Posted: 6/29/2011 9:54:05 PM EDT
| I have a Kimber Custom II. I am looking to add another 1911 but I want a more basic 1911. what do yall think? Springer or the Para? or does anybody else have a recommendation for another "GI" model? thanks |
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The Springer GI will have a forged steel slide, frame, and barrel. IIRC, that beats Para (unless they've upgraded to forged since their move).
The Mil-Spec is another good one to take a look at because it still looks "GI-ish", but it has sights you can actually see. If you want to spend $1000, there's always the Colt Series 70 re-issue, but $1000 for a no-frills base gun isn't exactly on my to-do list. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
| Why? do you know anything specific thats bad about the para? all the tests have shown its reliable as hell. And its being recommended as a duty weapon. On the other hand iv heard of guys checkin out their springfields and finding their ejectors GLUED in... Im not discounting springfields reputation or anything. But I want this "basic" 1911 to be my go-to, extremely reliable. So if you know of specific issues with the new para let me know! (Not the finish, I know its crap on the para) Not tryin to jab either just wanting all the info I can get. |
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The cheap Springfields are not without potential issues, but they can be made right a lot more easily than Para guns can.
Springfields have a forged frame and slide, while Para's are cast. Not even Rock Island uses cast slides. The quality levels on Para guns varies wildly, and their customer service isn't known for making things quickly and definitively correct. Springfield does excel in that area. |
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Why? do you know anything specific thats bad about the para? all the tests have shown its reliable as hell. And its being recommended as a duty weapon. On the other hand iv heard of guys checkin out their springfields and finding their ejectors GLUED in... Im not discounting springfields reputation or anything. But I want this "basic" 1911 to be my go-to, extremely reliable. So if you know of specific issues with the new para let me know! (Not the finish, I know its crap on the para) Not tryin to jab either just wanting all the info I can get. What tests? I'd take the GI all day long, glued in ejector (although that is pretty bad) and all. |
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Why? do you know anything specific thats bad about the para? all the tests have shown its reliable as hell. And its being recommended as a duty weapon. On the other hand iv heard of guys checkin out their springfields and finding their ejectors GLUED in... Im not discounting springfields reputation or anything. But I want this "basic" 1911 to be my go-to, extremely reliable. So if you know of specific issues with the new para let me know! (Not the finish, I know its crap on the para) Not tryin to jab either just wanting all the info I can get. What tests? I'd take the GI all day long, glued in ejector (although that is pretty bad) and all. Where is the ejector going to go with the slide on? (yes pinned is better, but not needed) Just over the years dealing with some of the crap para has put out has left a rather bad taste in my mouth. |
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Quoted: Why? do you know anything specific thats bad about the para? all the tests have shown its reliable as hell. And its being recommended as a duty weapon. On the other hand iv heard of guys checkin out their springfields and finding their ejectors GLUED in... Im not discounting springfields reputation or anything. But I want this "basic" 1911 to be my go-to, extremely reliable. So if you know of specific issues with the new para let me know! (Not the finish, I know its crap on the para) Not tryin to jab either just wanting all the info I can get. Their reputation is what's bad. Word is that they've moved and I've heard decent things about their entry level pistol coming out of their new USA facility. If you're referencing any sort of gun magazine that ran a couple hundred rounds through the pistol, there's one thing you should think about: when was the last time you read ANY sort of bad review in a magazine? That said, they're still constructed of inferior materials compared to Springfield. Glued ejectors are a cost cutting feature, no doubt. Springfield didn't want to chuck it up in a mill and drill a hole on their NM models. It's a dumb shortcut to take on a gun that will most likely be bought by "traditionalists" because they'll wet their panties. In practice, BFD. It won't go anywhere when the slide is on. It CAN'T go anywhere. It just turns into something to watch for when stripping the pistol down IF it comes loose, it doesn't affect function. This can be avoided by buying a Springfield GI, or any other Springfield that's actually assembled in Brazil. They still pin the ejectors on every "N" marked pistol I've seen (including the 4 I own). Personally, the better fit and finish of the "NM" marked pistols FAR outweighs the locktited ejector shortcut. Hope this helps. |
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I second the vote for a Springer Mil-Spec over their GI 45 model but would take either before a Para. Springfield says their Mil-Spec version is, "A step up from the G.I., the Mil-Spec™ includes many improvements utilized by the U.S. military during the 1911’s years of service. These features include: High-profile 3-Dot sights, high-hand grip, beveled magazine well, polished feed ramp and throated barrel, lower and flared ejection port and angled slide serrations." Make sure you get one with a 'NM' serial number prefix as these are assembled in the US and reportedly are better made. I didn't know about the 'NM' prefix but lucked out as mine is a 'NM'. I love it and it shoots great. It even feed my old Speer 'Flying Ashtray' HPs with their HUGE HP without a hick-up right out of the box! The barrel bushing is stainless steel out of the box. I painted it a flat black because I like the look better.  The taller white dot sights vs the original Army low black ones make a huge difference for us older, 'sight challenged' guys as I can actually see them! I bought it because I wanted one as close to my old Army sidearm from RVN as I could reasonably get but with the better sights as well as a factory polished feed ramp and throated barrel for feeding reliability. It shoots POA at 25yds with my 230grn and 200grn handloads. I couldn't be happier with it.  I've got over 525 rounds through it and the 5 mags I got without a single failure to feed. I consider that extraordinary considering the finickiness of many other 1911s. My plan is to keep it completely stock as my 'other' 45acp has a 'few' mods to it.  |
