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Posted: 2/25/2009 5:03:34 PM EDT
[#1]
Tag, just because I have always been intrigued by Para.
After all these years, I still havent figured out if they are good, really good, or just a cheap 1911 knock-off. |
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Posted: 2/25/2009 5:12:12 PM EDT
[#2]
P12.45, alloy frame
Hammer would not reliably stay cocked after racking the slide. 
Could not justify its use as a carry gun after that. I don't own any 1911s any more. |
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Posted: 2/25/2009 5:13:53 PM EDT
[#3]
After less than 200 rounds the ramp on the barrel messed up and wouldn't feed any ammo. Simple to fix but without a barrel replacement was never the same. Sold the gun and got a glock 21. The finish on the para was ugly, too. I have a colt now. Let me see if I can find a pic.
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Posted: 2/25/2009 5:15:59 PM EDT
[#4]
Well, aside from changing out all the fire control parts to get a decent trigger pull, mine was fine. For about 50 rounds until the extractor lost tension. Retensioned it. Failed in 20 rounds. Another part.
After replacing all but the barrel and ejector, it has been fine. |
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Posted: 2/25/2009 5:16:28 PM EDT
[#5]
I don't have time to shoot it enough. No problems with either my para or my dad's but both are older ones. None of that power extractor or LDA.
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Posted: 2/25/2009 5:22:57 PM EDT
[#6]
OK, I'm lost here.
Para? What is a PARA? Para Ordinance? Para type folding stock rifle? Please let me know. |
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Posted: 2/25/2009 5:25:35 PM EDT
[#7]
I bought my P1445 in 1997, and have fired at least 1500 rounds through it with only a few hiccups (which could have been my fault).
Sounds like maybe the newer ones aren't as good. The only issue I had was the rear sight came loose in the dovetail - easy to fix. I don't CCW it due to size and weight. |
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Posted: 2/25/2009 5:26:15 PM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
OK, I'm lost here. Para? What is a PARA? Para Ordinance? Para type folding stock rifle? Please let me know. Para-Ordnance |
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Posted: 2/25/2009 5:36:02 PM EDT
[#9]
Please leave personal insults out of this discussion.
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Posted: 2/25/2009 5:47:34 PM EDT
[#10]
Had a P12-45. It was nice and pretty accurate, but had a couple jams per 50 rounds.
After researching on the internet, it appears due to high slide velocity and supposedly can be cured with stronger aftermarket magazine springs. Instead, I sold it. Older P13-45 with gunsmith trigger job was very accurate, pleasure to shoot and 100% reliable. |
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Posted: 2/25/2009 5:53:20 PM EDT
[#11]
First Para went back four or five times to solve feeding issues. They eventually gave me a new one(different model). It went back once or twice for feeding issues and then again when the slide cracked. Since then it has run well but needless to say I am hardly a Para fan and it is NOT my CCW. Much better options out there IMHO.
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Posted: 2/25/2009 6:21:09 PM EDT
[#12]
Have a P16-40. Bought it about 12 years ago. Only problem I had was having to replace the extractor when it was fairly new. It's been better that the 3 Springfield Armory 1911s I have had or the one Colt. Has about 20,000 through it.
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Posted: 2/25/2009 6:23:03 PM EDT
[#13]
Haven't had any problems at all.
... at least a thousand rounds fired. P12-45 |
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Posted: 2/25/2009 6:25:37 PM EDT
[#14]
I have about 10-15k round through my p14 .45 and never had a problem at all. I love mine. Its more accurate than I am and been completely reliable.
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Posted: 2/25/2009 6:27:53 PM EDT
[#15]
Para owners, what troubles have you had?
Finding .45 ACP to put in the fucker. |
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Posted: 2/25/2009 6:29:54 PM EDT
[#16]
bought a used p-13 couple of years ago and have put alot of round through it since. Had to replace the mag springs in the 2 original mags last month and that's all
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Posted: 2/25/2009 6:31:41 PM EDT
[#17]
Fired 1500 rds through my P14-45 Stainless with NO issues. My only small gripe is that it's a bit heavy when fully loaded, so I don't use it for concealed carry. It's a great handgun!
