-edit- A little happier with my para (got it back and it works great) :)

I bought the p14-45 limited edition and it seems the feeding ramp to chamber the live round is waaaaay to steep and it would cycle 3 or 4 rounds correctly but when it would feed the new round in, the round would end up comletey vertical. So I sent it to my local gunshop who sent it to Para-Ordnance, hopefully they can fix it cause it is a beautiful gun.

Just sent mine in today for the second time. I have been having feeding issues with a 6.45. Only saving grace is I have a new Sig to play with.

Cavu

Looks like you got your hands on one of the old style Limited's. The new style has the Black slide, and SX extractor.

My guess is that the mag spring is too weak, and instead of the round being held back on the back of the feed lips, the round is getting dances forward after the slide rearward impact and move forward (limp wristing). This allows the round to be pushed forward by the face of the extractor claw, instead of the slide breach face (behind the claw). Instead of the round controlled by the slide, the round just snaps out of the mag and may or may not end up in the chamber. Para springs are known factory weak, and most of use just replace the mag springs with Wolf extra power out of the box.

Also keep in mind that the recoil spring is questional at best in regards to it's life span. The stock recoil spring is 16lbs, and you will find that a 18lb spring works a lot better when shooting full loads.

Originally Posted By Dano523: Looks like you got your hands on one of the old style Limited's. The new style has the Black slide, and SX extractor. My guess is that the mag spring is too weak, and instead of the round being held back on the back of the feed lips, the round is getting dances forward after the slide rearward impact and move forward (limp wristing). This allows the round to be pushed forward by the face of the extractor claw, instead of the slide breach face (behind the claw). Instead of the round controlled by the slide, the round just snaps out of the mag and may or may not end up in the chamber. Para springs are known factory weak, and most of use just replace the mag springs with Wolf extra power out of the box. Also keep in mind that the recoil spring is questional at best in regards to it's life span. The stock recoil spring is 16lbs, and you will find that a 18lb spring works a lot better when shooting full loads.

Good info. The only thing I'd add is to suggest replacing the extractor with a Wilson.

Extractors and mag springs are the Para's weaknesses IMHO. Fix those things and you have a gun that runs well.

Ive got one of the older P14-45's from the late 1990's.The only thing I have done to it is replace the factory recoil spring with an ISMI 16lb. spring and got rid of the plastic mag catch.
Shoots like a dream and is very reliable with all but TWC's.

ok just got it back from para and now she shoots like a dream almost as reliable as my glock hehe

Originally Posted By Blankwaffe98: Ive got one of the older P14-45's from the late 1990's.The only thing I have done to it is replace the factory recoil spring with an ISMI 16lb. spring and got rid of the plastic mag catch. Shoots like a dream and is very reliable with all but TWC's.

Where can I buy a replacement, or IMSI recoil spring?

Thanks.

well i think they polished the feeding ramp and changed the springs but hell she even shoots wolf without a hitch i am soo happy i dont have a 700$ paperweight anymore hehe

Originally Posted By Dave_Pendleton: Originally Posted By Blankwaffe98: Ive got one of the older P14-45's from the late 1990's.The only thing I have done to it is replace the factory recoil spring with an ISMI 16lb. spring and got rid of the plastic mag catch. Shoots like a dream and is very reliable with all but TWC's. Where can I buy a replacement, or IMSI recoil spring? Thanks.

Brownells has Wolf and ISMI recoil springs.
www.brownells.com
The ISMI recoil springs are higher in price but I think they are better quality.I buy the ISMI springs direct from ISMI.
www.ismi-gunsprings.com
Brownells also has a couple replacement mag catches for the Para also.Ed Brown and a Gun Craft if I remember correctly.I went with the Ed Brown unit.

I replaced the sloppy fitting cast Para slide stop this week with a Wilson Bullet Proof slide stop.Huge improvement in fit.Tightened the old Para up alot...Looks good too.Well worth the money in my opinion.Should out last the pistol.

Thanks for the links.

So what's the formula then? A stiffer spring does what, exactly?

Will it dampen recoil? I assume it also increases the force with which the slide returns. Am I correct on this?

Thanks all.

Originally Posted By Dave_Pendleton: Thanks for the links. So what's the formula then? A stiffer spring does what, exactly? Will it dampen recoil? I assume it also increases the force with which the slide returns. Am I correct on this? Thanks all.

The factory spring rate for the Govt. model is 16lb..
Ive tried heavier springs but could not see an improvement especially with lighter loads than the 230gr..I do not shoot under powered ammo so a weaker spring is not even considered.
For me the 16lb. is the best choice and I guess thats why the recommended spring is 16lb..It fuctions perfectly for me for everything from 185gr-230gr..I guess I should say reliable performance from the pistola.
I.S.M.I. also recommends the 16lb. spring.So thats what I would stick with in most cases.
Otherwise you have to tailor the spring rate and ammo together.Which would be a pain for me as I shoot several different types of ammo.

Originally Posted By zer04evr: well i think they polished the feeding ramp and changed the springs but hell she even shoots wolf without a hitch i am soo happy i dont have a 700$ paperweight anymore hehe

Would you consider yourself "re-appointed in your Para" then?

Glad it's working. I love my Paras.

hehe yeah she shoots almost as reliable as my glock hehe that should fire yah up heheh

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