PARA SSP 45 5IN 8R BLK - Blue/Black, 5" Barrel, 8+1 Rounds, Wood Grips, 3-Dot Sights

The order experience from Bud's was basicly painless although the ACH payment process seemed to add a lot to the time between shipment and delivery. The pistol itself is great. I did notice that at first it did not want to allow me to release the slide with an empty mag. I partially loaded a mag and cycled a couple of rounds through to make sure it worked. After that it would release the slide with an empty mag but it was very stiff. I took it to the range yesterday and shot my first 250 rounds. Para recommends shooting 250 rounds, then thoroughly clean and lube then repeat for a break in. I have never done this before but followed their recommendations. For my first session, I shot 100 rounds of Tula 230 fmj, 100 Federal Champion 230 fmj, and 50 rounds of Georgia Arms 230 fmj. All 250 rounds cycled and fired flawlessly. I shot targets at 15 yards and at 25 yards. I was impressed with the results. NO I am not a professional shooter. I am not even real good with a handgun. BUT, with this pistol, I was pretty dang good for the first time out. I need to add that this is the first time I have ever shot a 1911 and I like it. I did tend to shoot a little low but that could have just been me. Or, the ammo. Shooting other pistols, I have observed that the point of impact is sometimes different with different brands of ammo. Overall I am a happy camper. The slide release with an empty mag problem showed significant improvement after the 250 rounds. I am looking forward to the next 250.

Stay away from this gun. I received mine and foolishly accepted it from my local transfer dealer. Upon getting it home, I found that the gun will not accept one of the magazines that came with the gun! (It will not lock in place). I have another Para, so I tried one of my other mags. The other mag will lock in the gun, but jams if you rack the slide with the hammer back. The mags that came with the gun will not allow the slide release to release the slide with an empty mag in the gun. Upon further inspection, I have found that the gun has a defective slide release. In fact, the slide release looks like it came out of another gun. The finish does not match and there are bare spots where raw metal is showing through. I will attempt to have Para send me a replacement slide release and two new magazines. If you do not want a project 1911, do not buy this gun. That said, the finish on the gun is top notch. I think the guns Buds is selling might be 2011 models, because the finish looks to be nitride, not Ionbond. For what it will cost to send it back to Para for repairs, I could have got a stainless Springfield.

Service from Buds was great as always. Took Para a month to fix and return. Nice looking and shooting 45. This is the only gun I have had trouble with out of the box, and hope this was just an isolated defect in workmanship. Para's are quality made guns and there customer support was top notch.

I'm shure this will be a nice pistol to shoot when I get it back from Para. But the fact that it didn't work out of the box after cleaning and oiling leaves me a little disappointed. Add to the fact that I had to spend $50 to ship it to them, leaves me wishing I had bought another Kimber.