Para Ordinance

[Forestclimber]

Are Para Ordinance 1911 45's good?  I saw a new one with fibre-optic sights.  What is a good price for this?

[bubbinator]

My experience has been very positive with them.  My first was P-14 Kit Gun(They sold a wide-body frame kit that you built with your regular top parts/slide back in the 90s.  That was their start, they went onto complete guns later) Their barrels are match grade, chambers fully supported and have 2 trigger options, the regular 1911 and a LDA (Light double action) which is neat too. I carry a 3" Para Wart Hog routinely CCW and as a back up on duty. Even with full power  230 ball ammo I can shoot 100s when qualifying. Note: The Pearce Grip extentions shown in all Para Wart Hog ads are very necessary for best control of that little handful of fun. Last ones I saw a the Gunshow in Al were selling for about 1K +/- depending on the model. Shop around, I got my WartHog in Birmingham, AL for $590.NIB! My gunsmith is so-so on them, becuase he doesn't have many to work on.  That says something too!  Their warranty folks are reputed to be good also, I never had to call them-Nuff said. Good luck

[deerandduck]

No personal experience with them, however I will relay some recent information from a friend who has several (warthogs, and previously other models).  He is having some type of feed problem, unsure of what exactly.  He seems to have tried all the normal fixes and nothing is working.  Of course, Para said send it back ( at his expense) and that it would take a long while. This gun is brand new, I know, as I delivered it to him.
 Another associated point....  A local gun store, who really does a high volume at the national level, has stopped carrying Para because he was having too many brought back from unsatisfied customers and the return costs was too high.  This really spoke to me.
Like I mentioned, all this is hear-say.  I've also heard of many who have NEVER had a problem.
Good Luck with this,
Deerandduck

[Mnswede]

I own a Para 1911 LTC and have not had any problems with this pistol.

[bubbinator]

Deerandduck has a good point about what some people say about a product. The local S.O. SWAT Team carried Springfield Armory 1911-a1s until they literally wore them out.  My partner's weapon he bought after the trade-in had over 60K rds. thru it! ( and still worked great!) They "upgraded" to Kimbers (some wheel in the dept. had one) and after a little over a month sent them ALL back to Kimber. Some broke, some weren't reliable and Kimber's warranty people were a big disappointment.  They are back with new Springfields and well satisfied.

[williamlayton]

The Para's have good reputation--which means that Murphy is still out there.
I would like too have one---if I don't have too pay for it. if I am to pay for it there are some that I like better---and, by like, I mean cosmetics/foremat/material/and a lot of other things + perofrmance and operation.
Blessings

[scott cudworth]

My carry gun is a P-12 and I love it.I've never had a feed problem either with any kind of ammo.....

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  My Pistol MAN recommended I get a Para...so far I love it...I am most a 6 gunner , but this is accurate, and so far flawless...BUT I haven't shot thousands of rounds though it...

[SharonAnne]

MY 9x23 open pistol is on a Para frame kit. Jake Kempton, late of Accuracy Speaks built it and i love it.

I also have a factory built P14-45. I am  as impressed with the fit and finish of it as I am of any top of the line production 1911.

You will find a lemon amongst all top of the line pistols.  Eventually the tolerances stack up and you get a lemon. Conversely those same tolerances will stack the other way and you get a super finely fit and finished to equal a fine high dollar custom pistol.

[delt167502]

I have a para.ord.slimhog in .45 acp when I first bought it I put about 1000 rds thru it ,it started droping the magazines.I sent it in it took about 4 weeks to get it back. They replaced the mag.catch,the recoil spring assb.I have probaly put 2-2500 rds thru it,with no failures at all. I also have a GI expert that probally about once in every 100-150 rds I get a ftf on the last rnd.in the mag. again I shoot all cast handloads using bullseye as a light load,so it that could be part of the problem.This gun is used for at least 300rds. a week. cleaned maybe or maybe not,lubed with stp.but all in all they seem to be a good weapon. I have had kimbers S&W's colts and they will stand with the best. (My 2cents)

[DC]

I had owned a bunch.  They like full power comercial loads and hand loads.  They have a heavy spring and need non wimp rounds for proper functioning.  Having said that, I am certain that a lighter spring can be had but my 45's, 40 and a nine, (5 in all) have never failed to feed or function and have been much more accurate than I personally am   

[1911crazy]

MY 9x23 open pistol is on a Para frame kit. Jake Kempton, late of Accuracy Speaks built it and i love it.

I also have a factory built P14-45. I am  as impressed with the fit and finish of it as I am of any top of the line production 1911.

You will find a lemon amongst all top of the line pistols.  Eventually the tolerances stack up and you get a lemon. Conversely those same tolerances will stack the other way and you get a super finely fit and finished to equal a fine high dollar custom pistol.

Lemons I've had my share of lemons, i should of made lemonaid from the beginning.  With the lower priced lemons i have had i'm gun shy when it comes to the higher dollar 1911's.  I just don't jump in, but i have put my big toe in first and have come up with lemons. The higher costs scare me now.

[SHOOTALL]

I have only had one , several friends also have them . Mine shot to point of aim with 230 gr. ball right out the box. It has never failed . It is put togather well for a gun in its price range. Mine is a LDA , 14 shot , all steel 45 . Of the ones my friends own one had a fitting issue with the grip safety slot in the frame , a sharp edge . A file fixed it .