Archived Posts » 60,595,333
New GI Expert and some solved issues
11/24/2009 2:46:15 AM
This past weekend I snagged a new Para at the gun show. I was in a rush to see the show and not miss an appointment afterwards so when I decided to buy and do paperwork I was really pushing my limits timewise. With all the glowing reports on the Experts, I made the assumption there would be no issue so I did not play with the gun a lot at the show beyond a quick look and an "I'll take it". When I finally got home and clipped the safety tie, I found the slide to be almost bound to the frame rails. It broke loose but it seemed like the paint/coating had not dried when they were mated up. Might have been an overly thick application on tight rails too. Almost threw it back in the case for a return to the dealer but I decided to check a few things out 1st. 1 thing the manual states is the "if" the lube has dried out, you should lube here, here, and here etc. Well maybe Para uses a different oil than me(and every other gun maker) but my pistol was bone dry. A little wipe down and some manual racking loosened things up to the point I decided to make a range run. At the range I had some issues for the 1st four mags. I pulled it apart and applied some more lube as in "watch out for splatter". Two more mags and viola! We were running smooth! Took it apart 1 more time and got it cleaned as it would be for carry. Wanted to make sure I did not need to carry a wet gun concealed. I then ran about 100 rounds through it flawlessly 
The next day I went to my local indoor range and the pistol ate another 100 flawless rounds 
I am actually quite happy I kept my cool and did not give up too quick on the gun because it is now where I had hoped it to be: a nice tight shooting, reliable 45 at a nice price I would offer to Para though that maybe a little more QC before they go in the box would help make me a rare experiance. In a market full of 100% from the 1st round, you don't want to be the company selling a "break in period". Especially with ammo prices so outrageous.
The next day I went to my local indoor range and the pistol ate another 100 flawless rounds I am actually quite happy I kept my cool and did not give up too quick on the gun because it is now where I had hoped it to be: a nice tight shooting, reliable 45 at a nice price I would offer to Para though that maybe a little more QC before they go in the box would help make me a rare experiance. In a market full of 100% from the 1st round, you don't want to be the company selling a "break in period". Especially with ammo prices so outrageous.11/29/2009 12:54:16 PM
I just put the first 180rds through my new GI Expert yesterday. I guess due to its stiffness, sometimes I could actually watch the slide recoil, listen to the recoil spring compress, and then send the slide forward again. So far though, function is 100%, so Para must have done something right.
I agree, from the get-go, everything fit TIGHT. I found this to be true even of the barrel bushing, both on the "just got home with it" inspection/cleaning, and after shooting it. When cleaning after its first range trip, I had to carefully use a punch to slide the firing pin retaining block out, and I fudged the extractor a little bit when I was pulling it. (nothing a needle file didn't clean up) I noticed that firing had worn some of the black finish off the rails, and the whole action is now smoother.
All in all, I believe it's a tight, solid 1911 for a very good price. I bought mine with the intention of building it up, as opposed to building a 1911 from scratch, which would probably be beyond my skills. So far though, the only things that I really want to swap out ASAP are the grips and the trigger.
I agree, from the get-go, everything fit TIGHT. I found this to be true even of the barrel bushing, both on the "just got home with it" inspection/cleaning, and after shooting it. When cleaning after its first range trip, I had to carefully use a punch to slide the firing pin retaining block out, and I fudged the extractor a little bit when I was pulling it. (nothing a needle file didn't clean up) I noticed that firing had worn some of the black finish off the rails, and the whole action is now smoother.
All in all, I believe it's a tight, solid 1911 for a very good price. I bought mine with the intention of building it up, as opposed to building a 1911 from scratch, which would probably be beyond my skills. So far though, the only things that I really want to swap out ASAP are the grips and the trigger.
11/29/2009 4:45:00 PM
Sounds like my experiance too with the first few mags. I have seen some wear on the coating in the rails and the gun is still tight but glass smooth :) I have noticed some coating peels near the firing pin/extractor areas but it doesn't bother me much as this gun was bought to be used. Maybe some day if it gets bad or I want a prettier gun, I may have it chromed
11/30/2009 12:34:35 AM
Hey guys,,I have had my GI Expert since early April,,I got on the bandwagon early,,,,, Anyways I have put close to a 1000 rds down it,,about 700 WWB and the rest 230grn Lead Round Nose reloads. Had some minor issues early on with a assortment of mags,,but weeded out the bad ones and all is well,,the Para Mags have been flawless !!! Wear & tear has been minor with the finish still holding up fine !! I agree it is a "tight" gun,,good Slide to frame fit and mine is sensitive to lube for sure,,it needs it !!! As long as I keep it where it needs it,,all runs well,,,its a great gun for the money,,thats for sure. Haven't shot it in awhile,,down on the bench tore apart getting a good cleaning,,,,I think I'll get it to the range this week and run some rounds through it,,,I'll keep ya posted !!
