Para Companion 7.45 LDA

[retrieverman]

I bought a Para Carry back in the fall, and it has been my main carry gun ever since. I have now put quite a few rounds through it, and the slide hasn't cracked nor has it ever had any kind of malfunction.

I had been looking at adding another Para and was approached by a friend last week about a trade proposition. Ironically, what he was offering in trade was a Para Companion, and the irony of the situation is that was the exact model that I been looking to buy.

I received the gun yesterday and immediately went out to give it a test run. I like the longer sight radius and longer grip, and the trigger is actually a little better on this gun than on my Carry. I fired about 40 rounds (which is all I had with me), and the gun performed perfectly. It functioned flawlessly, and the trigger is smooth and breaks like glass.

My only problem is an operator trouble and not a gun problem. I didn't shoot this gun quite as well as I do my Carry, and I figured with the longer grip and sight radius that I would shoot it better. At 10 yards, I put all 40 rounds in a pie plate, but I have been shooting steel plated at 25 yards with my Carry. Oh well, that just means I need to shoot it more to get used to it. More fun for me!!!

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[thechamp]

Friend of mine carried a Para Ordnance in 45 for years. He could shoot it, but one thing for sure was in the event he ran out of bullets he could club a bear to death with it! It was probably the heaviest 45 I've ever seen. I did try it but it didn't work very well in my hands. Pretty much forgot about them after that one.. He did have some feeding problems with certain ammo. We're talking though about a time period where they were first out. Quite sure they would have fixed those issues in later models. So much stuff out there today that if you can't find something that suits you, you're either too dam picky or there's no hope!

[retrieverman]

I read on a 1911 board, and according to many of the posters over there, Paras still seem to have some feeding problems. Of course, some people can tear up an anvil with a feather and would gripe if you hung them with a new rope.

I am shooting hardball ammo, and both of mine have functioned flawlessly.

[NE450No2]

rman

Do those Paras have steel or aluminium frames?

[retrieverman]

As heavy as these two are, they may have lead frames.

[NE450No2]

I thought they were steel, but was not sure.

Well when you figure out which size you like the best, you might think about getting the same model in Aluminium and use it as your light weight carry gun.

I have been using the same Colt Lightweight Commander for around 40 years. I have shot it quite a bit, and it still works great.

Also if you want to try some Hollow Point 45 ACP ammo, try some Remington 230gr Golden Sabre.

It feeds in every 1911 I have shot it in, including 3 box stock Colt Commanders.

[retrieverman]

I have shot Golden Sabres in my Sig 228, and I like them really well. I might just have to try them in my Paras too.

[NE450No2]

While I am not a Ballistic Gellatin Warrior, the 230 Golden Sabres did real well in the FBI testing.

The HRT was carrying them. I do not know if they have changed.

In your bigger Para, for a penetration load, you might also try some Buffalo Bore 230gr +P Flat Point.

Also try some Speer Shotshells. They will actually function in many 1911's.

They kill snakes and small game very good. I have killed several grouse with them In Montana, out of my LW Commander.

[retrieverman]

While I am not a Ballistic Gellatin Warrior, the 230 Golden Sabres did real well in the FBI testing.

The HRT was carrying them. I do not know if they have changed.

In your bigger Para, for a penetration load, you might also try some Buffalo Bore 230gr +P Flat Point.

Also try some Speer Shotshells. They will actually function in many 1911's.

They kill snakes and small game very good. I have killed several grouse with them In Montana, out of my LW Commander.

Thanks for the info.

[NE450No2]

r'man

How is that new 45 ACP doing???

[retrieverman]

I don't like this one near as well as my Carry model and have banished it to live in my underwear drawer.

[NE450No2]

What about it do you not like???

And I ask for "scientific" reasions, as I have found over the years, that even a small difference in handguns can make a big difference in what a person "likes".

[thechamp]

I don't like this one near as well as my Carry model and have banished it to live in my underwear drawer.

[Corjack]

I hauled it down to him, the slide felt a little too long for the grip lenthg to me, but then again, I like full size framed guns, that way if you run out of ammo, you can try and beat em to death with it.

[NE450No2]

If I could have only one 1911 it would be a full size Government Model, suitably modified.

I would want it Accurized, with a Bar Sto or Wilson barrel, melted Bomar adjustable sights, throated, ejection port lowered, funneled mag well, but no add on funnel, @ a 4 lb trigger, crisp, extended safety, checkered front strap, hammer trimmed back a bit so it does not pinch the web of my hand, 18 lb recoil spring.

I used this gun for a Duty Gun for several years. In fact if I could have only one handgun, it would be this 1911.

I much prefer a 4" S&W 44 Mag when in the field, but the 1911 is my Favorite...

However, my everyday carry 1911 is a Lightweight Commander that I bought back @ 1971 or 1972. It is stock, except for being throated.

This gun shot perfect with 230gr bullets at 25 yards[ a little high] and dead on at 50. It has a Swenson Ambidexterious Safety, as for many years I carried it in my left front Uniform pocket as a backup gun. The back strap has been relaced with one that has been ground smooth, so if I am drawing it from under concealment and I pinch some clothing between my hand and the gun it will slide out easier. The front strap is smooth as well.

The pistol does show some finish wear from being used a great deal over the years, but it is still reliable.

I have shot small game including a fairamount with Speer shotshells, they work great on snakes and grouse, and I have shot a deer with it as well.

It has been shot a fair amount over the years, and the aluminium frame has held up quite well.

When I retired I dug it out of mothballs and shot several hundred rounds through it with no malfunctions.

I have stepped out of an airlpane with it twice, and I have SCUBA dived with it as well.

I was wearing it when I was married.

It has a lot of memories...

I carry it most every day, unless I decide to "play" with something else, or I am in the field hunting.

Now, however I shoot it very little, as I want it to last me the rest of my days.