Para Ordnance?

I've got a 16-40ltd and it's a nice pistol. I replaced the front sight with a fiber optic sight and had a trigger job done on it. It's a nice pistol and it didn't peen, the slide hasn't cracked or exploded, and the world hasn't ended.

The only complaint I had was the 10 round mags have crappy plastic bases that quickly broke. I replaced them with Viper base pads which are great, but were expensive.

I would buy another Para based on it's quality. I chose Para because it provided many of the options I wanted for a great price. However, market conditions change and after all the extra money I spent on accessories, it was still more money then I expected.

In today's market if I was buying new, I'd likely be buying an STI, but in the used market I wouldn't let a reasonably priced Para get away. Both companies have done a lot of support for competitive shooting.
 
Out-of-the-box, my P16-40LTD has been flawless. Both accurate and 100% reliable. No problems whatsoever, and it feeds everything, including Billy-Bob's reloads and fired empty cases. And not many unmodified 1911 pistols can make that statement.

Recoil springs, magazine springs, and (plastic) magazine extensions have been replaced. A conventional recoil system was installed - only because I prefer it.

The only problem I have with it is that I've been guilty of having taken it's reliability and performance for granted.
 
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jjackman said:
I've got a 16-40ltd and it's a nice pistol. I replaced the front sight with a fiber optic sight and had a trigger job done on it. It's a nice pistol and it didn't peen, the slide hasn't cracked or exploded, and the world hasn't ended.

The only complaint I had was the 10 round mags have crappy plastic bases that quickly broke. I replaced them with Viper base pads which are great, but were expensive.

I would buy another Para based on it's quality. I chose Para because it provided many of the options I wanted for a great price. However, market conditions change and after all the extra money I spent on accessories, it was still more money then I expected.

In today's market if I was buying new, I'd likely be buying an STI, but in the used market I wouldn't let a reasonably priced Para get away. Both companies have done a lot of support for competitive shooting.
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I had the same gun and returned it to dealer, nothing but trouble and got nothing but empty promises from Para. Said they would send me parts to repair, called them three times and a month later still nothing, gave up.
 
I had a 16-40 limited stainless worked great, only problems I had were front sight fell off, rear sight fell off, extractor broke, ejector broke and the slide cracked ,all within 20-25k , most of the repairs were warranty (had to pay for the extractor myself and replaced the sights with Fiber optics) but when it wasn't broke it did work great.My standard gun is now a STi in 4 years only an extractor.
 
Must be a hit or miss thing.....I have an ssp and the thing is rock solid. 8k+ rounds later....shoots true and straight. A guy I know from IPSC shoots a $3000+ Kimber....nothing but trouble from day one. I've been shooting for 26 years and I've seen a good bit....do some home work and take the advice of people on this site. Myself? I think Para has a very good name. A few of the guys out here shoot them and have had no problems....but bear in mind that no two people are a like and you can buy the best and still end up with a lemon.

GL to you.

Cheers

Rod
 
My first hand Para SSP non-stainless experience, all prior to 500 rounds being fired:

1) The slide was heavily peening due to the soft material it was made out of, as well as being cast;

2) The soft ejector was totally mushroomed as the casings battered against it (for this Para did send me a new ejector);

3) The finish totally sucked - couldn't even be called blued - was more like it was painted on and was chipping and flaking here and there even though I babied the gun.

I spent very good money on this gun - it is gone now.

These problems are not unique to me - do some research and you'll see.

I would not buy Para. For the same general price range, Dan Wesson is a WAY better buy, for SOOOO many reasons. Walter at Arms East sells Wesson, and served me very well.
 
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