Double stack 1911 questions

[rumble phish]

I just ordered the Rock Island Armory 1911 A2 FS-HC. It's a full size 1911 that uses the same style double stack mags that the Para DS 1911 uses. The mags for the RIA DS are made by Mec-Gar, so I'm confident that the mags will be good (I use Mec-Gar mags for my other 1911's and have been VERY happy with them).

Has anyone had any experience with DS 1911's? I know the Para's had issues early on, and I believe that was due to the mags (14 rounders). Since the RIA is going to use 10 round mags I don't anticipate the magazine to be an issue, since it is usually the spring that causes problems in the hi-caps. Also, I have fairly large hands and I recall that the Para DS 1911 fit nicely in my grip.

http://armscor.com/firearms/gi-series/gi-standard-fs-hc-45acp/

[Calif Hunter]

I have a P-14 that I have used for action shooting and 3-gun competitions for several years. It has always worked fine, and I cannot recall a malfunction with the standard capacity magazines though there were problems with cheap after-market 10 round mags. That was not the gun's fault. No problems with quality magazines. I do run all my handloads through case gauges and/or a Lee Factory crimp die.

I believe many of the problems Para had were due to the closing of the production plant in Canada with perhaps workers who knew they were losing their jobs losing their quality care, as well as the learning curve for new workers at the US plant.

[W.R.Buchanan]

I have had two 1911 double stacks. a Para 16/40 LDA and a Kimber Carry Pro BP. I like the wider grip and it fits my hands and the way I shoot better than a conventional 1911.

The Para had their stupid LDA trigger which was/is idiotic, as it interfaces with the grip safety and you can't rack the slide unless the grip is compressed completely. This makes clearing malfunctions a problem. I traded it strait across for a G21SF and I did get the better of that deal!!!

The Kimber ran great, the trigger was perfect, it fit my hand perfectly and used Para mags for 14+1. The gun was about as accurate as a cheap shotgun. My best group with it was 8" at 25 yards !!!!!! I was so blown away I almost died. Shot 5 that day and that was the best one of the bunch.

This was not the kind of performance I expected from anything that said "Kimber" on it. I sold it immediately after and it sold to some other fool in about 2 hours. I talked to Kimber at SHOT and they said they had accuracy problems with that model and had discontinued it. That told me everything I needed to know.

By comparison virtually any decent 1911 should shoot below 2" at 25 yards either from a mechanical rest or off sand bags. The Para 16/40 shot to 1.5" easily off sandbags.

That Rock Island 1911 will probably be a pretty good gun. I have heard nothing negative about any of their products.

Randy

[JTROKS]

I have an older Para frame kit (90s) built in 40S&W and a later Para Limited model pre-Remington. I also have the RIA Pro Match and sad to say the Para magazines will not fit in the RIA Pro Match. If you’re planning to install a magwell, that’s another headache if your mags are the short ones. In my experience the STI 2011 mags work with the RIA wide body frame, but that’s in 40 and 10mm. Not sure about 45ACP.

[caliberetta]

I didn't realize this pistol is on the Roster, I just checked and in fact it is. Nice surprise for me. I may buy one myself some time down the road.

To the OP, this pistol is often used in competition as a budget alternative to an STI. From what I have heard it is very reliable. It does need some work though, if it is for competition.

[crufflers]

I checked one out when the LGS had a few. I thought it was a steal for the price, not to mention the only choice on-roster. RIA has a couple sleepers... polymer framed Tanfoglio's and this double stack 1911.

[AKexpat]

Back in the mid-nineties I also had a Para-Ord P-14 5" aluminum frame kit gun in .45 that someone else put together and I bought it for $350 at a LGS. It had a myriad of aftermarket parts in it (probably SARCO, Numrich, et al) but it shot well, was dependable with much HP ammo as it had a throated barrel, and was worth the money to me. I think the guy that built it had good intents and purposes, but that is just guessing.

I shot it many times but what I did not like about it was difference in the point of balance from a full mag to a near empty mag. Sold it a few years later for $400 to another guy who was looking for Wonder .45. Maybe that's why the original owner got rid of it.

I still use a 1911 steel frame 7-shot .45 with Pachmayr grips for SD/HD/CC and the weight difference between a full mag and an empty mag is not nearly as great. I have medium sized hands but long fingers, so the 1911 in its original configuration (non-A1) fits me just fine.
And I have 2 extra loaded spare mags and a loud-barking 14# dachshund for home insurance.

You folks have a good night!

Jim

[rumble phish]

I didn't realize this pistol is on the Roster, I just checked and in fact it is. Nice surprise for me. I may buy one myself some time down the road.

To the OP, this pistol is often used in competition as a budget alternative to an STI. From what I have heard it is very reliable. It does need some work though, if it is for competition.

No competition, just a range/house/truck gun.

I checked one out when the LGS had a few. I thought it was a steal for the price, not to mention the only choice on-roster. RIA has a couple sleepers... polymer framed Tanfoglio's and this double stack 1911.

It IS a steal for the price. Running me $480 +tax and DROS.

[crufflers]

It IS a steal for the price. Running me $480 +tax and DROS.

It is a more known model, but the RIA Ultramatch or 1911 FS Match is an awesome 1911 for the price too - 8-shot.

[73 RB-Z]

Picking mine up tomorrow. I plan to shoot Limited major with it, so it's going to be a bit of a project gun. They're not nearly as thick as you'd expect, the grip panels are very thin. The one the gun shop ordered for me came fit very well. The slide fit compares well to my Springfield loaded. Time will tell how it runs. I'm used to shooting 1911's in wild bunch, so I think this will be an ok transition.

Rock Island sells entire kits to convert these to the tac models. You can find kits with and without barrels/slides.

[caliberetta]

Picking mine up tomorrow. I plan to shoot Limited major with it, so it's going to be a bit of a project gun. They're not nearly as thick as you'd expect, the grip panels are very thin. The one the gun shop ordered for me came fit very well. The slide fit compares well to my Springfield loaded. Time will tell how it runs. I'm used to shooting 1911's in wild bunch, so I think this will be an ok transition.

Rock Island sells entire kits to convert these to the tac models. You can find kits with and without barrels/slides.

Do these use the same slide as the Single Stack models?

[colt11]

The Para Ordnance double stacks use 1911 slides, just need to match up ramped barrels with ramp cut frames, and of course be able to size it.

[hambam105]

"Not as bad as you think...Not as good as they think."

Sorry guys, I won't quote that source.

Dragnet...to protect the Innocent kind of thing.

I can say the 'you' was me. And the 'they' is you. Got that? Good.

[Nick Adams]

By comparison virtually any decent 1911 should shoot below 2" at 25 yards either from a mechanical rest or off sand bags. The Para 16/40 shot to 1.5" easily off sandbags.


Randy

Ive never shot a 1911 that wont make smaller groups than that off of bags, that close. Not better than your Para, but always within an inch or so, if I do my part. Modern firearms are pretty
amazing.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Nick: that particular Kimber model was a turd and they stopped making them as they had accuracy problems due to the Polymer Frame flexing. After I found out it wouldn't shoot I sold it immediately, then Kimber told me why at SHOT this year and I didn't feel guilty any more.

I have never shot any 1911 that I could out shoot. This one was they exception and it literally sprayed rounds everywhere.

8" at 25 was the BEST group I shot with it.

Randy