Your thoughts on Para

[HBchevelle68]

Been lookin at a Para 1911. Never really heard of em, did some research on em and they seem to make a quality firearm.

But i just wanted to get some of your opinions. Watcha think about em?

Thanks all!

[PRCABR4Christ]

a few of them have had lots of problems, but they make some decent stuff most of the time, which one are you considering?

[HBchevelle68]

The PTX single-action limited

heres the link http://www.para-usa.com/new/product_pistol.php?id=54

[PRCABR4Christ]

looks like one of their top tier guns, so it should be good (they must be pretty proud of it though), but for the price, I'd rather look for a Dan Wesson PM7 or a Colt Gold Cup Trophy, IMO you can get much more gun for the price that Para is suggesting that gun retails for

[barrym66]

Paras are very cool looking guns, and one of the few 'competition capable' 2011's we can get in CA. Kind of like a more affordable STI.

I had the hots for a P14 and P16-40 for a while, for use in Limited. Did some checking and the research showed that newer Paras were OK, but the older (or well-used) guns had some serious reliability and durability issues.

Older Paras had issues with bad metallurgy, resulting in cracked frames and slides, along with frequent failure of safeties, extractors, and slide releases. Other frequent problems were feeding issues, sometimes with mags and other times due to extractor and feed ramp fitting.

ALL 1911/2011 brands seem to have reliability issues at some point, so take this with a grain of salt - most of my info came from the competition forums, where guns are heavily used/abused .

I ended up buying a CZ SP-01 and TS for gaming, but still might pick up a P16-40 if I can find a good one at a great price. Check around on the BE forums and do some Googling before you buy one at retail.

[jcaoloveshine]

You can get a used Les Baer for that price.

Like other posters said, Dan Wesson is a good choice as well.

The Springfield MC Operator also falls into that price range, and if you get really lucky, maybe a TRP Operator.

I'd go with either of those before a Para

Is there anything in particular with Para that is calling to you?? If not, these other options may be more worthwhile

[joelogic]

For a single stack .45 the other posters have left good comments. I love my Gold Cup.
For a double stack .40 my p16-40 has been running great. I have shot almost 1000 rounds in the last 3 months mostly during matches and have not had one failure. Last sunday I was making 1 for 1 75yd steel popper hits with a stock gun and handloads, which is pretty awesome. With my G34 I was more like 3 for 1. The para does like a longer round so if you are not reloading factory ammo may be a problem.
Online reviews for the gun are not great, everyone says save for a STI. Well STI's are $3k+ so that would have been a lot of saving.

[Bro KV]

I had one and hated it. Felt sloppy after 100 rounds.


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[hyperion.excal]

Hi as a Para Ordnance gun owner, I would like to share you my thoughts on their firearm.

I have a Para Ordnance P1640 and it truly is a sweet gun. I see a lot of Para Ordnance at my local gun range in wide variety of models but the most common ones i see are the PXT double stack 1911's in 40 & 45 caliber. (P1640 & P1445). I also see a lot of them being used in competition matches in my area. My own brother owns one, i shot his gun and loved it, he had an older P1640 made in 2006 back when all Para are still being produced in canada. I have the newer model P1640 the 2011 model made in US and there was not much difference but after having shot both i feel that the Para ordnance made in US is built tougher i was getting really tight groupings 2-3 inch at 25 yards i say is pretty good when you consider para is doing it right out of box without having work done.

Imho Para Ordnance is a very good brand. They make very good and reliable 1911, i know some people will say its not a 1911 if its not a single stack, but listen to me on this. para makes great single stack 1911 and their double stack is even better.

Para used to only make their firearms in Canada but in 2009 they opened a headquarters in US located in NC.

Translation of their PXT models: P1640 is a single action double stack 1911. means Para 16 rounds 40 caliber. P1445 means Para 14 rounds 45 caliber. Para P1819 means 18 rounds of 9mm. In California the double stack para will only come with 10 rounds magazines but the gun itself can use high capacity mag so my tip: if you ever move out of california you can purchase high capacity mags for you gun. I know peoeple in california who use para for competition that have high capacity mags and those are real sweet.

My Para

[wamphyri13]

I would avoid newer production guns. Since their move to the states, their quality has seriously dropped. I would look for a little older model. I have a 2005 vintage Para SSP that has been perfect from the get go. Some time after, Para started seeing lots of QC issues. I would buy Para again. But I'd still look for an older vintage.
Ryan

[gil671]

I have the older P10 and P12 back home. As long as u have good mags then your gtg. The older ones are better IMHO.

[1_Grendel]

I like this thread. i am drooling over the Warthog Stainless for a carry gun. i like the idea of a 10+1, 3" .45 .

Will follow this thread for other opinions on Para

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

I have an older P14-45 LDA and a newer P14-45 Limited stainless, and have also owned a Carry .45 LDA stainless. My only gripe is with the "Power Extractor" and magazines. I would replace the Power Extractor on any Para you buy with the EGW sleeve and a standard extractor. Some Para mags also don't work so well, especially the double stack magazines. I have a dozen or so OEM double-stack mags and only a few work right, even with tuning. The newer pistols are inferior in fit to the older P14, that seems to be pretty consistent with available information. I would look at any Para made after the move from Canada very carefully.

Accuracy-wise, they are on par with other 1911s in their price range. Reliability is good, excepting the Power Extractor equipped models (but that can be fixed as noted). Para finishes definitely could be improved as the frame finish on my P14-45 LDA is easily scuffed off. Buy a stainless one and you won't worry about that.

[reidnez]

I had a P14 many years ago. It was a "competition" model with adjustable sites and some other fancy parts. I liked how it shot, though the grip was certainly thicker than my preference and I have fairly large hands.

Only issue I had was the finish; the blueing started to wear off and leave "finger marks" where I gripped it, after only a few range sessions and a year of ownership. Not sure why this was. Maybe it would have been averted if I'd wiped it down better after handling, but I've not had this issue with any other weapon.

[Sturnovik]

Always wanted one, never could find one for a good price and alot are off roster if not all the ones I want.