enough to fit that 8th round in but still feed everything properly. All my 8 rounders feed reliably, though many people whose opinions I respect do not trust the reliability of the 8 round mags and instead opt for the 7s. Searching on that topic will yield a number of interesting reads.

 

[rbernie]

Nope, you can get flush fit 8 round magazines with external dimensions identical to the 7 rounders for any 1911. Supposedly modern metallurgy allows for higher quality springs that will compress enough to fit that 8th round in but still feed everything properly.

<thread drift>

They get the xtra capacity by cutting down the rear of the follower and allowing the spring to compress further. That stresses the spring more, but (more importantly) it removes a great deal of the anti-tilt feature of the follower, making it far more likely to hang up or otherwise do something unintended.

</thread drift>

For the money, the Springer MilSpec and RIA Tactical represent far better buys.

 

[NGIB]

A shooting buddy has one and he was on the lane next to me last night as I was shooting my Colt. Based on what I saw of it in action (and taking a closer look), it appears to be a serviceable 1911...

 

[jabberwocky]

There's a used one for sale right now at a very good price: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=457287

I made an offer, but backed out after reading a little more about them. The poly trigger, and cast frame & slide put me off. As a new shooter, I'm getting the 1911 bug, but can only afford the entry level's, ala GI models. My son, the Marine, is pushing me towards the Springer.

 

[PacemParabellum]

Goofycat. i was considering a Kimber Custom II but heard horror stories about the new internal extractor. i watched a torture session a guy did on youtube i believe but dont quote me. he was using a para usa 1911 but i dont know what model and it got so hot it was burning his hand, however he had no malfunctions what so ever. the GI expert felt great in my hand. has a nice crisp trigger and double taps like a dream come true. i have a SIG 226 40 cal and a smith and wesson 5906 9mm so all in all im very pleased with all 3 of my pistols. i finally own a 1911 after years of wanting one haha.

 

[Mags]

i was considering a Kimber Custom II but heard horror stories about the new internal extractor

I think you mean external extractor which Kimber had moved away from, I have never heard of problems whith the internal extractor. But lets not turn this into a mine is better than yours thread. Enjoy your Para and have fun.

 

[MikePaiN]

hey i was wondering if anyone has had the chance to fire the new GI Expert by para usa formerly Para Ordinance. i purchased one as an entry level 1911 and i love it. its very accurate no feeding problems like i hear about alot of 1911 pistols. so im just wondering if anyone has similiar experiences. thanks!

I only have about 60rounds through my GI Expert(just picked it up Wednesday), I already totally love it.....The pistol runs great, so far, with Magtech 230g FMJs and Federal Hydra-shok 230g HP

 

[PacemParabellum]

yea sorry mags thats what i meant. the external extractor dunno why i said internal.

 

[CZ223]

I was interested in these as well

Handled one at Cabellas and it was very stiff. I went to 1911forum.com and took a look there. There was a lot of info about them there, unfortunately not much of it was good. I am thinking about getting another 1911 because because I love my Taurus PT1911 so much. I will need another one soon enough because, according to other people, it will eventually self destruct.

 

[MikePaiN]

Here it is complete. Cylinder & Slide Micarta green\black grips and two CMC 8round mags....that's all it needed.
I like minimal "bling" on my guns....I almost didn't add grips, but these were on clearance for $24, so I gave them a try, great feel and I dig the looks

 

[Mags]

Nice lookin gun Mike, you think of adding a magwell? I find them a must for my 1911 set up.

 

[MikePaiN]

Nice lookin gun Mike, you think of adding a magwell? I find them a must for my 1911 set up.

At the moment, no...imo, it would totally take way from the look of the gun. The 1911s I've seen with mag wells scream "race gun"..which this Para isn't and will never be. The GI Expert has a factory tapered mag well anyway, right off the bat mags popped in and out smoothly.