Para Ordnance P14.45 Limited

[K.G.B.]

I always wanted a double stacked 1911, it was on my to buy list for a while until I ordered Paras limited model three months ago. Price wasn't bad at all $1250 otd and the three months wait wasn't all that bad either. I finally picked mine up this Saturday and went to shoot it the next day. I had 400 rounds of factory pmc ammo to play with, unfortunately i only went through 2 boxes barely. Starting from the beginning the gun had multiple problems with feeding extracting and trigger not resetting. The trigger pull was set at about 7 and a half maybe even 8 pounds when it worked of course. Anyone encounter this with Para before?

[rogtac]

my friend has a regular P14 and he has been having trigger reset problems from day one. He got a trigger job to pull at 3.5lbs and it still has resetting issues.

[K.G.B.]

Yeah the trigger just wouldn't reset at all most of the time unless I manually pulled it forward with my fingers. Out of 8 magazines that I put through it (hoping it just needs to break in) only about two times it shot 4-6 rounds in a row without a malfunction. I called Para early in the morning today still no reply, I'll let you guys know how it goes with them.

[bn91205]

Is this a new Para i.e. PX or SX somewhere in the model number? If so, there are a few things to note. First, the Power Extractor (hence the PX or SX designation) is somewhat troublesome, though it is somewhat minimized in the 45ACP. The Power Extractor or PXT is very large with Para's claim to fame being 50% larger than the competition. The problem lies in its ability to continue to hold on to the case even when pulling it back against the ejector. You can imagine if you had a smaller cartridge say a 9mm or 40s&w. It is at this point where you will experience the FTE. Two ways to fix this: (1) Have an extended ejector fitted to the frame, this solves most issues on a PXT 45ACP. (2) Replace the PXT with a standard extractor via an EGW stainless steel insert welded in the extractor tunnel to fill up the excess space. Option (1) has worked with the Para 45's I have played with. Option (2) is when drastic measures are required - I do however, believe that an extended ejector will help greatly.

The one constant problem with Para widebodies (and any other widebody 1911 for that matter) is magazine issues and ammunition selection. The details are lengthy so I will go straight to troubleshooting. The 45ACP ammunition you are shooting should have a COAL of 1.250" or longer if you have the ability to reload. I recommend 230GR. FMJ to any other style bullet based on the fact that they will always feed better. Factory ammo that will work well are Win White Box, Fed AM Eagle and Fiocchi.

The trigger not resetting could be from an abnormality in the size of the trigger bow when it was fitted/installed. If there are inconsistencies, you are looking at the possibility of the grip actually tangling up with the bow causing it not reset; the tab/ears of the grip that fit into the cut next to the grip safety is depressed when you grip the firearm. The trigger needs to be re-fit, then, you can ask for a trigger job to reduce the pull, etc. Factory trigger pulls on Para's are usually heavy so it doesn't surprise me that 7-8# is what you have.

You did not buy a bad pistol, just one that requires more attention than others. There are factory STI pistols that need the same type of tuning and attention to run 100% - you are not alone. Just try to run a couple hundred more rounds through it and see if the problems persist before taking any action.

Brian

I always wanted a double stacked 1911, it was on my to buy list for a while until I ordered Paras limited model three months ago. Price wasn't bad at all $1250 otd and the three months wait wasn't all that bad either. I finally picked mine up this Saturday and went to shoot it the next day. I had 400 rounds of factory pmc ammo to play with, unfortunately i only went through 2 boxes barely. Starting from the beginning the gun had multiple problems with feeding extracting and trigger not resetting. The trigger pull was set at about 7 and a half maybe even 8 pounds when it worked of course. Anyone encounter this with Para before?

[K.G.B.]

Thanks Brian I'll try and see what happens.

Is this a new Para i.e. PX or SX somewhere in the model number? If so, there are a few things to note. First, the Power Extractor (hence the PX or SX designation) is somewhat troublesome, though it is somewhat minimized in the 45ACP. The Power Extractor or PXT is very large with Para's claim to fame being 50% larger than the competition. The problem lies in its ability to continue to hold on to the case even when pulling it back against the ejector. You can imagine if you had a smaller cartridge say a 9mm or 40s&w. It is at this point where you will experience the FTE. Two ways to fix this: (1) Have an extended ejector fitted to the frame, this solves most issues on a PXT 45ACP. (2) Replace the PXT with a standard extractor via an EGW stainless steel insert welded in the extractor tunnel to fill up the excess space. Option (1) has worked with the Para 45's I have played with. Option (2) is when drastic measures are required - I do however, believe that an extended ejector will help greatly.

