Sneak peek at Para Ordnance GI Expert

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As for saving costs with the non-ramped barrel

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I don't view it as a cost savings, it's a functional issue.

I'm not aware of any well-known 1911 pistolsmith that recommends a ramped barrel for 45's. In fact, for reliability reason, I'd bet you find most will recommend against it!!

I've never had a ramped barrel in a 1911, but I think the ramped barrel is a feature that sets Para apart from other manufactures. You can get a "basic" pistol from several different companies, why not be the one company that offers the ramped barrel to cover the group of people that want that feature. Since they have the ramp on all the rest of their pistols it does seem odd that they would build just this one with out the ramp.

As far as function/reliability goes, nearly every Para add I've seen over the past couple of years has touted how their ramped barrel improves both. No doubt there are many that disagree, but I'm guessing they are working well or they wouldn't sell so many of them.

It's just occuring to me that my remarks may seem too negative, so let me just clarify that, ramp or no ramp, if the gun was available here tomorrow and I was in the market for a simple, no-frills 1911, it would be at the top of my list.

LoRL, especially since it's one of the few companies which have a representative in Greece. :p

Oh yes...

Actually though, my next pistol will definitely be IPSC-oriented, so other Para models will have higher priority in my list... Sorry!

I think the pistol is being set up as a base model. Lots of other mfgs have the 'basic 1911" as one of their options. Now, you can get a Para to play with modify to your liking. For all of the 'shade tree' level tinkerers, having to swap out the hammer ( and involved fitting requirements) is probably the most difficult task. Therefore, Para just gives the hammer for BTs pre installed- now folks can bubbafy their guns, without having to get into the hammer/safety/seer issues. If customers want the Wilson drop in BTGS, they can have it and only have to fit the arm/trigger bow. For my Colt, to do the same would require fitting in a new hammer, or bobbing the spur. I think it's a pretty smart move on Para's part....although a Berryhill hammer would look good....

Except that Dave doesn't sell that hammer any more. Several months ago, he was selling off remaining stock and not planning to order any more.

I'm trying to find another source. Stay tuned!

Surprisingly, the magazine base plate isn't a flat metal piece.

carlos:

Para has been supplying that magazine for a while in all of their new guns. They used to supply a welded-bottom magazine.

I'm hoping what they posted in that picture was "what was handy" rather than "what they'll sell", if the purists are involved.

Otherwise, I guess you could scrounge something else.

Regards,