Anyways I have put close to a 1000 rds down it,,about 700 WWB and the rest 230grn Lead Round Nose reloads. Had some minor issues early on with a assortment of mags,,but weeded out the bad ones and all is well,,the Para Mags have been flawless !!! Wear & tear has been minor with the finish still holding up fine !! I agree it is a "tight" gun,,good Slide to frame fit and mine is sensitive to lube for sure,,it needs it !!! As long as I keep it where it needs it,,all runs well,,,its a great gun for the money,,thats for sure. Haven't shot it in awhile,,down on the bench tore apart getting a good cleaning,,,,I think I'll get it to the range this week and run some rounds through it,,,I'll keep ya posted !!12/2/2009 2:42:29 AM
yep, my gi expert is prob the tightest fit 1911 i've encountered thus far. extremely well put together pistol, i totally dig it.
had one ftf early on, not been repeated. at about 7 or 800 rounds, it's till tight as shit.
had one ftf early on, not been repeated. at about 7 or 800 rounds, it's till tight as shit.
12/2/2009 5:24:47 PM
330 trouble free rounds. detail stripped it, and I found a leftover casting tit on the disconnector, and some surface rust, especially on the sear spring and trigger assembly. no biggie, i filed the nub off the extractor, and while I was at it, polished all the internals. reassembled it, and it was smooth as snot.
dry fired it about 10 times, and the cheap plastic trigger had a clean break each time.(for a plastic trigger... ) then the hammer jammed. slid the mainspring housing down a little, removed the safety lever and the grip safety, and a chunk of pot metal falls out. WTF? turns out, it's half of my hammer!
just for kicks, I put it back together, and the half a hammer functions.
I'm at a crossroads though. do I go ahead and replace the internals with quality parts, or try and get my $$ back from Para? Do I trust Para, should they offer to send me their version of premium internals? Even though the slide and frame seem to have a tight fit, if this is the quality of the metal, what kind of longevity can I really expect?
I have a couple other Para pistols, and have had nothing but an excellent experience with them. the GI Expert though, seems to be a factory designated POS.
It's very disappointing to me that Todd Jarrett actually advertised, and essentially endorsed this pistol. I know he's a paid rep and all, but I can't believe he would have anything to do with such a shoddy gun.
dry fired it about 10 times, and the cheap plastic trigger had a clean break each time.(for a plastic trigger... ) then the hammer jammed. slid the mainspring housing down a little, removed the safety lever and the grip safety, and a chunk of pot metal falls out. WTF? turns out, it's half of my hammer!
just for kicks, I put it back together, and the half a hammer functions.
I'm at a crossroads though. do I go ahead and replace the internals with quality parts, or try and get my $$ back from Para? Do I trust Para, should they offer to send me their version of premium internals? Even though the slide and frame seem to have a tight fit, if this is the quality of the metal, what kind of longevity can I really expect?
I have a couple other Para pistols, and have had nothing but an excellent experience with them. the GI Expert though, seems to be a factory designated POS.
It's very disappointing to me that Todd Jarrett actually advertised, and essentially endorsed this pistol. I know he's a paid rep and all, but I can't believe he would have anything to do with such a shoddy gun.
12/3/2009 9:12:50 AM
Originally Posted By figley:
330 trouble free rounds. detail stripped it, and I found a leftover casting tit on the disconnector, and some surface rust, especially on the sear spring and trigger assembly. no biggie, i filed the nub off the extractor, and while I was at it, polished all the internals. reassembled it, and it was smooth as snot.
dry fired it about 10 times, and the cheap plastic trigger had a clean break each time.(for a plastic trigger... ) then the hammer jammed. slid the mainspring housing down a little, removed the safety lever and the grip safety, and a chunk of pot metal falls out. WTF? turns out, it's half of my hammer!
just for kicks, I put it back together, and the half a hammer functions.
I'm at a crossroads though. do I go ahead and replace the internals with quality parts, or try and get my $$ back from Para? Do I trust Para, should they offer to send me their version of premium internals? Even though the slide and frame seem to have a tight fit, if this is the quality of the metal, what kind of longevity can I really expect?
I have a couple other Para pistols, and have had nothing but an excellent experience with them. the GI Expert though, seems to be a factory designated POS.
It's very disappointing to me that Todd Jarrett actually advertised, and essentially endorsed this pistol. I know he's a paid rep and all, but I can't believe he would have anything to do with such a shoddy gun.
330 trouble free rounds. detail stripped it, and I found a leftover casting tit on the disconnector, and some surface rust, especially on the sear spring and trigger assembly. no biggie, i filed the nub off the extractor, and while I was at it, polished all the internals. reassembled it, and it was smooth as snot.
dry fired it about 10 times, and the cheap plastic trigger had a clean break each time.(for a plastic trigger... ) then the hammer jammed. slid the mainspring housing down a little, removed the safety lever and the grip safety, and a chunk of pot metal falls out. WTF? turns out, it's half of my hammer!
just for kicks, I put it back together, and the half a hammer functions.
