Para Ordnance officers model .40 Opinions? price question?

[SpeedOften]

My brother has a Para Ordnance Officers model in .40

He wants to sell it for some AR goodies but has no idea what he should ask and I have not had much luck searching Google. Any recommendations for a very good to excellent condition price?

I will get some pictures taken of it.

 

[Golddiggie]

I think the value will really depend on when it was made. Early models, when quality was there, should be worth more. From what I've heard, they've had at least a span of time when quality simply wasn't there. Not sure how the newer stuff is, but it's enough to not want me to purchase any NEW Para's. Luckily, my P14 is from the early 90's, when quality was there. I suspect that quality probably dropped off when they were bought by "Freedom Group" (an US based company). Not sure if they've managed to correct the issues, or not. Knowing it's happened is enough to give many pause when buying new pistols made by them. Even though mine has seen over 5000 rounds without any of the issues.

Try finding out which model designation it is... If it's a P16 (.40 cal), then getting info will be easier.

 

[atilla]

don't buy a para. you'll thank me later.

 

[KTech2316]

atilla...Whats wrong with Para?Mine only fails once per magazine...And Para told me to kiss their a$$ very nicely!

Till this day...My para is the only gun that I have taken a loss on!

 

[P-14]

don't buy a [NEW] para. you'll thank me later.

Fixed it for ya. Mine works fine, but it's a '90's model.

 

[Golddiggie]

atilla...Whats wrong with Para?Mine only fails once per magazine...And Para told me to kiss their a$$ very nicely!

Till this day...My para is the only gun that I have taken a loss on!

Fixed it for ya. Mine works fine, but it's a '90's model.

I suspect that the ones that are good, are from the 90's (or before 1996). It would be interesting to find out (exactly) which manufacture years are the most problematic (or have the issues). Even if it's from a set year (200x?) forward.

Next 1911 (wide body) I get will be one I build up. I already know what frame I want, that has the features I want. Of course, IF I get lucky, I'll be able to get a CNC mill setup before then, and just make my own damned frame.

 

[Gammon]

I have owned several Paras and they have one thing in common; they all SUCKED. Para customer service continues this tradition; it SUCKS.

The parts are of good quality mostly, but they aren't assembled with the greatest of care, i.e. Para QC SUCKS. If you can get a Para at a low price (steal) it may be worth it. Just don't plan on any help from the factory. I have two Para P 16 40s that function flawlessly. One I completely rebuilt to the point that only the frame, slide and barrel remain, and the other was built on a stripped frame.

PS Both of the P 16s broke barrel links regularly (about every 3000 rounds or so. When ordering a custom barrel for a Para P 16 Longslde project from Barsto I mentioned this problem to Irv Stone Jr. He chuckled and mentioned that Para routinely drills the hole for the slide stop in the wrong location. I took some measurements of the frame and SS hole at Mr. Stone's direction. He used these measurements to change the dimensions of the barrel I ordered. Proble solved; you gotta love Barsto.

 

[Nick Fury]

My stock 98' Para Ordnance P-14 is one of the most accurate center fire pistols I own. I've always wanted to pick up a target .45 but sticker shock reminds me the Para shoots better than I do...