Archived Posts » 59,757,950
What the hell?
4/9/2009 7:47:34 PM
I just bought a Para LTC from a dealer in town. I heard from another dealer that same day that Para's manufacturing plant is leaving Canada and heading to the U.S. east coast. That being said, the dealer warned to stay clear from Para for a while because the quality of the pistols have gone to shit! He rambled some more "facts" to me but I heard all that I needed to hear! Someone tell me the purchase I made wasn't for nothing!
4/9/2009 7:51:31 PM
I don't know about recent QC, but I've had a Para 14-45 since 2001 and it's been the cat's meow after a few thousand rounds. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat. YMMV
4/9/2009 9:19:54 PM
I don't personally own a Para but the couple of people I know
that own them love them, I've really wanted one but just haven't
made the purchase yet.
that own them love them, I've really wanted one but just haven't
made the purchase yet.
4/12/2009 11:33:25 AM
I've had a lot of fun with my P16-40 LDA. The LDA trigger takes some getting used to, but it's something everyone should try before they knock it. This particular gun had some issues with slide-lock over empty magazines (fixed now), It's damned accurate, that's for sure. The finish isn't anything to get excited about, but good enough. I like it, but I'm not looking for another Para any time soon. I'm sorry to say my basic impression of Para Ordance guns is they all too often don't live up to their price tag out of the box. I guess they aren't alone in this, but $800+ guns shouldn't need any work out of the box to function properly with the magazines they come with and fresh factory ammunition. This one didn't.
4/13/2009 3:30:34 PM
Can't speak for anyone but myself , but the Para LTC I got back in Jan of this year has Ft. Lauderdale, FL stamped on it along with Para, USA, INC..I've not had any problems with it and since it's a commander size and I own a Colt Combat Commander I have something to compare it against..It's more accurate than my Colt or at least I shoot it better..I'd buy another in a heartbeat and BTW I'm an FFL so I've seen a few these in my day and never heard of any problems..
4/13/2009 4:18:43 PM
Mine is make in florida as well. Very sell made, there are two small blemishes on the finish, but for the $480 GI model... im happy.
They are now known as PARA USA
honestly.. its better quality than my series 70 colt.
They are now known as PARA USA
honestly.. its better quality than my series 70 colt.
4/13/2009 7:20:16 PM
Yes, Sir, Para-USA is now here in North Carolina, outside Charlotte in Pineville.
If I ever need some work done on the Para I just picked up today, maybe I can
just TAKE it to them.
If I ever need some work done on the Para I just picked up today, maybe I can
just TAKE it to them.
4/17/2009 9:26:55 AM
Of the four people I personally know that own them, three HATE them, they had nothing but problems with them. Check out the 1911 forums, Para is one of few manufacturers that have constant QC issues.
It's a shame... as I like a lot of their pistols. If things change with them, I will buy a few of their handguns.
It's a shame... as I like a lot of their pistols. If things change with them, I will buy a few of their handguns.
4/17/2009 6:34:15 PM
hmm...I got excited with my purchase until I read that last post! 
What kind of problems did they have?
What kind of problems did they have?4/17/2009 7:54:39 PM
Para insisted the problems my father was having (extraction/ejection) with his CCO were shooter induced. On the fourth trip back they finally found/fixed the issue.
Considering all the drama that went on during that fiasco I steer clear of their products.
Considering all the drama that went on during that fiasco I steer clear of their products.
4/20/2009 6:27:43 PM
there's a guy over at uzitalk saying that they don't return e-mails to help his problem, another in the post bitchin as well.
5/12/2009 2:47:14 PM
I just got my Para P12 back from Para's shop, and it came 7 - 10 days FASTER than they said it would. They also replaced parts I didn't even ask them to, and all of my emails were answered within 48 hours. No complaints here !!
5/13/2009 6:02:16 PM
I used to be a big fan. Para ruined that. I quit following their reputation for a few years since I have no interest in giving them business ever again, but I haven't heard anything substantial to change that. It seems that on every such Para thread, 3 or 4 guys just love their Para and one guy has an abortion. The other issue is that the amount Para charges doesn't come close to justifying the product produced.
I can buy a Colt 1991 NRM for @ $700 That lacks plastic and has half the MIM. More importantly, if it breaks down, I can email colt and they will respond, or I can call them locally instead of racking up massive international charges. Most importantly, it will be fixed on their dime (including shipping both ways). When Para "fixes" a pistol, they tension the extractor, fire a few rounds through and tell you to "break it in." More often than not, you will have to send it in a second time, which means another $50 on shipping out of pocket, or another 30 min of international phone tag to bitch for a call tag. No thanks.
I can buy a Colt 1991 NRM for @ $700 That lacks plastic and has half the MIM. More importantly, if it breaks down, I can email colt and they will respond, or I can call them locally instead of racking up massive international charges. Most importantly, it will be fixed on their dime (including shipping both ways). When Para "fixes" a pistol, they tension the extractor, fire a few rounds through and tell you to "break it in." More often than not, you will have to send it in a second time, which means another $50 on shipping out of pocket, or another 30 min of international phone tag to bitch for a call tag. No thanks.
