Info on Paras?
- Thread starter damyankee
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MICHAEL T
Member
I belive some models work fine, others POS My experiance with Para was the 2nd. Your of course might fall in first .
littlegator
Member
http://www.flambore.com/modules.php?name=FL_Comments&op=rate_this_complete&sid=6803
The guy in the linked video is using a para. I think it's accurate enough...
But, like MichaelT said, it depends. Just like cars, you may have the same make, model and year as another person, but your specific car might be a lemon. I guess the million dollar question then, is what is their customer service like? That, I don't know.
The guy in the linked video is using a para. I think it's accurate enough...
But, like MichaelT said, it depends. Just like cars, you may have the same make, model and year as another person, but your specific car might be a lemon. I guess the million dollar question then, is what is their customer service like? That, I don't know.
Search feature would help you, this isn't a new subject.
My P13 shoots straight and runs great...as long as you are religious about servicing the doublestack magazine springs. These give out extremely quickly and are the major source of FTE, stovepipes and other operating malfunctions. I change mine out every 1000 rounds.
Way back when, the FBI issued Para doublestacks to their Hostage Rescue Team (HRT), but had to have them all reworked by Les Baer because of reliability isues. Even after this, problems persisted and the FBI recalled all of them. The magazines were the main problem.
Quality has improved greatly over the past 10 years though and Para has won new converts with their LDA pistols.
Will this be a carry gun or a range gun? Paras are popular with IDPA/IPSC but those are typically heavily modified and not meant to be SD guns.
My P13 shoots straight and runs great...as long as you are religious about servicing the doublestack magazine springs. These give out extremely quickly and are the major source of FTE, stovepipes and other operating malfunctions. I change mine out every 1000 rounds.
Way back when, the FBI issued Para doublestacks to their Hostage Rescue Team (HRT), but had to have them all reworked by Les Baer because of reliability isues. Even after this, problems persisted and the FBI recalled all of them. The magazines were the main problem.
Quality has improved greatly over the past 10 years though and Para has won new converts with their LDA pistols.
Will this be a carry gun or a range gun? Paras are popular with IDPA/IPSC but those are typically heavily modified and not meant to be SD guns.
1911 guy
Member
Mine was junk.
I got one because of the rave reviews given by everyone who has them. Being a stock 1911 fan, I got an SSP, single stack single action. Owned it for a few months and couldn't get enough bugs worked out to trust it. My opinion is that you can buy a comparable pistol for less money from most other manufacturers.
I got one because of the rave reviews given by everyone who has them. Being a stock 1911 fan, I got an SSP, single stack single action. Owned it for a few months and couldn't get enough bugs worked out to trust it. My opinion is that you can buy a comparable pistol for less money from most other manufacturers.
svtruth
Member
My P-13
works great. I bought it used, one mag was unreliable, the other and an aftermarket have been fine. The grip is only a little thicker than my Norinco single stack.
Good luck.
works great. I bought it used, one mag was unreliable, the other and an aftermarket have been fine. The grip is only a little thicker than my Norinco single stack.
Good luck.
wally
Member
IMHO quality control on the Para double stack mags is poor. If you get good mags you should be happy with the gun, but mag spring life seem much shorter than normal to me, and they are prone to having the rounds bind at the double to single stack transition causing feed failures with only a little dirt/fouling required. With what they charge for the mags, they should work and have top notch QA/QC, but they don't.
Because of the mag issues, IMHO guns based on the Para double stack .45ACP mag tubes (Para P14 derivitives, Kimber BP, Daly/Bul M5, & Armscor/RIA 1911-A2) should be confined to range/game duty only.
I've spent a lot of time monkeying with Para mags and most can eventually be made to work, but not well enough I'd want to bet my life I'd get more than 4 or 5 shots out of the gun when it really mattered. The nickel plated mags are definitey better than the blued ones. I've had better luck with after market Mec-Gar and ACT P14 mags which are less than half the cost.
--wally.
Because of the mag issues, IMHO guns based on the Para double stack .45ACP mag tubes (Para P14 derivitives, Kimber BP, Daly/Bul M5, & Armscor/RIA 1911-A2) should be confined to range/game duty only.
I've spent a lot of time monkeying with Para mags and most can eventually be made to work, but not well enough I'd want to bet my life I'd get more than 4 or 5 shots out of the gun when it really mattered. The nickel plated mags are definitey better than the blued ones. I've had better luck with after market Mec-Gar and ACT P14 mags which are less than half the cost.
--wally.
shooting4fun
Member
Howdy all,
While I don't own a Para myself I can convey my observations from two of my friends that run them pretty exclusively for the past 5 years for one gent, 8 for the other. Each of them actively participates in the monthly club matches and at some of the regional matches using the same Para pistols. The club matches usually run about 150 rounds per match each month. You can do the match and figure out an estimate of the rounds launched in that time.
