Does anyone like Para Ordnance??

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Para is the king of marginally done cast parts. At one point some twit in the company even decided they could use a cast extractor, one of the most important parts of a 1911. :confused:
 
I have shot a single action P12 and single action P14 for over 10 years and neither have given me any problems. The P12 is one of my carry guns and the P14 is the "bedroom" pistol.

Since I've never had any problems with them I can't comment on Para's customer service.
 
Full Metal Jacket said:
springfield armory just came out with a hi-cap GI model.
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Well son-of-a-gun . . . . . since SA has only used forged frames and slides in the past, AND has some of the very best customer service in the industry, this could only mean one thing; if you want a hi-cap 1911:

PROBLEM SOLVED!!
 
Ughh - keep in mind that no matter what type of gun you mention, you will find people that love them and people that hate them.

Using a popularity poll on an internet website is no way to choose a firearm.

Try actually shooting a Para and see what you think.
 
I had a Carry 12 that ran really nice. It did like to be wet though. I probably shouldn't have sold it but there was a Benelli calling to me...
 
Also remember that the people with problems are usually much more vocal. Those that are satisfied tend to just enjoy their purchase without bothering to comment on it.
 
Since Para's hi-cap 1911s don't use the standard frame design, would you say that the P18-9 is smaller in grip compared to the P14?

Is the P18 even going to be bigger in the grip than a standard 1911??
 
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My experience was a 1 shot pistol with a large ammo storage in grip area As for customer service They tried and I then had a sometimes 2 shot pistol with a large storage compartment in grip. Thes was a couple years back. I will never buy another I had better luck with a Llama it would at least get thru a mag now and then.
 
I highly considered buying a Tac Four or a Carry 12 at one time. That LDA Trigger is sweet! And, the grip on them fits me like a glove, it's beautiful.

However, after reading the finicky nature of the guns, I backed off. Still then, I eyed the SSP and have since backed off of it as well for all the other 1911's that get great reviews in the same price range, and even less. Why take a chance when you don't need to?
 
I was also looking at a Para 1911 and after reading all the negative comments about their customer service I wasn't comfortable buying one. I also saw alot of comments about how their finish wears really fast (spray on?). On the positive side I did hear that their accuracy is GREAT and are fairly reliable w/ a tight slide to frame (no rattle). I figure if you can find a stainless model and are planning to take it to your local gunsmith then go for it! Also heard their mags suck and to go buy wilson mags.
 
I wouldn't know about their customer service as I haven't had a single problem with my Para P14 in over 21 years of carrying it. I average about 100 rounds a month thru it so that adds up to over 25,000 rounds with zero failures.

The finish still looks great and all three Para mags work great.
 
DammitBoy said:
I wouldn't know about their customer service as I haven't had a single problem with my Para P14 in over 21 years of carrying it. I average about 100 rounds a month thru it so that adds up to over 25,000 rounds with zero failures.

The finish still looks great and all three Para mags work great.
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Hey, so how is the grip on Para's hi-cap models? Full metal jacket says that it's the same frame used on 9mm, .40, and .45 for their hi-cap models, so, how is it's grip compared to standard 1911? How much wider is it??

What about the grip on SA's GI .45 high capacity model?
 
I've done this before but I can't find the post so I will do it again. My digital calipers say:

STI Spartan = 1.27" at apex

Springfield Loaded = 1.27" at apex

Para Nite Tac = 1.29" at apex

The difference is minimal at apex, where you notice is at the front and back strap. Since the thickness is maintained through the entire grip of the Para. TBQH I actually quite like the feel of the para double stack, and I have average sized hands.

I've since switched to VZ's on both the STI and the Springer, they drop the thickness to 1.26" at apex.
 
I have a Carry-12 and an SSP. The LDA trigger on the Carry-12 is awesome, even with a rather loooooong double reset. I have had both for several years with no problems at all. Last year, I paired the SSP with my Marvel .22 upper and use it for bullseye. Never needed CS, so I can't comment on that. They are on the expensive side, but if they ever get around to having the GI Expert approved for sale in Mass, I'll buy one.
 
I have a GI Expert. It's 100% reliable and fairly accurate. not as accurate as my TRP, but I didn't expect it either.
 
I just took a close scrutiny of Springfield Armory's GI hi cap, and it looks exactly like Para's hi-cap models. The wide body of the SA's GI design looks exactly the same and that it's wider on the sides of the grip.

The difference is minimal at apex, where you notice is at the front and back strap.
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Are you saying that hi-cap 1911s are more noticeably longer from the front strap to the back strap? From pictures, I'd imagine that hi-cap 1911s are wider at the grip from side to side than longer at the grip from front to back. Am i wrong?
 
BTW, thanks for the input on all this as I am seriously considering a hi-cap 1911 for USPSA Limited division and IDPA.
 
Ughh said:
Are you saying that hi-cap 1911s are more noticeably longer from the front strap to the back strap? From pictures, I'd imagine that hi-cap 1911s are wider at the grip from side to side than longer at the grip from front to back. Am i wrong?
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No, not longer, wider. Standard single-stack 1911's step down and get narrower from the apex of the grip to the front and back strap. A double-stack doesn't step down, it stays wide. I'm probably not describing it well.
 
I figure if you can find a stainless model and are planning to take it to your local gunsmith then go for it!
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That's what I'm planning. I'm going to try to get a GI Expert Stainless and send it to Cylinder and Slide. I bought an Ed Brown Match Aluminum trigger and stainless steel Flat mainspring housing with the smooth finish. I'm going to have C&S install a stainless high-ride beaver tail grip safety and an extended stainless thumb safety, as well as do their machine stippling on the mainspring housing and front strap. I'll probably swap sights eventually, but from what I've seen, the stock sights should be good for awhile. C&S's prices seem very fair for the labor involved which is why I am choosing them for my custom work. I'm heading to a semi-large gun show tomorrow and hopefully will find one in my price range, or do some haggling for a good price because it's the last day of the show. The parakote problems and my corrosive sweat are the main reason I'm going to wait until I find a stainless model.
 
I would give it a second thought about Limited Div. The mag capacity is going to put you at a big disadvantage. You'd be up against shooters having 20 rounds in their mags.

It would be a great Limited10 gun though.
 
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