Handling, shooting and working on many firearms throughout the year has caused me to become extremely picky about personal firearm selection. With experience providing lots of points of reference to gauge quality and performance, ego stroking brand names and premium price tags have zero bearing on my selections. Finesse features of a firearm are also not the leading factors in a personal buy decision. If Rosewood grips are desired, they don’t have to come on packaged with a $1,500 pistol. A nice set of Rosewood grips can be purchased for $40 – $50 and pop right into place on a very slick, but Rosewood grip-less, $800 pistol that works as well.
Not long ago, I was working with some Para-USA 45 ACP products, when I became attached to a Para-USA Elite Commander. Throughout an assessment period, it proved to be accurate, reliable and persistently good looking. The Elite Commander’s stainless frame and slide have a Ionbond© PVD finish that, unlike an epoxy or blued finish, is bonded to the stainless steel like plating. Subsequently, it stays on in the face of holster rub and/or when exposed to chemicals and harsh environments. What fell outside of personal preferences would need to be identified with use.
Replacement Guide Rod
There are full length guide rods in all but one of my 1911s. One day, after reading and listening to debate over guide rod configurations, I built a fixture out of clear plastic sheet and tube
to simulate the open and changing space inside of a typical 1911. I observed the spring shifting into a slight caterpillar like form, dragging on the enclosure surfaces and causing spring rates to vary minutely when this happened. So I went to a full length guide rod to clean up the function of a mechanical assembly. Does the use of a full length guide rod quantifiably improve accuracy or reliability of function? Nope. However, I do like the mechanical feel and preciseness of the full rod assembly. Are full length guide rods a recommendation? Not at all.
One thing that full length guide rods will not do, even though this is listed as a selling point for most of them, is prevent coil bind. Coil bind occurs when a spring is compressed to a point where all coils are in full contact with one another and the spring cannot be compressed further. That can happen with a 1911 recoil spring if its compressed length is greater than the space allocated between the guide rod head and recoil spring plug with the slide in its full aft position, but it is not an issue of alignment.
The guide rod that came with the Para-USA was one piece, cut short to facilitate disassembly. Consequently, it didn’t pass fully through the gun’s recoil spring plug, which left me with the concern that plug and rod wear could cause the rod to catch on the plug or a stray spring coil end, or the empty space in the plug ahead of the guide rod could become home to a small family of squirrels. Subsequently the stock Para piece was replaced with a two piece, full length guide rod, Brownells PN 087-045-890WB Ed Brown SS Two Piece Guide Rod $27.99. No, I don’t mind the need for a hex wrench for removal. No, I’ve not had two piece guide rods separate. No, I have no interest in message board consensus. My gun, my life, my decisions…
As seen in the top frame, the first half of the guide rod rests against the barrel lug. With the slide in place, the spring slips over the guide rod normally and the plug goes over the end of the spring. The plug is pushed down compressing the spring and the barrel bushing is rotated into position retaining the plug. Finally, the portion of the two piece rod is installed and tightened with a hex key. As seem above, far right, no further chance of squirrels. I do put a dab of Loctite Threadlocker Blue 242 on the threads which seems to keep everything in place.
Cocobolo sits in the old gum tree. Merry, merry…
Yes, I know the word is Kookaburra, but that did not work with my story, so I changed it. Sometimes I change the names of coworkers. I just begin calling them by a new name and persist until they no longer respond to the old name… or go insane and quit, or come to work with a determined family member who insists that I stop. Mothers can be so protective.
The Para-USA came with very nice grips, which they refer to as double diamond pattern “presentation grade” and I would not doubt that for a moment. The only problem is that the finish had been applied heavily and in a very glossy fashion, when I like satin and understated. I had no need to present the pistol, I just wanted to shoot it and be able to hang on. So I purchased a set of satin finished grips from Brownells PN: 052-004-107WB Ahrerds Rosewood Tactical Grips $59.00 and some nifty VZ Grip’s custom grip screws – Brownells PN:100-011-294WB Turbo Screws (4) Full Size $18.
Contemplation
More to go. The Para’s mainspring housing is plastic. Perfectly good functional piece, but inconsistent with what I want in a firearm. A steel piece is on order. Still not sure if I like the physical trigger… or the sights… not sure about the hammer. Subsequently, I’ll just look at and shoot the pistol until I am convinced I actually like the changes I made and have time to think of what will come next.
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