Opinion - ParaOrd DA only 1911...any disadvantages?

emilio613

emilio613

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
141   0   0
Location
Between 4 walls, in front of a screen.
Hi folks, so I was looking into maybe eventually switching up my Norc 1911 for something a little more upper class.

I want a nice stainless 1911, and I noticed 2 guns that sort of caught ym eye in the EE. One is a Colt Gold Cup in stainless, the other is the Paraord 1911 limited.

Both are 45 acp, both are ###y (to me, at least), both are stainless (the para has some flat black accentuation, but that's nice).

Then I noticed the Para is DA ONLY, so my question to you guys (and any owners of these guns):

Have any of you ever noticed (either shooting, or via friends who have one) any clear disadvantages or annoyances in owning a DA only semi auto, self loading pistol? (like a glock I guess).

The only thing I can see as a disadvantage, is the lack of an ability to decock if I have to for some reason.

Anything else?

I'd like to know if I should avoid this in my next purchase.

Thanks!
 
The Para Ordnance Light Double Action (LDA) is unique,, nobody else does it.
I have one in 9mm, and I like it.
It is double action only, not striker fired. Not like a sig where every pull on the trigger will #### and fire the pistol, the Para LDA needs to be manually cocked like a GLOCK and you get one trigger pull. If it doesn't go bang, you need to rack the slide to get it ready again. Of course, once it does go bang it cocks itself as the slide goes back,, nothing special there.
You shouldn't need to decock for safety, as that is the safe mode for double action/single action pistols like the Sig. For the Para LDA, you #### it and then put in on safe.
If you are using the Para LDA in IPSC, you are good to go for production and you would not need to put it on safe either.
It does have a long trigger return, a little longer than a Glock. It does take a bit of getting used too, but once you do,, it shouldn't give you any problems.
 
Also,, the Para 9mm double stack mags suck ass. The normal single stack mags are ok,, but the 9mm double stacks have a plastic lower mag body and plastic base plate that cracks and just crumbles sometimes. I've gone through 7 mag bodies in just under 2 years.
Para is supposed to be working on a solution,, but I haven't seen it yet.
18_9a.jpg
 
My LDA tac forty in a .45 double stack mags are all right. Feed proper but I can see about comp shooting where the butt of the mags would easily break. Great guns though PARA. Shelldrake, is that a "made in canada" para? My tac-forty is and I couldn't be more happier about owning a canadian made pistol.
 
bfiles said:
My LDA tac forty in a .45 double stack mags are all right. Feed proper but I can see about comp shooting where the butt of the mags would easily break. Great guns though PARA. Shelldrake, is that a "made in canada" para? My tac-forty is and I couldn't be more happier about owning a canadian made pistol.
Click to expand...

Yes,, it was one of the last series to be made in Cda.
Most of my mag bodies broke when dropped on the concrete floor of the indoor range,, but about a 3rd just has the tiny nibs pull out of itself. The mags feed just fine,, but eventually the bottom fails and you have a spring go one way and base plate another way, and a bunch of bullets spilling out on your boots. Kinda funny looking when it happens in the middle of a shoot.
Other than the mag problem, I agree, great gun and I am quite happy with the peformance.
 
For my own uses, it would be paper punching. I don't intend on getting into any intense competitions, as much as I would like to. I am just not able to afford any of that stuff, at least not yet.

Alright, so for safety, with the LDA it's a matter of cocking it once, and then just safety on or off, right?

Any opinions on the Colt, other than it's classy :p
 
Para LDA trigger is easy to learn especially if you are used to shooting DA revolvers. Accuracy of the Para's is very good. I had one issue with a guide rod and it was dealt with very quickly and have had no problems since. I can't advise you on the mags as mine is a single stack .45 and uses standard mags. I consider the Para as one of my favourites!! I don't think you will be disappointed with the Para.
 
fingers said:
Para LDA trigger is easy to learn especially if you are used to shooting DA revolvers. Accuracy of the Para's is very good. I had one issue with a guide rod and it was dealt with very quickly and have had no problems since. I can't advise you on the mags as mine is a single stack .45 and uses standard mags. I consider the Para as one of my favourites!! I don't think you will be disappointed with the Para.
Click to expand...

Alright, cool! Thanks for the advice.

Now, if only there was some way to convince the guy selling his in EE to give it to me....for free or next to nothing... Maybe he'll trade for a shoelace. lol
 
The plastic Para-Ordnance Magazine Floor Plate Retainer is the weak link in a good firearm. It is one of the very few magazines that can be damaged just by being kept loaded. You would be wise to keep some spare parts.

* Schematics Home > * Para-Ordnance®
P14.45 / LTD, P16.40 / LTD, P18.9

(Brownells part#) 199-000-300
Magazine Floor Plate Retainer

Factory Part Number(s):
0520102

$6.99

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=0/sid=790/schematicsdetail/P14_45___LTD__P16_40___LTD__P18_9
Click to expand...
 
Just get Viper basepads to fix the crap factory 10rnd mags. Made in Canada as well from memory. Double Tap (banner up the top) sells them.

My mate here in Australia had some and I got some for my para not long ago. Everyone down here with a Para has the same complaint but the Viper bases make a huge difference.
 
para

Hey guys ..not to hijack the thread but I was talking to a collector that told me the quality or the paras went down drastically when they stopped building them in Canada. He said at one time that were comparable to a Kimber but not anymore. What do you think.
 
Have not shot a Para DAO, but have shot a S&W DAO. Don't like it. I really like the single action trigger of a 1911. DAO is giant step backwards. I can see it being ordered by police departments who want a trigger more difficult to pull accidently.
 
eagl said:
Hey guys ..not to hijack the thread but I was talking to a collector that told me the quality or the paras went down drastically when they stopped building them in Canada. He said at one time that were comparable to a Kimber but not anymore. What do you think.
Click to expand...

Their quality wasn't good before they move south, it wasn't design problem, it was their QC problems.

Trigun
 
eagl said:
Hey guys ..not to hijack the thread but I was talking to a collector that told me the quality or the paras went down drastically when they stopped building them in Canada. He said at one time that were comparable to a Kimber but not anymore. What do you think.
Click to expand...

Don't worry, it's not a threadjack! It's a valid question that I should have asked as well.

I have heard a lot of complaints about Para's actually, now that I think back to all the threads I read. So maybe I should be looking into other manufacturers when I switch 1911's. :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom