Sneak peek at Para Ordnance GI Expert

**John** · 31st October 2008, 07:54

For those of you who appreciate the traditional lines of the GI-style of pistols, but with some little enhancements, here is a sneak preview of the Para Ordnance GI Expert pistol.

As you can see, this is a single-column, single-action pistol, with some interesting characteristics. It has the traditional high-profile sights (thank God, not those tiny GI ones), the vertical cocking serrations at the rear only (thank God again), a traditional Commander-style grip safety for those who get hammer bite, a tear-drop thumb safety. In other words, this pistol imitates other companies basic models, but gave the pistol some very welcome extras.

According to my sources, the pistol will not have a ramped barrel nor the PXT Power Extractor. It has plastic grips and is all black Paracote on the metal parts.

So it appears that Para is entering the budget-minded consumer market with a very nice pistol. Somehow, I think there will be another GI (not an Expert one) that will follow soon.

**Rich-D** · 31st October 2008, 08:13

John, Thanks for the sneak preview! It is a nice looking gun!

Rich

**Hawkmoon** · 31st October 2008, 08:45

Woo HOO!

Now, if they'll just start making a Combat Commander version of that, they'll sell a gazillion of 'em. (Well, they'll sell one, anyway ...)

**John** · 31st October 2008, 08:48

LoRL, especially in 9mm Para?

**Hawkmoon** · 31st October 2008, 08:54

Originally Posted by John

LoRL, especially in 9mm Para?

No, in .45 ACP ... as a primary carry pistol.

**auto45** · 31st October 2008, 09:08

Smart move on their part IMO.

Suggest to them not to "flair" the ejection port, it's not needed on a 45 and it would look more like a COLT...which is the purpose.

**Hawkmoon** · 31st October 2008, 10:31

Originally Posted by auto45

Smart move on their part IMO.

Suggest to them not to "flair" the ejection port, it's not needed on a 45 and it would look more like a COLT...which is the purpose.

Good point. In fact, they could lower the ejection port a tad less and still have a functional pistol.

And since this pistol will be manufactured in the U.S. and the "Expert" name suggests it is intended primarily for those who need a basic weapon for duty carry -- they could eliminate the Series 80 firing pin safety as well. Having that no doubt made it more palatable when the guns were manufactured in Canada and were "imports," but it's not required and most who carry a 1911 for duty would prefer not to have it.