Para?

[Twiggy]

I'm taking a CCW class in a couple weeks with my sister and father. I've been looking for a small compact .45 1911 as a carry gun. After a few gun shows, i think i found the one i want. Its the companion carry option by Para. I love the features it has and it feels great in my hand.
Now, does anyone have any experience with this gun? Thoughts? Opinions? I havent heard much about Para, the guy at the show said they are a good company but dont know how much of that was him trying to sell a gun.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[RevDerb]

No first hand experience but from what I've seen and read, they are an excellent company. A little pricey, however, if I remember correctly.

[Twiggy]

yea they seem to run around 800-900. I dont mind the price, considering it might save my life or a family member.

[jensen47770]

I don't own a small 1911 from Para, but I do own a full size Nite Tac and I love it. Accurate and reliable. My only complaint is the stock magazines from Para are crap. One of mine actually fell apart in side the magazine well while I was at the the range. Otherwise a great company and great customer service.

[redrick]

Take a look at the Dan Wesson Commander Bobtail, you get a lot more for your money, it is a little larger though and a SS 1911 can get heavy after wearing it all day, everyday.

[Fatherof10]

I have a Para Companion that I carry almost every day on long term loan from a friend who has two other LDA Paras. I have shot all three and I am a big fan of the Para. I carry the Companion with a pocket holster in khakis or owb. I will be purchasing an iwb rig in the next day or two. I really like the LDA trigger. The Paras are very accurate and reliable. When finances improve I will be purchasing either the Companion or the Carry.

[artz]

If you look around you should be able to pick up a slightly used para in the $500 range, such as a stainless steel 12.45 LDA. It will have a 3.5" barrel. The light double action is outstanding.
Two things you will have to do (99% gauranteed) is replace the extractor and polish the feed ramp. Both easy and cheap. Out of all my pistols, That is one that I do miss. Very accurate and you can double tap like you wouldn't believe.

[stargzer]

I purchased a P-12 Alloy frame, steel slide back in the mid 90's. After the initial breakin of 200 to 300 rds of factory Hardball, it eats anything I feed it....Black Talons (my carry ammo), Speer JHP, Hardcast SWC. I have not had any issues with the stock magazines, it came with one and I brought two more. It is very accurate (use it to qualify CCW) and reliable.I have been carrying this pistol in condx one for over four years now IWB. Weight is 24 oz. unloaded, so even with 12 +1 it is not too uncomfortable to carry all day.....which I have, even in summertime. I like these Para's so much that I recently ordered the Para Warthog Hi cap...10 rd., 3" bbl.I don't know anything about the LDA trigger system, but,have heard it is very nice. I'm just used to carrying 'cocked n' locked' SA. I know you won't go wrong with Para Ordinance weapons

[retsupt99]

Para seems to be well made...and if it feels good in your hand, I'd say..."Sold!"

Stay armed...with your pick...stay safe!

[Twiggy]

great to hear, I'm lookin foward to picking one up at the next show.

I also looked at their new warthogs but they felt to bulky in my hand.

[artz]

double stack magazine para's are only 1/8th inch thicker than single stack 1911's . It just feels alot thicker.

[jwhite75]

I would ask around...the posters on here have reported that the "blue/black" stock finish is pretty flimsy and wears very quickly so u might wanna try stainless.

[Twiggy]

I was going to get stainless, thanks for the heads up anyway...

[Ivan4x4]

I owned a para p-12 1911 3 1/2 inch barrel, it was a good pistol but the double stack mag made the grips very uncomfy for c/c, so i sold it and got a colt defender 3 inch barrel insted and i love it!

[Twiggy]

The defender feels like a great gun, I held one at the last show, I actually thought about getting one along with the Para later on down the road, just to change things up. Also thought about looking into the kimber carry options but they didnt have that "feel" the colt and para did when i picked them up...