NRA "Gun Rights" Guns of Para-Ordnance

[HankB]

The September 2007 issue of American Rifleman magazine has a spread by field editor Wiley Clapp on a couple of Para-Ordnance .45s . . . these are billed as "Gun Rights" guns since for each one purchased PO will donate $25 to the NRA to fight to preserve the 2nd Amendment.

There were two things that struck me as funny in this article, the first being the assertion that Para-Ordnance - a Canadian company - has changed its name to "Para USA." Yet in the sidebars listing stats on the pistols, the manufacturer is still listed as Para-Ordnance of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I guess Ontario is the 51st state, eh?

Okay, maybe its a typo, maybe the name change is TOO new to have percolated through all the literature.

But the second item I found amusing was Wiley Clapp's . . . creative . . . description of the pistols' performance; consider this gem:

. . . I ran a couple of boxes of 230-gr. ammuntion through the pistols to get a feel for them. Like many .45s, they are intolerant of anything less than a firm grasp, and they do need to be carefully broken-in. After a breaking-in period and postive lubrication, it was time to do a Ransom Rest evaluation . . . I can commend the guns to you from the standpoint of inherent accuracy and general handling.

Quite often, test reports in American Rifleman of other firearms - including .45s - either state there were no failures of any kind, or that there were "X" failures to feed or eject, or something of the sort.

Is it just me, or does the careful parsing in Clapp's statement fairly scream "Jammamatic?"

 

[Muddflap]

A break in period, and positive lubrication, sounds like my KelTec.

 

[HankB]

Notice that Wiley Clapp commended the pistol for " . . . inherent accuracy and general handling . . ." NOT reliability!

 

[JonP]

I have a Para single stack (not the gun rights one, but it's basically the same gun). Extraordinarily reliable - so much that it's my carry gun now. I love both my Paras.

 

[MaterDei]

American Rifleman is only good for the pictures.

 

[1911 guy]

I read the same article and had the same impression. Coupling that with my experience with a ParaOrdnance SSP, I'll pass. If I spend a few hundred bucks, it's not going to be on a paperweight.

 

[wally]

Is it just me, or does the careful parsing in Clapp's statement fairly scream "Jammamatic?"

If he was reviewing a double stack gun, I'd say yes. I've had to work on most of my double stack Para .45 mags and consider them strictly range guns along with anything else based on Para mag tubes (Armscor/RIA 1911-A2, Kimber BP, Bul M5)

the assertion that Para-Ordnance - a Canadian company - has changed its name to "Para USA."

I suspect its along the same lines as Honda USA. or any other US branch of a foreign company.

--wally.

 

[Hunter0924]

I will be glad to ask George Wedge about this. From the folks I know who have a Para they function flawless. It won't be long and I will have one of my own.
That is a great program Para started along with a few others.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Funny...I can limp-wrist my Colt .45 ACP and it cycles without even a cough. And I was thinking about a Para Ordnance. Guess I'll go back to thinking about a Kimber...

 

[buzz_knox]

Is Para's "repair facility" still that house in Sevierville, TN?

 

[James NM]

Hey, I don't have a problem buying Canadian. Made in Canada is made in America, North America no less. Nothing wrong with American Rifleman promoting a gun made in America that supports American shooters through the NRA.

If it's not made in the USA, Canada is a close second as far as I'm concerned.

I'd rather own a Canadian made PARA than a Springfield made in Brazil or Croatia, or - you name the gun & country.

Dang, if I knew the Canadian National Anthem I break out in song.

 

[obm]

I'd rather own a Canadian made PARA than a Springfield made in Brazil

isn't brazil part of south AMERICA?

 

[James NM]

isn't brazil part of south AMERICA?

Last I heard, Brazil is, in fact, in South America.

I'm just saying I'd rather keep my money in North America. I'm kind of partial to products made in North America (when you can find them). I'll send my money to Canada over Brazil (or any other South or Central American country) any day.

The North American Continent is my personal favorite. Does that make me a communist or something?

 

[HankB]

I don't own a Para . . . because it's been my observation that they do put out a lot of pistols that don't work right. Now, just from handling their pistols in a gun shop, Para has improved their workmanship quite a bit over, say, 10 years ago . . . but when I see other shooters (note use of the plural) having problems with a particular make/model, I tend to avoid it.

(And the only pistol I have that seems to be sensitive to limp-wristing is a first generation G17. )

 

[Hoppy590]

never experienced a gun related problem with my Para p-14. had one or two ammo related ones. but no gun related ones. very well built. no regrets

 

[Vonderek]

Have an early 14-45 LDA. Never had a FTF, digests everything fed to it just fine. I use factory mags and Mec-Gar and no problems whatsoever.

Unless one only owns S&W, Colt, NAA and Ruger handguns I don't think the complaint about Canada being the country of origin is legit.

 

[tinygnat219]

Nah, if I wanted a 1911, I wouldn't pay Para's prices for one. I can also donate money to the NRA on my own too. It's a publicity stunt that makes little to no sense.

 

[40SW]

This is certainly not new. Its actually exceptionally brilliant marketing and it works, otherwise they would not be doing it. Many manufacturers like Taurus, S&W , and North American place $10 off first years memebership coupons in their cases for new firearms purchases.
As far as Para, well, easily one of the finest manufacturers of 1911 and a leader in doublestack 1911 innovation. As I recall, the founder recently passed away, he was a Hungarian immigrant who was a staunch proponent of gun rights. Makes me happy to see a former soviet bloc immigrant go so far and recognize gun rights and what tyrrany can take away from us. Lets remember that although the 2nd ammendment is sacred, nothing wrong with those on the international scene promoting gun rights, there are many innovators and activists in places like Switzerland, Russia, the Czech Republic and other industrialized nations who are leading the fight. I see it as a plus.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Hummmm...Let's see...Mexico is in North America...Would you buy mexican???

 

[Vonderek]

Hummmm...Let's see...Mexico is in North America...Would you buy mexican???

Only if it says "Mezcal" on it!

 

[spencerhut]

Is Para's "repair facility" still that house in Sevierville, TN?

Yes, and here is the quality of work they are doing . . .
http://picasaweb.google.com/spencerhutc/Para45SSPSE1BackFromFactory82707
http://picasaweb.google.com/spencerhutc/ParaEjectorPart2

It's still broken awaiting repair attempt #2. They seem to be trying to rectify the problem in good faith. Before this happened the gun ran like a Swiss watch.

 

[Colt]

Many manufacturers like Taurus, S&W , and North American place $10 off first years memebership coupons in their cases for new firearms purchases.

And it's not just American companies doing this. My recently-purchased HK came with an HK-branded NRA discount certificate.

 

[Hoppy590]

wow not only is this thread ripe with assumptions but im starting to taste a hint of nationalism

 

[ASM826]

I don't know about the gun assumptions, but if all you got was a hint of nationalism, I'd be more than happy to deliver a truckload. I am an American. my belief is that the United States is the best thing that ever wandered down the pike. Whatever things we can do to keep the country strong and free are the things we should be doing. On some level, some of the people posting have the feeling that the loss of national manufacturing capacity is not a good thing. Finding a way to purchase something still Made in America is getting harder and harder.

 

[vynx]

I have a P12 (the officers size para but high capacity grip).

Its a jammomatic for sure. I have read that the Para magazines are the cause and that replacing the springs with wolf springs can fix the problem. I plan on trying that but it erroded my confidence in semi-auto's so much I got a .45 revolver.