.357 Sig for ParaOrd

[Sidro]

Does any one know of .357 Sig bbl conversions for ParaOrd pistols.  Specifically for the P13 platform but would be interested in one for the P14.
Thanks, Sidro

[fz4vgq]

Sidro, to switch a P14 or P13 (.45acp) to a .357 Sig you need more than just a barrel. You would need a P16 (.40S&W) slide (has correct breechface for .357 Sig) and a custom .357 Sig barrel (BarSto has them for Para Ordnances) and you would have to swap out the frame mounted ejector when switching between .45 and 357 Sig. Its really not cost effective to build a switchtop gun with calibers that need a different ejector. For the price of the slide, extractor, firing pin, firing pin stop, series 80 parts, barrel, bushing, sights and ejector you could buy a very nice gun in 357 Sig. It would be much easier to convert a Para P16-40. good luck

[Mikey]

fz4vgq:  Doesn't Para Ordinance make their pistols in 40 S&W caliber?  If so, wouldn't that be the one to convert?  Changing over a P-O 45 to 40/357 is, as you mentioned, just as much a job as it is with 1911s and you are right in that it would be easier and cheaper to go buy one.  Actually, buy something in 40 S&W or 10mm and a conversion barrel and you're in..  Mikey.

[fz4vgq]

Mikey, Yep the Para Ordnance P16-40 is a .40S&W and like you said, would be much easier to convert (have two guns in one) to .357 Sig. All you'd need is a barrel swap. Everything else on a .40 S&W 1911 is common with a .357 Sig including the magazines. The only worthwile conversion to a .45 acp 1911 is the .400 Corbon (simply a barrel swap also, not to mention alot more "horsepower").

[Sidro]

Guys thanks for the info.  Looks like I will have to save up and go for the P16 in .40cal and run with the Barsto bbl in .357 Sig.  Guess it won't be to bad to have a sixth Para in the house to get something a little different.  Now SRH in .480 first or P16-.40/.357 Sig first?  Oh the decisions.
Thanks, Sidro

[Mikey]

Life sure gets tough when a man has to make decisions like that but, a man's got to do what a man's got to do, and having half a dozen Paras around the house is just about as manly a man's way to be that a manly man could be.  

BTW, you may wish to consider a set of target sights on one of your Paras to accurately shoot the 400 Cor-Bon that fz4vgq mentioned.  Because of the velocity increase of that round in the 1911 type pistol you might find the need for a set of target type sights to allow for elevation changes.  Mikey here.

[xnmr53]

Sidro,

If you are thinking of changing from the .45 to the .357 because of the faster bullet and flatter trajectory, you might consider converting to a .400 Corbon instead. It's the same principle as the .357 Sig except that they start with a .45 ACP case and neck it down to .40.

IIRC, all you need is the barrel. I think that at one time, they were in Brownells, but since they modifed their web site, I can't find a thing.

[1badmagnum]

I prefer straight walled cases,especially since I'm a handloader.
much more reliable than bottlenecks.

[Mikey]

1badmagnum:  Gotta disagree with you about the reliability factor of straight walled cases over bottlenecked rounds.  The reliability definately goes to the bottleneck, which is why every military longarm in use today, and since the 1880's has used a bottlenecked case.  The only variation to that is the 45 auto.  Even the 9mm is a tapered case.

Going back to the developemnt of the smokless powder cartridges, it may have been the thought that if you used a necked down case you could make the bullet go faster, but as developers got into the box magazine and higher capacity long arms the vote of confidence definately went to the necked down cartridge.  As soon as we get into the repeating firearm business for the military you saw the straightwalled cartridges disappear from the military scene, and that's where the reliability factor comes in.  

Just Mikey's 2 cents worth here.