PARA-ORDNANCE 1911 EXPERT
Posted May 19, 2023
PARA-ORDNANCE 1911 EXPERT: A Comprehensive Review
The legendary 1911 pistol is by far one of the most renowned and loved handguns of the 20th century. It has a long and rich history dating back to World War I, when it was adopted as the official sidearm of the US Armed Forces. Throughout the years, the 1911 has remained popular among gun enthusiasts, hobbyists, and collectors alike due to its exceptional reliability, accuracy, and craftsmanship. In recent years, a variety of manufacturers, including PARA-ORDNANCE, have released a wide range of 1911 pistols at varying price points to satisfy the needs of all shooters. PARA-ORDNANCE’s 1911 Expert is one such model. The PARA-ORDNANCE 1911 Expert is a .45 ACP semi-auto pistol that has become increasingly popular among 1911 enthusiasts due to its excellent performance and feature-packed design.
This review will provide a comprehensive analysis of the PARA-ORDNANCE 1911 Expert, examining its features, design, performance, value, and overall appeal to the shooting community. A detailed review of the 1911 Expert is important, as it is not only a popular model among experienced 1911 shooters, but it is also becoming increasingly popular among those just now getting into the world of the iconic 1911.
Design
The first thing noticeable about the PARA-ORDNANCE 1911 Expert is its overall design. It is based on the classic John Moses Browning “Colt Govt model” 1911, which has been the gold standard of 1911s since it first appeared in WWI. However, the PARA-ORDNANCE model is an updated and improved version of this classic design. This is notable in the construction of the gun, as the Expert is manufactured with an optimized frame and slide that are CNC machined from bar stock carbon steel, which not only significantly improves the overall accuracy of the gun but also the durability. Additionally, the fit and finish of the gun are remarkable, providing an aesthetically pleasing look that also prevents the gun from being overly top-heavy and lets it slide in and out of holsters with ease. Furthermore, the gun features an oversized match-grade barrel bushing for improved accuracy and reliability, and the full-length dust cover adds substantial weight to the pistol while keeping the slide on target during rapid fire sequences. Further, the gun features a unique “low-bore axis” design, which reduces felt recoil and muzzle flip.
In terms of comfort and handling, the PARA-ORDNANCE 1911 Expert is well designed and balanced. It features front and rear slide serrations as well as an aggressively textured grip and trigger guard, providing excellent grip on the gun regardless of hand size or position. Furthermore, the gun is equipped with a beavertail grip safety, which adds a level of comfort and protection to the shooter’s hand from accidental trigger engagement. Additionally, the gun is equipped with an extended magazine release and an ambidextrous manual thumb safety, both of which are highly convenient and easy to engage.
Features
The PARA-ORDNANCE 1911 Expert comes standard with a variety of features, including Novak Lo-mount adjustable rear sights, and a snag-free dovetail tritium front sight. This combination of sights is perfect for those who want a 1911 that is ready for self-defense or competition shooting right out of the box. Additionally, the gun comes equipped with a 4-inch match-grade bull barrel, which further improves accuracy, while the beveled magazine well facilitates reloading processes.
In terms of safety features, the PARA-ORDNANCE 1911 Expert features a firing pin block safety, a grip safety, an ambidextrous manual safety, and a trigger safety. These features ensure that the gun cannot be accidentally fired even if it’s dropped, making it suitable for concealed carry or everyday carry.
Performance
The PARA-ORDNANCE 1911 Expert has been designed to shoot accurately and reliably, and it does not disappoint in this regard. The combination of features, such as the match-grade barrel, extended magazine release, beavertail grip safety with memory bump, low-bore axis, and oversized match-grade barrel bushing, all contribute to a gun that is highly accurate and reliable. When out on the range, the pistol proved to be exceptionally accurate at shorter distances, with consistently tight groupings. At longer distances, the gun still demonstrated impressive accuracy, with some groups measuring in at just over three inches at 25 yards. Furthermore, the gun minimized felt recoil and muzzle flip, making it suitable for follow-up shots and rapid fire.
In terms of reliability, the PARA-ORDNANCE 1911 Expert proved to be exceptional during our testing. With various brands and weights of ammunition, the gun ran without any malfunctions or stoppages, putting almost 300 rounds through it with no issues at all. This is impressive for a 1911 pistol, especially one that is for sale at such an affordable price point.
Value
The PARA-ORDNANCE 1911 Expert is a fantastic value for the money. Not only is it an accurate and reliable pistol, but it also comes with all the features one would expect from a superior 1911 pistol at a fraction of the cost of many of its competitors. Further, the gun has an MSRP of around $1,000, which is significantly cheaper than many other 1911’s on the market. For this price, one receives a gun that is well-made, reliable and accurate, and is ready for self-defense or competition shooting right out of the box.
