The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: langloisandy on August 16, 2009, 07:52:55 AM
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Gents,
I Para GI Expert (Gastro Intestinal Ex-Spurt? Huh?) was purloined yesterday.
I did a quick swabbing of it with the products from SLIP2000 (Copper cutter, pump spray, then lube with Slip2000, awesome stuff, I have converted to this for most of my weapons now!). I am unsure of the round count from Para but there was a serious amount of copper in the bore and it was wikkkked dirty.
Anyhoo....
Damn near 100 misc. rounds fired, the only bobble I had was some OLD ANCIENT Hydrashock whilst shooting a limpwristed faggy Iso at 25 yards. Feeds Ranger, Ball and some other misc HP that I had on hand. Likes the para mags and shooting stars as well.
I do need to adjust the rear sight to the right a little. Not a problem, but noted.
The ONLY problem I have with this gun is the lack of a discernible reset on the trigger. (bend the middle spring in, towards the gun to fix, correct?).
I'll need to jam a few more boxes of Ranger through it before serious carry, if it passes the test...it rides on the duty belt.
Andy
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Good review. I'm looking to get a 1911 in the future and this one had my eye. I've heard some 1911's, and the platform in general, don't like 'exotic' ammo. Good to know this one will run them. I've got quite abit of Winchester PDX1's in .45, the non LE Ranger, for my P220, so I'm liking it already.
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I've fed my Para (not a GI) every commercially made ammo on the market from the cheapest to the high end stuff with NEVER a burp! I have no doubt the GI will be no exception!
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MB loves his...sings its praises all the time on his PODCAST. If I needed/wanted a new .45 I probably would take a very close look at it.
Richard
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Sounds like a nice new toy Andy.
How about some porn? ;D
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I love my Para commander sized 1911 and it has fired everything I have ever tried in it with no problems.
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I have no complaints about my 5 Para's. Mine work fine but I have put a few rounds through them.
The only problem I have had was when I replaced the factory barrel with a bull barrel. Took me awhile to work the bugs out.
I had to play with my F-I-L's friends P-12 to make it function, almost had to send it back to the factory.
Another buddies carry-9 has been back to the factory and still isn't running right, it's going back again as we have had no luck troubleshooting it.
Hopefully these things resolve themselves now that they are moved into their new home.
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Sounds like a nice new toy Andy.
How about some porn? ;D
Kid,
I'll get some of the photos of my unpacking it, cleaning etc etc SOON! (have a pile of leather to get out....) I'll pop a link to the blog here soon!
Been carrying it for the past 2 days, feels remarkably like a 1911 in my Yaqui slide...a good packing gun. For the price a STEAL....(recall that I am a 1911-whore and like my high priced 1911s, look for a writeup on bone-stock 1911s and my experiences SOON! I would LOVE to get it published as I address a pile of misconceptions in my rough outline)
Andy
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GI Expert Photos!
http://andysgunthoughts.wordpress.com/para-gi-expert/
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GI Expert Photos!
http://andysgunthoughts.wordpress.com/para-gi-expert/
Nice Para Andy! Range report to follow I hope ;)
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Nice shooter. And call me old school but I dislike the beaver tail and mag extensions, etc. they put on 1911 now a days.
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Nice shooter. And call me old school but I dislike the beaver tail and mag extensions, etc. they put on 1911 no a days.
Same here. No Amby anything either. I also don't trust the Commander style skeleton hammer. The weight of a solid hammer serves a purpose.
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Same here. No Amby anything either. I also don't trust the Commander style skeleton hammer. The weight of a solid hammer serves a purpose.
Haz and Tomb,
I actually REALLY like those on my guns, alot. It makes lengthy trainings a bit easier, faster and less wear and tear on your shooting hand. No really....
My normal duty gun is a Springfield all done up back in the dark ages at Gunsite. Good gun, Novaks, decent thumb safety, wide beavertail etc etc etc. It's a pleasure to shoot.
My last few transient 1911s have been stock and there really is a difference between a stock style safety and beavertail compared to a well installed extended thumb safety and B-tail. Just my preference. I carry more than I shoot (!).
Andy
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If Andy hasn't been able to break it, it probably can't be broke!
Also, if Andy says it's good, it's good. There are some people whose opinion I unconditionally respect and accept, and Andy L. is one of those people. My GI Expert is off at Cylinder & Slide getting the "retro" makeover finished up in anticipation of the Wild Bunch match at the cowboy nationals, Winter Range, in Phoenix early next year.
BTW, Mr. Andy...GUNSITE has added the Single Action Self-Defense class they created for SHOOTING GALLERY to the regular rotation...next class is first week of May...good time to be in Arizona, eh?
Michael B
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Haz and Tomb,
I actually REALLY like those on my guns, alot. It makes lengthy trainings a bit easier, faster and less wear and tear on your shooting hand. No really....
My normal duty gun is a Springfield all done up back in the dark ages at Gunsite. Good gun, Novaks, decent thumb safety, wide beavertail etc etc etc. It's a pleasure to shoot.
