Para ordnance gi expert

Err, the gun factory in the link reminded me of my shop. Cleaner though:redface:

You asked for opinions on the GI Expert, now you also get the joy of reading another "Norinco vs the world" debate.

If you are still looking for opinions, get your deposit back and buy the Springfield.
 
Stainless_smith said:
Heres some pictures of the factory where they are made

http://lilomag.com/2010/09/28/filipino-gun-factory-vs-usa-gun-factory/
Click to expand...

Bullsh*t - Armscorp in the Phillipines produces very good quality 1911's in modern factories with ISO 9001 certification. Perhaps if Para bothered with an international quality control certification they would produce better quality products, with slide stop notches that don't peen in less than a year, rails that are in spec, and finishes that last longer than the time it takes to get the gun home from the range the first time out. You really need to pull your head out for thirty seconds to get some air, then you can go right back to trolling.
 
actually Para's are not bad pistols at all, I had before two of single stack Para Ordnance and works for me flawless, never had a single problem.
keeping in mind that all parts are interchangeable with any other 1911 production I don't see any problem with customer service being "sloppy"....learn how to do-it by yourself and enjoy your gun.
if ever I have to choose btw Para and any other "medium" class manuf 1911 (ie: Regent, RIA, Remington, etc) I'll go for Para anytime.
 
CanadianSoldner said:
I had the chance to feel it, and I liked the way it handled. Yes it was chipped on the slide release button. The seller says it condition is 95% good, and it is 740$ CDN. there is also a springfield armory 1911 A1 for the same price, but what drew me to the para is the ''Made in Canada»'' underneath it :( I put a cash down on it, so I have a month to look up peoples feel of it...
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I understand your sentiments regarding the "Made in Canada" scribing on the barrel and that was one of the main reasons my very first pistol was a Para Limited SX745S .45 ACP.

It is a beautiful gun but I had a lot of break-in problems until I had about 700 rounds down the spout. Constant FTEs and FTFs really pissed me off and repeated attempts to get warranty service performed fell on deaf ears.

Para is not a "Canadian" manufacturer in my opinion, They set up shop in the US several years ago and call their company Para USA. They want to play down the Canadian connection and market their guns as American made. Obviously, that's where the market is and not in Canada.

In any case, I bought several more Paras, including the GI Expert, and sold them after experiencing more problems. I kept the Limited for sentimental reasons - it's the first pistol I bought after getting my Restricted class PAL and my wife let me buy it. That doesn't happen anymore, lol.;)
 
enefgee said:
Bullsh*t - Armscorp in the Phillipines produces very good quality 1911's in modern factories with ISO 9001 certification. Perhaps if Para bothered with an international quality control certification they would produce better quality products, with slide stop notches that don't peen in less than a year, rails that are in spec, and finishes that last longer than the time it takes to get the gun home from the range the first time out. You really need to pull your head out for thirty seconds to get some air, then you can go right back to trolling.
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Buy a stainless para. no finnish problems at all.
 
Bonjour43ma said:
What? Norinco (Chinese) makes some of the best base-guns on the 1911 platform. Not buying something simply because of where it was made, eventhough the product has great quality, is just ignorant. If you go by that mindset then you will have a hell of a time finding anything that's NOT made outside of Canada.


Also, if you're refering to Springfield Armory, most of their 1911s are assembled in Brazil or the US, not China. :rolleyes: oh, and the Phillipines is not part of China, therefore not "Chinese made". :rolleyes:
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Regarding Springfiled pistols, all assembly, custom work and repairs are done in Geneseo, Illinois, USA.

Parts are made in various places across the world including, but not limited to, Brazil (most notably for some 1911-style firearms), Hungary and at various locations in the U.S.

