I've seen these at shops, and read up on them. They seem like very nice pistols, but I've never seen anyone with one, never see anyone talk about them. What's the story behind these.

Just another 1911. I have a 16-40 that is absolutely wonderful.

I currently have a Para USA Expert (not G.I. Expert) 1911 .45 ACP, no issues with just over 1500 flawless rounds fired thus far. Forged frame and slide, machined extractor and barrel bushing, match grade barrel...it's a lot of gun for the money. Reliable and very accurate. Love it. I inherited my dad's Para Ordnance (Canada) PXT P12 Limited .45 ACP 3" and it ran flawless as well. My oldest daughter shot it and instantly fell in love so, now it's her's.

I've had a P-14 .45 ACP almost 20 years. Love it. Would really like the have a beavertail and a ambidexterous hammer safety put on it but I don't want to be without it for the time it would take.

If I was in the market for another I'd give them a look.

I've got the P-14 .45, that's had some upgrade's. Wilson match grade barrel, and recoil reducing spring installed. It's by far, the most pleasant, softest recoiling .45 I've ever shot.

Zero issues.

What is a recoil-reducing spring?

Only ones I have ever been around are the double stack 1911s. They are pretty chunky, but mechanically work fine. A friend of mine asked me to make him a set of custom wood grips for a 1911, and I was like, "Oh yeah, come by one afternoon and we can knock those out in no time." He shows up with a double stack Para. Making those grips was a major PITA! I ended up keeping the pistol for a week, and making several sets of grips before I finally got a good set.

It basically reduces the slide to frame impact. If you do a search for Sprinco USA recoil reduction, it'll give you an idea of what it does.

So a heavier recoil spring or shock buffer?

I've got the Expert as well and it's a great shooting gun. Check out CDNN, I picked up mine for $500 after the factory rebate.

Not 100% positive if this is correct but when I was in the market for a 1911 my gunsmith/dealer said Para's have more hands on smithing than Kimber.

The sprinco is a replacement drop in full size guide rod with a captured subspring. The subspring is engaged after the pistol has fired and ejected the brass. It dampens the slide to frame battering in turn reducing the perceived recoil, the muzzle flip and dip especially when double tapping. Also by dampening slide and frame battering helps extend life of pistol.

I have had two Para 1911 single stack 45 and have been satisfied with both pistols. Not saying they are the best or better than others, just that I have not had any issues with them.

Freedom Group owns Para. Take it with a salt and lime, see how it shakes.

I would look at an STI first.