6/9/2009 1:01:19 PM
Latest experience with a Brand New Para SSP 1911 stainless in .38 super.
I had been itching for a Colt Special Combat in .38 super but was having a hard time finding one.I saw at a local store a Para 1911 stainless in .38 super that was similar to the Colt.
The msrp of the Para is $1325.00,but was offered to me for $800.00 ,about $900 less than the Colt Special Combat.
Was a little worried about the Para as in the past ive heard bad mojo ,but after no luck finding the Colt,i bought the Para and figured id deal with whatever issues came about.
I dissasembled the gun before i shot it and inspected it,cleaned and lubricated.Inspected all the parts,fitting of the small parts was not very good.The guide rod was cracked at the rear,remember this is a BRAND NEW UNFIRED GUN,seeing a cracked guide rod was not a good sign.The disconnector looked weak as most of the metal on the sides was grinded off.All small parts had burrs all over,looked like they were fitted with a course bastard file.The barrel bushing is designed about the cheapest way possible,it is one size-but has a "lump" that tightens it to the slide.By grinding the lump,it can be used on any slide regardless of opening in slide,works like a wedge on an undesized bushing.
I replaced the "Cracked" guide rod with a Colt standard recoil plug and guide i had laying around.And off i went to shoot,to see if this thing would shoot ok .
After a shooting session with this Para,i was a bit dissapointed.It stove piped,it jammed,it failed to lock slide open,it just ran like crap !!
I had no interest in calling Para as any replacement parts they installed would be of the same type in the gun right now.I did not try to return the gun either,i decided to see what i could do with it.
Looking at the frame and slide,fit was very good.a bit tighter than my Colts.That was good.Barrel was good as well.
The bad things i found after i shot it,the slide release lever was mushroomed at the top tip,and the ejector was also mushroomed a bit.
Did a little research,and decided to replace all small parts from a reputable company-specifically Wilson Combat & Ed Brown.
I spent $300 total on parts,for three hundred i was able to replace just about every single small part.There was NO machining of any type.
An Ed Brown complete pin kit was installed,all springs are Wolf.Fire control group is Wilson Combat.Slide release and ejector are Wilson combat,barrel bushing is Wilson.
I also installed some XS Big dot sites.
Now i Really like my Para,it doesnt jam,doesnt give mag or slide issues...it just works Great !
Will i buy another.......NO !
But i will be keeping this one,as it now works as it should.I have 20 other 1911's,none has ever needed any parts when taken right out of the box or fired for the first time.
For those that have one,you have choices........i chose to make it better than how i received it.
If anyone would like a list of the parts used,just let me know.If you can dissasemble a 1911,you can make your Para a much better gun.
I had been itching for a Colt Special Combat in .38 super but was having a hard time finding one.I saw at a local store a Para 1911 stainless in .38 super that was similar to the Colt.
The msrp of the Para is $1325.00,but was offered to me for $800.00 ,about $900 less than the Colt Special Combat.
Was a little worried about the Para as in the past ive heard bad mojo ,but after no luck finding the Colt,i bought the Para and figured id deal with whatever issues came about.
I dissasembled the gun before i shot it and inspected it,cleaned and lubricated.Inspected all the parts,fitting of the small parts was not very good.The guide rod was cracked at the rear,remember this is a BRAND NEW UNFIRED GUN,seeing a cracked guide rod was not a good sign.The disconnector looked weak as most of the metal on the sides was grinded off.All small parts had burrs all over,looked like they were fitted with a course bastard file.The barrel bushing is designed about the cheapest way possible,it is one size-but has a "lump" that tightens it to the slide.By grinding the lump,it can be used on any slide regardless of opening in slide,works like a wedge on an undesized bushing.
I replaced the "Cracked" guide rod with a Colt standard recoil plug and guide i had laying around.And off i went to shoot,to see if this thing would shoot ok .
After a shooting session with this Para,i was a bit dissapointed.It stove piped,it jammed,it failed to lock slide open,it just ran like crap !!
I had no interest in calling Para as any replacement parts they installed would be of the same type in the gun right now.I did not try to return the gun either,i decided to see what i could do with it.
Looking at the frame and slide,fit was very good.a bit tighter than my Colts.That was good.Barrel was good as well.
The bad things i found after i shot it,the slide release lever was mushroomed at the top tip,and the ejector was also mushroomed a bit.
Did a little research,and decided to replace all small parts from a reputable company-specifically Wilson Combat & Ed Brown.
I spent $300 total on parts,for three hundred i was able to replace just about every single small part.There was NO machining of any type.
An Ed Brown complete pin kit was installed,all springs are Wolf.Fire control group is Wilson Combat.Slide release and ejector are Wilson combat,barrel bushing is Wilson.
I also installed some XS Big dot sites.
Now i Really like my Para,it doesnt jam,doesnt give mag or slide issues...it just works Great !
Will i buy another.......NO !
But i will be keeping this one,as it now works as it should.I have 20 other 1911's,none has ever needed any parts when taken right out of the box or fired for the first time.
For those that have one,you have choices........i chose to make it better than how i received it.
If anyone would like a list of the parts used,just let me know.If you can dissasemble a 1911,you can make your Para a much better gun.
