1911 help please

Walnutz

Walnutz

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Im looking to purchase my first 1911 and i have a lead on a Para GI expert for around $600.Im just wondering how well these are made and shoot ect.Im not looking to put money into it.I would like to stay around $800 at the most so is this a good option or should i keep looking.Thanks for any input
 
I would pass on Paras. Horrible reputation, difficult to resell for that reason, and too many bad stories about them. In fairness, I have never owned a Para but you asked so I answered :)
 
If I was just starting out in the 1911 game, had an ~ $800 budget for one, and wanted one that came with some nice mods I go for the STI Spartan from site sponsor Armco. But then, that's just me.

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NAA.
 
NAA said:
If I was just starting out in the 1911 game, had an ~ $800 budget for one, and wanted one that came with some nice mods I go for the STI Spartan from site sponsor Armco. But then, that's just me.

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
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Follow the advice of the guys who have STI Spartans. I have three STI pistols in various calibres and can attest to their excellent out of the box accuracy, reliability and exceptional warranty service (if needed).

I have owned several and still own a Para Special Edition .45 ACP but their workmanship is not as good as STI and their warranty service is horrible. Roger Montgomery at Shooter's Choice in AB sells the Spartan in .45 ACP or 9 mm for $845 (price includes GST plus there is no provincial sales tax).
 
Here is the deal, if you hang around long enough, you will find a lot of Para issue about their quality and finish problems, not just this site but also many other gun site. Spartan on the other hand has great reviews. Norinco 1911 also found to be the best seller in the EE, normally one day and gone, I miss several by minutes.

Trigun
 
a friend has the GI Expert, and has been recommended to shoot 1000-3000 rounds (of 45ACP!!!) just to break it in. my Norc worked fine from round 1 (though it's AWFUL when it comes to quality of innards)
 
Try a Norc for your first 1911. The newer ones seem to be built really well, and you can't beat the price.
 
kingdarb said:
The paras seem to get alot of bad press. The STI Spartans are very well reviewed however. ARMCO sells them.
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para's get bad press because an STI Edge costs twice as much. haha no seriously tho i have shot many 1911's and both Para and STI are my favorite when it comes to double stack magazines because they are not much wider than a 1911A1. STI because of modular frame design takse the cake when it comes to double stack.

back to topic - Para GI is nice, im guessing $800 is new? thats not bad. If you are looking for WWII style, check out the Khar 1911. If all you want is a 1911 to shoot have a look at Citadel. I havent shot one but i field stripped one at the store and fit and finish was comparable to my custom shop kimber. Seriously. of course it may shoot like #### but i doubt it. for 650$ i think its the nicest 1911 I have seen. It is not a widely known manufacturer so track record and customer supposrt are not there.
 
animalamidon said:
para's get bad press because an STI Edge costs twice as much. haha no seriously tho i have shot many 1911's and both Para and STI are my favorite when it comes to double stack magazines because they are not much wider than a 1911A1. STI because of modular frame design takse the cake when it comes to double stack.

back to topic - Para GI is nice, im guessing $800 is new? thats not bad. If you are looking for WWII style, check out the Khar 1911. If all you want is a 1911 to shoot have a look at Citadel. I havent shot one but i field stripped one at the store and fit and finish was comparable to my custom shop kimber. Seriously. of course it may shoot like s**t but i doubt it. for 650$ i think its the nicest 1911 I have seen. It is not a widely known manufacturer so track record and customer supposrt are not there.
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Hey, animalamidon,

Where did you give the Citadel a once over? Who sells them in Canuckistan (oops, I mean Ca-na-da)?

These pistols are made in the Philippines by Armscor but the QC on them is apparently very good. Their price is also reasonable. Here's a good review (copy and paste into your browser - notice the "h" and "i" are missing from the link below due to censorship, lol ):

http://gunzands**t.########.com/2010/07/citadel-cs-1911-review.html
 
I've had 3 Para's, problems with 2 out of the 3, I'm also going to get a new 1911 this week on my bi-yearly trip to Epps, going to look at the Kimbers and the Taurus models, no more Para's
 
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