While these are action handgun type matches the two pistols have remained pretty much stock as they came. The only recent upgrade to them has been a new fiber optic front sight to help with those autumnal eyes.
One of them has an S_I pistol platform and chooses to run his Para. From time to time he will run the Para with the S_I mags. A nice benefit as the Para can accommodate either type of mag. His Para pistol has been the only one that I've witnessed a minor, fair wear and tear incident with. His extractor claw broke off. This was after about 5 years of running it at the matches, no big deal. A couple of minutes to dig out a new one (older Para pistol that used a std/traditional 1911 extractor) and he was up and running again.
Both pistols are 45 acp, and since they are both rural Southern AZ folk they run them with full power loads. No special gamer / powder puff loads for these two. A side benefit that many have exclaimed that when scoring their shots on paper targets you can score them from the parking lot as each shot allows a lot of sunlight through!
While both gents have a number of other pistol platforms to use, especially more contemporary platforms, they both choose to and continue to use the Paras.
As with any purchase, it is always good to try before you buy. How they handle at the counter is not even close to how they handle at the range. My recommendation is to try to loan/rent/borrow your platform of interest before committing to a purchase. Best of luck to ya!
Cheers!
While I don't own a Para myself I can convey my observations from two of my friends that run them pretty exclusively for the past 5 years for one gent, 8 for the other. Each of them actively participates in the monthly club matches and at some of the regional matches using the same Para pistols. The club matches usually run about 150 rounds per match each month. You can do the match and figure out an estimate of the rounds launched in that time.
While these are action handgun type matches the two pistols have remained pretty much stock as they came. The only recent upgrade to them has been a new fiber optic front sight to help with those autumnal eyes.
One of them has an S_I pistol platform and chooses to run his Para. From time to time he will run the Para with the S_I mags. A nice benefit as the Para can accommodate either type of mag. His Para pistol has been the only one that I've witnessed a minor, fair wear and tear incident with. His extractor claw broke off. This was after about 5 years of running it at the matches, no big deal. A couple of minutes to dig out a new one (older Para pistol that used a std/traditional 1911 extractor) and he was up and running again.
Both pistols are 45 acp, and since they are both rural Southern AZ folk they run them with full power loads. No special gamer / powder puff loads for these two. A side benefit that many have exclaimed that when scoring their shots on paper targets you can score them from the parking lot as each shot allows a lot of sunlight through!
While both gents have a number of other pistol platforms to use, especially more contemporary platforms, they both choose to and continue to use the Paras.
As with any purchase, it is always good to try before you buy. How they handle at the counter is not even close to how they handle at the range. My recommendation is to try to loan/rent/borrow your platform of interest before committing to a purchase. Best of luck to ya!
Cheers!
My neighbor picked up one of the models with the LDA trigger and I've shot it a few times. Impressive pistol. LDA seems like a great trigger for those not fond of C&L.
Personally, I'd be hesitant to plunk down serious cash for a small-frame 1911. The compact 1911's I've owned (Colt Officer, 1991 Compact, etc) haven't been anywhere as reliable as their full-size counterparts. I despise debugging new, $1,000 pistols.
Steve
Personally, I'd be hesitant to plunk down serious cash for a small-frame 1911. The compact 1911's I've owned (Colt Officer, 1991 Compact, etc) haven't been anywhere as reliable as their full-size counterparts. I despise debugging new, $1,000 pistols.
Steve
fastbolt
Member
It seems it's generally be a bit difficult to find a consensus on the Para pistols.
The most recent experience I can think of is when a fellow brought a used (LNIB) P-12 compact he had just bought to the range. He didn't make it through a box of ammunition before experiencing some instances of premature slide lock (slide stop lever not fully engaged in the slide notch, unlike when it's actually activated by the follower), nose-dive feeding down into the magazine (not even reaching the feed ramp) and one of the rear sight paint dots flying off.
The causes might involve some relatively simple corrections and repairs, but I'm not sure the fellow intends to keep the gun after his first range experience with it.
I remember attending an armorers class one time where the subject of Para pistols came up. The instructor showed us a sear he'd previously received and which came out of a Para pistol earlier. It was severely bent, almost folded upon itself in the direction of the normal curve. Seemingly a 'soft' part.
I know a fellow who is a vendor in the firearms parts business. He used to shoot a Para LDA in weekend competitions, along with a friend of his who also had a LDA. Neither of them were satisfied with the functioning of the pistols, and after a trip or two back to the factory for correction they both decided to try something else. My friend tried a Springfield which worked out well for him.
Now, you can hear this sort of thing about many different makes/models/calibers of pistols, and anecdotal examples can vary as widely as the folks relating them.
Also, satisfied owners/users of just about any make & model of pistol are most likely going to be disinterested in hearing about the unsatisfactory experiences of some folks ... not when their own guns are working well.