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Posted: 2/25/2009 6:32:55 PM EDT
[#18]
Alol these bugs and more from the ghost of J.M. Browning for calling them 1911's.
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Posted: 2/25/2009 6:34:34 PM EDT
[#19]
Quoted:
list anything, only for para owners. None. I guess I got lucky. Have a 2002 model 14-45 and it has been flawless. |
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Posted: 2/25/2009 6:39:11 PM EDT
[#20]
5000+ out of a P14 for my first couple years of IPSC matches. No real problems with the pistol, needed some new springs by the end. I got tired of screwing with the mags, especially anything with an extended basepad (but I did have an 18+1 .45ACP when it worked). The mags also rusted pretty easily. This was the '97-'99 time frame.
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Posted: 2/25/2009 6:45:23 PM EDT
[#21]
The first Para was fine but I traded it back in after a couple of weeks because it was stainless and they got a blued P14-45 in. I have about 45,000 rounds of all kinds, handloads and factory, in every bullet type and weight you can think of, and it's never jammed once due to dessign of the weapon, only a few rounds that were due to a mag sprng, which I replaced. I have Wolffe springs and followers in all of my mags now. The only complaint I have is the finish durability. THe reason I'm asking this question is because of an earlier thread bashing these guns. A freind of mine and I went to a gun store in Rock Hiill S.C. and he checked out their Para and their STI street type 1911, the Para they had there wasn't as tight as the one I have. It was a single action and I have an LDA. THe STI was very nice, but not noticablly tighter than my Para, but it was very smooth. He's trying to gather info on these guns, and he loves to shoot ,my para, but I think he's leaning STI due to the fact that not everyone around here has one, and its very nice.
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Posted: 2/25/2009 6:48:33 PM EDT
[#22]
I have a 03 p14-45 ltd. Mine has been awesome. Most issues with them are fixed with wolf mag springs. I'd buy another if I could get one with a rail.
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Posted: 2/25/2009 6:49:31 PM EDT
[#23]
Anyone with any experience with the new Expert?
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Posted: 2/25/2009 6:50:44 PM EDT
[#24]
Had a P12.45 LDA and a P-13.45. I'm a lefty, and both of them ejected brass into my face. I also had to adjust the feed lips on the magazines in order to get them to feed properly. For some reason, on all of the magazines, the front edges of the lips were too close together, which resulted in the bullet being driven into the feedramp at too low an angle, and the bullet would end up pushed back into the case, if it fed at all.
I ended up selling both of them. YMMV. |
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Posted: 2/25/2009 6:50:49 PM EDT
[#25]
05 Para LTC, aka Colt Commander Clone.
No problems in 2000 rounds, sold it off.
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Posted: 2/25/2009 6:56:09 PM EDT
[#26]
Had a LDA 14-45 for a couple of weeks a couple of years ago. Trigger was kind of neat but to different to shoot good without a lot of extra practice. I had no problems with it, sold it and the trigger lock up on the gut that bought it and he had to send it in twice to get it all straightened out. I would go with a STI instead. Check out Dawson Precision or Shooters Connection.
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Posted: 2/25/2009 6:59:12 PM EDT
[#27]
My dad and I both had identical Para P14 Limited guns. They were BROKEN, according to what I read about Paras. Never had a hiccup with them over several thousand rounds of all types of factory and handload ammunition. Very accurate, nice trigger, beautiful guns.
I sold mine to finance a USP Tactical, because the stainless finish wasn't holding up to Miami's unholy humidity. Dad still has his, and it still runs like a top. |
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Posted: 2/25/2009 7:02:48 PM EDT
[#28]
Bought a P14-45 last year, problems with the slide locking back before the mag was empty. The recoil spring must be 22 lbs, I have owned and shot 1911s for 38 years and never found a gun that hard to rack. I read that using a standard recoil spring and replacing the mag springs would solve the problem, but I've lost confidence and interest.
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Posted: 2/25/2009 7:15:39 PM EDT
[#29]
Currently own a P14 and a P13, previously owned a P12. Can't remember ever having a malfunction with any of them, except last year, when the P14 stopped feeding the last round of the magazine. I replaced all the magazine springs with Wolff. That fixed it. The old springs were compressed, much shorter than the new springs. No other issues, though.