The one constant problem with Para widebodies (and any other widebody 1911 for that matter) is magazine issues and ammunition selection. The details are lengthy so I will go straight to troubleshooting. The 45ACP ammunition you are shooting should have a COAL of 1.250" or longer if you have the ability to reload. I recommend 230GR. FMJ to any other style bullet based on the fact that they will always feed better. Factory ammo that will work well are Win White Box, Fed AM Eagle and Fiocchi.

The trigger not resetting could be from an abnormality in the size of the trigger bow when it was fitted/installed. If there are inconsistencies, you are looking at the possibility of the grip actually tangling up with the bow causing it not reset; the tab/ears of the grip that fit into the cut next to the grip safety is depressed when you grip the firearm. The trigger needs to be re-fit, then, you can ask for a trigger job to reduce the pull, etc. Factory trigger pulls on Para's are usually heavy so it doesn't surprise me that 7-8# is what you have.

You did not buy a bad pistol, just one that requires more attention than others. There are factory STI pistols that need the same type of tuning and attention to run 100% - you are not alone. Just try to run a couple hundred more rounds through it and see if the problems persist before taking any action.

Brian

[NSR500]

I just picked up a Big Hawg today, but the range was closed. I plan to get out tomorrow and put a couple hundred rounds down range. I'll let you know if I have issues even though mine is not a Limited.
I do have to say that so far I am happy with the gun. I stripped it down and performed the function check. So far, so good cycling dry fires too.

[bn91205]

It really depends on how they are built at the factory in regards to the components and how they're fitted. There are so many factors involved and as I stated earlier, all widebody 1911 pistols have issues regardless of the manufacturer. Most can be remedied at home; it's actually identifying the problem that is tricky. Have fun with your Big Hawg!

Brian

[NSR500]

Thanks!

I've already spotted an item of concern. It looks like I have a magazine with a weak spring. It will stick if I load it past 10rds.
Anyways, we'll see how it fares at the range tomorrow.

[randy]

If you had posted before you bought the gun I would have told you "Before you buy a Para make friends with a good gunsmith."

Don't judge 1911's by Para's. If you live in the LA OC area www.davesmetalworks.com will make your gun run.

First I would start with a new mag or extra power Wolff springs in your old mags.

[Bullwinkle]

I own two Paras, a Stainless LTC and a stainless P-14/45 Limited. It amazes me when I hear reports of people having problems with Paras (honestly).

The LTC stovepiped once, during the first magazine fresh out of the box. I can live with that; it has run 100% reliable ever since.

The P-14/45 Limited (FYI, a pre-PXT model) has had zero issues.

I am a casual 1911 shooter, so neither has been abused or tortured. Nevertheless, when I pull the trigger they go bang, the old spent case is extracted and ejected, the new round is loaded, and there's a nice trigger reset every time.

So here's the question... did I just get lucky twice and end up with "one of the good ones" from the factory, or do I do something different to my guns to make them work correctly? Or the third possibility (the most likely), maybe Para produces quality guns in general, but like most manufacturers a few slip through with an imperfection somewhere (e.g. a burr in a critical area that needs to be polished out). With regard to whether or not I do anything different, the only thing I can possibly think of is that when I bring a new pistol home, the first thing I do--after reading the Owners Manual--is clean it, and I know not everyone does that. There's a bunch of packing grease and crud all over a new pistol, and it is never as dirty as it is brand new, contradictory though that may seem. [Remember that guns are test fired at the factory, but I seriously doubt they're cleaned at the factory afterward, so they have to be prepped for long storage periods while they're sitting on shelves waiting to be sold.]

Finally, although I'm wishy-washy as to whether I actually agree with this or not, the "de facto" rule about a new pistol is that there is a 200rd break-in period required (not all at one range session, but preferably 50rds/session).

So I guess what I'm taking the long way of saying is that perhaps the solution to your problem is as simple as a good cleaning & lube and a little patience during break-in? I know you've probably already done that and I don't mean to sound condescending (and I hope you'll forgive me if I do), but I don't want to overlook the obvious. The second suggestion is contact the factory; they might tell you something simple also (like maybe to remove the magazine and put a drop of oil on each side of the trigger bow inside the mag well).

My Paras are excellent pistols. I would--and have--recommended them to my friends, and I'd easily trust my life with one. I reiterate that I am but a casual 1911 shooter, and I don't, and won't, ever drag my Paras through mud or expose them to harsh elements, but they are very enjoyable pistols to shoot and work every time.

