Some Advice, Please: Para, Ruger, or SA for 1911

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Redcoat3340

Redcoat3340

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I'm going to add a 1911 to the range bag and I'm thinking of either a Para (Expert Commander in vg shape for $475); a Ruger 1911 ($550) or a SA for around $600.

This will be a range gun (carrying either a Shield in .45, M&P compact in .45, or Sig 245) and something to have a bit of fun with....

I think I read Para Ordnance had a decent rep....then got yucky...then got killed as a brand by Remington. Are parts tough to find and I'll assume no help from Rem if something goes wrong. I've only owned one Ruger, a .22, and have 0 experience with them. The Springfields seem to have a good following and rep, but I am trying to cheap out and stay "budget."

Anyone want to venture some opinions? I can't justify spending more than $500 +- for this addition to the accumulation.
 
If you want to come in under budget, I'd consider a Rock Island or ATI. Both are made in the Phillipines, which has been making 1911s since WWII at least. They also both have lifetime warranties, IIRC. I have had 2 ATI's, and they were good guns. I have some traders remorse for both, but had the opportunity to trade up ...

As for the three you listed, I don't have experience with Para. The Rugers I have shot seemed looser than my Springfield, but you can count on them to be reliable, and you can count on Ruger's customer service.

My Springfield Mil-Spec is my most accurate autoloader, and it has never failed with factory ammo.

Parts for the 1911 are readily available online.
 
I think you will find any of them to be reliable and fun shooters.

If money is a major issue, consider a used gun. You might be able to find a colt for $500.

I have not experience with the ATI ar Rock Island guns being suggested by poster #2 but have heard nothing but good things about them.
 
I've been consistently unimpressed with fit and finish on the Para's I've handled. I'm also curious about parts compatibility.

Ruger and Springfield both make great guns, and have great support.
 
I would go with the Ruger of those you mentioned. They will always fix it if something goes wrong.

I'd check out the Taurus PT1911. Mine has been trouble free for over 10 years. I know others who can say the same. Also lifetime warranty.
 
Don't think you could go wrong with a 1911 from RIA, Ruger, or Springfield Armory, especially if you're on a tight budget.
 
If you can get an SR1911 for $550, buy it!!!! I paid $650 for my SR1911 and it was worth every penny.

Of the 3 you mentioned, I own all 3 brands. I have a Para Ordnance GI Expert in stainless, an SR1911, and an SA RO in 9mm. I like them all, but my SR1911 is my favorite.
 
1KPerDay said:
I'd get the ruger or SA. Or pay another $100 and get a Colt.

Budget I'd get a RIA before a Taurus or Para personally.
Click to expand...

I second you on the first portion.

On the budget side, I'd get a Taurus PT1911 over a RIA 1911 any day of the week. I've owned both the PT1911 and the RIA 1911, the Taurus was a FAR nicer gun IMO.

My Para is an actual Para before they were bought out by that Freedom Group. I don't think I would buy any Remington firearm until they prove they can make better guns.
 
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ParaOrdnance is out of business. You'll have trouble with warrantee work.

Both Ruger and Springfield have very good warrantees.
 
Of the three, I'd go with the Ruger, then the SA and avoid the Taurus (too many stories of CS taking months). Armscor (AKA RIA) makes good inexpensive guns, although I had to replace all the magazines that came with the gun.
 
Of the three, I've only had Para. I had / have several and all were great. However, the last time I bought one was 30 years ago so ymmv.
 
I have a Springfield Mil-spec thats been a very good 1911. Had the front sight fly off within 6 months. SA sent me a return label and I sent the slide in. Had it back in 8 days and have run a couple thousand rounds through it with no problems.
A friend bought a nice Rock Island about 3 years ago an has shot it quite a bit. It has been 100% reliable and has beld up very well.
If what you listed, I would go with the Ruger. Thats a very good price and their 1911 has a good reputation.
 
I have the Ruger in 9mm Commander size. My favorite gun. It totally improved my shooting just based on the trigger compared to striker fired guns. Great gun.
 
I'm not a 1911 guy, but I've shot several Rugers, and they shot so we'l that I got one for myself (my only 1911). I've shot several Kimbers that did not perform nearly as well. 100% recommend SR1911.
 
SA and then Ruger. Gunsmiths will work on them if you want to build it up at a later time. I did not car for the Para I shot. RIA makes a good 1911 as well.
 
The Ruger or SA. If you want to stay closer to your budget the Ruger. Their customer service is the best. I chose a SA when buying new, and it has not missed a beat. YMMV....


-Jeff
 
I can't really compare it to others as it is my only 1911 but I have the Ruger & like it a lot.
 
I had a SA Loaded for a few years. It was a good gun. I bought a Colt later. It didn't take long for the SA to find a new home. The Colt had a better trigger out of the box and was a good bit more accurate.

Sure a Colt ain't the cheapest, but historically your money is generally safe. If you are younger buy a Colt today and be thankful you did decades down the road.
 
I have a Citadel (RIA) in .45. Reasonably priced and a good gun IMO. No issues with it, load, shoot, clean, repeat. Maybe 4000 rounds.
I have a Springfield :Loaded model" in 9mm, great gun, my favorite pistol. Haven't kept track to have an exact number but 20,000+ rounds.
Nicer than the Citadel but close to twice the price.
 
I don't have a ton of experience with the brands you're talking about. I'd avoid the Para just because those I've known who bought them either got a good one or (more likely) one that never quite ran as well as they wanted. I went to the 1911 anniversary Gunsite 250 course in 2011 and Remington was there as a representative - the pistols people were shooting were still being debugged, but with Ruger manufacturing those in Prescott (home of Gunsite) they seemed pretty serious about building solid 1911s.

Other options include the RIA - cheap, reliable (mine made it through Gunsite essentially without cleaning over 1,200 rounds with no issues), finish generally not as good as the others.

I wish I could recommend S&W or STI guns here, but I don't really see any current model 1911s in their lineups.
 
Any search on this forum or others and you will find Para to be hit or miss. Some people love them and some hate them. I have a GI Expert from almost 10 years ago and it is a dream to shoot. Wonderfully, and boringly accurate. Can't comment much for long term durability or finish as the Para is a pure safe queen. It has only been taken to the range once. I would avoid Paras made since they were bought by Remington.

As far as Springfield vs Ruger, I believe Ruger 1911s are the better value. Just as good as any other maker for less money and same quality. You could also look at Rock Island Armory/Armscor. Made in the Philippines but they make very budget friendly firearms with a good track record as far as satisfaction goes.
 
I haven't seen a Ruger 1911 for anywhere close to $550 around here, I'm afraid I couldn't turn that down. I own the SR1911 Lightweight Commander, I love it. It's one of my favorite shooters.
 
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