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15 Comments

1. I worked at Para USA Pineville, NC in 2014,until they relocated to Huntsville, AL later that year, and I have been told that Remington Arms has decided to do away with the brand.

2. I had a genuine Colt back in the 1950s. It costed me that tremendous amount of $35! I wish I still had it, but, one day I needed some money and had to sell it. I think I made money on it, though. I think I got $50! Oh, well, I can dream, can’t I?

3. I ordered a Para 45 acp in the 80s while living in Md. Had to report for duty in California. I waited about 3 months and it never arrived. had to cancel the order and surrender $25. ah, I coulda been a Para owner… I have a 1911 and a Sig 220. I carried a 220 on duty for about 23 years until it died. Bought a new 220 stainless elite recently. I compete and carry my glocks now. I have to admit, the 1911 for those who spend time training w/ them have many pros and not too many cons. IMHO The sig 220 falls into the same category. 1911 being more comfy on the hip, the sig is just outstanding.

4. Having owned and carried for my self preservation a para lda I am a huge fan of all things Good 1911. So far my polymer tools of choice are the H&Ks. However when in competition or duty I holster up with my 1911s. All hail J.M.Browning. His design has saved my 6 more than once

5. 100% right on Pat … couldn’t have said it better. I still carry the M-1911 as my personal weapon when on active duty regardless of the rest. It’s served me well for going on 50 years.

6. “Experts” can honk and blow all they want about the “ballistic superiority” of the 9 X 19 round. But the 9MM can’t and never will beat the .45ACP for one-shot knockdown power even with the old military 230-grain ball ammo. With modern JHP bullets it’s an even more effective anti-personnel round.

   1. Frank I agree, I have seen a few Grizzlies on the hoof but never had to face one down, but I’ll guarantee if you put one of those so-called Experts in the dark timber in Grizzly country and give them a choice between the 45 ACP or the 9MM you would soon find they won’t be so hot for the Big 9. Trekker Out.

7. I had a Colt Series 70 way back when. It was okay and when Para first came out, all they made was the frame and double stack mags. I bought the frame and converted the Colt. Never had a lick of problems with it and carried on duty (with Customs down on the Rio Grande), until in their infinite wisdom they decided no more single action semi-autos.

   Fast forward a few years and I was able to pick up a Commander size P-12, stainless. Never a hitch.

   When my wife was getting her concealed carry license I bought her a Glock 19. I made the mistake of going shooting with her, to practice, and took the P-12. She wanted to shoot it…the end result was the P-12 is hers since that day.

   So, what’s a man to do? I bought a Para Hicap. This one had some issues with shooting high and left. Sent it back to Para, in NC, and had it back shooting straight, in less than a week. Still carry that piece on long road trips or going to the larger cities.

8. took a 1911 armorers course at gunsite academy last week, built a 1911 from frame up in 4 days and took it to the range on the 5th, i had minimal knowledge of gusmithing before this. it was a very enjoyable class taught by experienced gunsmiths.

   alex

9. I have a Para Ordnance P14.45 which I also had issues with until I had shot it enough for it to get broke in, not sure after how many rounds, but I also found that most of my problems came with one particular magazine. I now carry this gun 7 days a week, and it is a very accurate and dependable weapon. I spend a lot of time in the mountains and we do have a large population of Grizzlies, I also have a S&W 629 in 44 mag. and I considered which one to carry for Bear defense, and decided to go with the Para, I figured 14 Rd.s of 45 ACP would be better than 6 Rd.s of 44 mag. Hope I don’t have to test that theory. Trekker Out. I Love My Para!

10. I love the history of the 1911, and I love the .45 ACP round, its all I carry these days. I even carried a 1911 in the army, so I’m showing my age a bit, but I won’t carry one today…. ever.

    1. Unloaded a 1911 weights more than my Glock 21 fully loaded with 14 rounds.
    2. I have twice as many rounds in every magazine.
    3. The 1911 isn’t ergonomic, I have big hands but there is no way to drop the magazine, or drop the slide without changing my hand position.
    4. With a modern pistol I don’t have to shoot the gun 200 times before it works properly.
    5. Oh, and modern polymer guns cost less than a 1911, be it a Sig 320, Glock 21, Springfield XD-M, all of which have more capacity, weight less and will work flawlessly from round one.

    I love the history of the 1911, and I like reading Pat’s reviews, but in a survival situation, you are paying too much to bring an inferior gun to the battle.

    1. The thought that the polymer gun would would be lighter is obvious. My para sf1445 [80] weighs equal loaded down to my kimber super match [70]. My size 11 linesman hands operate all aspects perfectly (even one hand break down of slide). I’m glad for anyone who owns a gun, but if the 1911 was good enough for Patton…..

11. But, with a Para Hicap, you don’t have that problem. You get 14 rounds of .45 in the mag and one in the pipe.

    Not disparaging the other above mentioned weapons, just sayin’.

12. I just had to say something,

    Actually Patton rarely if ever carried a 1911, he overwhelmingly carried revolvers, with ivory handles as I recall.

    Just saying.

13. If you want a toy to play IPSC games, get a 1911.

    If you want a weapon to protect yourself reliably under all conditions, get a Glock.

    The 1911 is obsolete as a serious weapon. And for something that will be carried every day, in all weather, with no access to a skilled gunsmith? The last thing you want is a 1911 that requires hand-fitting of parts — something even the loose rattling GI M1911A1s often require.

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