GixxerPete

I continue to want another .45, but Sprinfield continues to NOT make an XDm in .45 ACP. So I start to consider other options, like a 1911. But I'm not looking to spend $1000 on a nice Springfield or Kimber etc. So I've been looking at the Para GI Expert a little bit, and there's also the Taurus PT1911. Both can be had for around $500.

Anyone have any experience with either of these? Are they decent guns? Or am I kooky and should I just save my pennies for a "real" 1911? Discuss.

Para GI Expert:



Taurus PT 1911:

Justin03

I really like the Taurus 1911's. It feels great in the hand, and shoots well. For a ~$600 1911 it feels much more spendy.

However, I've owned 2 of these, 1 blued, 1 stainless and have had a small problem with each one. The bluing developed some small surface rust spots 3 days after I first shot it.
I ended up giving that to a Marine friend of mine and bought a stainless.
My new problem is that the thumb safety is loose and will seperate from the frame. Not a major problem since it's not a carry weapon, just very aggravating to have to stop and fix while enjoying a day at the range.

sunofnun

I had a PT-945 years ago and it shot very well! double/single action fun gun to shoot.. never had any problems.. kinda still wish I had it.. but it had to go to make room for my current colt 1911.

Para Ordinance makes great weapons.. their advantage in the 1911 space is their double stack clip and unique frame design. They widened a standard 1911 frame and were (I believe) the first to have a 'hi capacity' 1911 based pistol. Para was also first to design a double/single action configuration (LDA which I believe stands for limited double action but I'm not sure and am too lazy to look).

The Para your looking at is NOT one of these.. it's a standard capacity/single action model. It's thumb safety is standard, and those are irritating when shooting all day. (the tarus your showing has a beavertail which is MUCH more comfortable and kinda saves you from getting kissed by the slide if you have ape hands like me) That said, the Para would be a great platform to start out on. I've not read anything about that gun, but have seen

For the tarus, my buddy has a millinium 24/7 which Ive shot.. it shot fairly well. I wasn't blown away by any means.. but I had just recently purchased a Tactical XD (which you may know about) so I was shooting them side by side.. so it was a little hard to be objective.

The 1911 Taurus looks to have some of the elements of a 'custom' 1911. Its got a forged slide and frame, match grade barrel, checkered front strap, ambidextrous safety, full length Guide Rod, and decent sights! Justins range report isn't super surprising. It is a entry level model. Lots of guys claim solid reliability on those though.. thousand of rounds etc.. I think taurus is a standup company and anyone who's ever had a problem gets taken care of real well (like your rugar lcp)

Knowing you may not want to customize it at all, the taurus might be a good way to go.

You could also consider a Rock Island Armory 1911 or hi standard, in your price range..


lots of good info and pics on here: 1911Forum - Powered by vBulletin

GixxerPete

Good info... one thing I got out of it... the Para has a cast slide, some folks ding it for that, and I see the Taurus is forged. Sounds like the Taurus might be the better of the two for just a little bit more $$.

Another option could be a Springfield Mil-Spec? It's about the same price as the Taurus. Better platform but less features?

Metonymy

That Taurus is a SEXY beast!

FLIPEXED

on the Rock Island Armory... they make a tactical version which is compares favorably in price and feature wise next to the Para + Taurus (upgraded sights, a target grade trigger and hammer, beavertail grip safety, and ambidextrous slide safety). You can find them for about $450-475... lots of fans on the m1911 forum.

I have the GI version... pic in my avatar.

Can't go wrong with the taurus though... I think they make a beautiful gun.

thejrod

I like the "loaded" 1911s personally. I don't care for the "GI" or "milspec" versions. They don't have any of the modern features that make 1911s good shooters (beveled feed ramps for hollowpoints, decent sights, etc). The Milspecs are designed to be replicas of what they used in WWII era - lot of improvements have been made since then.

GixxerPete

True and I agree. But both the Para and Taurus are not true "mil spec" 1911s, as they have the beveled feed ramps, decent sights etc. I believe SA's "GI" is a true mil spec, though the "mil spec" one isn't? Or maybe it's the other way around

Now if money was no object, I'd get a SA Operator or Loaded, or Kimber SIS or Tactical etc.

koorbloh

I had a guy tell me not to buy a 1911 because rambo took one apart in a guy's hand.

it was at that point that I left that store.


I'm no 1911 expert, but I've heard good things about rock island.

I liked the kimber I shot, and every 1911 I've held felt good except double stack mags....and I have big hands

make sure you hold a fat one before you buy one....

GixxerPete

Wut?

I tried a Para Hawg (sub compact double stack 1911) at Wade's and didn't care for it. Hard to get a good grip on it, and I shot like shit with it. Other 1911s I've tried I've always shot as good or better than my own guns.

Drugs and guns don't mix... mmkay?

koorbloh

dunno, the guy was clearly a tard, but I think he was talking about rambo or some action movie guy (arent' all action movies titled "rambo"?)




heheheheheh

Teacher Todd

I love my Taurus 1911, but the Para looks good as well. If you can try them out first do it. Get the one that feels the best to you. The only other 1911 I have shot is a Kimber and it was nice, but for the money I like my Taurus better.