I dunno BC, if I could ever get my Kimber to run consistently I wouldn't want to change a dang thing with it.

i'd prob go with this para as well. it's all steel which helps with recoil. that front strap texture works great too.

recoil and reliability are the chief complaints with 3inch 1911's, as most of them have alloy frames and are picky with ammo type. if you don't mind the alloy frame and unpleasant recoil-the colt new agent is one of the more consistently reliable ones as well.

You think so? I have no experience with that model, but dang, that front strap looks like stacked razorblades.

I have carried an STI Escort in the 45acp for a couple of years now. It is the most accurate compact 1911 I have had.

Alright... I've been staring at these guns until I'm blue in the face. I haven't even picked up my rifle in over a week since I've started my own internal discussion.

For $760... we have this.
http://www.impactguns.com/store/770752237404.html

and I'm really digging it... 24-25 ounces, 6 (should be 7 with Wilson mags, unless I'm mistaken)+1, .45ACP, all the goodies, no compromises (besides a touch of recoil)

Final judgement before I start the papertrail?

I can't give you a personal opinion because I have no experience with Para. I have seen mixed reviews of their pistols and their customer service.

I found a site that claims they sell the same pistol for $713.

Ozark Guns

<--necrophiliac. Sorry. Had to post the good news before I blew my 1911 load, and didn't feel like cluttering up someone else's thread.

Finally made my decision, and ordered my newest member to the 1911 family. After alot of debate about Para, and the mixed reviews or thier recent product, I veared away for a sweet deal on a NIB matte black Kimber UCII. No pics for the time being, but they will be up as soon as it arrives.

This post has been edited by Synistar13: November 26th 2009 5:01 AM

After several calls, emails, gripes, and moans, I am the proud owner of a Kimber.





Initial impressions, pending some range time.

Kimber builds a tight pistol. I've known this from friends and trusted collegues who have owned Kimbers for a while, but it all falls on deaf ears until I have tried to field strip this thing for intial lubrication and inspection... I tried for 30 minutes straight just trying to remove the slide stop. (proper method with the takedown tool was used) After some cooldown time and a cold drink, I tried again, and I found that holding the toungue at just the right angle while crossing the toes will allow the slidestop to come out smoothly. Slide is tight with the frame, bull barrel is tight with the slide at both the front of the slide (where the bushing should be) and with the upper barrel lugs. Slight contact with the lower lugs, but not a complete crash (just right, timing wise). It just needs to be shot... ALOT.

Went through some basic function tests, and it's flawless, of course. Trigger is sweet and crisp. Feels a hair stronger than my 5" gun, so it should be at 5lbs roughly. I tried some feeding tests with different ammo (Manually racking the slide with loaded mags). FMJ's work just fine in both the factory Kimber mag, and a Wilson Combat 47 OXC, but I tried some Hornady TAP hollowpoints... different story. The factory mag works just fine, but the Wilson sends the HP's crashing into the Wilson/Nowlin ramp (I thought that's not supposed to happen? Wilson mag +Wilson ramp = win!?!?! LOL) locking the slide almost as if it was on the slidestop. I was left scratching my head, when I decided to try a CMC mag out of my Government model for giggles. Sure, it extends beyond the grip, but it feeds the HPs even smoother than the Kimber mag.

So, what's left to talk about? It's in need of night sights (probably Trigicons), VZ Alien grips in Black desert sand, and lots of ammo down the pipe, probably as soon as I get off work tomorrow.

Comments? Concerns? Ideas?

This post has been edited by Synistar13: December 10th 2009 2:18 AM

Hope you like it, going at the end of the month to put two Kimber Eclipse II Ultra's on layaway, one each for my wife and I. I think you'll enjoy it, and us ours. I've never owned a Kimber, but have a friend who had 3 and they were all tac drivers.

Range Report:

Kimber mags suck almost as much as Wilson mags in Officer/Defender frames. About every other magload or so, it FTF's on the last or 2nd to last round.

Outside of that, shoots wonderfully. When I'm doing my part, it lays out a 4" group at 10yds freestanding, and I still think there's room for improvement. Pics are still on the camera at the time. It never FTE'd, just mag-related FTFs. I ordered some CMC match grade officer mags to see how they perform. I should have pulled a mag out of my government to see if that would correct the issue. Recoil is a bit more than my 5" gun, but I wouldn't consider it hard to control or manage. Muzzle rise is a bit more as well. Sights are easy to read in a reasonably-lit shooting range, and easy to acquire. Controls are easing up, and becoming more "clickable" and engaging.

More results when the new mags and ammo arrive.

Congrats! It's a cute little bugger.

Those short 1911's like a strong hand.

If you let the muzzle rise much with a pivoting wrist your asking for Fail to feed.

I thought I may be wimp-wristing it after the FTFs with the Wilson, but I went at it with the G.I. Joe kungfu grip, but it's still got it's hangups.

I think i need the firing pin spring out of a K98 Mauser as the magspring... Just to give it a lil' extra umph. LOL. It may just still be in break-in, but it is getting better. It just likes to be shot.


Thanks, Oakie. It will get cuter as the lead keeps flying down the pipe.

The Detonic Combat master. 6+1. I have a 1978 vintage.
But I prefer my CA Bulldog 44. 180 hps as hot as I dare.

Secondary range report:

CMC mags... invest in them! Zero faults, even on the last round. another 100rds down the pipe.

+1 on the escort.