Actually the Springfield XD is made in Croatia, so not all of them are made in the United States, Brazil, or Hungary.d:h:
 
Stainless_smith said:
Buy a stainless para. no finnish problems at all.
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Personally I don't care about finish - my guns get shot enough that I'm happy if they still have any finish after a few years. The issues with the slide stop notch peening happens with both their stainless guns and their blued/blacked/painted ones and are, 100 years after the first 1911, unforgiveable. Additionally any company that can mill a rail into a frame incorrectly just isn't practising the kind of QC I'm looking for, given the fact that the guns are not the cheapest out there. I would honestly take my Armco prepped Norc over anything Para makes - at any price. If someone asked me what "GI" pistol I would recomend other than Norc it would be either the STI Spartan (which is a proven performer) or the new STI GI model.
 
Most everyone that I have read about who has bought a para has had some issues. They aren't Canadian made in any case, so buying one means nothing to the Canadian economy save the cash that the retailer you buy from makes. Made in the USA isn't necessarily a stamp of quality either. People do ####ty work all over the world.

Why not throw the money at a Spartan? Similar price point but they are extremely well reviewed.
 
I just bought a used Para P14-45 (made in 1995 and had about 2000 rounds through it), and took it to the range yesterday.
Accuracy-wise, the thing outshot my H&K P2000! So far I'm pretty impressed (and yeah, the slide stop is peened, but other than that, everything is tight on this pistol). :)
 
Pretty much anything is better than Painted Ordnance other than perhaps one of the Llama pseudo-1911s or an Auto Ordnance pistol.
 
I have to say, I'm pretty happy with my U.S. made Para G.I. Expert. about 2500 rds into it now, 350 being factory ball loads.The rest 195 gr. H+G SWC's at 750 fps.I had a single
fail to chamber in the first 350 rounds of ball (break in), and many, many, fail to feeds while fine tuning length, crimp, and powder charge with my cast loads.But she's been running quite well since I got my loads figured out a little better.

The finish is rubbing off a bit and scratching, mainly on the high spots.Minor detail, IMO.I'd recommend one, based on my own experience.Plus, as previously noted, it should fit more common after market 1911 parts, unlike many of their other proprietary designs/offerings.But I'm no expert.I just shoot a G.I Expert.
 
Stay away from anything para. I had one and it was a nightmare. They also have zero resale value!!

Get a used sti.
 
squirrelnuttz said:
I have to say, I'm pretty happy with my U.S. made Para G.I. Expert. about 2500 rds into it now, 350 being factory ball loads.The rest 195 gr. H+G SWC's at 750 fps.I had a single
fail to chamber in the first 350 rounds of ball (break in), and many, many, fail to feeds while fine tuning length, crimp, and powder charge with my cast loads.But she's been running quite well since I got my loads figured out a little better.

The finish is rubbing off a bit and scratching, mainly on the high spots.Minor detail, IMO.I'd recommend one, based on my own experience.Plus, as previously noted, it should fit more common after market 1911 parts, unlike many of their other proprietary designs/offerings.But I'm no expert.I just shoot a G.I Expert.
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Had the same issues with reloads but everything is good now, I changed the sear,trigger and grip saftey with wilson combat parts and it shoots REAL good now, like night and day. I also just bought a Sig Nitron with a rail for $1200 and that is a sweet 1911. But for a first gun to fart with and learn I will give it a
 
Stainless_smith said:
Heres some pictures of the factory where they are made

http://lilomag.com/2010/09/28/filipino-gun-factory-vs-usa-gun-factory/
Click to expand...


These are clandestine factories south of Manila. These are not the same facilities that makes ARMSCOR, SAM, FLORO etc. These workers are craftsmen who can make anything with basic hand tools. Armscor/RIA, SAM, Floro and other licensed manufacturers have their own quality standards and an abundant supply of ordnance steel. Whereas these backyard manufacturing facilities get their steel from everywhere. Firearms they make are considered one of a kind. Do not expect parts intechangeability with the production originals. They will fire, yes. But as soon as you encounter a stoppage, GOOD LUCK is you don't need a replacement part. Otherwise, you have a nice paperweight!
 
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