[Cousin Mike]

Hello all!

The name of the thread says it all... I need you to talk me into, or talk me out of, buying 2 new Para Ordnances for me and my girlfriend. These will be carry guns, so they will also see a lot of range time. The main selling point for me, other than the fact tht they're 1911's (do I really need another reason?), is the high capacity.

They're a little pricey, but my local shop has about a thousand of them, and some good deals to go along with them. I don't have any problem paying for them if they're worth the money. I'll see if they have one for rent at the range tomorrow, and if so I'll get a little trigger time in.

I know the grips tend to be a little thick, but does that make them really difficult to conceal? Reliability issues? Is the company unpleasant to deal with? Talk me into getting Glock 30's instead, and save me $1000 if you can...

If that's not the way you feel, then tell me why I should give Para my hard earned money. :evil:

[MikeJackmin]

I like mine...

They are heavy when fully loaded, though. Not the easiest gun to carry.

[Rangegod]

I've owned a steel frame P-12 since early 1994. It has run Ball, SWcs and JHP with 100% reliablity since the day I took it out of the box. It also out performs my 3 SIG 220s and CZ-97B on paper, which most of my 5" 1911s can not do. But as MikeJackmin said it is rather heavy (for South FL) so I have not carried it for several years.

JAC

[Inline_6]

My first gun ever was a P14-45, and I still have it. It has been completely reliable and it is THE handgun I'd turn to if I could only have one. I also have an LDA Nite-tac for the nightstand, and a P12-45. All are exceptional weapons and I wouldn't give them up for any others. If my agency let me carry whatever I wanted, it would be the P14 and P12 and nothing else.

[Cousin Mike]

Some pretty good endorsements there, guys... Thanks a lot. I noticed the one thing you guys all said was "reliable," and that's really my deciding factor. My girlfriend wants one of the Hawg models, and I can't blame her there... Those are the cutest little 1911's I've ever seen. I wouldn't mind one myself, but I think I'd rather carry something in a commander-length or compact sized model if given a choice.

Another thing I want to know about is this LDA trigger thingy on the Para's...

Impressions?
How light is "Light Double Action"?
Is it easy to control?

[BozemanMT]

I had a para-ord 14-45
it was a decent gun, never failed to go bang, etc
Definately for big hands with that double stack.
Magazines are kinda spendy

But man, the used market for them is zero. That $1000 gun you want it all over gunsamerica and the trading post, etc at about $500
My local dealer who trades in used guns and has been very fair with me was pretty honest and told me he had tons of para-ords on his line and just wasn't buying anymore, they just don't sell used.
Buy a used one, save your hassle and money.

Just another piece of data for you.

[raytracer]

I carry a P12 LTD every day and I love it!

As far as I'm concerned it's the perfect carry gun: Crisp 1911 single action, 3.5" bbl, 13 rds of .45. It just doesn't get any better for me.

It's accurate, reliable, and has no trouble with HPs or +P ammo (although I'm told that +P use should be limited to proving and carry in alloy frame models).

Fully loaded it is heavy, but I haven't found any major caliber handgun that offers the same capacity that is significantly lighter. Glock 23 is fairly equivalent weight when loaded. My steel framed Officers model is about the same as well at half the capacity.

The grip is thick, but has about the same circumfrence as a stock 1911 grip. I've had shooters with pretty small hands comment on how comfortable it was. If you're girlfriend has extemely small hands make sure she's comfortable with it first, but if she's average sized, I'll bet she has no problems with it.

Also, if you can come to a compromise on a model that suits you both; think of the tactical advantages if both of you shared the same ammo and mags!

Good luck with whatever you end up with

Joe

[helpless]

I chose the Warthog .45 for my first carry and I really like it. I do not have much to compare to but I can say that it is very accurate. It came with the pinky extention that I thought would be great but ended up being a letdown. The extenton just pinches my finger more then anything else.

One thing I might be able to help you with is that my girlfriend shot it and had a hard time holding onto it due to the .45 and fat double stack grip.

It is one hell of a gun overall. I like it.

here is a pic I just took to show size. It is very small for 10+1 .45

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h144/neinbalance/my45.jpg

[orionengnr]

But I own four LDA Paras.

