1911: S&W vs. Para Ordinance

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james13

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I am in the market for a single stack 1911 and based on what is available in MA I am looking at a S&W 1911 (model 108282) or Para SSP. Both of them can be purchased for roughly the same price. Does anyone have any experience (good or bad) with either model? I would appreciate any insight.

Thanks.
 
The S&W 1911s are excellent. I have a scandium commander, but I've shot that model also. The only Para 1911 I've shot was an unreliable POS, but other people seem to have good luck with them. Even if I lived in a free state, the Smith would be a strong contender.
 
I'll be the exception to the anti-Para sentiment that prevails on this board. I loved my Para, though I did not own the full-sized 1911, (Mine was a 6.45 LDA). It was uber-reliable and accurate as hell for a 3" barrel....I'd buy a full-sized Para in a heartbeat based on my past experience with an excellent 6.45.
 
I have a Para PXT 745, and my girlfriend has a SW1911. They each have their own quirks.

The Para was sent back to the factory after 800 rounds because the slide stop wore a gouge into the slide. The finish isn't very durable, but I noticed that they removed this style (Regal black) from the catalog.

The SW1911 has a step on the breech face of the slide that dents the rim of every piece of brass fired. It wasn't machined properly at the factory. I can actually count the number of times a piece of brass has been shot through this gun. It hasn't caused any issues, so we're not in a hurry to get it fixed.

I personally prefer the fit of the parts in the Para. The thumb safety in the Smith feels gritty, the frame rails are rough enough to pick up lint from a cotton patch, and the trigger is somewhat loose in the frame. It jiggles about 1/16" vertical. Not something I notice when shooting, but annoying when cleaning or inspecting.

Other than nitpicking about that stuff, neither of them have had any malfunctions with 2500 rounds through the Para, and 1000 through the SW1911. The trigger pull is about the same, they both shoot better than I can, and have fed everything from factory hardball, to hollow points, to lead semi-wadcutter reloads. Just pick the one that feels better in your hand and enjoy shooting.
 
MassMark said:
I'll be the exception to the anti-Para sentiment that prevails on this board. I loved my Para, though I did not own the full-sized 1911, (Mine was a 6.45 LDA). It was uber-reliable and accurate as hell for a 3" barrel....I'd buy a full-sized Para in a heartbeat based on my past experience with an excellent 6.45.
Click to expand...

I'll second this. The 6.45 LDA is my carry gun.
 
I have the stainless Para LTC (PCX745S bought new). In the first hundred rounds put through it, it had problems chambering about 10-15 times. I was using Fiocchi ammo. I went back a few days later and put some Remington through it. It only jammed once. It's either the ammo, the gun breaking in, or both. It has definatly been better with more rounds through it, so I'm leaning towards breaking in.
 
I have owned several Paras and found them to be exceptional pistols, unfortunately they were delivered to me in kit form and required a lot of work. I will never buy another one. I have never owned a S&W 1911, but I do own several S&W DA/SA autos. I love these pistols, but did have some problems that S&W promptly corrected, free of charge. Based on my satisfaction with S&W products and their excellent customer service, I wouldn't hesitate to by one of their 1911s.
 
I have owned several of both. I just bought a new S&W 1911 two weeks ago. I will never, ever own a Para again. EVER! He says as he spits on the ground.
 
Smith and Wesson gets my vote as well. plus, they are made in MA...

I like Para O, but it seems to be a roll of the dice, especially w / their double stack models. check that 1911.org board and see yourself.
 
S&W owner, and I have sold both Paras and S&W's in the past. IMO S&W 1911's have the best bang for your dollar..... even in free states.
 
Firs off. A+ to Cross-X for using the word brace correctly and in a sentence...

But really, now he's got me thinking. Instead of carrying an extra mag with your 1911, just carry a second matching 1911. Mmmm....16 rounds of .45.
 
I bought a Para LTC a few weeks ago, shot it at a steel shoot this past Sunday for the first time, It jammed EVERY shot. Bang, rack, bang rack... Not fun. the main spring from the factory was WAY to much, swapped it out for a lighter one, still had jamming issues... but every once and a while I'd get off two shots before a jam... This is with WWB Ball ammo...

Plus it would simply not chamber some Hornady XTP rounds I had.

Total POS... Talked with a few others that had issues with Paras...

i have been reading up on them since, and not liking what i have read...

I'm thinking of moving to a Smith & Wesson 1911... You should too...

Guns at this price point should feed ball ammo 100% right from the box, no excuses, no break in, no replacing parts or needing other mags... Period!
 
I can't live without my P14, although it had some work done on it before I bought it. And after the Greg-Derr-installed new slide broke in (about 200 rounds), it has been flawless for IDPA.

I guess if you buy a Para, you need it tuned before it becomes reliable.
 
I own a SW1911 and love it

I have in the past used a P14 LDA and it was good too.

I recently bought a Para 9mm double stack Nite-Tac and although it functions well, the sight came loose (it was used, so I don't blame Para for that, and it's a simple matter to loctite it back) and I can't shoot that well with it yet.
 
I have a couple of 1911s, S&W and Norinco, and they are dead on reliable. Lately I've been contemplating getting a Para as there have been a few for sale on the forum. I'm glad I read this post before making the same mistake that chris_1001 made. (No insult intended Chris)
 
I have an S&W scandium commander that's been excellent. It's accurate and completely reliable. I can't speak to how good Paras are.

