Is This a Good deal on a Para c 7.45?

[possum]

alright i need some advice and knowledge in the way of a para ordanace companion 7.45. i am not a big para, or 1911 guy so i don't know values and what the going rates are, and this particular gun isn't in my gun traders guide, because they only made them one year i think it was. so here is the deal, i have an oppurtunity to buy a ss with wooden grips para companion c 7.45. it is in great condition, and has had maybe 400rds at the most through it. it has the three dot novak sights, bevertail grip safety, full lenght guide rod, bobbed hammer, to give it the classic look, but is LDA which i love. it comes with a very nice and brand new safari land paddle holster open top type. 4 chip mccormick 7rd mags with bumper pads, two factory 6rd mags, box, papers, and 50rds of ammo. oh by the way i have shot it and it shoots like a dream, i think the barrel lenght is 3 1/2".

so is $550 out the door a good deal or not? thanks guys and gals any input would be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[possum]

come on guys are you telling me that out of all these 1911 loving people on this website that are so full of knowledge that nobody has a clue?

 

[kjeff50cal]

Academy (Houston, Tx) sells a Blued 7.45 Para new for $618 with 2nd Mag. I don't know the going price for SS but with the extras you cite that may be a deal used.

 

[fencer1960]

I carry a C7.45 that I bought new in 2005. Just the gun and 2 factory mags cost over $700 total. So I think you're getting a splendid deal. You'll need the Chip McCormick mags, they work great in this pistol. I migrated to them after I had terrible reliability problems with the factory mags.

 

[cherryriver]

I also have that same gun, and I agree with fencer all the way. I paid $650 on a clearance sale. Gun prices vary by region, but I'd say $550 sounds good.
One other note- I bought a spare grip safety and zinged off the beavertail so it fits better and catches less in my motorcycle jacket inner pocket. It was only $25 or so, and I still use the beavertail for extended range use as it is a bit unpleasant to go more than 20 or 30 full-house rounds without it.
I put rubber grips on it, too, for my wife to shoot puffball rounds that barely rack the slide. She likes the action, but it still "recoils too much" and she goes back to the Diamondback with slowball wadcutters.
Incidentally, be sure to change that recoil spring, and frequently. I broke my slide in two pieces shooting Gold Dots when the spring was at 1800 rounds.
The Para repair guy told me to change the spring every 500-800 rounds. They're cheap- get three or four at a time from Brownells.
The gun runs fine since, maybe two thousand rounds.
I change 'em religiously now, since getting half a slide stuck in my face sounds like it might improve my looks enough to make trouble with the Boss.
I'm trying to scare you with this picture.
Bill

 

[possum]

thanks for the relpies guys i figured it was a pretty good deal.
cherryriver, oh my lord, thanks for the heads up, i will be sure to have plenty replacements on hand so that dosen't happen to mine. wow that is crazy. just curious did para give you a hard time about getting it fixed, did they charge you anything for it? how about there customer service how did they treat you about the whole situation? just like to know how they treated you and what i should expect if i ever need to send one back in the future. thanks again!

 

[cherryriver]

Para was fine on the repair.
Fortunately, the dealer sent the gun back on their own dime and I didn't have a shipping charge.
They rebuilt it with a new top end, using the later model (than mine) PXT slide/extractor setup, plus of course a matching barrel.
It still likes to dent case mouths, which is irritating to a reloader, but it runs just about 100%, and it does go 100% with the "issue" Speer Gold Dot 230gr load.
The gun's been fine since and I actually forgot about it until this came up.
The springs are five bucks. 'Nuff said.
One other funny thing about this LDA gun. I couldn't hit the broad side of barn with it for the first 1000 rounds. Supposedly, a wheelgun guy like me should grab right onto the LDA trigger, but it didn't happen.
Here's what I think did happen: I'm even more a 1911 guy. I pick up a Para LDA and my hand thinks "1911". But when the trigger finger started to move, it wasn't a 1911 anymore, and I got sort of thrown off.
Practice fixed it. I still drive a Commander better, but the difference isn't as great now and for a gun bouncing around on a bike like my Para has, (when I'm travelling to friendly places) having the "hammer" down is a little reassuring. I know it's not that big a deal in reality, but you know...
Bill