Son's Para USA GI Expert & Range Report

[bigmike45]

Well again Para USA (formerly Ordnance) has impressed me. This gun is definately a keeper. I took 200 rounds of mixed ammunition to the range today and it gobbled everything up without any malfunctions whatsoever. I had 50 rounds each of:

230gr. Magtech FMJ
230gr. Winchester White Box FMJ
230gr. Federal HydraShok HP
230gr. Hornady XTP HP

Since I really hate the plastic grips, I changed them out with a set of the Kimber Double Diamond Checkered Hard Rubber grips and other than inspecting, thoroughly cleaning and relubricating the gun, I did nothing else.

I do have a couple of complaints. The slide release literally takes two thumbs to depress when there is an "empty" mag in place. Without the mag it works normally. I tried this with a Wilson 47D and one of my Para LTC 9mm mags and they were a bit less difficult to release but still much more than the norm. Not a biggie in my book. This gun has a extremely strong slide return spring. I need to check its weight to see if is the factory norm.

The gun has a flat mainspring housing, my preference and an older style tang on the grip release. All safeties worked flawlessly and the trigger became a bit smoother after about 150 rounds. It breaks cleanly around 4# to my guestimation. The three dot sights were bright white and worked fine.

Shooting from a bench with an Outers adjustable Pistol Rest the hole punching went as follows for the best 9 shot string:

230gr. Magtech FMJ = 3.21
230gr. Winchester White Box FMJ = 3.36
230gr. Federal HydraShok HP = 3.55
230gr. Hornady XTP HP = 3.38

Here is the MagTech target with one called flyer.



Here is the gun taken earlier in the day, after I changed the grips.

 

[geronimo509]

Nice Para... I have a gun rights model and absolutely love it.
regarding the slide lock lever being hard to depress on an empty mag. I wouldnt force it. My new Kahr says they do it on purpose (not sure why). It is easy to depress when there are rounds in the mag and still easy without a mag, however, if there is an empty mag it is really hard to depress to make the slide go forward.

 

[mpress]

The slide is always going to be tough to release with an empty mag in place. The magazine follower pushes the slide stop up and causes the slide to remain open on an empty mag. Its designed that way.

 

[bigmike45]

mpress,

I understand that, but I also have two other 1911's, one a PARA LTC and the other a Wilson Combat. Both of these have slide release levers that can be operated with one thumb with only a small amount of pressure. This is the way it was on my other two Wilson Combat, three Springfield Armory and Kimber, Colt & Taurus PT-1911 as well. This one definately needs some mag adjustment and lever dressing. I put two other mags in and they worked better although were still tough. I believe I will be working on the lever and the mags this weekend.

tex45acp

 

[bigmike45]

mpress,

I understand that, but I also have two other 1911's, one a PARA LTC and the other a Wilson Combat. Both of these have slide release levers that can be operated with one thumb with only a small amount of pressure. This is the way it was on my other two Wilson Combat, three Springfield Armory and Kimber, Colt & Taurus PT-1911 as well. This one definately needs some mag adjustment and lever dressing. I put two other mags in and they worked better although were still tough. I believe I will be working on the lever and the mag followers this weekend. compared to the other brands of mags, the relief in the follower is shallow.

tex45acp