Para P14-45
- Thread starter sbellan
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GunNut
Member
Pass on it and get yourself a HK USP or wait for the new S&W M&P.
I've never been impressed by any of the hi-cap Para guns.
I've never been impressed by any of the hi-cap Para guns.
10-Ring
Member
I had a P16-40 and sold it. I have also shot a LTD P14-45. I'm not a fan of the double stack Paras 
GreenFurniture
Member
Paras are crap.
No offense, but they are.
We have stopped selling them due to the large number of problems that have been experienced with them.
And I have a buddy who works at their warranty repair depot and he says that they are crap as well and if he's one of the guys having to put them back together when they break he must know what he's talking about.
No offense, but they are.
We have stopped selling them due to the large number of problems that have been experienced with them.
And I have a buddy who works at their warranty repair depot and he says that they are crap as well and if he's one of the guys having to put them back together when they break he must know what he's talking about.
I bought one very used for ~$475 a while back. It worked fine and was pretty accurate for me. The wide grip fit my hand snug. I have had a couple of extractor slips recently, but I am not sure if that just worn parts for the gun.
The main issue I have is with magazines. I have three 14 round mags bought at different times. The last one I mail ordered. It wouldn't take 14 rounds. I ended up pulling all three mags apart. Each one had a different length spring. I couldn't tell you why. The short springed one worked, but the last couple rounds were pretty loose. It has made me appreciate Glock mags.
I like the pistol, but I have those problems to work on. I think I'll get them fixed. I have other pistols I'd probably sell before this one.
I may try to get a USP later this year so we'll see.
The main issue I have is with magazines. I have three 14 round mags bought at different times. The last one I mail ordered. It wouldn't take 14 rounds. I ended up pulling all three mags apart. Each one had a different length spring. I couldn't tell you why. The short springed one worked, but the last couple rounds were pretty loose. It has made me appreciate Glock mags.
I like the pistol, but I have those problems to work on. I think I'll get them fixed. I have other pistols I'd probably sell before this one.
I may try to get a USP later this year so we'll see.
Para's are the most common 1911's used in competition shooting in my area. Everybody not carrying a custom Wilson or STI shoots a Para for USPSA/IPSC. There are at least 4 masters that I've seen shoot them in local comps. They've won quite a few matches in my area, as well as some national matches in the hands of good shooters.
I've worked in gun shops for the last 6 years (two smaller shops + a Gander Mtn) and have only seen two with problems (out of probably 30 I've seen sold out of the various shops). Both were the fault of the user, and not the firearm. (one was poor marksmanship, the other was a part swapper that didn't know what he was doing and managed to goober up an LDA trigger).
I've personally owned three, a 1445 LDA, a 745 LDA, and a 1445 single action. Out of the major brands of 1911 manufacturer's, (Colt, SA, Kimber, S&W, Sig, Para), the only two I've ever owned that would run right out of the box and keep running past 5k rounds without parts swaps were Para's and S&W's.
I've not seen the problems that others say para's have. I have yet to actually see one that actually had problems. I have howver, seen quite a few run for quite a few rounds without any malfunctions.
PS, I find it VERY hard to believe that a Para Employee would say their guns are crap.
I've worked in gun shops for the last 6 years (two smaller shops + a Gander Mtn) and have only seen two with problems (out of probably 30 I've seen sold out of the various shops). Both were the fault of the user, and not the firearm. (one was poor marksmanship, the other was a part swapper that didn't know what he was doing and managed to goober up an LDA trigger).
I've personally owned three, a 1445 LDA, a 745 LDA, and a 1445 single action. Out of the major brands of 1911 manufacturer's, (Colt, SA, Kimber, S&W, Sig, Para), the only two I've ever owned that would run right out of the box and keep running past 5k rounds without parts swaps were Para's and S&W's.
I've not seen the problems that others say para's have. I have yet to actually see one that actually had problems. I have howver, seen quite a few run for quite a few rounds without any malfunctions.
PS, I find it VERY hard to believe that a Para Employee would say their guns are crap.