| I'll chime in since I actually own a Para GI Expert. I absolutely love mine, I have friends that shoot Springfields and like them, and were pleasantly surprised by my Para. This is the only Para I own and have shot, so I base my recommendation around my particular gun. Mine has been flawless for 2,000+ rounds of FMJ and JHP ammo, both standard pressure and +P. Feeds everytime, fires everytime, and hits the target everytime (when doing my part). The finish is also holding up well on mine even though a lot of people have said the "para-cote" doesn't last and basically rubs off. The fit on mine is very tight and hasn't loosened up one bit since I got it. I wouldn't mind a Springfield to play around with, but my $500 GI Expert was $500 well spent in my book. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Thinking about getting an RIA myself. Done tons of research on them, and it's hard to find a lot of negative on them. Seems the vast consensus are happy with theirsWhat about those RIAs? Still it's "You get what you pay for." which means the RIA is good at it's price point. There is a reason some 1911s cost more than others.  |
I like my Para, I have the GI expert esp. I trust it with my life nearly everyday. that being said, I did do some mild fitting and smoothing to get it to run reliably, but now it feels like the slide is on ball bearing and the trigger is a dream. I have probably 2500 rnds through it in the last few months. and no worries, if I break a part, I'll just replace that part with something better
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Quoted: Not a lot of solid information out there. It's allegedly being built here in the US, however there's a lots of speculation as to whether they'll be using imported Philippine materials.Quoted: STI now has a basic GI, you might look in to. do you have any additional details? can't find it on their website?   |
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Not a lot of solid information out there. It's allegedly being built here in the US, however there's a lots of speculation as to whether they'll be using imported Philippine materials.
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STI now has a basic GI, you might look in to. do you have any additional details? can't find it on their website? http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss238/Onufriyenko/Articles/SHOTShow2010/JC7_1385.jpg http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/review/pix/RIA_L_1_640.jpg SGB- Do you have any experiences with the RIA 1911?, I'm looking to get a new 1911 and down to either the RIA mid size or the Springer Champion GI. (if I can ever find a 4" champion).....You seem to be the 1911 guru here!!. Thanks in advance |
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Springfield makes good stuff. Para does everything BUT make good stuff. Base your purchase on this, and you will thank me later. Exactly, I wouldn't buy anything from Para. Springfield makes a very, Very solid 1911. RIA, I have been hearing some good things about them too but I'd rather have a Springfield. |
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Springfield makes good stuff. Para does everything BUT make good stuff. Base your purchase on this, and you will thank me later. This. The Para I had was the worst gun I have ever owned. I tried to get Para to fix it, but they have the worst gun company customer service ever. They did not pay for shipping, were rude on the phone and email, and they didn't even fix the problems it had! Springfield on the other had has awesome customer service and builds a good product. |
| Only 1911's I ever owned/still own were/are Colt or Kimber, until last year. I wanted a "cheap" range gun and bought a Para GI Expert. For the money I can't complain, its the most accurate out of the box 1911 I've ever got, and for a fixed sight gun the sights are exactly dead on, another first for any out of the box fixed sight 1911 I've ever had. It has'nt had a single glitch yet and feels as smooth as glass. My only complaint is that my son liked it so much I gave it to him for Christmas and now I don't have it anymore. I did just buy another "cheap" range gun though, this time I thought I'd try SA and got a milspec(a 2003 I'm told). I bought it just last week online and don't have it yet, should pick it up midweek. I'll be interested to see if it stacks up to the Para. |
| of the choices you have given I'd say the SA is the better value. However, if you look hard enough you can usually find an excellent condition used Colt 1991 for around a hundred bucks more which would be my choice. I've seen way too many complaints about para quality and I prefer a 100% American made 1911. A friend of mine has a para p-14 that has pretty much had every internal part replaced due to breakage at least once |
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I like my Para, I have the GI expert esp. I trust it with my life nearly everyday. that being said, I did do some mild fitting and smoothing to get it to run reliably, but now it feels like the slide is on ball bearing and the trigger is a dream. I have probably 2500 rnds through it in the last few months. and no worries, if I break a part, I'll just replace that part with something better Thats what I was thinkin... |
| I could make a new thread for this but I think it fits in very well with this topic, I am also looking to buy a 1911, and the ones on my radar are the Springfield GI, the RIA, and also the ATI FX45, which isn't a GI spec model but is still very attractive to me. Out of these three, which is the most reliable/likely to shoot right out of the box, and best value? |