Sneak peek at Para Ordnance GI Expert

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Originally Posted by SMMAssociates

Whoever gets to testdrive one, we also need some comment on how easy it would be to "upgrade" - sights, for example, or the beavertail (). One way to get a really nice Springer is to go for the bare bones gun and add stuff. You do cross over into "why didn't you buy that one?" eventually, but some of us are tinkerers.

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Not sure what you are asking here Stu. Changing sights? With what? I mean this is a standard GI dovetail, it will take all sights that can fit the Springfield GI or Mil-spec rear dovetail, or even the Colt's rear dovetail. The front seems to be the typical Para sight they use (or used) on some of their guns. It has a strange dovetail, very short (length-wise), about 1/2 that of a Novak front sight. But it is entirely serviceable, in either three-dot or tritium configuration. The same is true for a beavertail, the pistol looks like it has the standard GI rear tongues, so maybe a Wilson drop-in beavertail can be fitted, but that's about it. If you want something else, you'll have to mill the frame.

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Originally Posted by SMMAssociates

I expect that Para will run out of the skeletonized hammers and toss something in there . Change the furniture a little and it's a new model...

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That hammer looks very much like the hammer they are using in the rest of their models. Economy of scale I suppose, but I would love to see that gun with a round Berryhill hammer or even that old, strange Para hammer.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...c/Pict1985.jpg

Already beautiful as is, but it could be made a beauty if they bevel the hole a little. Just like this Berryhill one.

http://www.berryhillguns.com/meusoc4.jpg

http://www.berryhillguns.com/bfp5.jpg

http://www.berryhillguns.com/ringhammer.jpg

As far as I am concerned, that was the most beautiful and strong hammer I've ever seen or used. Forged steel, nicely shaped.

Novak seems to be selling a similar hammer these days.

http://www.novaksights.com/images/GU...rfighter-L.jpg

I hope they would replace those ugly plastic grips with the traditional wood. That is my only complaint but, other than that, it is one beautiful gun. I'm excited!

Here's my thoughts:

The trigger just doesn't look right, either go solid, or the old Videcki style with large holes, or skelontized (but not for a basic pistol). I say solid.

The tangs should be standard Colt so you can use a Wilson Drop in (they are pretty good if you don't want to cut a frame). If not, then just radius them and fit a beavertail.

For grips, I think the gun looks really cool all black, so some Micarta Black Double Diamonds would be just the ticket I think.

It's nice nevertheless. I think a 9mm and 40 offering so be along as well. Particularly the 9mm.

John:

I guess you could drill your own bevel into a hammer :D, but I agree - the skeletonized hammer they're showing isn't "right"....

The only hammer I'd just as soon do without is the original GI. They work, of course, but the Commander style is just so much nicer looking....

I was referring to whether or not Para'd done something strange to make swapping sights difficult. Guess not.... A Wilson drop-in beavertail ought to be fine for most people - either with or without the bustle.

Since this is a GM clone, anybody's grips would work. There are a couple of advertisers on this page who'd be worth a check, and I'm told that Esmeralda is also a good source, although she's apparently no longer advertising here.

Overall, my concern is that the 1911 is a very adaptable design, and while I probably won't buy one of these new ones (v.s. some other Para toys on my wish list), I like the idea of being able to tinker a new gun into something I like. I'm not concerned here....

Para's looking at a .40 in the PDA, and Springfield's apparently just announced the same for their EMP line. That's on my list. I'd rather have the Para....

(Can't get George to give me one, either.... I think I have to buy a dozen more first :D.)

Regards,

Very classic and a sure fire seller. Will it be out before SHOT?

At the right price, I believe they will sell, if they are made well.

I suspect there are people like "me", that wouldn't buy any one's 45 with a ramped barrel, and certainly not one with a proprietary extractor system, so Para now has, may have, a "base gun" to work with for moderate additions.

Particulary if you don't want to spend $800 on a Colt, and Springfield's mil-spec are scarce, Para could be an option.

If they come well-fitted, unusally accurate for a "GI" model with a good trigger, then IMHO they have a "hook" or reason to buy a Para over the "other" GI models.

That's not much to ask for...is it? ;)

wish we could have it also here in the Philippines the 1911 country

EGW has a hammer that's identical to the one John showed.

As for saving costs with the non-ramped barrel, well, I looked around a bit and I can't find an after-market barrel maker that charges more for a ramped barrel, compared to a regular one. Plus, Para has always used the ramped variety, so a non-ramped barrel would be an extra component for them. Not necessarily a problem, but I was just wondering.

rekladan:

Agreed, but I think "standardization" was more important in this case.

IMHO, the Marketing guys seem to have a lot of pull at Para lately, too, and may have decided to make a "feature" out of "industry standard barrel".

We'll just have to wait and see :)....

Regards,

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Originally Posted by SMMAssociates

rekladan:

Agreed, but I think "standardization" was more important in this case.

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Well, that's my point, ramped barrels have been standard for Para for ages now.

I know basic models are meant to be devoid of 'racy' features, but as long as para are not calling the pistol "The G.I. Model" or something, I don't see why the ramp has to go.