I'm at a crossroads though. do I go ahead and replace the internals with quality parts, or try and get my $$ back from Para? Do I trust Para, should they offer to send me their version of premium internals? Even though the slide and frame seem to have a tight fit, if this is the quality of the metal, what kind of longevity can I really expect?
I have a couple other Para pistols, and have had nothing but an excellent experience with them. the GI Expert though, seems to be a factory designated POS.
It's very disappointing to me that Todd Jarrett actually advertised, and essentially endorsed this pistol. I know he's a paid rep and all, but I can't believe he would have anything to do with such a shoddy gun.
Sucks to hear you're not happy with your GI. Hope Para does right by you. I love mine! Tight fit up and IMO the mags work great. Shoots anything I put through it, HP, brass, steel, reloads, FMJ. I fired 562 rds through it with only 3 ftf the first time I had it out. Good luck to you.
12/4/2009 4:23:25 PM
OK, I need to set the record straight.
I sent one email to Para, and got a reply from Mark A. the very next day, asking for my address, so he can send me a new hammer and disconnector.
I re-read my post, and I was too harsh. I was feeling pissy, and let it out a little too soon.
Para Ordnance is a stand-up company who has always done right by me. I had one other gun from them that I bought at a gunshow, that had a canted front sight. For all I know, the dealer could have done this, and then brought it to the show to unload, and represented it as "new". That time, and this, Para has taken care of my issues with absolutely no hassles.
I so want this to be a pistol I can enjoy, be proud of, and hand down to another deserving shooter when the time is right.
I sent one email to Para, and got a reply from Mark A. the very next day, asking for my address, so he can send me a new hammer and disconnector.
I re-read my post, and I was too harsh. I was feeling pissy, and let it out a little too soon.
Para Ordnance is a stand-up company who has always done right by me. I had one other gun from them that I bought at a gunshow, that had a canted front sight. For all I know, the dealer could have done this, and then brought it to the show to unload, and represented it as "new". That time, and this, Para has taken care of my issues with absolutely no hassles.
I so want this to be a pistol I can enjoy, be proud of, and hand down to another deserving shooter when the time is right.
12/12/2009 4:23:30 PM
I got a GI Expert in October. I think I got a bad egg.
The first two rounds in a fully loaded 8 round mag (para and mccormick) usually hang on the feed ramp, putting a little dent on the nose of the bullet.
Sometimes even setting the bullet back in the case some.
I sent a email to para, and the reply was the generic send it in and we will decide if something is wrong or not. Researching some prices, I think it would be easier for me to just a get a good 1911 smith to work on the feed ramp and tune it some.
When I load 6 rounds in a mag it works great, and shoots accurately.
So hopefully I can get this issue resolved soon.
The first two rounds in a fully loaded 8 round mag (para and mccormick) usually hang on the feed ramp, putting a little dent on the nose of the bullet.
Sometimes even setting the bullet back in the case some.
I sent a email to para, and the reply was the generic send it in and we will decide if something is wrong or not. Researching some prices, I think it would be easier for me to just a get a good 1911 smith to work on the feed ramp and tune it some.
When I load 6 rounds in a mag it works great, and shoots accurately.
So hopefully I can get this issue resolved soon.
12/12/2009 5:23:11 PM
Dremel, felt polishing wheel, and jewlers rouge. Chances are if you buff on it for a minute it will be a mirror bright feed ramp and work like a champ. It is usually a really noticable difference in speed that the slide cycles foreward feeding a round from the mag at slidelock.
1/19/2010 4:59:56 PM
1000 rounds of 185gr Golden Sabres with a few magazine related malfunctions along the way. Otherwise, no modifications here. Runs like a champ.
2/22/2010 4:28:35 PM
Best part? It doesn't say MADE IN BRAZIL on the side!
4/3/2010 10:24:25 AM
I have been in the market for a 1911 and PO was one of the brands I have been looking at along with the SA Mil-Spec, and maybe for a few dollars more a Colt series.
These post's have got me down on PO, but the price is what is keeping me on PO. At 525.00 NIB local is going to be tough to beat. Still thinking about it.
These post's have got me down on PO, but the price is what is keeping me on PO. At 525.00 NIB local is going to be tough to beat. Still thinking about it.
4/3/2010 10:18:25 PM
Originally Posted By KingfisherS:
I have been in the market for a 1911 and PO was one of the brands I have been looking at along with the SA Mil-Spec, and maybe for a few dollars more a Colt series.
These post's have got me down on PO, but the price is what is keeping me on PO. At 525.00 NIB local is going to be tough to beat. Still thinking about it.
I have been in the market for a 1911 and PO was one of the brands I have been looking at along with the SA Mil-Spec, and maybe for a few dollars more a Colt series.
These post's have got me down on PO, but the price is what is keeping me on PO. At 525.00 NIB local is going to be tough to beat. Still thinking about it.
Get the PO, its a great gun IMO. Like you I was also looking at the SA Milspec and the PO G.I. Expert trying to decide which one to buy. I ended up with the PO and have been happy with it. No problems at all, accurate, and hard to beat for the price. I am glad I got it.
