Posted: 7/31/2009 3:06:07 AM EDT
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Got a question for you guys here. I'm looking to get a compact .45 to use as my everyday carry piece. I looked at the Para Tac-Four and it looks very interesting with the LDA trigger and all. What I really like about it is the 1911 profile with the 13 round capacity. I carry a M&P 9C now and it's a great gun in my opinion.
My question for y'all is what other guns are out there that are hi cap in a compact package that aren't as bulky as the M&P, Glock, or XD? Is Para the only choice with the 1911 profile? Thanks in advance for any advice you've got. Shabo |
| It seems as soon as you want a hi cap .45, you are going to ad bulk into the equation. M&P has the 'adjustable' grip... XD is usually a lil thinner... Para, I haven't heard many good things other than it a bigger version of a traditional 1911. You going to have to go grab a few. |
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You can't defy physics. If you find a gun that can fit more rounds into a smaller space than in the XD and the M&P, than you let me know. The Glock is fat. That's a well known fact. Those others compete with Glock by making their grips smaller and more ergonomic. If they could have fit more rounds into their weapons, they would have. You can't do it.
Oh, and double stack 1911s are fat. Real fat. You haven't held one, huh? |
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Quoted:
Got a question for you guys here. I'm looking to get a compact .45 to use as my everyday carry piece. I looked at the Para Tac-Four and it looks very interesting with the LDA trigger and all. What I really like about it is the 1911 profile with the 13 round capacity. I carry a M&P 9C now and it's a great gun in my opinion. My question for y'all is what other guns are out there that are hi cap in a compact package that aren't as bulky as the M&P, Glock, or XD? Is Para the only choice with the 1911 profile? Thanks in advance for any advice you've got. Shabo Kimber Ten II 
Bul/Charles Daly Ultra X 
STI V.I.P. 
I'm sure there are others. This will give you an idea of how a few compact pistols compare size wise: 
As you can see, the Paras are not really any thicker in the grip, and a lot slimmer in the slide, in spite of what people think. |
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As Chibajoe's pictures show the Para's have a frame profile of a standard 1911, or damn close to it. The grips of course are larger to accept the double stack magazine. The thicker grip is a given but the slimmer frame would be more comfortable to carry I think. I'd buy an M&P in a heartbeat because as I said I have the 9C and really like it. However the M&P 45C has an 8+1 round capacity, which I understand is a lot of firepower, but I'd like to have the extra capacity if possible.
I did handle a Para P13-45 recently. It's the same gun as the Tac-Four without the LDA trigger. It felt pretty good in my hand, not too big or bulky. I have read differing reviews of Para's lately so I'm not sure what to think about them. That's why I asked the question in the first place. Thanks for the responses. I'll look at those suggested in your replies. Shabo |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Got a question for you guys here. I'm looking to get a compact .45 to use as my everyday carry piece. I looked at the Para Tac-Four and it looks very interesting with the LDA trigger and all. What I really like about it is the 1911 profile with the 13 round capacity. I carry a M&P 9C now and it's a great gun in my opinion. My question for y'all is what other guns are out there that are hi cap in a compact package that aren't as bulky as the M&P, Glock, or XD? Is Para the only choice with the 1911 profile? Thanks in advance for any advice you've got. Shabo Kimber Ten II http://www.kimberamerica.com/images/pistols/ten/06_26_01.jpg Bul/Charles Daly Ultra X http://www.charlesdaly.com/images/m5_ultrax_s.jpg STI V.I.P. http://www.stiguns.com/USPress/handguns/handguns04-01/vip1.jpg I'm sure there are others. This will give you an idea of how a few compact pistols compare size wise: http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn173/chibajoe/review/top1.jpg http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn173/chibajoe/review/front3.jpg http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn173/chibajoe/review/bottom1.jpg As you can see, the Paras are not really any thicker in the grip, and a lot slimmer in the slide, in spite of what people think. Very enlightening photos. Thanks Joe. |
STI yes,Para no,poorly made pistol imo the early ones were nice,but the new ones are a huge waste of money.The lda is so light you may as well stick to sa,I was burned by them 3 times in the past 5 years so I am speaking from exp, I would not dog on something without personal exp.Stay far away from para unless you like to pay shipping costs every 500 rds.
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I can't stand it when a person who had a bad experience with a particular brand totally bad mouths that brand and suggest others stay away from it.
I owned a Para Ordnance CCW PXT LDA model that ran great. It was a awesome pistol I trusted my life to, but I decided to sell it to fund a class 3 weapon. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. |
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Quoted:
Joe, which Para's do you own and how wide do they measure across the grip? Thank you The Paras are 1.25 inches wide at the widest point on the grip. The two in the pictures hold 10+1 (.45ACP), but I should have a P12 shortly and will post pics of it next to the Warthogs for reference. As dbshabo pointed out, although they are relatively thick in the grip, they are very slim across the slide, which is the part you will be most aware of when carrying. As you can see, I've gone through a lot of pistols before deciding on the Paras as my CCW. 
With regards to reliability, I have found that Paras don't seem to be any worse than any other 1911; I've had 4 and only one gave me a lot of problems. As with all 1911s the bigger the frame, the less problems you will have. The P10 was extremely problematic until I switched out the slide, and the Warthog/P12 had some issues when I first put it together, but those have been resolved. My P13 and P14 have never had any problems. The thing that you have to decide when getting a Para is how important factory support will be. Although they seem to be getting better, Para Ordnance still offers the worst customer support of any company in the gun industry (or, at least, any gun company that I've ever dealt with). If you are not the original purchaser (and can prove it), don't expect them to have any interest in making you happy if/when you have a problem with your gun. Even if you can convince them that their warranty applies to you, the whole concept of paying for shipping escapes them, so you're out of pocket money regardless. This doesn't really affect me since I do all my own gunsmithing, but if you don't know your way around a 1911 or have access to a good gunsmith, you might want to look at one of the other hi-cap 1911s (I've heard good things about the Israeli made BULs). Of course, the big advantage with the Paras is that no other pistol will let you carry as much ammo in as small a package (and before the Glock guys chime in, the G30 is close, but it is both bigger and heavier, and thicker across the slide). The fact that factory support has been know to be somewhat lacking is something you have to decide if you're willing to put up with. 
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Thanks chibajoe, I read about Para's poor customer service in other posts as well. I think I'd rather give my $$ to a manufacturer who will stand behind their product. Too bad one of the American manufacturers doesn't make something similar. I know S&W's customer service is excellent from personal experience. Never heard of the Israeli BUL, I'll google it and see what I come up with. Thanks again man, you've been very helpful.
Shabo |
