I've never considered buying a Para Ordnance 1911 before, mainly since I have no interest in their popular warthogs and double-stack 1911s (which are fairly well-regarded). However, their other 1911s have gotten some pretty bad press over the years from what I could find. Enter Para USA. It seems that the company (same parent company as Remington), is revamping itself by stepping up it's quality and workmanship in its pistols. After perusing their website and watching a couple of their videos, I was highly intrigued, although, still a bit weary. They have a fairly new line of pistols, which seem to be a far cry form their past offerings. I am impressed (on paper) to say the least.
I know the usual suspects in the $800-1000 price range are the Springfield Loaded, Kimber Custom, STI Trojan and possibly others, but there is something about these Paras that speaks to me.
Some key specs from their Elite Pro model:
MSRP $1250
Street Price ~$1,000 ($900 w/rebate)
The regular Elite model sells for about $250-300 less and lacks night sights, magwell, and front strap checkering, but everything else the same. Those go for $700-800.
In addition - the frames and slides are forged stainless steel and each pistol is hand-fitted at their pro shop in North Carolina. The IonBond finish is used by others like Les Baer, Fusion, and other custom makers. Their Custom Pro models use EGW fire control parts in addition to the extractor. And to top it off, all of their pistols are backed by a lifetime warranty (to the original purchaser). I may sound like a Para rep, but this seems like a pretty compelling 1911 in this price range.
These new models haven't been out long, so I can't find many real-world reviews yet, but the ones I have seen have all been very positive. Could these possibly give the Loaded Springer and the like a run for the money? I'm not sure how much longer I can resist the urge to find out. What do you guys think?
I know the usual suspects in the $800-1000 price range are the Springfield Loaded, Kimber Custom, STI Trojan and possibly others, but there is something about these Paras that speaks to me.
Some key specs from their Elite Pro model:
MSRP $1250
Street Price ~$1,000 ($900 w/rebate)
- .45 ACP
- 5” Match-Grade Ramped Barrel & Bushing
- Trijicon® Night Sights
- Stainless Steel Frame & Slide (forged, hand-fitted)
- Front strap checkering 25lpi
- Ambi thumb safeties
- EGW® HD Extractor
- Oversized, Flared Ejection Port
- Beavertail Grip Safety
- Skeletonized Match-Grade Trigger
- Ed Brown Magwell
- Ionbond© PVD Finish
- VZ® Operator™ Machined G10 Grips
- Two 8-Round Magazines
The regular Elite model sells for about $250-300 less and lacks night sights, magwell, and front strap checkering, but everything else the same. Those go for $700-800.
In addition - the frames and slides are forged stainless steel and each pistol is hand-fitted at their pro shop in North Carolina. The IonBond finish is used by others like Les Baer, Fusion, and other custom makers. Their Custom Pro models use EGW fire control parts in addition to the extractor. And to top it off, all of their pistols are backed by a lifetime warranty (to the original purchaser). I may sound like a Para rep, but this seems like a pretty compelling 1911 in this price range.
These new models haven't been out long, so I can't find many real-world reviews yet, but the ones I have seen have all been very positive. Could these possibly give the Loaded Springer and the like a run for the money? I'm not sure how much longer I can resist the urge to find out. What do you guys think?
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