JonP
Member
I have a 14-45 Ltd. I love it, and it's more reliable at this point than my Kimber Eclipse Ultra. Very accurate, never has ftf....I'd buy it at that price in a second!
critter
Member
I have an older P-14 and an older P-16. Both are very accurate, 100% reliable and have given me no problems at all. I like the payload!
johndoe1027
Member
I have had a Hawg 9 and my brother has had a Ltd. 14-45. Both were nice, reliable, and well made. I also see A LOT of people using them in competitions. $600 is a good price as long as its in good shape. I would already have a 18.9 if they made it with novak style sights. I feel like Greenfurniture has had an out of the ordinary experience with Para's. but then again, maybe I haev had the extraordinary experience. Either way, they are like most manufacturers, there will always be lemons. My new M&P was not perfect out of the box, neither was my loaded SA (which costs more than $600). Come to think of it, I've NEVER had a pistol that was absolutely 100% every single day except for my Taurus revolver. I like the paras but if you have small hands, go for a single stack.
Loved my Para P14-45
I had a P14-45, and loved it. In the foolishness of youth (and wanting the newest, coolest 1911 with all of the doodads) sold it off and have regretted ever since. Mine was the “Mil-Spec” type. No frills, but she was dead accurate and perfectly reliable. I have big mitts, so it fit my hands well, but I can see where if you have small hands, it could be a problem. The only problem that I had, if you can even call this a problem, was that once in a while it would “bite” me. I should have installed a beaver tail and it would have been a great gun. I would buy another on again in a heart beat.
I had a P14-45, and loved it. In the foolishness of youth (and wanting the newest, coolest 1911 with all of the doodads) sold it off and have regretted ever since. Mine was the “Mil-Spec” type. No frills, but she was dead accurate and perfectly reliable. I have big mitts, so it fit my hands well, but I can see where if you have small hands, it could be a problem. The only problem that I had, if you can even call this a problem, was that once in a while it would “bite” me. I should have installed a beaver tail and it would have been a great gun. I would buy another on again in a heart beat.
1KPerDay
Member
I've owned a stainless "standard" 14-45 and sold it... worked fine, never jammed. Only sold it because it had some scratches in it that I didn't put there (bought it used; I'm funny like that) and I wanted better thumb and grip safeties.
Which is why I now own a P14-45 Limited and love it. Never jammed. I started to get FTFs with a very worn-out 15-round mag but replaced the spring with Wolff +10 (cut down) and it's back to perfect.
I dunno if I'd pay $600 for a "stock" P14-45, though. The Limited or the other "enhanced" versions are probably worth that, but you can probably find the standard for less, IMO.
Which is why I now own a P14-45 Limited and love it. Never jammed. I started to get FTFs with a very worn-out 15-round mag but replaced the spring with Wolff +10 (cut down) and it's back to perfect.
I dunno if I'd pay $600 for a "stock" P14-45, though. The Limited or the other "enhanced" versions are probably worth that, but you can probably find the standard for less, IMO.
orionengnr
Member
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- Jan 3, 2005
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I have had four Paras, and liked them all.
For me, the double stack Paras are great nightstand or truck guns, but (for my skinny butt) are too big/wide/heavy for CCW.
BTW, my Tac-Four is my nightstand gun. Works great and holds 13+1 of 45 acp.
For me, the double stack Paras are great nightstand or truck guns, but (for my skinny butt) are too big/wide/heavy for CCW.
BTW, my Tac-Four is my nightstand gun. Works great and holds 13+1 of 45 acp.
johndoe1027
Member
I am sorry I thought the gun in question was a limited. $600 is good for a limited, not sure about the stock plain Jane.
LoadedDrum
Member
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- Dec 7, 2004
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- 612
Is it a PXT model or pre-PXT? I have a P1445 limited pre-PXT. It is bet your life on it reliable with both factory mags and Mecgars. It is also well fitted especially compared to the two Colts I used to own. If you decide against it, look out for the widebody Springfield. It can use the same 14rd mags (it comes with 13rd mags) and runs around the same price range.
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