My last few transient 1911s have been stock and there really is a difference between a stock style safety and beavertail compared to a well installed extended thumb safety and B-tail. Just my preference. I carry more than I shoot (!).
Andy
Oh well, I like Brussel sprouts too, ;D
I might go for the extended safety but personally don't care for any of the other non JMB doodads.
Purely a matter of personal choice. But then now a days MOST handgun related decisions boil down to personal preference, Why else would some one pick a .40 S&W when they could have .9mm, or .45 or 10 mm, Why a .41 Mag instead of .357 or .44 Mag.
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I've been hanging around waiting for some sexy pictures, and NOW I can jump in and congratulate you on a good score! It looks like a real fun gun.
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Oh well, I like Brussel sprouts too, ;D
I might go for the extended safety but personally don't care for any of the other non JMB doodads.
Purely a matter of personal choice. But then now a days MOST handgun related decisions boil down to personal preference, Why else would some one pick a .40 S&W when they could have .9mm, or .45 or 10 mm, Why a .41 Mag instead of .357 or .44 Mag.
Me too on the brussel sprouts! And the rest as well. I just don't like the 'look' of the beaver tail. Just old school or 'what I grew up with' or some such thing. ;)
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hey Andy!
BTW does that Para GI 'spurt' bullets real well?
;D
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Awesome Andy. I have looked at a few Para .45's. I really liked the STI I saw at a gun show earlier this year but feel that if I do buy a 1911, it is going to be a Para. Yes, I said it, I like another firearm other than a Glock!!! ;)
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I was wondering about that gun. I had seen the banner ads on DRTV and checked the MSRP and thought that if anyone wanted a 1911, this was a great price.
I like some mods, such as flat mainspring and extended safety, but don't like the aesthetics of an excessive beaver tail.
For the record, I don't like BS.
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My first 1911 didn't have a beavertail. I put one on and it felt and shot so much better. The beavertail lets your hand sit higher on the gun allowing for more control, unless it is a drop in, then not so much.
It's all what you feel comfortable with.
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For the record, I don't like BS.
Me either. Hate dealing with BS. Oh, and Tom, I don't like brussels sprouts either, you can have mine. ;D (My wife calls them "Martian Heads")
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Brussel Sprouts are good pan fried in olive oil and butter. Then again, anything pan fried in olive oil and butter tastes good.
The Para GI 45 isn't on the approved list in California yet. The Springfield GI and MilSpec are though.
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Gents,
Sorry to break up the Veggie Prep thread (how is it that my posts always morph into weird threads???) ;)
Anyhoo...
Back to Para Ord GI Expert thoughts.
I had some range time yesterday, fired off a few rounds of 45 ball and duty ammo (Ranger 230Gr). Finally zero'd to where I am happy. I have one of those sight pushers which made the incremental adjustments EASY and QUICK. Good tool.
After a box or two of 45 ACP, I popped the top end off, slapped the Kimber 22 conversion unit on and ran 525 rounds (the federal bulk ammo). Only a few 22 RF related bobbles to report. The gun and upper ran superbly and was fun to shoot!
I must say that I REALLY like the Para. I am a bit of a 1911 snob (ask anyone who knows me...) but am impressed by how well the gun runs and the fact that a normal person can afford it.
Lube of the day is still Slip 2000 EWL. Good stuff. The dirty 22 residue just wipes off.
Andy
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"(how is it that my posts always morph into weird threads??"
It's not JUST yours, but a couple of yours have gotten weirder than usual, even for us. ;D
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Gents,
Yet MORE rounds downrange with the Expert and some Vermont made custom ammo tested too!
http://andysgunthoughts.wordpress.com/para-gi-expert/
Andy
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I have one.. I believe I have one of the first ones produced (according to Para-Ordnance). It seems that they started production
in Feb 2009, mine was made on 5 Feb 2009. It was built in Canada. I believe this is a keeper (along with my 4-5 other Paras).
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Addendum to the ongoing test of the GI:
It has been my daily Duty and CCW gun since I qualified with it. I did some sub-zero shooting with it, no problems. (Slip2000 lube, WIn Ranger, -5 or lower). I did some training with a novice 1911 shooter with it. Still no issues, complaint or whining.
Good gun.
Andy
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Man dang. I just bought a new gun (fnp40) but have always had a hankering for a 1911 and have looked at them forever and reading this thread has got me all fired up for one now. I don't know how I'm going to convince my wife I NEED one. Oh well. Just curious if you've ever shot the Springfield 1911's and how the para compares
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Man dang. I just bought a new gun (fnp40) but have always had a hankering for a 1911 and have looked at them forever and reading this thread has got me all fired up for one now. I don't know how I'm going to convince my wife I NEED one. Oh well. Just curious if you've ever shot the Springfield 1911's and how the para compares
DMC,
I carry BOTH for duty. A Springfield and the Para mentioned here in this thread. Both work equally well, this Springfield has EVERYTHING done to it back in the dark ages and runs and runs. I have had a few stocks over the years and had great results as well.
You would do well with either of them!
Andy