[darksands]

Para P14-45 limited owner here and never had issues... except for the pin on the rear sight came out. Functionally it has been flawless.

[K.G.B.]

I see a lot of suggestions to clean and oil my gun before I shoot it. Well the only reason that I didn't write about it in the beginning of this thread is because to me it's obvious (every gun I've had got a cleaning and oiling before the first time it left for the range), as too patience with breaking it in I tried taking it to the range again yesterday and it just doesn't want to work. Trigger didn't reset once unless I did it manually, so I think it's the gun issue and not the break in issue. I've been trying to get a hold of Paras customer service for two days now (multiple emails and voicemails left for them) still no luck they're on eastern time so I don't think anyone will contact me today either.

[OzzieF]

I had nothing but issues with my Para. I bought a P18-9.
Right out of the box, I was having feeding issues. The round in the magazine was getting stuck going into the chamber. It would partially be out of the magazine and would not go into battery.
After I took it home ad cleaned it. I tried again. Same thing. The trigger on it was also horrific. Lots of play and about a 8lb pull.
As I went to field strip to clean again, the ejector fell out. The small leg that is held in by the roll pin had snapped in half. Not wanting to wait to send back to Para I had a local gunsmith fit a new ed brown extended ejector. Also had a trigger job and EGW standard extractor put in as I heard bad things about the power extractor.
After getting the Para back, trigger was great at 3 lbs. Ejector was fitted nicely and new extractor put in place. I took it out to the range and gave it another try. It went through about 100 rounds before it started giving me issues again. This time I was getting spent cases hitting the next round in the magazine and not ejecting out of the chamber. I would have to drop the mag and tip the gun back to drop the spent case out of the chamber.
The gunsmith tweaked and tweaked the extractor to get it to work with no luck.
So I decided to put the power extractor back in and give it one more try before sending back to Para. I put 100 through with out a hitch. Tried it again and again and it only jammed once. Now I'm about 2800-3000 rnds through the gun and I haven't had another hiccup. Now shoots great and I love it..

[K.G.B.]

So my Para has been at the factory for a little over a month now. I've been calling their service/repair department and I wasn't even able to get them to look at it. So far my personal perception of the company is that they don't make a quality product nor do they try to fix the problems with it in a timely fashion.

[robcoe]

Is this a new Para i.e. PX or SX somewhere in the model number? If so, there are a few things to note. First, the Power Extractor (hence the PX or SX designation) is somewhat troublesome, though it is somewhat minimized in the 45ACP. The Power Extractor or PXT is very large with Para's claim to fame being 50% larger than the competition. The problem lies in its ability to continue to hold on to the case even when pulling it back against the ejector. You can imagine if you had a smaller cartridge say a 9mm or 40s&w. It is at this point where you will experience the FTE. Two ways to fix this: (1) Have an extended ejector fitted to the frame, this solves most issues on a PXT 45ACP. (2) Replace the PXT with a standard extractor via an EGW stainless steel insert welded in the extractor tunnel to fill up the excess space. Option (1) has worked with the Para 45's I have played with. Option (2) is when drastic measures are required - I do however, believe that an extended ejector will help greatly.

The one constant problem with Para widebodies (and any other widebody 1911 for that matter) is magazine issues and ammunition selection. The details are lengthy so I will go straight to troubleshooting. The 45ACP ammunition you are shooting should have a COAL of 1.250" or longer if you have the ability to reload. I recommend 230GR. FMJ to any other style bullet based on the fact that they will always feed better. Factory ammo that will work well are Win White Box, Fed AM Eagle and Fiocchi.

The trigger not resetting could be from an abnormality in the size of the trigger bow when it was fitted/installed. If there are inconsistencies, you are looking at the possibility of the grip actually tangling up with the bow causing it not reset; the tab/ears of the grip that fit into the cut next to the grip safety is depressed when you grip the firearm. The trigger needs to be re-fit, then, you can ask for a trigger job to reduce the pull, etc. Factory trigger pulls on Para's are usually heavy so it doesn't surprise me that 7-8# is what you have.

You did not buy a bad pistol, just one that requires more attention than others. There are factory STI pistols that need the same type of tuning and attention to run 100% - you are not alone. Just try to run a couple hundred more rounds through it and see if the problems persist before taking any action.

Brian

Interesting to know, I was thinking about one of those Para limiteds myself, might just have to buy a kimber custom II instead.