I would like to see S&W come out with an officer sized 1911.
 
I own both and both had to go back for repairs within the first week of being purchased. The SW has an ejector problem and the Para has a thumb safety issue. I like shooting both guns. SW is a little bit more accurate but that's because of the longer barrel. I like the Para as my carry gun because it conceals really well.

Both guns have their + and -. Since Para is the only decent (Mass allowed) manufactured of 3-inch 1911-like guns I will most likely get another one at some point. If I buy another full size single action it will be a SW.
 
I had a para in 38 super, after fine tuning the ejector it was good but it was real picky with factory ammo. I have three S&W 1911s and I prefer them I just wish they had one in 38 super that did not have somebody's name all over it. I used to have a PC945...really kick myself for letting that one go.
 
Rockrivr1 said:
I have a couple of 1911s, S&W and Norinco, and they are dead on reliable. Lately I've been contemplating getting a Para as there have been a few for sale on the forum. I'm glad I read this post before making the same mistake that chris_1001 made. (No insult intended Chris)
Click to expand...

None taken... This is what forums are all about... sharing experiences, both good and bad...

Maybe there is a reason there are a few for sale... [wink]
 
I have this Para. I haven't had any malfs with it, but chevyguyss350 is right, the "regal black" finish isn't the toughest one out there. It's peeling off the trigger guard. If it ever gets too nasty, I'll probably look into getting it refinished with something different.
 
chris_1001 said:
None taken... This is what forums are all about... sharing experiences, both good and bad...

Maybe there is a reason there are a few for sale... [wink]
Click to expand...


Reason #10: Better off using your fists.

Reason #27: If being mugged or attacked with one, use your fists to escape harm.

Reason #33: Peens like a tin can left in the sun.
 
pdm said:
I have this Para. I haven't had any malfs with it, but chevyguyss350 is right, the "regal black" finish isn't the toughest one out there. It's peeling off the trigger guard. If it ever gets too nasty, I'll probably look into getting it refinished with something different.
Click to expand...

You're lucky, that's the pistol I had issues with... Glad you got lucky!

BTW, did yours come with a very stiff main spring?
 
I wanted to remember exactly why I hate Para's so I went back and looked this up. It all comes back to me now. The story below ends on 3/23/07, but I did receive my new gun the following week. I promptly traded it without ever shooting it.



Written on Friday 3/23/07


"So I guess at this point I am pretty upset. Not really angry, but disappointed. I could call Para again and speak to George, but I figure I might as well just vent and let it go. Here is the chronology of events and why I am so upset.
Jan. 26: Purchased new Para SSP PX745E
Jan. 27: Shot it and slide stop broke. I posted frustration.
Jan. 29: I emailed Para customer support and wrote (and emailed) a letter to Ted Szabo expressing that this was my 3rd. Para that was defective. I then called and spoke to customer service and they said they would send out a new slide stop. I asked for rush delivery and was told that the policy is strictly regular delivery.
Feb. 5: New slide stop arrives. No response to my emails or letter yet. I attempt to install new slide stop and discover that it is bent. I email Para.
Feb. 6: Feb. 7: At 11:42 AM I post on 1911 Forum with photos. At 4:46 PM George Wedge replies and promises to take care of it. (“Well, there certainly is no debate required as to whether or not this is acceptable on any level. Goose, I will be in contact with you shortly, and promise to have this resolved post haste. Our sincere apologies for your having to deal with this.”)
Feb. 7: Derrick from Para calls and tells me he will send me another new slide stop, regular delivery. About an hour later George Wedge calls and tells me that he is going to simply give me a new gun. We have a very nice talk. He tells me that he wants to examine the problem gun to figure out why the slide stop broke. He also tells me that he will "personally" test fire my new gun to guarantee that it works properly and promises that he will let me know why the original gun was defective. He also cautions me that it will take 2-3 weeks to get my new gun. No problem. I am a happy guy.
Feb. 9: Gun goes back to Para.
Feb 26: I email George just to get an update. No response.
March 9: I call George, but he is out.
March 12: I call and speak to George. He claims to remember me, but when I tell him about the broken slide stop he is incredulous that I have not received a new slide stop in so long a time. I remind him that he promised me a new gun. I tell him that I shipped my gun back to him and he corrects me and points out that I shipped it to their plant in the US not to him in Canada. He tells me that he certainly does not know what the US plant is doing, but that he can call and find out.
March 13: I receive a voice mail from George. He called the US plant and they will ship the gun out that week and I will receive it the next week. His final words are; (direct quote) “They did not forget about it they just have not gotten around to it”.
March 23: So it is Friday, end of day and I am getting ready to leave the office. No gun this week.

So, why am I perturbed? It is almost 2 months from date of purchase and I have no gun. George assured me that he would “personally” test fire my gun. I guess that was just a figure of speech, because the gun is shipping out from (I think) Tennessee and he is in Canada. Supposedly it shipped last week to arrive this week. I have initiated every contact in this whole process. This is my 3rd. defective Para and from my viewpoint I have received no customer service at all. No doubt I will eventually receive my new gun, but at this point I really do not care. I will sell it immediately as I have no desire to own a gun from Para Ordnance. I could include even more detail in this story, but I believe I have written enough. I am one extremely dissatisfied customer and since Para obviously does not care I am venting to you guys, the buying public. I am not really interested in hearing from you guys who have great working Para's or received great customer service. I have experienced neither. I am disgusted."
 

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