Para Ordance 1911 ? Before buying older one.

BLACK Z · 04-07-2012, 13:14

Hi, I am not into 1911 much but have always wanted one after shooting a colt 1911 Vietnam era.

I know a guy who is very much into 1911 and he match shoots with some of them he is selling a Para Ordnance 1911 that says US ARMY stamped on the side and also said made in Syacuse NY. It is older and has a very low Serial Num.

The gun has a Chrome Lined Colt Barrel I think and has a nice trigger Job, the Whole gun is tight He does work on the frame and slides.

Is has Pacmeyer grips and is parkrized, It has some wear.
He will put what ever sights that I want on it Thinking Nite sight three dot.

I don't know much about them He has lots of diffrent ones but I like this one for some reason over the others ( all types No colts for sale though). Any info or help would be great. Thanks

Ruggles · 04-07-2012, 14:24

A lot of folks here do not care for Para Ordnance 1911s. I have had good experiences with them in the past I have owned a LTC and a Warthawg .

I know Paras are represented in competition shooting regularly by a lot of folks. I would buy if it you like it and the price is right.

MD357 · 04-07-2012, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLACK Z

Hi, I am not into 1911 much but have always wanted one after shooting a colt 1911 Vietnam era.

I know a guy who is very much into 1911 and he match shoots with some of them he is selling a Para Ordnance 1911 that says US ARMY stamped on the side and also said made in Syacuse NY. It is older and has a very low Serial Num.

The gun has a Chrome Lined Colt Barrel I think and has a nice trigger Job, the Whole gun is tight He does work on the frame and slides.

Is has Pacmeyer grips and is parkrized, It has some wear.
He will put what ever sights that I want on it Thinking Nite sight three dot.

I don't know much about them He has lots of diffrent ones but I like this one for some reason over the others ( all types No colts for sale though). Any info or help would be great. Thanks

Sounds like a Franken gun to me, got any pics?

mdt62 · 04-07-2012, 14:43

Bought a Para GI expert a few years ago. Worst gun I've ever owned. Never ran right regardless the ammo also fix and finish was crap. Para was no help when I tried to get them to fix it. Sold it after only a few months. I realize we are talking completely different models here, but be careful. I still know some people that swear by them however, not me.

GarySTL · 04-07-2012, 14:50

I have a Para LTC. I don't shoot it too much, but it runs fine when I do so. Loaned to to a friend for a match and he like it fine.

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BLACK Z · 04-07-2012, 15:15

Its a older model, If that helps, I wouldnt say its a franken gun more of a custom gun. This guy is very well known around here for building nice shooting 1911's this one has wear as it was his carry/match gun for years, He is asking $500.00 for it.

Ruggles · 04-07-2012, 15:53

Depending on how it appealed to me I would pay $500 if I liked it. Price value on guns like that are pretty subjective IMO.

tuica · 04-07-2012, 15:59

I have a Para 10-45 that works well. Good Luck.

bac1023 · 04-07-2012, 17:35

Para quality is below average.

BLACK Z · 04-07-2012, 18:01

Even the older ones? Like I said this one has Trigger work, Diffrent Barrel the slide and frame have been milled to make everything tight.

bac1023 · 04-07-2012, 21:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLACK Z

Even the older ones? Like I said this one has Trigger work, Diffrent Barrel the slide and frame have been milled to make everything tight.

I honestly wouldn't touch that gun with a 10-foot pole.

BLACK Z · 04-08-2012, 05:25

Just wondering why? It is a custom gun that shoots very tight groups at 25 Yards.

257 roberts · 04-08-2012, 05:58

I had a P16-40 and it was a very nice shooting gun( mags are very expensive!!!!

bac1023 · 04-08-2012, 06:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLACK Z

Just wondering why? It is a custom gun that shoots very tight groups at 25 Yards.

Its generally not advisable to purchase 1911s with "custom" work done. If its work from a known custom builder using quality parts, that's different. That's not what you're describing. You're describing an older Para with mismatched parts worked on by a garage smith.

If you want to get into the 1911 worth, there are plenty of decent quality models for very good prices these days.

This is just my opinion. Without seeing and handling the gun in question, I can't give you any more than that.

I will say that Para (both now and before) uses and has used some of the worst quality parts in the business.

BLACK Z · 04-08-2012, 06:21

Any suggestions as far as models/brands go?

bac1023 · 04-08-2012, 06:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLACK Z

Any suggestions as far as models/brands go?

Sure, just click on the blue link below.

MD357 · 04-08-2012, 08:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLACK Z

Its a older model, If that helps, I wouldnt say its a franken gun more of a custom gun. This guy is very well known around here for building nice shooting 1911's this one has wear as it was his carry/match gun for years, He is asking $500.00 for it.

I don't care for Paras but $500 isn't too bad, but honestly it's REALLY difficult to say without inspection. There's no telling what the work looks like sight unseen.

**QNman** · 04-08-2012, 08:13

I was going to mention that I bought a GI Expert for a decent trade recently, and that I have been having fun "customizing" it myself. I was also going to mention it eats whatever I feed it.

However - and I say this with absolutely no sarcasm meant - bac1023 is THE 1911 expert around here. If he advises passing, I'd pass.

This is not my first nor my only 1911. If this would be your first, perhaps a better solution "out of the box" would be abetter fit. Check out the link under bac1023's post - its a good read.

bac1023 · 04-08-2012, 08:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by QNman

However - and I say this with absolutely no sarcasm meant - bac1023 is THE 1911 expert around here. If he advises passing, I'd pass.

I'm not sure about being an expert, but I do know I'd pass on a Para that's been customized by an unknown smith. That said, I can't say anything for sure without looking at it.

For what its worth, I also own a Para GI Expert that's been great so far.

**QNman** · 04-08-2012, 08:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by bac1023

I'm not sure about being an expert, but I do know I'd pass on a Para that's been customized by an unknown smith. That said, I can't say anything for sure without looking at it.

For what its worth, I also own a Para GI Expert that's been great so far.

Bac, you know more about 1911's than most of us ever will. And if you'd pass, so would I.

Alizard · 04-08-2012, 12:27

I have a Para 1640 LDA 1911. It was a $1100 fixer upper and now shoots OK but trigger reset is not reliable. I am underwhelmed with Para guns.

bac1023 · 04-08-2012, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by QNman

Bac, you know more about 1911's than most of us ever will. And if you'd pass, so would I.

I'd pass on it for sure. Its just not something I'd buy.

BLACK Z · 04-08-2012, 16:34

Bac I haven't read your link yet, What I am looking for is a 1911 Military gun, I am not looking for any fancy gun It doesn't need to touch rounds at 25 yards, just looking for a nice 1911.

As far as this gun smith goes I know people come from far away to bring there 1911's to him, he always has a bunch of them.

**Jason D** · 04-08-2012, 17:16

I agree it's a frankengun.
Older Para's came from Canada.

The only way anyone is going to get a custom gun for 500 bucks is if it belonged to some little old lady who's husband owned it, and they decided to skin her on the deal.

Pass on this...

tim12232 · 04-08-2012, 21:20

If you want a basic GI style 1911 look at the Rock Island Armory's. Lots of people like them on here and are in your price range for a new gun. Check armslist.com or gun broker for a used original Springfield GI or Mil Spec should be around 500 as well. I myself would pass on the Para, and I live 2 miles from there factory here in Pineville, NC