Any recommendation ?
Thanks
A friend has been a true Para fan since I’ve known him (15 years) and has had several good examples from them. I on the other hand am a single stack fan. IfI was to go to tbe dark side, I’d go the Caspian or STI route due to the ergonomics. Para has a blocky feel to it.
I couldn’t carry one every day a due to their weight. As I get older its tough to still carry a full size single stack all day every day. For a game gun I would go any of them if so inclined.
Para has a bad rep for a few things on their guns and a lot of mainstream smiths will not touch them for custom builds but as I stated earlier my friend has good luck with factory guns (probably 10-15k in a 14-45 by now).
There are quite a few smiffs building race guns off of the STI frames so I’d look at that route.
ETA: Prior to marryin’ the platform I’d try the ergos from each maker and maybe test drive a couple hundred if possible. Greg
As far as ergos, I prefer the caspian over the para and have never tried an STI or CRS.
I’d stay far, far away from Para. My first 1911 was a Para; half the parts were out of spec, it turned into a rattlebox after maybe 3000 rounds, the finish sucked and gummed up the frame rails with wear… not impressed. They use a (totally unnecessary) proprietary extractor, which you can’t buy separately as far as I know, so if your extractor fails you’ll have to send the gun in to have it fixed.
I’ve owned a lot of 1911s, and the Para was about the worst one (tied with a Colt Officer’s ACP and a RIA Officer). The magazine catch broke in half after 500 rounds or so, due to very obvious flaw in the part, so that says a lot about Para QA/QC. The warranty service sucked too, they wouldn’t cover the repair because I replaced the plastic mainspring housing with a Smith & Alexander, as if that has anything to do with the broken mag catch. :rolleyes: I never would have had to send it in if the frame was in spec, but I tried a pile of high quality mag catches and even with extensive attempted fitting I never got one to work properly in the piece of shit.
Also, the double stack Paras have a horribly uncomfortable grip, IMO. You can have the grip contoured, and I’ve seen some good examples of that. Of course, that will likely reduce the resale value of the gun.
Take a look at the STI 2011 series. My personal choice would be an STI VIP. http://www.stiguns.com/the-sti-vip/
I’ve owned two STIs and an SVI (same basic thing, but full custom) and they were the nicest 1911s I’ve owned. I’d recommend a standard recoil spring setup over the recoilmaster system, for ease of disassembly and tweaking.
OP, you should really tell us what this gun with be doing. A full blown Limited division pistol and a carry gun are slightly different.
sent from mah gun,using my sights
I was wanting one for carry on the land we will be moving to in Georgia. I spend a lot of time on the tractor/atv checking food plots, gardens, etc. and like the idea of 14 or so rounds without having to carry extra mags. I was shooting at my son in laws local range near Marietta a while back and saw an article in a magazine for a new model/modified holster carried similar to the military M7 and thought it would be great for this.
I had a full custom Para at one point and it was ok. It worked well and I didn’t mind the grip size. But the production ones have a poor rep for quality and may need a bunch of work. The STIs feel nice but I have no experience with them beyond handling. I’ve decided to stick with single stacks in 1911s and I’ll go with something modern if I want/need more capacity. I might consider one if I was doing a full “race gun” for competition but I’m not into that at this point.
I have worked on quite a few para’s. They seem to be ok. As stated above the do have additional, (Un neccessary parts in my opnion), in the frame and slide. And the finish is very poor, which is why the come through a lot. Please keep in mind that the additional rounds you want dramatically increase the grip size. Try to findsome one who has one that will let you shoot one before you buy. I personally dont like the increased grip size. To be honest I’d recommend just carrying a couple extra mags. There isnt much out there thats its gonna take more than couple rounds of 230gr HP to knock out of the fight.
You might also consider a .40, it would be a good alternative round. Most ofthe modern .40’s can be had in the 15 rd flavor. If your heart is set on a .45 you might also consider a Springfield XD or a Glock.
Glock. XD, H@K. A real nice 1911 is Expensive to find.
Why? What are your plans for this pistol?
I go between wanting a STI Eagle in 9mm and a Frame kit and just use my Kimber top end for 45.
Unless you are using an extended mag, there are no “hi-cap” 1911s.
I’d say get an M&P45 or, if you really want more capacity, an XDm 45 or FNP45.
I have also been wanting a large capacity .45.
I used to carry a Colt Officer’s ACP, wanted more capacity and switched to a Para P45. Had alot of stove pipe failure to feed issues. Got another Colt Officers in SS and it was just not reliable. Same failure to feed issues (luck of the draw).
I do have a Colt Gold Cup National Match in SS that has been very reliable and a Springfield Lightweight Ultra Compact that is also dependable.
Now I own 2 Glocks, :o a 21SF and a 30SF. Although I do love the 1911’s I usually carry the 30SF. I have a sense of comfort with 10rnds and a spare mag. Both of the Glocks are Gen3 and have been very reliable.
If I were to be looking at a high capacity 1911, or something with similar controls I for carry purposes I think I would look to a variant 1 USP in .45, could carry it cocked and locked, the and the isn’t like holding a brick compared to wide body 1911s, also you can find them used reasonable, usually.
Ive thought about getting back into the .45 game. Although I would love to jump in with a TRP, money wise I would probably pick up an m&p 45.
And all this time, I thought this was the 1911 forum.
I’ve had one Para double stack and it ran ok, if I was looking for a high cap 1911 it would be an STI, specifically the Tactical 5.0. I know several guys that run them and they all rave about them.
I liked the idea of a high cap 1911, at first found para but my medium hands didn’t fit right.
I just picked up an STI tac 4" in .45 and love it. My first “1911” is a 2012 “2011” , go figure. Ho ho ho to me.
Grip size is less than my usp 40, same width as my p30 and g19.
Shoots very tame. Great stock trigger, great fit and finish. First 200 rds (4 boxes of whitebox ball federal ammo) were 100% no drama. Next trip out will be more ball and some hp’s.
I wanted a light rail, high cap, and high quality… This fit the bill in spades. Only issue now is mag back orders.
http://www.stiguns.com/the-sti-tactical-4-0/. Buds has em in stock.
Miss my Wilson KZ45. Great hi-cap 1911, which I sold to buy another, more expensive Wilson. Wish I’da never sold it. Can’t get 'em anymore, dammit.
Sounds, and looks great. I’ve always wanted to get an STI or two.
Give us a range report when you run some HPs through it.
Did you get the 11rd?
I’ve handled some of their 9mm race guns, but have never had the opp to shoot one. I bet they are fun guns, whether you’re racing or not.