Para-Ordnance P-16 converted to 10mm: Done

[hartzpad]

I picked up a Para-Ordnance P-16 2 months ago from an online auction for $400. I sent the barrel to Bob Hunter of Hunter Customs and had him ream the .40 barrel to 10mm. I added a 22lb. recoil spring and bought some P-16 .40 mags (which all fit 16 rounds of 10mm).

Tested it out yesterday. Shot 50 rounds of Miwall 10mm reloads (light 10mm loads: 180gr. @ 1050fps). Ran flawlessly. Bob cautioned that I should keep OAL of 10mm shot in this pistol to 1.250 otherwise I'd have some feeding problems. I measured all the rounds and started with the 1.250 rounds first. Well, it ended up even shooting the rounds that were 1.261, no feeding problems whatsoever. Shooting it back to back with my Tanfoglio Witness full-size 10mm, it was softer recoiling and seemed to be more accurate (it also weighs more and has a slightly longer barrel). I'm going to try some Double Tap practice loads in it soon and see how it does with near full-power 10mm.

What a great pistol! Looks great and shoots great. What a great deal! A 10mm 1911 that can hold 17 rounds of full power 10mm for under $500!

 

[hkmp5g17]

Awesome. I want one!

Anthony

 

[conkmwc]

17 rds of 10mm...

This is pure evil.

 

[gunfan]

I LOVE it!

That is pretty, cool and a bad motorscooter!

BTW, they manufactured to 10mm in a P-16 back in 1991. Its a damned shame that they don't make it today, it would be a great seller!

Scott

 

[Zundfolge]

Some day when I have some extra money (not holding my breath) I'm going to do the exact same thing.

The idea of 16+1 10mm just makes me giddy

 

[MachIVshooter]

Now you have to go to the next level; convert a Desert Eagle to 10mm magnum. Should be able to get 13 or 14 in the mag.

BTW Starline does still make 10mm mag brass!

 

[Grayrider]

Get some extended base pads for your mags. I have one that holds 23 rounds in my P16.40/10mm Limited.



GR

 

[hartzpad]

Grayrider,

Where did you get your extended basepads? I have only seen +2 pads for the P-16 mags.

 

[Grayrider]

I got them with the gun in a trade, but they are Arredondos.

http://www.arredondoaccessories.com/A_mag.cfm

I know they advertise lower counts, but the funny thing is the results vary from magazine to magazine. I have no idea why. Mine holds 23 so must have been luck. I don't know that the springs are factory so that may be part of the equation. When I traded for the pistol the fellow gave me a bag of magazines and internals. With that pad on there it seems like it just keeps going and going and going....



GR

 

[akanotken]

I planned on doing this some time back ...

but right now I'm just shooting .40

Hartz, Mind if I ask how much the work was from hunters? Did you send your bbl in with the firearm? I'm thinking of buying a bbl to have done, or see if anyone makes the conversion bbl.

I'm guessing to go back to .40 you'd just swap out a bbl and recoil spring and be done?

I use dawson pads, and they consistently take 20 rounds Getting 23 is a bonus!

ETA, Nice price on the base gun!

 

[Grayrider]

You may want to try just swapping barrels and springs. Some have said that was all they needed to do. As I recall the previous owner of mine did nothing more than that, although he had changed out so many other parts with higher grade components it would be hard to say what was done just for the conversion. The P16 is such a fun gun to shoot anyway, I think it makes a great platform for this as you get to feed your 10mm addiction and have a 40 caliber for cheap shooting that has very little recoil. The Paras are so massive that they really tame the lighter cartridges. My P18 has vastly less recoil than any other 9mm I have ever fired, including my CZ SP01 and my Witness Elite Stock.

GR

 

[SouthpawShootr]

If you replace the barrel and springs with a 10mm barrel, you really only need to make sure that the lockup timing is correct to avoid undue wear & tear. The barrel may need a small amount of fitting to get it right. Bob Hunter posts over at www.1911forum.com and seems to be very forthcoming with information. I, personally, would rather have the capability to switch back easily to .40S&W, so I'd just buy the 10mm barrel, recoil spring guide, and recoil spring. I was seriously considering this a while back (the local shop has a P-16 in the case that nobody wants), but ended up with a Kimber Eclipse 10mm. The Para and 10mm barrel would have cost right about the same as the Eclipse and the Eclipse included the added inducement of night sights and front strap checkering. I don't have a 1911 .40, but have so many other .40s, I don't feel lacking.

 

[Zach S]

Is that an aluminum frame, or is it the fact that my monitor sucks?

 

[hartzpad]

It is stainless steel, not aluminum, I don't have a death wish shooting an aluminum 10mm 1911.

 

[larry starling]

Outstanding conversion.....