Para Ordnance?

[smalls]

Tax season is here, and I'm impatiently waiting for my w-2's. When my returns get here, I'll be in the market for either an officer's or commander 1911. I was doing some browsing and came across this:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...s_id/75712/PARA+GIC45RK+GI+LTC+45+4.25+8R+BLK

I've heard both good and bad things about Para. Some people can't shut up about how great theirs is, and some people curse them to hell.

What's your (actual) experience with them? This will be a carry gun, and I'll also shoot IDPA with it.

So far, it's beetween this, or a RIA/Citadel compact tactical. I really like the compact model, but I think the commander will be a little easier to shoot. Trying to keep this around the $500 mark, so I can afford holsters and a little bit of ammo.

 

[rbernie]

I recently posted this in another similar thread about Para's:

My big complaints with Para's are twofold; they use non-standard dimensions in some places that they don't need to, and their QC on their small parts is at best spotty. If you get a good one and/or you have no interest in modifying it, then you're likely to be very happy with the purchase. If, OTOH, you want to replace bits (e.g. sights) or you happen to get one with crap bits in it, then you're likely to get on Internet gun forums and complain about it.

I have owned three (3) Para's, and been pretty happy with one (single-stack Expert GI) and relatively disappointed with the other two (LTC single stack, Big Hawg/P14 double-stack). The Expert GI seems to be a well-made gun that has done well for me excepting the inevitable Para habit of using non-standard dimensions for some bits (e.g. magazine release). If I had a serious hankering for another 1911-pattern double-stack pistol, I'd probably be tempted (as I currently am) to go looking for a RIA Tactical double-stack.

 

[smalls]

Hmm. I do plan on modifying it down the road, so maybe I'll pass on it.

Any advice on a commander (4", OR 4.25") in the budget price range that you'd suggest?

I also didn't realize this one had GI style sights til I just looked at it again. Would prefer it had something a little better. But sights are not exactly a deal breaker.

 

[1KPerDay]

I love my Canadian paras. Haven't tried one of the USA ones. But I have a couple buddies with GI 45s and they love them.

 

[Nushif]

I had the super compact LDA variety in 9mm once. Fun gun.

From my experience they're nice guns, but plagued by the fact that they labeled their LDA trigger a DA. I bet most people who rail against the system have never even shot one. were I to get a PARA again it would definitely have the LDA trigger.

 

[smalls]

Anyone have experience with their customer service?

 

[1KPerDay]

have you tried a search? Their rep is... not the best. I have no experience with it, but I've read at least a few threads/posts here decrying their CS. But like anything, people are more likely to post their poor experiences, not their good ones.

 

[smalls]

Actually, there's more positive posts than negative here.

I asked for actual experience.
Which you have none. Thanks for the post!

 

[hso]

I have 3 Paras, 2 SAs and one LDA. I've had no problem with any of them and I've put thousands of rounds through my alloy P12. I had to replace the safety after about 4,000 rounds and had no problem doing that.

 

[wgp]

I have had a Para Carry 9 (9mm) and a Carry 12 (.45) for a couple of years. Have carried both. I had ammo-related failure issues with the 9 at first but Para's tech guy on the Web solved that one for me quickly (the gun had problems with one brand, not with any other).

Other than that, the guns have been reliable, good shooters. The 12 is pretty heavy, a steel gun with 12 .45s in it. Both of these use the LDA trigger, which is a good solution for someone who does not like hammer-back carry in the 1911 platform. It's a good, smooth trigger that works and I think is much better than the double-action/single-action triggers that give you different pulls from the first shot to the rest.

So, personally, thumbs-up on the pistols and the customer service.

 

[smalls]

Rbernie, which parts use nonstandard dimensions? If I replace anything, it'd probably be the thumb safety and slide stop, for extended versions.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

You might get lucky and get a good one. But in any "worst gun ever" thread, there you will find me, about the P12-45 I had. Granted, it was only one sample, and a dozen years ago, but I tend to hold grudges.

 

[wristtwister]

Well, Lone Haranger, I am the anthesis of that... My P12 has saved my life and it shoots fine every time I've pulled the trigger. In "normal times", it's my concealed carry piece, and if I had to grab one gun out of my closet to defend the homeland... the P12 would be one of the best choices for me.

I've got about 50+ guns in my pistol arsenal, and some of the choices I would make get slammed on the gun boards (mostly because the critics aren't shooting my guns), but as for Para... I've got my P12, a GI expert in stainless, a GI-45 Expert, and a GI expert with the black finish. No problems with any of them.

WT

 

[[email protected]]

I have already posted on a couple different threads about my expierence with Para. To sum it up my GI is a good gun excluding the out of spec slide stop that I replaced on my dime. Their customer service sucks but ymmv

 

[smalls]

Yeah, just read that they have no warranty. I'm all for taking a chance on a firearm, but if they fix/replace a messed up one on their dime.

 

[smalls]

So, back to my second question :/ :
Any suggestions on a commander in the $500 ish range?

 

[rbernie]

which parts use nonstandard dimensions? If I replace anything, it'd probably be the thumb safety and slide stop, for extended versions.

The thumb safety needs to be fitted anyway and the slide stop should be OK.

All of mine have had undersize magazine release frame cutouts that preclude the use of standard replacement magazine releases. The double-wides have odd dimensions in several areas, including the sight dovetails and the locating slot for the sear spring. The frame contours on the double-wides preclude the use of many aftermarket grip safeties. My last double-wide had a terribly short-of-spec disconnector and many of the small bits were really poorly dimensioned.

 

[galena]

I have a 14/45LDA Limited, a 16/40LDA, a Single stack . 45ACP LDA Limited, a single stack .45ACP LDA, and a PDA LDA in 9mm. I have carried the .45ACPs on duty without a problem, and I routinely carry the 9mm PDA conceled. I bought the 14/45 LDA over the net, when I received it the slide was locked up somehow, couldn't open the slide. I called CS and explained the problem and the fact that I was not the original owner. They sent me a shipping authorization and I sent it in for repair. They repaired it in short order free of charge and shipped it back to me. I sent both the Hi-cap .40 and one single stack .45 to the Para shop for installation of an ambi safety. They provided shipping authorization after a phone call and I sent them in with payment. Both were returned in a short time. I have never had any other problems/work done and am completely satisfied with the weapons and the Customer Service. If you treat service folks with respect and consideration they take care of you. Keep shootin'

 

[1KPerDay]

Actually, there's more positive posts than negative here.

I asked for actual experience.
Which you have none. Thanks for the post!

You're welcome. If you have already read what people here have said about their customer service... why do you need to ask again?