Ruger vs. Para

[private snowball]

CDNN is has the Ruger 1911 and Para Elite Target for the same price. I am thinking of picking one up and would like some real world feedback on each one. If anyone has any opions, good or bad, please chime in.

Thanks

 

[short barrel]

I have the Ruger. When new, accuracy was unacceptable. Because it was a gift, I kept it. A year later and after about 500 rounds, it settled in. The trigger became perfect, and fail to feeds disappeared. It now shoots 2 to 2 1/2" groups at 25 yards from sandbag rests. I can hit torso size rocks at 50 yards every time. When shaking the gun violently, there are absolutely no rattles. It is my favorite of all the guns I have. I don't know anything at al about the Para.

 

[Valkman]

Never had a Para, but I'd take the Ruger all day long.

 

[agent109]

I have a friend that worked at the Para warranty/repair center when it was in Sevierville TN. He told me that Para was junk and to stay away from them. He owns and operates Elite Customs Guns in Sevierville now. Give him a call to hear it from the horses mouth! His name is Jay Crowder and one of the best 1911 pistol-smiths in the country!

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/16732-anyone-know-jay-crowder-elite-custom-guns/

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I have an older Canadian Para P14. It is suberbly accurate. I believe the new Para's have "match grade" barrels... whatever that means.... so I believe the Para will be a tack driver of tack drivers.

That said, I'd still get the Ruger because it is a Ruger and has a much better reputation

 

[Jackal]

I've had 2 Para's, a P12 and a Warthog. Both were utterly unreliable. FTF's, FTE's and when they cycled, they both tossed empties right at your forehead. Talk about giving you a flinch. Having to duck under hot flying brass after every shot is no fun, especially when your girlfriend gets a hot .45acp case down her cleavage while shooting.... Her exact words after the jumping/cursing was over: "Sell it" .

 

[19-3Ben]

I wonder if the experiences on this thread re: Para are from the old Paraordnance company, or modern, American made Para, which is a different iteration, with supposedly much better build quality, hand-fit, and QC.

 

[tiamat]

Never had a Para, but I'd take the Ruger all day long.

Same here.

FYI, there's a used Ruger 1911 at Budsgunshop.com right now for $519 shipped (cash price)
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/654_774/products_id/718002159/used+Ruger+SR1911

 

[stchman]

I would get the Ruger over the Para, anyday.

 

[BP Hunter]

Ruger has always made great products and their customer service is superb. If you have any problems whatsoever with any other their firearms, which is rare, they will fix it for you and some. I have the SR1911 commander and is my carry gun.

 

[dickydalton]

I have a Para Carry LDA, made in Canada. I've never had a FTF or FTE or fail of any kind. I love the LDA trigger and it is a small powerful weapon. It trades time with a Colt Officers Enhanced when I carry an auto.

 

[Jackal]

I wonder if the experiences on this thread re: Para are from the old Paraordnance company, or modern, American made Para

My 2 garbage Para's were both Canuckian.

 

[MIL-DOT]

From what I've read, Para's are often problematic, and the company isn't what it once was, I wouldn't touch one.
I've yet to have any problems with any Ruger product, and most of what I read about their 1911's is very positive. Go Ruger.

 

[herrwalther]

Para has done a lot to try and improve their poor reputation. I have read on other forums (yes I visit others) of problems with the newest Paras in the Black Ops line. CS and Travis Tomasie at Para tend to lurk 1911 forums and contact users having issues with Paras and solve them.

Other than that, I have an older GI Expert. Great pistol, very accurate, and very tight lockup. My only issues with it are purely cosmetic, I don't like the GI sights, plastic grips, and the finish is a little weak. And its a commemorative piece so I don't carry it at all.

 

[handloader357]

When I did my 1st 1911 build I used quite a few para parts. They all turned out to be junk. Had a thumb safety plain crack in half among other things. A few years later I ran across a deal I couldn't refuse on a Ruger SR1911. I needed another 1911 like I needed a hole in my head, but I loved the look and feel of it so I snapped it up. It's a great 1911 that runs perfectly. I would highly recommend the SR to anyone.

 

[Zach S]

I don't care for Paras simply because of the cocking serrations and (proprietary) PXT extractor.

 

[rbernie]

I've owned a number of Para's, and the hard parts inside were of such poor quality that I'd never own one without planning in advance to replace all fire control components with known good bits.

There is also the warranty aspect to consider - para is notorious for poor warranty support, and Ruger is not.

 

[CWL]

I own one Para, and because it is a hi-cap (I live in CA), I'll never sell it. Aside from this, I'll never buy or own another Para again.

I own several Rugers and wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.

 

[tcj]

I have the Para target elite that I bought a few months ago and couldn't be happier. Handles & shoots great.

At the time I was looking at the Ruger as well as some other 1911's and went with the Para for a number of reasons including the hand feel, the sights (fiber optic front and adjustable target rear) and also the $100 rebate.

I would buy it again in a heartbeat. FYI I own a number of rugers (not 1911) and they make a great gun... the Para was better in this case.

 

[.338-06]

I love reading these "I owned X gun and it was CRAP!" threads. I must be one of the luckiest gun owners in the world. I own 5 Para .45s in various models and they all work. Hey, I even had a P-13 that chucked cases at my head. Did I sell it? No, I put in a heavier recoil spring and problem solved.

Oh, I've also never owned a crappy Ruger.

Just lucky I guess.

 

[Robert101]

Between the two get the Ruger all day long. Para customer service is....... well there is no customer service. They believe in buy and then good bye.

 

[herrwalther]

Between the two get the Ruger all day long. Para customer service is....... well there is no customer service. They believe in buy and then good bye.

Completely and utterly false. I have emailed Para CS on more than one occasion about products I didn't even own, but was interested in. Responses were always same day and often within an hour unless I messaged them in the middle of the night. I read a thread about someone who bought a Para Black Ops and the engraving in the slide didn't match the picture from the non-Para site. Para sent him a brand new firearm that matched the picture at no cost. Sounds like pretty good CS to me.

 

[JR24]

I love reading these "I owned X gun and it was CRAP!" threads. I must be one of the luckiest gun owners in the world.

Me too, actually all the guns I've owned have been accurate and reliable as a rule. I must be REALLY lucky! Even my two Kimbers have yet to "choke on every round and all the MIM parts shatter instantly".

I was looking at some Paras earlier but couldn't find the model I wanted to handle (Black Ops Recon, Commander length double stack) and ended up buying a SR1911 CMD instead. Its been nothing short of fantastic so far.

 

[peacebutready]

Completely and utterly false. I have emailed Para CS on more than one occasion about products I didn't even own, but was interested in. Responses were always same day and often within an hour unless I messaged them in the middle of the night.

They're trying to get you to buy one. I read many times of Para owners e-mailing and not getting a response.

GI Expert owner here. I don't recommend Para.

 

[davidalyn]

I have not had a Ruger 1911, but I have had numerous Paras. I am a slow learner, but I will never spend money on a Para again.