Any alternatives to a Para LDA?

[1911Tuner]

Para LDA

I gotta go with George's comments. In a 1911, the LDA is a solution to
a non-existent problem, and the only reason that I can see for it is to
either keep people from getting all nervous and twitchy at the sight of
a cocked, holstered pistol, or to conform to certain agencies' guidelines
while still allowing a (pseudo)1911 platform. Not to diss the folks
that own and love the Para LDAs...just my humble opinion.

The other part of the story is that, having opened one up for a look-see,
the linkage and related hardware looks to be a little too fragile for my tastes, and.. in keeping with my standing mantra:

"The more gizmos and gadgets it's got, the more Murphy it gets."

Murphy rains on my parade enough as it is. No sense in sendin' him
an engraved invitation.

The alternatives are simple. Cocked and locked, or another pistol that was designed as a trigger cocker. If cocked and locked still makes you uneasy, get a Series 80 Colt for yet another redundancy in the 1911 that backs up the grip and thumb safety and the half-cock notch/shelf while bearing ever in mind my other mantra:

"It's a GUN! It's NOT safe!

That there's MY 2% of a buck. Cheers!

Tuner

 

[ron46012]

the para lda is a great choice for carrying and they shoot close to perfect

 

[tiberius]

If you want a DAO, get a Glock... Either the 21 or 36 depending on your needs. I personally prefer a 1911, but Glocks are certainly capable guns and are designed to work with the trigger they have. I have only heard good things about the LDA Para's, but they still seem like a kluge to me. Its not as silly as FN's "SFS" system that makes a condition 1 pistol look like it has the hammer down, but it's close. IMHO of course.

 

[Quick Draw McGraw]

Well, everybody, thanks for all of the responses. Even got one from 1911Tuner himself, wow... Anyway, In my view the Para LDA system is pointless as long as you're comfortable with carrying cocked and locked. As many have said, and I totally agree, you might as well carry a single action.

Someday, I am going to get a single action 1911 (a REAL 1911 ), but right now, I am new to handguns. I am going to start with revolvers and DAO handguns in hopes of learning good trigger control and only dealing with one manual of arms TO BEGIN WITH. I want to get a good fundamental base, and then I fully intend to spread out to experiment with SA cocked and locked, traditional DA, etc.

The reason I was first asking about alternatives to the LDA was because it was a DAO that had the same ergonomics as a 1911. I've handled Glocks, and while I will still consider them, they didn't feel as nice as a 1911 or even a full-sized USP to me.

So now I am asking about the ergonomics of the USP Compact (.45) and a couple of Smith & Wessons: the 4553TSW, the 4583TSW, and the 4586TSW. (What's the difference between the 4583 and the 4586?)

Of these, which feels the most like a 1911? Which has a smaller frame? I have been searching for detailed dimensions but haven't found much. Of course I'll eventually have to just get out and handle/shoot them and decide for myself, but I'd like to hear what you guys think.

You can change the grips on the Smiths, can't you? I've read that putting Hogue grips on them helps some people.

How do the four pistols compare in size in general?

Any other helpful comments are appreciated, and I once again thank everyone for their help.

 

[jc2]

The three Smiths (4553 and 4583/4586) are probably the two closes in "feel" to the 1911 as you wil get with a DAO in that they are both very thin (flat)(traditional Browining locking and single stack magazines--none of the wider modified Browning locking and chunky double stacks like the Glock/HK/etc.).

The 4553 is roughly an Officer Model-size handgun--3.75 inch barrel, 7+1 capacity, aluminum alloy frame/stainless slide. It is a very carryable handgun.

The 4583/4586 are Commander-size handguns--4.25 inch barrel, 8+1 capacity. The 4583 has an aluminum alloy frame and stainless slide (like the Lightweight Commander), and the 4586 is all stainless (like the Combat Commander). My pick is the 4586.

The ergonomics (for me--always highly subjective) for the Smiths (natural pointers) are far better than the HK which always felt a little too chunky/too big for me (double stack). Also, you can't change the HK grip while the there are several different grips available for the Smiths will allow a degree of customization/personal fitting.

4513/4553 dimensions:
http://www.swfirearms.vista.com/store/index.php3?cat=293521&sw_activeTab=1

4563/4583 dimensions:
http://www.swfirearms.vista.com/store/index.php3?cat=293523&sw_activeTab=1

4566/4563 dimensions:
http://www.swfirearms.vista.com/store/index.php3?cat=293525&sw_activeTab=1

 

[dandean316]

If you want a DAO, get a Glock...

I disagree. The grip angle on a Glock is not for everyone and neither is the trigger. If you are used to 1911's, the LDA is a pretty easy transition.

One of the nice things about the LDA's is they are all bobbed out to carry. With the bobbed grip safety and the flat hammer that stays down, you don't have to worry about a beavertail grip safety to conceal. Not that it's that hard mind you.

That said, I agree they are going overboard with all these safeties. But I bought my LDA because I wanted that extra safety of the DAO trigger. Yup, I bought into the marketing hype. We just got CCW in MN, so I wasn't used to carrying all the time. It's been nearly a year I've been carrying, so I switched over to the standard cocked and locked. Thing is, I can make that decision. If I was LEO, I doubt they'd let me carry a SA 1911.

 

[George Hill]

I can't believe that no one mentioned the SIG P245.
If you are talking double action compact .45, then this is it.

Another option is the Beretta 8045 Mini Cougar... if you don't like SIG's that is... or prefer Italians.