What do I need to know about Para Ordnance?

[Geckgo]

Hi all, I would love a 1911 someday but as such, I've never even field stripped one and don't know much about them. A buddy at work (for some reason everyone at work thinks I'm a gun guru) was asking about handguns, I gave him some of my input. He said that he really likes 1911's, the way they look, etc, though I cautioned him to fondle a few firearms before deciding, but recommended that he look at RIA for a less expensive 1911 in his price range.

Anyways, today I come on tour and he asks me point blank, "What do you think about the Para GI Expert?" I told him that sounded like some kind of 1911

I looked at a photo of the gun online, told him it was a nice looking choice, and how picky people can be about features on a 1911, I know I will be when I get my first. I assume because the model name is GI that this is a mil-spec gun? which is what I recommended him to look for, since reliability seems to be important to him. I told him mil-spec is usually loser tolerances, so you get more reliability and slightly less accuracy, gave him my thoughts on handgun accuracy, etc.

So here's my questions, this post is getting too long.
Is the GI Expert mil-spec?
Any reliability issues?
Standard 1911 mags or do they use special mags?
Para as a company? Customer Service, etc?
Special Ammo considerations?

and anything else you can think of. I'm not bothering with the accuracy question, he's a new shooter and I'm one of them stubborn people of the opinion that the handgun is nearly always more accurate than the offhand shooter and most of the time the rested shooter, but if there is something important, sticky trigger, sights tend to be off, etc I guess include that also.

Thank you THR, it's good to have somewhere to turn with these questions!

 

[Smaug]

I have one.

Is the GI Expert mil-spec?
Any reliability issues?
Standard 1911 mags or do they use special mags?
Para as a company? Customer Service, etc?
Special Ammo considerations?

• Not Mil-spec. The trigger has holes in it, the hammer is a ring style instead of spur style, the finish is better, (some sort of baked-on finish or epoxy, instead of parkerizing) the barrel is stainless (better), and the sights are better. (big white dots and slightly larger, and the front sight is dovetailed in)
• Standard 1911 mags will work. It comes with two stainless 8 rounders that are reliable.
• I haven't needed their customer service, but have read mixed things about it.
• As a (mostly) GI-spec gun, it won't feed semi-wadcutters. Mine feeds flat points probably about 96% reliably. It feeds plated or jacketed round nose ammo reliably. I haven't tried hollow points yet.

Also worth pointing out is that it is better equipped than the equivalent Springfield Armory model, and a bit less well-equipped than the Ruger 1911 that just came out.

I paid $550 for mine.

 

[Smaug]

I should clarify that when I say "well-equipped" in the post above, I mean that generally speaking, GI-level parts are less desirable. For example, lots of folks prefer an extended beavertail on the grip safety, and Bo-Mar type sights (longer sight radius, and less "snaggy")

I generally prefer the original design, but I do like the upgraded sights, barrel, and finish of the GI-Expert. I still think it is very much in the original style. The Ruger is clearly a modernized design.

 

[Geckgo]

Thank you Smaug for taking the time. Sounds like the gun would be good for him. He has pretty skinny hands so I don't think beavertail will be an issue.

I always think of milspec in the "reliable" category rather than what it is. Thanks for pointing out milspec means more than looser tolerances.