Para Ordinance 1911's

Paulinski

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I'm getting my restricted course/test this saturday and naturally I'm starting to look for a handgun. I have been always fond of 1911 pistols family. I saw the Para Ordinance SSP and LTC 4 1/4" on the Armco website. I'm thinking about getting this gun. What kind of experience did you have with para ordinance guns. How is the fit and finish? How reliable are those guns? Any info is appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Paul
 
I have a Para SSP and it is a beautiful gun. I have said it many times on this web site and I will say it again. I think that it is one of the best 1911's you can get for the money. Mine is very accurate, the fit and finish is very nice and it is very reliable.

I had a small mis-feeding issue with Winchester Win Clean ammo when I first got it. I was going to send it back to Para who was very helpful, but the gunsmith who I bought it off of polished the bore quickly and it has worked beautifully ever since.

You can't go wrong with a Para, after all it's Canadian and how many 1911's can say that.

I should also mention that I am interested in getting an LTC eventually, especially the stainless one.
 
I shot my Para P-14 Limited for two years before switching to an STI Edge in .40 for competitive (IPSC) use. The main reason for the switch was for the lower cost of .40 S&W components compared to .45ACP.

The Para was an extremely reliable pistol which never gave me function trouble. It's very accurate and the wide body helps to tame the recoil of the .45 cartridge. If you can find one in good shape, you won't regret it.
 
I'll chime in on the Para SSP which I got from Armco. It is one of the best values out there. It is packed with 'extras' and shoots really, really well.
 
I have a 13-45 stainless, and added the Bowmar adjustable sights after purchase. The Para barrel design has an important difference compared to most other 1911 barrel designs, in that the feed ramp is integral with the barrel, not part of the receiver as in other 1911's. I believe this makes it one of the most reliable feeding 1911's on the market. I shoot mostly cast semi wadcutters in it with no problems whatsoever. Other noteable points are tight tolerenced machining, and fully hardened steel (one of the hardest in my battery). Two thumbs up rating!
 
I've got a friend that has the P-12 and it's impressed me enough that I'm going to be adding a Para to my collection soon. Great accuracy and reliability.
 
I have a 16/40 Limited which I am very pleased with. I am upgrading to custom iron in June and will be selling mine then. Again, no problems with the gun, just find that the finer touches are more attainable with STI and SVI pistols/parts. Dollar for dollar, though, you cannot go wrong with this Canadian made pistol and you would have to spend a grand or more to see gains.
 
Para makes a decent gun. Is fit and finish top notch? No. Is the price top notch? No.

So its a bit of a, you get what you pay for. Certainly a decent all around gun at a reasonable price, from a Canadian company.

If you really want top notch expect to replace most or all of the internal bits, and pay Gunnar or another pistolsmith to do some fit and tweaking work.

Or buy an S*I and then to get top notch, you just have a few minor tweaks to be done.

I suggest that you call Gunnar and talk to him if you are serious about buying from him. He can give you the real scoop based on what you're looking for.
 
Maybe an LDA?

Although the title includes '1911' you may also want to consider the Para Ordnance LDA pistols, which look like a 1911 (and use the same magazines, holsters, etc. for the same caliber) but use the "Light Double Action (?) mechanism instead of single action.

If you are thinking of IPSC the LDA gives you the option of shooting Production division.

Snapshot
 
i want one of these

HGwarthog_022305A.jpg


stupid canadian laws...........................
 
Paulinski said:
I'm getting my restricted course/test this saturday and naturally I'm starting to look for a handgun. I have been always fond of 1911 pistols family. I saw the Para Ordinance SSP and LTC 4 1/4" on the Armco website. I'm thinking about getting this gun. What kind of experience did you have with para ordinance guns. How is the fit and finish? How reliable are those guns? Any info is appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Paul

I agree with snapshot, in fact I would go a bit further and strongly recommend a single stack with LDA. Once you have used the LDA trigger you will never look back, it is superb. Love my Para Ord - reliable, accurate, feels and points great. Mine is stainless. Recommend change to rubber grips and I find it much quicker and more effective to see the white dot front sight since I blackened (with flat black paint) the two white dots on the rear sight- now I know when I see a white dot, I am seeing my front sight.
 
I would also suggest trying them so see what is more comfortable in your hand ,I found the single stacks to be awkward and the double stacks to fit near perfect,in my hand anyways.The single stacks the mag release button was not as convenient as was the double stack.If you are comfortable you will shoot better!!!Have fun with whatever you get!
 
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