Well, this sucks.

Had just bought a case of Federal LE 45 ACP, 230 Grain Hi-Shok JHP, and took a few boxes to the range to run through my Para Expert yesterday.

A friend and I had rented a 9mm for him to test, so we were taking turns shooting that and my 1911, never rapid-fire or more than two mags-worth each time. Put maybe 100-150 rounds through total, and my buddy turns around and says ‘I think something’s wrong..’

Slide is stuck, not locked back or locked forward, and I can see that the barrel is still in place covering the ejection port. Something is wrong. Eject the magazine, and carefully (and with difficulty) rack the slide and return it to forward position, where it slides easily forward and off of the frame, albeit with the slide stop pin remaining in place.

The barrel sheared completely, leaving the lugs in place. The spent case from the last-fired round was still in the barrel, and appears to have been cut neatly by the extractor (I could be wrong?) when the barrel was shoved back.

I have never had an issue with this gun previously, always cleaned it after every range visit (or at least before the next), and I am blown away that this happened after about only 1500 rounds lifetime. I will be contacting Para, but I just figured I would share and see if this has happened to anyone else here. Disappointed to have lost my baby, but will give me some more time with my Ruger SP101. =(