Really, I stopped by Discount Gun Mart to pick up some targets. Sitting in the display case was a compact 9mm based on the 1911 frame - ParaUSA Para Carry 9. The compact pistol caught my eye as filling a niche that I was looking for. While I didn’t walk out with the semi-auto, I did place a down payment and filled out the necessary background check paperwork. After the 10-day California waiting period, I had the Para Carry 9 in my possession. First things first was a good cleaning. Then, it was finding the opportunity for some shooting time. That is where life became interesting.