Okay, actually the Tac-Four belongs to my GF, but a) I bought it for her and b) it sleeps beside me on the nightstand. We have officially bonded. :)

I consider the LDA trigger to be a masterpiece. A "true" 1911 guy will call it heresy, but the LDA is what a Glock (and every other "DAO" (or variation) wishes it were--smooth, light, predictable and controllable. It (ready for more heresy?) renders the thumb safety optional, redundant or pointless--choose one. If you are safe with a revolver or a Glock/XD/Kahr/fill-in-the-blank-here DAO...you are safe with a Para LDA. Size XXXL Flame suit ...on.

And before you draw and fire...yes, I appreciate, own and carry conventional SA 1911s as well.

For an HD piece or truck gun the double stack Para LDAs are awesome. Me being a skinny geek, carrying a fully loaded P-14 or Tac-Four...I find it a bit heavy/bulky.

For a while, I thought I wanted an LDA Warthog, but after checking the weight on a fully loaded one, changed my mind.

Now I own an LDA C-6 (actually, I own two). Much smaller/lighter and more concealable. Still a bit on the heavy side, though...

Now I wish they would build an alloy frame single stack C-6 LDA.

Will I never be satisfied? :rolleyes:

BTW, did I mention that mine are accurate, reliable, and feed anything I throw at them?

[Cousin Mike]

Thanks guys!

It's nice to hear so many good things about these. I've always wanted one, but I want everything. So I have to be careful about my purchases. Recently my girlfriend has been looking for a new carry gun. I remember when she first got into shooting, I would always try to get her more into 1911's, but it never seemed to work. She just had other designs she liked better, and the 9mm was her round of choice.

I was just happy she was armed, and loves shooting as much as she does. She likes my Sig P220, and every other gun she got her hands on... Recently I bought a .357 magnum - which she had never fired before. She liked the idea of the .357 mag for SD, and was convinced she wanted a Ladysmith of her own in .357 magnum. I was more than confident in her, she's never been shy about shooting a new gun, and had been looking forward to shooting .357's out of it all week.

That .357 kicked her butt... she really met her match. Got her re-thinking her reasons for wanting a Ladysmith in the first place. Then she decided she'd like an auto. And she wants a .45.

She always liked shooting my .45's , and recently she got to handle my cousins G27. She loved it. When she found out that the G30 held 10+1 rounds of .45ACP in a package the same size, she had made her decision. We decided to get a pair of matching G30's, and decided that we both wanted to buy new.

We've been looking around, and I decided to look at some 1911's one day during our search. She fell in love with the Para Warthawg, and once she saw that it held just as many rounds as the G30, her decision was made again. This one, I'm a little more excited about. :D

She's happy about the responses so far. I've been reading them to her as they come, and discussing the different points made.

She especially liked the post about the used Para market... We're going to the gun store Tuesday to see how many used models they have. I'll also look around the internet. But I've seen prices on new ones locally that I wouldn't mind paying... Much lower than MSRP.

Thanks again all!

[TIMC]

I have been carrying a Para C-645 for about 2 years now and love it. It is picky about what ammo it likes but it has been 100% reliable with Federal high shock HP ammo. I rarely carry anyhting else.

[Gordon]

I would imagine the new power extractor works well, Para could just made a quality 1911 style extractor and there would not have been a problem !
I dunno about the LDA system, one mans cake is another's poison. I DO know of three guys who had breakage problems with LDA triggers when they took fast and furious classes.
The P-14 with a good extractor, real tool steel fire control parts and Novak Tritiums is pretty hard to beat with factory mags with Wolffe springs.:D

[MICHAEL T]

I had a P-10 Think steel frame Warthog. Never was even after factory rebuild 100% relieable. Also very subject to limp wristing and loud. Check around you will find as many unhappy Para owners as your finding happy. When you go to buy extra mags Just bring your Pay check they were over $50 for the P-10 and then you needed wolff mag springs to make them work. Sorry I will never have another PO . My Colection now is all Colt and all are relieable. Parts and extra mags are easy to find and a lot cheaper.

[History Prof]

I consider the LDA trigger to be a masterpiece. A "true" 1911 guy will call it heresy, but the LDA is what a Glock (and every other "DAO" (or variation) wishes it were--smooth, light, predictable and controllable. It (ready for more heresy?) renders the thumb safety optional, redundant or pointless--choose one.


But man, the used market for them is zero.