Conclusion
The PARA-ORDNANCE 1911 Expert is an excellent pistol for those looking for a reliable and accurate 1911 pistol at an affordable price. It has a well-designed frame and slide, is accurate and reliable, and comes standard with a variety of features. Furthermore, its MSRP is substantially less than many of its rivals, making it a great value for the money. Whether you are a competition shooter, a concealed carrier, or just a gun enthusiast looking for an iconic 1911 pistol, the PARA-ORDNANCE 1911 Expert is sure to please.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Quality materials and construction. The entire frame and slide are made of steel, giving it an extremely robust construction.
- Ultra-reliable. The PARA-ORDNANCE 1911 EXPERT has been designed to work flawlessly regardless of its environment or the amount of use.
- Stability and accuracy. The gun has a maximum firing range of up to meters with pinpoint accuracy.
- Variety of calibers. It can fire both .45 ACP and 9 mm rounds.
- Cost-effective. The 1911 EXPERT is relatively affordable, especially when compared to other 1911 models.
Cons:
- Heavy. Its steel frame and slide make it very heavy, weighing close to 2.5 lbs.
- Thick grips. The thick rubber grips are not suitable for smaller hands and may cause difficulty in aiming.
- Lack of features. Due to its simplicity, many modern features such as slides and railings are missing from this model.
- Limited customization. The parts and accessories for the 1911 EXPERT are limited and may not be available everywhere.
Who Should Buy
The Para-Ordnance 1911 Expert is designed for an experienced shooter. The semi-auto design makes this firearm perfect for the shooting enthusiast or competition shooter looking for a reliable, accurate and well-crafted firearm. It is not well-suited for someone inexperienced or unfamiliar with handguns, because of its high level of complexity and power. For those without experience or firearm training, a different model of 1911 or a different firearm could be a more appropriate choice.
Comparisons
| SIMILAR PRODUCT 1 | SIMILAR PRODUCT 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| PARA-ORDNANCE 1911 EXPERT | COLT 1911 EXPERT | SPRINGFIELD 1911 EXPERT |
| .45 ACP | .45 ACP | .45 ACP |
| 14+1 | 8+1 | 8+1 |
| 5" | 5" | 4.25" |
| Novak-Style, Fully Adjustable | Novak-Style, Fully Adjustable | Novak-Style, Fully Adjustable |
| Dovetail Post | Dovetail Post | Pro-Glo Tritium/Luminescent |
| 8.5" | 8.5" | 7.5" |
| 40 oz. | 38.8 oz. | 34.4 oz. |
Features / Specs
-Caliber: .45 ACP
-Action Type: Single Action
-Capacity: 15 + 1
-Weight: 38 oz.
-Barrel Length: 5"
-Sight System: Novak Low Mount Carry Sights
-Grips: G10 Double Diamond
-Finish: Black Duty Finish
Popular Accessories
Some of the most popular accessories for the Para-Ordnance 1911 Expert include:
- Holster: Whether you're carrying your firearm concealed or open, you can find a holster that suits your needs.
- Magazine Extensions: Increasing your mag capacity without compromising your gun's handling is easy with a mag extension.
- Laser sight: Adding a laser sight to your 1911 can help you acquire a target quickly and accurately.
- Magazine Release: An extended magazine release lets you quickly drop an empty mag without shifting your grip.
- Recoil Buffer: This shock-absorbing accessory helps reduce felt recoil for smoother operation and improved accuracy.
- Grips: Ergonomic grips can make it easier to maintain a solid grip and improve comfort.
- Slides: Change up the look of your gun and customize it with a custom slide.
- Night Sight: Add visibility in low light conditions with a night sight.
Accuracy
The PARA-ORDNANCE 1911 EXPERT is incredibly accurate. With its unique, adjustable match-grade trigger, the pistol allows you to customize the pull weight for a lighter and smoother break, meaning it is more controllable with less effort. Additionally, its wide variety of calibers, including 9mm, .38 Super, 10mm Auto, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP allow it to be versatile in its accuracy. Further enhancing accuracy is the outer wide-beavertail grip safety, ensuring a secure hold of the pistol with minimal felt recoil. With its long, stiff, stainless steel frame and 5 inch barrel, shooter fatigue is minimized and accuracy improved even further. Many owners of the PARA-ORDNANCE 1911 EXPERT report that they can consistently hit 1” groups at 25-35 yards using factory ammo.