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Posted: 2/25/2009 7:16:41 PM EDT
[#30]
Got a CCW, it started jamming badly. Para sent me a different style guide rod. Extractor broke off on the next trip to the range. Sent in for repair. Returned, next trip to range the spring went right through the recoil plug. Back to Para. Long discussion with them, plus $150 and I get back a new CCO. Put it in the safe and didn't shoot it for about 5 years. Took it out and the two of the night sights were dimming out. Back to Para. Returned. Sold it. Having said that, both guns were accurate and I really like the LDA trigger. I just lost confidence in the guns for CCW.
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Posted: 2/25/2009 7:20:26 PM EDT
[#31]
Ive put about 600 rds through my P-14 LTD so far ............no probs yet. I bought it used too.
I love it , very accurate and pretty too. |
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Posted: 2/25/2009 7:23:00 PM EDT
[#32]
I don't know anyone who owns/owned a Para that would work reliably (I'm talking more than 50rds at the range), they all seemed to have failure to feed problems, mag (on the hi-cap) issues, etc. 1911's just are not meant to be hi-cap pistols, sorry.
I had a P13, real POS. There are plenty of decent 1911 makers out there, there is no reason to buy a Para. |
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Posted: 2/25/2009 7:46:54 PM EDT
[#33]
P12-45. Bought it used. About 1000 rounds. Slide sticks about 1 of every 20 rounds .003" before full battery. Tap the back of slide and I'm off again. Feed problems also. I thought it was just finicky about ammo but someone mentioned a magazine issue with their feed problem, so maybe that's the problem with mine. I'll have to check into that. Not a good CC for sure.
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Posted: 2/26/2009 6:56:37 AM EDT
[#34]
Currently own:
14.45 - great gun, but finish is mostly worn off; shoots great, but is heavy when fully loaded LTC - bought it for carry, but is pretty heavy for this purpose; less than 1k rounds with it, not a single problem. I will probably sell this one, though, since it's a little too heavy for my tastes for carry 16.40 - recently added (used); stainless steel finish, seems great - no issues so far for me, although I've personally witnessed them having extraction problems in USPSA matches; my impression was that each of those extraction problems came from overzealous customization (YMMV) |
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Posted: 2/26/2009 7:00:44 AM EDT
[#35]
I have an .45 ACP LTC that I use for carry. It's been 100% with anything I stuff in the mag from 200g SWC cast leads to 230g Golden Sabers.
I bought the step son a Lite Hawg 9mm for his carry gun. It's been a great shooting pistol. 1 mag of the 4 did cause feeding issues, but Para replaced the mag with a new one and it has been flawless feeding any 9mm. |
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Posted: 2/26/2009 7:02:37 AM EDT
[#36]
I bought a stainless P14 Limited some time ago. I was very happy with the fit and finish and it ran well using ball ammo. It would not feed HPs at all. The first HPs I tried to feed stuck in the feed ramp and would not feed at all.
I sold it. |
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Posted: 2/26/2009 7:16:38 AM EDT
[#37]
I bought a Para PDA a few days ago for my wife to carry. I was just giving it a initial wipe down when I wiped off some of the black finish. This has no rounds through it yet so I am currently unhappy with the finish of the gun. I have sent an e-mail to Para but I haven't heard back yet.
Other than that it is a great carry gun, light weight, thin and most importantly 45 ACP. |
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Posted: 2/26/2009 7:34:24 AM EDT
[#38]
Para USA TAC S LDA. No problems. Probably the most fun gun I have to shoot.
ETA: Doesn't like PMC ammo. Otherwise, no problems with any other ammo. |
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Posted: 2/26/2009 7:42:25 AM EDT
[#39]
First PARA performed well, but still had grinding marks on the outside frame. Second was a LTC internals were horribly cast, and the finish flaked off. I won't buy another.
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Posted: 2/26/2009 7:42:28 AM EDT
[#40]
I have a P12-45 that I bought in 1995. It's seen light-medium use over the years and still runs pretty flawlessly. I do carry it in the winter on occasion.
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