Does anyone make a high quality double-stack/high-capacity 1911? Something in concept like the Para P13-45 or P14-45.
STI/SVI are great ones, I have the STI 5.0 Tactical and its a great gun. I have not had any problems that get reported about the magazines.
Also, Caspian makes a double stack frame that can be used to build on and their reputation is pretty good as well.
Like my STI and Para P14.45. Both have ran excellent, many thousands of rounds apiece. Should sell them, but I’m on the second barrel on both. They are like family.
These are the only high cap 1911’s that I own, I’m sure that there are other great makes out there.
Ive had good luck with STI and terrible luck with Para
STI 2011s are awesome. Caspian frames are nice as well, if you want to build.
Keep in mind that Para makes STI’s Spartan single stack entry level gun. I wonder if they make any parts for STI?
-Chris-
Springfield, RIA, and Para all make them. (not sure if there are others) I would also purchase them in favor of the order listed. ie, Springfield is good to go, don’t buy Para, RIA is somewhere in between.
OK, somewhat stupid question, but what brand mags can you run (reliably) in a Caspian hi-cap frame…besides Caspian mags?
My perspectivo from IPSC shooting:
Steel Paras are OK if you replace just about everything in them, leaving only the frame, slide and barrel is about normal for people who compete with them. They have serious QC issues with most of the small parts (chronic really with some). Long way to say: basicallly a POS in stock form…
STI are good competition guns, SVI are much better and pricier. The plastic frame/steel rails interface is not strong enough for a duty gun IMO. The reliability is much better in 40 caliber than in 45.
I don’t consider any double stack pistol to be a 1911-style. YMMV 
Those instantly become 2011s.
:lol:
There are none.
No, not even close.
Uhhh, no.
For double stacks, I’d consider a custom built Caspian gun, or something from STI/SVI, Fusion, Wilson (Spec Ops 9), or anything built on an STI style frame [Wilson does not fall into that category]
Nighthawk also makes a double stack option.
Do they really? Never knew that. I’d love to see one. Or is this just a recent addition to their line?
I believe the FLX option was added for SHOT this year. 9mm and .45.
http://nighthawktactical.com/FLX-Upgrade.html
Oh wow. Me gusta. I’m embarrassed that I didn’t know they released this, I try to keep good track of 1911 news. I’m assuming those are STI mags.
It’s tough to find a double stack that will run well. Para didn’t help themselves over the years as the quality has gotten worse IMHO. I have three of them, and the one from 1993 runs the best. The P12 from 2005 has an occasional issue of failing to feed on the last round in the mag. Haven’t had the time/$$ to address it yet.
I will say the mags tend to be the main issue. There are some geometry issues that more skilled people can better explain. Check the 10-8 websites for more details also. I do know that the OEM mag springs Para uses don’t seem to be strong enough. Several years ago I quit trying them at all. Now when I buy a new P14 mag, I buy a Wolff spring for it and install the Wolff immediately.
Current Para guns use a lot of MIM parts. If you really wanted a double stack, I’d recommend you get a frame you want (I have no experience with the Capsian or STI offerings), and send it to a skilled smith. And be prepared to spend some coin to get a gun that runs. The smith will need to replace just about everything (safety, slide stop, etc.).
I do have to admit, the idea of a doublestack 1911 pattern weapon with a 6" slide/bbl and a MRDS is something I’d love to have as a nightstand gun. But I have other things I’d rather spend my money on right now. In fact, the Para LDA Nite-Tac that has that duty is proably going to be sold or traded now that I have a G21 for on-duty.
I’m invested in the P14 and it was my first gun so I’ll keep it forever. It runs like a champ and my only complaint is that it doesn’t have a rail for a light. But I’m not willing to have a rail mounted for fear of screwing up the guns reliability. Knowing what I know now… I’d avoid any double stack 1911 pattern weapon.
Good luck if you decide to try one. But be prepared to spend lots of money and time on it if you don’t get lucky out of the gate.
They make a damn fine pistol. Nighthawk’s website isn’t the most straight forward and there’s a lot of mixing and matching you can do. Like I didn’t even know you could make a 9mm Predator for the longest of times, and it’s been marked as NEW for almost 18 months.
That said, I’ve been running a 9mm FLX GRP for the past 4 months. Previous owner probably put 10K+ rounds on it, I’ve put at least 6000 on it in those 4 months. I’ll say i’ve had about 3 double feeds in that time, mostly due to crappy ammo. BUT…
…I will say that the weak point of the STI guns is the mags. They’re extremely sensitive. And if you get out the calipers you’ll notice almost no two mags have the same dimensions. Some followers you can easily get the first round in by hand, some are extremely stiff. I remember talking to someone who scoffed at the idea of washing out the mags, re-lubricating, etc. But after I did that any and all malfunctions seemed to disappear. Not only that but any dust and debris absolutely shit cans the mags because of how they taper up to a point, vs Glocks or M&Ps which are very much box like in their profile.
Great guns? Yes, if you can find one that runs well. Keep in mind this is a 9mm, so I can’t speak to how they run in .40 or .45 in the double stack configs.