Trying a rental gun at a range which offers rental service can sometimes be useful, especially if you invest the money to run a few boxes of different ammunition through one which potentially interests you. How about attending a local IDPA match and at least observing the experiences of any Para owners, and perhaps talking to them afterwards?
I've never felt interested in spending my own money on one, myself, but that's just me.
Double column .45 magazines can sometimes come with their own headaches.
The most recent experience I can think of is when a fellow brought a used (LNIB) P-12 compact he had just bought to the range. He didn't make it through a box of ammunition before experiencing some instances of premature slide lock (slide stop lever not fully engaged in the slide notch, unlike when it's actually activated by the follower), nose-dive feeding down into the magazine (not even reaching the feed ramp) and one of the rear sight paint dots flying off.
The causes might involve some relatively simple corrections and repairs, but I'm not sure the fellow intends to keep the gun after his first range experience with it.
I remember attending an armorers class one time where the subject of Para pistols came up. The instructor showed us a sear he'd previously received and which came out of a Para pistol earlier. It was severely bent, almost folded upon itself in the direction of the normal curve. Seemingly a 'soft' part.
I know a fellow who is a vendor in the firearms parts business. He used to shoot a Para LDA in weekend competitions, along with a friend of his who also had a LDA. Neither of them were satisfied with the functioning of the pistols, and after a trip or two back to the factory for correction they both decided to try something else. My friend tried a Springfield which worked out well for him.
Now, you can hear this sort of thing about many different makes/models/calibers of pistols, and anecdotal examples can vary as widely as the folks relating them.
Also, satisfied owners/users of just about any make & model of pistol are most likely going to be disinterested in hearing about the unsatisfactory experiences of some folks ... not when their own guns are working well.
Trying a rental gun at a range which offers rental service can sometimes be useful, especially if you invest the money to run a few boxes of different ammunition through one which potentially interests you. How about attending a local IDPA match and at least observing the experiences of any Para owners, and perhaps talking to them afterwards?
I've never felt interested in spending my own money on one, myself, but that's just me.
Double column .45 magazines can sometimes come with their own headaches.
Thanks for the info! All the platforms I own are what I would call "reliable". AK clone, RRA middy, USP, Mossberg 500. So yeah besides having fun at the range I would like all of my guns to be useful if needed.
I coulda used the search but I knew some other kindhearted shooters would give an honest opinion. that's why I love this board!
Dont know, to me it's sounding like I should stick with SA...
I coulda used the search but I knew some other kindhearted shooters would give an honest opinion. that's why I love this board!
Dont know, to me it's sounding like I should stick with SA...
SixForSure
Member
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2005
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- 113
I have a LiteHawg and a Warthog. Both function flawlessly.
Exmasonite
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- Sep 4, 2006
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- 561
My buddy has a slim hawg that is pretty awesome. Has 2K+ rds through without a hiccup.
I really looked hard at the warthog but the grip is just too big/fat for me. (or my hands are too small). Fired 100 rds through one (no problems) but couldn't get a good grip.
The single stack Paras are sweet though.
I really looked hard at the warthog but the grip is just too big/fat for me. (or my hands are too small). Fired 100 rds through one (no problems) but couldn't get a good grip.
The single stack Paras are sweet though.
JonP
Member
I have two Paras (one bought used and one bought new), and they both have been 100% reliable, accurate and fun! I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.
moph759fl
Member
P10-45
This P10 is always reliable, never a FTF/FTE. I shoot the cheap FMJ stuff at the range and carry with Federal 185gr. .45+P or Taurus 185gr. .45ACP HP/Copper Jacket.
The only change I made to P10 was to replace the Grips with a Ultra Thin Wrap-Around Grip from Pearce Grip.
This P10 is always reliable, never a FTF/FTE. I shoot the cheap FMJ stuff at the range and carry with Federal 185gr. .45+P or Taurus 185gr. .45ACP HP/Copper Jacket.
The only change I made to P10 was to replace the Grips with a Ultra Thin Wrap-Around Grip from Pearce Grip.
MassMan
Member
Info on Paras
I have shot, on several occasions, the 745 LDA, the P-12Carry, and the P-16/40 and all have totally reliable to the point where I wouldn't think twice about purchasing one of them. Thumbs up from me!
I have shot, on several occasions, the 745 LDA, the P-12Carry, and the P-16/40 and all have totally reliable to the point where I wouldn't think twice about purchasing one of them. Thumbs up from me!
71Commander
Member
This one has 100,000 rounds down the pipe. Had to put a new barrel in it. Has a Brown match tube in it now. It's a Dawson Jarrett P-16-40.
My production set up. P-18-9.
My carry gun. C6-45.
My production set up. P-18-9.
My carry gun. C6-45.
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