ltwguns.com

I'm a police officer at a department that only allows SWAT to carry SA guns. Because of this my 1911's sit in my safe at home or are carried off-duty and I carry a Glock 21 on-duty. I've been thinking of trying to get the Para-Ordnance LDA put on the approved list. What do you think of these guns? Would a single stack LDA make a decent base gun for a custom build?

I know that Wayne Novak has done quite a few of the LDA guns. You may want to contact him in reference to your build. He may be able to give you some insight on them.

Talk with Dave Dawson who builds them for Todd Jarrett, who teaches classes. I would think you could get a qualified opinion from them.

In general, how well do these hi-cap Para frames hold up?

I don't know. I'm only interested in their single stack LDA because I can't carry a single action gun.

Para's are "OK". Some smiths will refuse to work on them. They just aren't up to the requirements for a custom build.

--md

Para's are as good as any other handgun on the market. I have three that run flawlessly. One is a 1993 P14, one a 2005 P12 and the third a 2005 LDA Nite-tac. I'd put them up against any gun out there for reliability and any non-match gun for accuracy.

Novak's will work on them as well as Hunter Customs, Cylinder & Slide and probably plenty of other smiths. Para's did have some less than great guns roll out of the plant in the late 90s, but any issues have been rectified IMO. Also, their customer service if phenominal.

Kevin

I have to agree with kevin...
I have a P-14 (forget what year) 45 that has seen
several years of major Power factor loads in Uspsa matches
and with in the last three year a P-16 40 that has taken the spot light.
all have ran to there ability's with only creature comforts added
No major parts failure and still running today..
also have 2 open 38 super(comp) guns and several Frame
awaiting to be built 2 frame that I bought right here..

My hats are Off to Para Ordnance...
Thay have come a long way..

J.Kee

That means a ton right there. It's not very common these says it seems.

I've been pretty down on Para's historically. I guess "history" is the key word here..... because of it I have not bothered to check out any Para's in recent years-- for all I know, and I hope, that they have improved. Even in the worst of times, it was not as if they could not be made to run. That is a little different though from making a high-end custom, which has to run and look great in every little area.... that was what was always hard with a Para.

Dave stopped building Para's (except for Todd) because they required too much extra effort to get one to run like a properly set up STI or Caspian.

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"Domari Nolo"

Not to pile on, but we had a cadet at the academy with a new issued LDA, the hammer sheared off at the base in mid string. Obviously a meaningless sample of one, but it certainly did not engender faith in their metallurgy. I have never seen a 1911 hammer shear off like that. Other than that I actually like the feel of the LDA, its like a PPC revo pull.

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http://www.northtexastactical.com

Wow don't get carried away, that is a very strong statement.

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Hard work pays off

I was more curious about hi cap frame.

You can tweak one to be a decent range gun. I sure wouldn't bet my life on one.

MIM extractor says it all!

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"The most effective armor is to keep out of range"-Italian proverb

CHECK OUT MY CUSTOM 1911 BLOG
http://thearsenalofdemocracy.blogspot.com

I usually only shoot 1911s, except for the occasional revolver. But last year, I got a deal on a Para LDA P14 LTD that I couldn't resist. I usually have a problem with DAO guns because my stupid 1911 finger keeps short-stroking the trigger.

I was very pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to transition to the LDA system. I barely noticed that I was shooting a double-action. I had no malfunctions in over 500 rounds and it made me look quite accurate.

I would have no problem carrying one if I had an anti-SA Chief. Fortunately, I don't.

ML

isnt KIMBER in that same category??......

from my standpoint i think kimber is the "amway" of the gun world....lol

Nope, no MIM extractors in a Kimber

_________________
"The most effective armor is to keep out of range"-Italian proverb

CHECK OUT MY CUSTOM 1911 BLOG
http://thearsenalofdemocracy.blogspot.com

Here are a couple pictures of one of the original FBI guns built by Les Baer. The Border Patrol wound up with a few of these back when were were under the DOJ with the FBI.

This is one of four guns I've examined. One was pristine but I was too slow getting to the firearms office to get that one. Beggars can't be choosers and I'm just happy to have one. This one's seen better days but runs good. I use it as my back-up Limited gun.

Wow....thanks for posting the pics of the Baer/FBI ParaOrdnance pistols! That pistol has a lot of what we call "honest wear" as it looks to have been carried a lot. I remember when American Handgunner put one on the cover....I believe the guns were referred to as HRTs, i.e. Hostage Rescue Team. There was a lot of interest in FBI/HRT until Ruby Ridge happened and it all got pretty quiet.

I always wondered how those guns performed and if Les ever completed the contract. I think the HRT publicity really gave momentum to his business.

I have been shooting Paras in IPSC for MANY years and must say I've found them reliable and accurate. My Limited gun is a Para gunsmith frame with a complete Bruce Gray topend in .40 S&W. It's been running for over 10 years through a lot of matches with no cracks in the frame.

I even had Wilson build me an SDS on a Para .45 gunsmith frame. His shop didn't like that job much

As far as MIM parts are concerned........people are using such parts heavily in IPSC/IDPA/ICORE without any notable excess breakage. I have never had an MIM part fail in 1911s or revolvers FWIW.

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Bob

Smiths and 1911s are what it's all about!

I understood the question was pertaining to the LDA's. My experience is they have a very nice triiger pull for a DA. But the small parts involved in the LDA system would give me serious concern about using one for a defensive gun.

As to their SA guns I havent found much of an advantage to using one. They arent any less costly. I guess if I needed a double stack 1911 I might consider one. But if I need a double stack I probably wouldnt pick a 1911.

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Gary Eastridge
http://www.randgfirearms.com

Here's one I had for awhile...it resides in SC somewhere now Enjoy S&WIowegan

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My future's determined by Thieves, thugs, and vermin
My rights are denied by Those least qualified
Everything's backwards In Americana

NICE and thanks for posting

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Bob

Smiths and 1911s are what it's all about!

Not carried away at all IMHO. I have three Paras - two SA and one LDA. All of them are fantastic guns. Para did go through a rough spot in the late 90s where their guns were problematic. This has been addressed in my experience -- it will simply take them a long time to re-earn most folks' trust. My P14 is a 1993 model (it was my first and for a long time, only gun). My P12 and LDA are 2005 models. The P14 and P12 are the guns I'd carry on duty if my agency allowed.

For those doubting the LDA, mine runs like a top and is my primary home defense/nightstand gun.

LDA's Had two. Both had problems. No more Para' for this guy.

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"One thought he was invincible the other thought he could fly" well? "They were both wrong"
SIC VIS PACEM PARABELLEM

I think we've worn this one out.

--md