para vs. s&w 9mm's

[ace57]

Hey guys,

Mulling over the Para Warthawg 9mm (litehawg appears to be the only hawg9 on the MA compliant list)

versus

the s&w 3913 TSW.......

Any thoughts on these, one over the other...

Did a search on this forum re. Para's, seems like some folks have had probs. with them....
OTOH I've heard that s&w's are kinda cheap in some ways.

No, I haven't, yet, had a chance to "heft" them in person

thanks
ace57

 

[MassMark]

Well, I can't comment on Smith and Wesson problems, (have read about a few myself), but my Para Ordinance Carry 6.45 LDA is one of the nicest guns I own. Never a hitch - 100% from day one to the present. I personally didn't like the Warthog, for no other reason than the grip. The one I shot was a .45 and it was a small, but wide package and surprisingly accurate for such a small gun, (as is my Carry). I think you're looking at two entirely different animals if you thinking M&P/Sigma or are you thinking CS9? In any case, if you handled the Warthog, like the feel and like a 1911-style pistol than you should be GTG...

 

[ace57]

para vs s&w 9's

I am thinking steel frame/slide....you're right massmark, the CS9 is smaller than the 3913.......3 1/2 versus 3 inch barrel.

so I guess the more accurate comparison is the CS9 or Warthawg.

I guess the Carry9 Para is still not on the MA compl.list.

I am pretty new in this area, but when I look at the MA approved list under Para, for instance, I don't see a lot of newer model numbers...??

Also, in the tech spec areas of both s&w and paras website, I don't see the "width" of these comparative models. Guess I'll have to find them in person

ace57

 

[MassMark]

Find a place with a lot of guns...(Four Seasons, Collectors, Zero Hour etc..) One who is a Para dealer would be a bonus, (I believe Four Seasons is). Rental range would be even better, but at least you'll get the feel. I went Para Carry, (I have the black Covert Carry) because I liked the way it felt. I have big gorilla mitts and the Warthog felt too short and odd in my hand - felt like I was gripping an apple...The Carry just fit - I love that gun.

 

[pj150]

Looked at the warthog but the pricetag was a bit over the top. CS9 fits nicely and feels to be very well made. I don't have too much to say about since I haven't got around to shooting it as of yet.

 

[The Goose]

I would go with S&W any day of the week. I have owned four Paras and have had problems with every one. I guessI am a little slow sometimes. It took four. LOL!

 

[RKG]

Neither; SIG.

 

[ace57]

Well, I'd like to look at the Springfield Armory EMP but we all know none of THAT companies items are on the almighty "approved" list.
sheesh


ace57

 

[parabellum]

Safety on CS9 vs. Para Carry 9

The deciding factor for me was the safety direction. The CS9 flips up and I wanted to keep all my safeties swinging down, 1911 style.

I have over 1000 rounds through my Para Carry 9 without a single FTF or FTE. The only hitch has been in removing a magazine before it is empty, in rare cases the top round will drop out.

 

[jpdopes]

I've never owned a Para but I've read enough bad stories about them to avoid them...at least until they improve their QC. I do think they have some nice products from a design standpoint. The S&W 3rd gen TSW series, on the other hand, has a very good reputation for reliability and quality. I had a 6906 (the double stack version of the 3913) and it was flawless. By the way, the 3913 and the 6906 have alloy frames and SS slides- not all steel. There are a lot of positive testimonials over at www.smith-wessonforum.com ....not the most unbiased source for info on Smiths but it's still a great resource.

 

[Gammon]

I have owned a couple of Paras and had trouble with both of them. Their customer service also sucks. I will never buy another one.

S&W; great guns, great customer service. I own several S&W DA/SDA semi autos with the slide mounted safety and simply ignore it. You just don't need a safety on a DA gun.

 

[MassMark]

I loved my Para Cover Carry. Singularly my favorite .45ACP compact gun. I had zero issues with it whatsoever and the person who purchased it from me is in the same boat. It's a really nice firearm and I hope that Para recaptures some of it's lost luster with it's recent move. It's funny the blind loyalty Smith and Wesson gets. Do a search of threads here and look for some of the issues that popped up with Smith and Wesson 1911's, (among other guns). Smith and Wesson omnipotence is almost funny. I love Smith and Wesson firearms - I own one and want to own another one. However, every company is capable of making skunks and there's been more than one stinky S&W....

 

[chris_1001]

I hated my Para, total POS. I bought a S&W and have been happy ever after...

 

[Gammon]

I loved my Para Cover Carry. Singularly my favorite .45ACP compact gun. I had zero issues with it whatsoever and the person who purchased it from me is in the same boat. It's a really nice firearm and I hope that Para recaptures some of it's lost luster with it's recent move. It's funny the blind loyalty Smith and Wesson gets. Do a search of threads here and look for some of the issues that popped up with Smith and Wesson 1911's, (among other guns). Smith and Wesson omnipotence is almost funny. I love Smith and Wesson firearms - I own one and want to own another one. However, every company is capable of making skunks and there's been more than one stinky S&W....

My loyalty to S&W is far from blind. I have several and shoot them a lot. The first problem I had with my 6906 was a broken trigger bar at 35,000 rounds or so. They fixed it with no problems. Recently the gun tripled on me and I called them; they agreed to fix it and sent me a Fedex shipping label.

The Para p-16 I bought several years ago came with a trigger that went south after about 200 rounds (bad creep). The hammer they used was an off the wall design (slotted) so I replaced the hammer and sear. I didn't call the factory because I had already had a probelem with the recoil spring; they admitted it was junk and told me to BUY another one. With this type of customer support I figured I was better off on my own. Then the gun started to break barrel links. After putting up with this problem for several years, I called Bar Sto and asked them for help. They told me that this was a common problem with Paras as they often get the holes in the frame wrong so that the barrel travels too far to the rear for the link. A custom barrel made to non stock dimensions is the cure. The gun works just fine now but the only Para parts left are the frame and slide.

The LDA Carry Model (3 in barrel) was trouble right out of the box. The "new and improved" extractor started stove piping with factory (Federal) round nose ammo. Then the slide cracked at the muzzle (right through the front sight dovetail) and I gave up. I called Para and they said they would look at the gun and "see" if they would fix it under warranty. They did fix it, but only after I paid $17.00 in shipping. Good bye Para.

 

[Tucobkg]

I have both

I have both a Para Hawg 9 and a Smith and Wesson 6906. The Para I bought brand new. The 6906 was used but never fired.

I took the Para Hawg 9 to the range and every 2 or 3 rounds it would FTE. It got so fustrating that I took it back to the dealer. He stated it would do that until I break it in. So I go back to the range after I clean and lube the gun. Samething happens. I find out the problem is with the Extractor. Went back to the dealer and he shipped it off to Para. I got the gun back and it has been flawless.

The Smith and Wesson 6906 impressed me the most. I have yet to have any FTEs with this gun. It's accurate and a very impressive gun. It's my primary CCW.

My Para sits in my night time robe when I'm on the porch at night having a smoke.

Which gun I trust the most? The 6906 by far! The main reason is because of that one problem with the para that got fix. It still haunts my mind when I pull the trigger. "Will it jam?" So far it hasn't but if I'm confronted by a bad guy and it does there goes my life. I've been thinking on trading it for a sig P239.

 

[RIFLEMAN1000]

Well i've owned a Para Warthog .45 for 2 years , in that 2 years i've put about 1000 rds through it. I've had 1 ftf and thats it. The ftf was a bad reload that wasn't properly crimped (not my reloads). I had a friend limp wrist it a couple of times till i told what he was doing wrong. My only 3 complaints is its a little big as a double stack for CCW but im a big guy and i hide it well, its regal finish is not that durable, and as an alloy frame when shooting full power loads start to sting after a while. All around a great small 45 with
10+1 rounds on hand for when things go bad.

 

[Gammon]

I have both a Para Hawg 9 and a Smith and Wesson 6906. The Para I bought brand new. The 6906 was used but never fired.

I took the Para Hawg 9 to the range and every 2 or 3 rounds it would FTE. It got so fustrating that I took it back to the dealer. He stated it would do that until I break it in. So I go back to the range after I clean and lube the gun. Samething happens. I find out the problem is with the Extractor. Went back to the dealer and he shipped it off to Para. I got the gun back and it has been flawless.

The Smith and Wesson 6906 impressed me the most. I have yet to have any FTEs with this gun. It's accurate and a very impressive gun. It's my primary CCW.

My Para sits in my night time robe when I'm on the porch at night having a smoke.

Which gun I trust the most? The 6906 by far! The main reason is because of that one problem with the para that got fix. It still haunts my mind when I pull the trigger. "Will it jam?" So far it hasn't but if I'm confronted by a bad guy and it does there goes my life. I've been thinking on trading it for a sig P239.

The 6906 is one of my favorite carry guns. Also, it is extremely accurate for a stock pistol with a 3.25 in barrel.