Para GIC45RK 1911 GI Expert LTC 45 ACP 4.25" 8+1 Grip Covert

17 Reviews. Average Rating: [4.1 of 5 Stars!]

5 stars:		59% (10 of 17)
4 stars:		24% (4 of 17)
3 stars:		0% (0 of 17)
2 stars:		5% (1 of 17)
1 star:		11% (2 of 17)

Reviewed By: William C on 10/18/2012 Rating: [1 of 5 Stars!]
I've put about 600 rounds of standard 230 FMJ through this handgun and I've been very unhappy with it for the following reasons.

1.) The mags that came with it caused repeated jams including failure to load the first round. I was sent a replacement by PARA but had the same problem. I know it's their mags as the gun cycles fine with both Wilson and ACT-Mags.

2.) After about 400 rounds the gun started showing excessive wear in both the frame and slide areas. The slide is not forged properly and has started to peen around the slide stop slot both forward and aft of the cut.

3.) The frame is showing excessive wear both in the slide stop drilling and the ejector drilling. Both are already lose and sloppy. The ejector can be wiggled in just about every direction.

4.) The finish is a total let down with both the slide stop and the thunb safety showing metal through the paint already and the slide finish is starting to wear away as well.

I have a Springfield Gov Model, a Taurus PT1911 and a Colt Gold Cup that have all had many more rounds through them (The Springfield in the thousands) and none display the wear that this PARA does.

I bought this gun as a carry piece, but it is now a safe queen as I do not trust it for anything more then plinking. I suggest you spend the extra money for a Colt or a Springfield and avoid the let down. I'm looking at a Colt XSE next and I'm probably going to off load the PARA as soon as I can find someone willing to take it off my hands without me having to take enother bath.

I hope this review is helpful and respectful enough for everyone.

Just my two cents!

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Reviewed By: JEFF S on 08/05/2012 Rating: [2 of 5 Stars!]
Delivery was prompt, as always with Bud's. Pistol looked good upon examining it at the store. Stripped, cleaned and lubed it, and headed for the range. First three mags went fine, then I had a failure to feed on the second to last round in each mag. Put one hundred rounds of factory ball, and three mags of hollow pnts, threw it, and had that same odd malf, with each one. Only had one mag with me, a Wilson that's never been a problem before. Accuracy was pretty good, but the trigger has to be 5 1/2 to 6 lbs. Also, the only aftermarket sights that fit this thing are the XS express type sights.I'll hit the range again soon, put another couple hundred rounds threw it and hope for an improvement. Will update if things go better.

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Reviewed By: Trevor C on 04/08/2012 Rating: [4 of 5 Stars!]
bought this gun in march and was saving my review for when i actually took it to the range. some para reviews had me concerned about the quality of the guns and reliability. the manual calls for 250 rounds before initial cleaning. shot 200 rounds today and had only 1 failure to feed, which i think was merely due to the gun being very dry. this is a great sub-$1000 1911 and i highly recommend it. after cleaning it tonight it looks fantastic and the slide is broken in really nicely. i also put silver alumagrips on the gun which make it look amazing.

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Reviewed By: robert o on 03/30/2012 Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!]
This is my first reveiw. I just got my Para 1911 LTC it is amazing. Very tight and clean. Once I go to the range I will up date.. I used the 90 layaway program a my price was $476.00 what agreat deal

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Reviewed By: Jan B on 03/21/2012 Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!]
This is the second Para 1911 I purchased from Bud's. The other is a full size SSP. This version is a scaled down version of the GI Expert, with some extras. At 28oz with a 4.25" barrel vs 39oz and 5" barrel for the full size, it is significantly lighter and easier to carry. Upgrades included in the GI LTC include the nice wood grips, competition trigger, and fiber optic front sight. Out of the box it looked good and everything seemed to function. It was delivered clean and well lubricated. Para does not recommedend cleaning before the first use. They recommend shooting 250 rounds, then clean, lube and shoot another 250 rounds. They say this is for the break in. The gun is tight to begin with so this makes some degree of sense.

At the range, I had a couple of times in the first 50 rounds where I fired and the next round only partially seated in the chamber. It fed but the slide did not fully return to the correct position and I had to push it forward before firing the next shot. This occured about 20 or 25 rounds in. After that it fed and fired the next 200 + rounds perfectly. Being lighter (alloy frame), it has a little more recoil than the steel framed full size model but is very managable. Accuracy was very good. I am not an expert marksman, competition targer shooter. But, I hit what I shot at. From a sandbag rest, it did nice groups at 15 and 25 yards. Off hand in a more defensive fire situation I was able to consistently hit near center at 7.5, 15 and 25 yards. A couple of flyers were my own fault, not the pistol. This was with fairly cheap ammo. The first 200 rounds were Georgia Arms factory reload 230 gr FMJ, and the last 50 were Federal Champion 230 gr FMJ. The accuracy seemed consistent through the whole session. This is a nice pistol and very nice for the price. Bud's price was $549 when I ordered it with free shipping. I paid $25 for the transfer fee at my local FFL. So, a lot of gun for the money. I have shopped 1911's at several gun shows and this is a deal.

If you want a "Commander" size 1911, this one deserves serious consideration.

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