high cap/double stack 1911s - appreciate user input

[Sheepdog1968]

I'd greatly appreciate a bit more details. Did you have problems with one.

Avoid it like the plague. Nothing but problems. If you do get one buy STI/SVI. Avoid anything that says Para Ord on it.
I dont even consider it a 1911.

[Peter W Bush]

Ive shot a custom 1911 that used a Para frame but everything else was from a Colt series 80. IIRC King's put the gun together and did a great job, but it cost just about the same as a 2011 would cost you today.

[cocorador]

I have both the Para and the STI. Both guns are not cheap. They have been built from the frame up lets say. The Para I've owned since the late 80's and is in 45. I can feed it wad cutters, SWC and Ball. Never had an issue. I think the biggest issue is the magazine. It's on the thin side of things. After dropping/mag changes and stepping on the mag by accident, they have a tendancy to bend. Now I do weigh 245lbs. Yes, I am FAT. But, later in the 90's STI did make mag bodies and those I have never had to fix. Also, the basepads that came with the proprietary mags were pretty weak as well. Changed that too.

Also, a large mag release sucks on it. You can accidently run your finger across it and there goes your mag. After removing the oversized button, never had the problem again.

The rest of the gun is perfect. Never a hiccup or anything. The STI never had issues. I learned, large mag button, from the Para. Also, the STI has some stout magazines. I don't think you can ever wear one out. Well, myself at least.


Hope this helps a little.

[Sheepdog1968]

Thank you very much for the offer to meet up. I'd very much like to do this. We can PM to sort out the details. I'm glad to hear its reliable. How many rounds do you have through it? I would appreciate one point of clarification. Is part of the frame polymer?

My STI (Tactical 5.0, .45ACP) is reliable. I took it out for a 10 hour training course last week and the gun had no issues. The only kink I've had with it was a few of the magazines - of which STI .45 magazines are more picky than the .40, .38 or 9mm magazines (so I've been told by Brazos Custom and Dawson Precision)

I could arrange to meet at a local range so you can try it out to help figure if it's the pistol you want.

The STI is the standard for large capacity 1911/2022s. The Para Ord has a much larger frame, since they simply bump out the frame, and add grips on top of it. The STI integrated the grips into their polymer magazine well. I don't want to get started about the Para LDA trigger.. Yuck.

[leelaw]

Thank you very much for the offer to meet up. I'd very much like to do this. We can PM to sort out the details. I'm glad to hear its reliable. How many rounds do you have through it? I would appreciate one point of clarification. Is part of the frame polymer?

Put about 400-500rds through it last week.

The magazine well and trigger guard are an assembly made of polymer. They attach via screws (3) to the metal portion of the frame, which houses the trigger assembly, slide stop, rails, and dust cover.

Here's a good explanation picture



The black portion is polymer, the silver bits and the black controls (slide stop, thumb safety) are metal.

[BIG KEN]

I HAVE A LES BAER "DOUBLE STACK" BUILT ON A PARA,P-14 FRAME, HAVE HAD IT FOR YEARS & I COULD SHOOT DIRT THROUGH IT WITHOUT ANY PROBS. I DONT KNOW IF ITS THE PARA OR LES BAER THAT MAKES ANY DIFFERENCE BUT I WOULD BUY A PARA AGAIN IF I HAD TO. I OWN CASPIAN,KIMBER,SFA,COLT, & OTHER 1911'S, BUT THE P14 IS MY FAVORITE.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

I have an older Para P14-LDA. It's a big handful, but comfortable to shoot. Unlike Leelaw, I like the LDA trigger; it reminds me of a very smooth, very light revolver trigger. The pistol functions well with Mec-Gar 10 round magazines and is very accurate, but the factory magazines are junk. I have 4 standard-capacity (14 round) factory mags, none have ever worked correctly, even with new followers and Wolff springs. If it weren't for the magazine issue, the P14 would be my favorite pistol.

I also have a newer Carry LDA with the Power Extractor that I'm not quite so happy with, as it dumps empties on the bill of my cap with regularity. Magazines are an issue with this pistol also - Colt Officers' mags work well but stick out of the well about 1/8".

When Para can make a magazine that works, and clears up their horrible customer service rep, I'd consider buying another, but not until then.

Bottom line - my advice is not to waste your money on a Para, or any other wide-body 1911. Para has too many issues, and you can't get full-capacity mags for anything over 10 rounds, anyway.

