Click here to download the catalog as a PDF file. To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. • JOHN TAFFIN • PARA-USA .45 ACP GI ExPERT Easy on the wallet, heavy on performance. o handgun has ever been subject to more modifications than John N Browning’s .45 ACP Model 1911. Ten years after it was adopted by the US Army the flat mainspring housing was replaced by an arched version while the long trigger was shortened. This was done to prevent what some thought was a natural tendency for the original 1911 to shoot low. The improved version became the 1911-A1. Dozens upon dozens of to $5,000 or more. I’ve never heard manufacturers and custom gunsmiths anyone say the custom versions were have done everything imaginable to not worth the price, however, I made a the original 1911. It step back, caught my has been chopped breath, and thanks to and channeled, Para USA moved into beavertailed, melted, the era of the original fitted with longer 1911. barrels and slides, Para has long high cap magazines, offered several extended slide stops different models of and thumb safeties. single- and doubleIt has received all action 1911s, singlemanner of sighting and double-stacked systems both fixed versions. Their latest and adjustable and 1911 is just that — even some mounted a basic, no-frills, on full-length ribs on standard model 1911. top of the slide. It’s 1957 and I’m GrandsonBrianJohnPanzella,age16, Every finish givesushisbest“JohnTaffinShooting back shooting a .45 imaginable from dull Stance”sanscowboyhat. Government Model matte black to a highly 1911 with my friends. engraved and polished Well, almost. If I can’t or nickeled has been go back physically, I offered. Springs can certainly go back have been changed, spiritually. guide rods have been The latest Para 1911 added, hammers and is the GI Expert and it triggers have been is almost pure 1911. skeletonized, slides Para says, “It feels have been tightened, like an old friend, the match barrels have GrandsonJasonMichaelSeals,age21, one that the company been fitted, and glass alsodidyeomandutyhelpingJohntest armorer worked over smooth trigger pulls theParaExpert. for you to earn your achieved. And with Expert Marksman’s all of this we have badge. Using the new barely scratched the millennium technology surface. Para has built you a In my lifetime production .45 that I’ve seen prices from is silky smooth with $7.50 for war surplus a crisp, clean trigger versions when I was a that makes you the teenager in the 1950s best shot you can be.” to highly handfitted Thispastspringandsummerhasbeen OK, there is a and customized oneofshootingwithJohn’sgrandsons. little hype there but versions costing HereJohnChristopherTaffin,age21, not much! It is silky anywhere from $2,500 givestheParaExpertatry. smooth with an 30 Taffin’shandloadsshotwell(above).Feedingof the RCBS cast SWC bullet was reliable as well asaccurate.Thebestgroupswithfactoryammo at20yards(below)wereturnedinbyBuffalo BoreandBlackHillsammo. excellent 5-pound trigger and the slide is tightly fitted to the frame with no perceptible movement. The sights are excellent of the 3-dot variety, I would prefer all-black, however they are much improved over the original very small sights found on 1911s 100-years ago. Both sights are set in a dovetail making them drift adjustable for windage. For my eyes and hold, they shot less than an inch low for most loads tested. Not only are the sights better than the original, the barrel is of premium stainless steel fitted to a steel bushing; no guide rods here. Both the trigger, which is serrated on the face, and hammer are skeletonized and the Commander-shaped hammer never bit me at anytime during the testing. The mainspring housing is the flat style I WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 2009