Bud's Para's

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CTGunner

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Bud's has a large selection of "Manufacturer's Display Model" 1911s. A few questions:

1. Does anyone have any experience with the LDA trigger...what is it and how does it work? Does it work well?
2. What has your experience been with their full size 1911s?
3. Are the Bud's guns a 'good deal'?
 
the LDA does have a good smooth pull, it just doesn't belong on a 1911.

i own a para, and am trying to sell it. the finish wears off in short order, their "gold medallion" warranty is a joke, and it isn't 100% reliable.

never dealt with bud's.
 
The LDA is a nice trigger system but a little difficult (for me at least) to get proficient with. It's smooth but long so it's not like a DA and not like an SA either. I went through about 500 rounds before I adapted to it. As usual, I thought it was the gun and not me but as usual was proven wrong. I thought the LDA trigger was a good idea at the time but if I had to do it over again would pass. It really is easy to train yourself to sweep off a thumb safety w/o thinking about it so in my mind the LDA is a solution to a nonexistent problem. The Para sits in the safe while the Colt gets carried. I guess it makes sense for LEO departments that want a 1911 style pistol but the attorneys mandate a DA trigger.
 
At my local range I've had the luxury of shooting both the full size and compact versions. I'm fairly certain both were well used examples. I found they were a pleasure to shoot. The trigger is different. But I didn't notice any extreme difficulty in going back and forth with the LDA and two other traditional 1911's. They are smooth as butter. I encountered absolutely no issues with either model.

I've actually been thinning of trading my Springfield for a double stack LDA. I've been hesitant since I read a lot of mixed reviews about Para. Even though my personal expierence indicates they are reliable.

The compact model was just as accurate out to 10meters. Which was a big surprise with me. If you're serious, try to shoot one before you buy. I have no experience with Buds. But their prices seem competitive.
 
ratt_finkel:
... both were well used examples.
Click to expand...
If they were well used, problems they may have had initially may have gotten repaired/resolved by now and may not represent the experience shooters will have with their new Paras.

One of the ranges I shoot at has an extensive 1911 range rental gun selection of Springfield, Kimber, and Para-Ordnance. I have shot some of them and some of them jammed with factory ammo. I talked to the range staff and they said most of the jams come from pistols needing cleaning (I had 3 pistols jam in a row with 230 gr FMJ - all the jammed pistols were sent in for cleaning/service). They also said a few required work initially by the gunsmith to shoot 100% reliable.
 
The LDA to me felt the same as my M&P feels after the weapon has been cleared (without resetting it). Picture a 92FS with the safety engaged, one long, light, smooth sweep then BANG! Very nice, but very different.

Quality wise they wouldn't scare me, I'm sure they had a few hiccups after the move, but they recognized what too few 1911 producers do: we want an icon that isn't made elsewhere. (I'm sure the purists will hound Para for not being true to JMB's design but they are trying to improve upon the design. Whether they have succeeded is up to the individual to decide).
 
I prefer traditional 1911s -- but having said that, I have two Para LDA pistols and like them both. The trigger works fine for me and seems an excellent approach if you don't like hammer-back carry. I prefer it to the double-single action of other pistols. On my pistols they are smooth, consistent and have been trouble-free. My suggestion is to find an LDA pistol and try it to see whether you like it.
 
I have noticed the large number of Para's on Buds internet website. I haven't deal with Bud's, but have read many good things about the company.

I have fired only one Para in my life; a 1911-platform 9mm- 50 rounds of WWB ammo. The gun was accurate enough, and the trigger seemed ok; however it jammed multiple times during the 50 rounds, and would not lock open on its own (without my manually activating the lever) Enough for me to decide not to buy a Para product...just my opinion, YMMV
 
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