I inherited a P14-45 LDA, and a P14-45 Limited from my brother. The LDA is now my bedside home defense weapon. I thought a double action only 1911 would be a bit silly until I took it shooting, and I agree totally with orionengnr. It has the lightest trigger pull of any 1911 I have ever fired, and that is with the pull of the trigger having to pull the hammer back, too! I didn't really like the Limited too much, so I took it to a few dealers to see what I could get for it. Less than $400, and it was in 98% condition. One dealer even let me browse the most recent bluebook of gun values, just to let me know he wasn't trying to lowball me.

[SuperNaut]

Love my Nite-Tac, I will certainly own another Para at some point. Great ergs, great trigger, utterly reliable.

[Cousin Mike]

I've been discussing some of the potential problems brought up here with the girlfriend. She still wants a Hawg. Me, I'm not so sure... I still want something in a compact or commander size, but she seems to have her mind made up. I like the idea of both of us carrying guns that use the same mags and ammunition, so if she's THAT dead-set on a Hawg, I guess I'll be learning to love one as well. Kinda sucks to hear that the factory mags are so expensive - but owning a couple of Sigs already it's something I'm used to, unfortunately.

We're going to the gun store today to price a couple of these, and I'll be sure to let you know what we find. More advice or opinions on these guns is always welcome :)

Thanks again everyone!

[The Lone Haranguer]

Talk me into getting Glock 30's instead, and save me $1000 if you can...


It is ironic that you mention this, because in 1999 I bought a P12-45 that was a dreadful lemon and in disgust traded it in on a Glock 30. ;)

[ravencon]

I consider the LDA trigger to be a masterpiece. A "true" 1911 guy will call it heresy, but the LDA is what a Glock (and every other "DAO" (or variation) wishes it were--smooth, light, predictable and controllable. It (ready for more heresy?) renders the thumb safety optional, redundant or pointless--choose one. If you are safe with a revolver or a Glock/XD/Kahr/fill-in-the-blank-here DAO...you are safe with a Para LDA. Size XXXL Flame suit ...on.

I agree! For some reason the Paras don't get as much respect as they deserve. Maybe because they're Canadian ;-)

[Skpotamus]

I have had three Para's, a 14-45 LDA, a 745 LDA, and a 1445 with standard trigger. I sold off the first two for various reasons (mostly bills), but just picked up that third one at a gun show for $500.

All of them were great guns, they ate everything I threw at them. I put about 2k rounds thru the 1445 LDA, about 1k thru the 745 and I'm just getting acquainted with the new 1445 (about 500 rounds thru her).

The only problem I had with carrying them was the finish. I live in Indiana, and the summers get kinda hot and humid, the para's finish on the frame does NOT like the humidity. You have to do a lot of preventative maintenance when you carry one. As in, I literally had to oil mine daily to keep it form rusting.

Also the weight of a full size 1911 with 15 rounds of 45 ammo can make any leather belt sag. Later on I found that a good gunbelt will hold the para up just fine. (I wear a wilderness ring belt with polymer insert now)

For everyday carry, I ended up with a Glock 30. I love that gun. It's been utterly reliable for over 10k rounds. With dry fire practice, it's accurate out to 40 yards free hand (there' a 1 foot square "donger" target at my local range).

However, the para's are great guns, and the new one's finish seems to be a bit sturdier than the older ones I had before. It might hold up a bit better. So far it's done well for the range, and it's going to try it's first IDPA competition soon. (for what it's worth, the para is the MOST common IPSC, USPSA gun in my area).

You can't go wrong with the glock 30, or a good para, so just get one of each in your hands and see which feels better. Or just buy both.... :)

[Mr. Cuts]

Hello everyone, This is my first post on THR...what a great site.

Anyway I've had a PO "CCW" model (comander sized LDA) for a year now.
It's a good carry gun in terms of size, ergo's and weight but sacrifices on capacity. It required a break in period and getting it really dirty still leads to the occational round not fully chambering. It was picky on what types of HP's it would take but I figured out it loves Golden Sabres. I took it to a "fist-fire" class (if anyone has heard of those) and learned how much I like the LDA trigger.
Also it is my wifes favorite gun we own. (maybe too because it's so shiny but she shoots it well too.)

[Cousin Mike]

Good to hear about everyones experiences with these... For the price they want for these brand new, it's nice to have all the customer opinions possible before shelling out all that coin for 2 of these..

At the moment, my girlfriend seems to think that other guns might better suit her for carry... I still want a Para, but since it's no longer going to be strictly for carry, and I'm not limited to her preference in size, I can pretty much get whatever I want. I'd still like something smaller than full size (maybe), but I've never had problems concealing a full-sized 1911.