[NSR500]

Put about 400-500rds through it last week.

The magazine well and trigger guard are an assembly made of polymer. They attach via screws (3) to the metal portion of the frame, which houses the trigger assembly, slide stop, rails, and dust cover.

Here's a good explanation picture



The black portion is polymer, the silver bits and the black controls (slide stop, thumb safety) are metal.

Nice Gun, leelaw!

For the OP... You can get the 2011 with an aluminum lower now too. It does cost a bit more, but if you're the "All Metal" gun type it is well worth it. I spoke with the STI guys about doing a 5" 2011 for me so that it'll look like the 4.15 2011. I want the full rail 2011 with a 5" slide, which they say they can do by cutting down a 6" frame.

[leelaw]

Nice Gun, leelaw!

That picture was just a reference to show where the polymer ends, and the metal begins.

Mine is a poor example to demonstrate that bit, as seen:



ETA: For your specialty full-rail 5"er, make sure they also provide a slide without the ball cuts on the front.

[NSR500]

ETA: For your specialty full-rail 5"er, make sure they also provide a slide without the ball cuts on the front.

Yeah, I don't want the ball cuts. They told me they can do an uncut, or with serrations, but leaving it full against the frame like they do with their Tactical 4.15.

[223Devil]

I have an old Para 14.45 with about 4-5k thru it. I've had no problems with my double stack mags. I don't drop them and abuse them though.

[Sheepdog1968]

This is good to know re the Para with 4-5 K through them.

Thank you for all who sent the STI photos above this post as well. I am sure the CA DOJ list will complicate what I'm looking for.

I have an old Para 14.45 with about 4-5k thru it. I've had no problems with my double stack mags. I don't drop them and abuse them though.

[RogueSniper]

Thank you so much for the offer. I would very much like to meet up with you there. I will pm you and see if we can't find a date in the next week or so. I really appreciate your kind offer. I'm happy to hear its been good to you for two decades. I also tend to keep things stock with the exception of sights for combat pistols.

No problem. I'm usually free in the evening. I ran my ParaOrd P14.45 in a Tactical class using Hornaday XTP 185gr. I hit everything and no issues with feeding or ejection. The older Para were of better stock than some of the newer ones, as least that was what I was told.

Those STIs look nice.
Here's a link to an SVI on our Marketplace:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=220618&highlight=infinity&page=3

And a ParaOrd P14.45 Limited in Stainless (same Seller) - If I could, I'd buy this one, too!

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=237052&highlight=infinity

[Sheepdog1968]

Is this Les Baer something they normally make or was it a custom order?

I HAVE A LES BAER "DOUBLE STACK" BUILT ON A PARA,P-14 FRAME, HAVE HAD IT FOR YEARS & I COULD SHOOT DIRT THROUGH IT WITHOUT ANY PROBS. I DONT KNOW IF ITS THE PARA OR LES BAER THAT MAKES ANY DIFFERENCE BUT I WOULD BUY A PARA AGAIN IF I HAD TO. I OWN CASPIAN,KIMBER,SFA,COLT, & OTHER 1911'S, BUT THE P14 IS MY FAVORITE.

[ojisan]

I built a Para from their gunsmith frame kit.
The grip seems no larger than a couple double stack 9mms I have.
Para does have a set of ultra thin grips available.
My Para feeds and fires everything from wadcutters to hollowpoints to FMJ.
Some tweaking of the magazine feed lips was required to get to 100% reliability with all ammo types, but this was a custom build where everything had to be fitted.
Now that everything is dialed in, zero problems through so many rounds I have lost track of the count.

I intend to pass this gun on to my sons and their sons, so a steel frame was used. This also allowed hand checkering, undercut trigger guard etc.
I know this frame will never fail, unlike some of the multi-piece frames.

Back in the day, I tried some of the STI mags and they were junk.
I never even looked at their pistols as a result.
Everyone has different experiences.
Given the comments above, perhaps these are good pistols, perhaps they also need tweaking to be made to run right.

I have a couple grand into my Para when all was said and done, but this includes interchangeable top ends in Commander and Gov't lengths.

Looking at how used P14s sell here for around $750, I have considered buying a second one and doing only some minor upgrades.

All wide body 1911 designs tend to expose the mag release button too much....it sticks out too far and is easily bumped, particularly if it is of the oversize style. I shorten mine as this gun is defense first, fun and games second.

Here it is with the 16+1 mag in it: