.45ACP--Need a little advice here.

K

Kentucky Rifle

New member
I went to my favorite gun shop today to purchase a .45ACP. I already own a Glock .40 cal, so I was looking for a 1911. I thought I was going for a Kimber Eclipse or Stainless Compact Aluminum. I got neither. There were a couple more there that I needed to consider.
I'd like to read some opinions please on:
(1) Para Ordnance "Companion" (Stainless, double action)
(2) Mauser .45ACP (Sorry, I don't remember the model number, but it was a REALLY slick, and I mean SLICK looking pistol about the same size as the Para. The frame looked amost like "black glass".)
If someone can discern what I am trying to say, I would really appreciate opinions of both these brands.

Thanks,
KR
OK--I just went to "Auction Arms" and found a similar Mauser...It's called an M2. That should help.
 
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NOT A 'BRAND' THING

Frankly, regardless of caliber, the 1911-pattern gun is easier to use for most shooters; easier to acquire correct grip, easier to point and aim, easier to control muzzle flip, easier to reload, easier to fire accurately, easier to follow up the first (or second, or third) shot.

It's easier to shoot.

Suggest you try it yourself.

If it's a 45ACP pistol you want, get a 1911. If it's a 1911 you want, get whatever caliber floats your boat (although the 45ACP and 9x23 seem to be the MOST RELIABLE FEEDER/EJECTORS in the 1911-pattern guns).

My thought would be a Kimber Stainless Classic, or a Les Baer anything full-size.

Let us know.......
 
WESHOOT2

I was trying not to offend the Kimber people out there. No sense in "picking a fight", until you need to. Forgive me, Kimber people, but I just didn't like the finish on the "Stainless Compact Aluminum". However, the shop owner did say that he hadn't had one single complaint regarding the Kimbers he has sold. (And he has sold lots!) The only Kimber that "floats my boat" is the "Eclipse", but the Para and the M2 look SO good! I thought that someone might have some experience with one or, even better, both pistols.
Thanks (Are we still friends? :)),
KR
 
NOT A 'BRAND' GUY

I'm a "FUNCTION" guy; all that matters is function (hence my total lack of understanding with threads that ask about 'looks').

My point is if you want a 1911, regardless of caliber and given you'll buy a quality brand, BUY THE 1911!!!

Kimbers are good, Springfield is (almost as) good, Colt can be good (luck), Para's are spotty, and more expensive 1911's like Baer, Brown, Rock River, STI, Briley, Robar, etc. are WAY good.
How much do you want to spend?

One last little thing: buy steel. The tiny weight difference just isn't worth the loss of durability (and any arguments about it will fall of deaf-but-experienced ears).
 
WESHOOT2

Anything up to about $900.00 is about what I was thinking about. One thing though. I've gotta get something I can carry concealed in the "hellish" Kentucky summers. I have a difficult time dealing with rust. And speaking of rust, today I happened to be packing my first concealed carry pistol. I took it to the gun shop because the owner was so pleased with his (four years ago, he still carries it) that I wanted one also. A Colt Mustang Pocketlite. Both pistols have been fired about the same number of times. Except for a few scratches, mine looks great. His looks awful! I'm not sure what the safety lever and slide lock is made of, but when he said, "Does yours do this too"?, I was astonished! It looked like those parts and the area around them had been in a fire! Yucky dark brown! I wouldn't carry a pistol that had a blemish like that on it. I came home and looked veeery carefully at mine under a magnifying glass. Nothing brown was showing up on mine. YUCKY brown on his Mustang! You know what I mean??

Shudder!!!
KR
 
Old but works for me.

A piece of sheepskin with a dab of RIG (Rust Inhibiting Grease) rubbed into it. Whenever is handy, wipe the gun down with the sheepskin. A very little goes a long ways so don't gob up the sheepskin or you will get a gooey gobby gun. You want a thin film that has wiped out the fingerprints yet not enough to transfer to your white linen suit. Has kept blued guns pristine for me in the tropics to the circles. If done right, will be covered but not feel or look oily or greasy.

I was introduced to RIG in the 30s, still use it. Yes, I use Break-Free on the internals now but RIG on the outside.

Sam....I am NOT old, just trapped in a used body.
 
Kentucky Rifle,
I just bought a Para Companion and what a great little gun. The trigger is great for a Double action I love it. :D


Para45.jpg
 
What's this you say???

Originally posted by Weshoot2:

NOT A 'BRAND' GUY

I'm a "FUNCTION" guy; all that matters is function (hence my total lack of understanding with threads that ask about 'looks').
Click to expand...


Now Weshoot2, I can clearly see that you are a yankee and I know about Yankee ingenuity, resourcefulness and pragmatism (I saw it on TV) but isn't this a little strong. I mean do you feel nothing when you look at a two-tone frame 1911 with a high polish blue on the slide and a chromed frame with cocobolo wood diamond pattern grips? What a work of art! What a phallic symbol! Inside that cold hard exterior you must feel something!

Tell me Weshoot2, what do you feel when a beautiful woman passes by? Is function all that matters there as well? I mean stop and have a little bread and wine. You might like it.


One last little thing: buy steel. The tiny weight difference just isn't worth the loss of durability (and any arguments about it will fall of deaf-but-experienced ears).
Click to expand...


I'm afraid I have to disagree with that as well. A Colt Commander (which is by definition an aluminum frame pistol; The steel model is the Combat Commander) weighs 32ozs. It feels substantially less than a full sized steel 1911 at the end of the day. Since you will be carrying it alot and shooting it but little, it should last a lifetime. If it doesn't, it is a simple thing to have it repaired with a titanium ramp insert.

And if the lightweight is a pre series seventy Colt, it ain't bad to look at either....but there I go again [:)].

PigPen
 
Another vote for steel. Real steel. Blued steel.

I carried full sized Steel 1911 for over twenty years and never regretted the weight. I now often carry a Model 29 .44 mag concealed. What weight?

It is supposed to be comforting, not comfortable.

I admire a well sculpted female and like my walnut pricey. But my handguns are friends and tools. I don't care what my friends look like, just that they be true. Just like my handguns.

Sam
 
I bought a $1300 Kimber Gold Match Stainless for $1050 online from a store in East Texas. The target sights might make it the wrong model for you.

Kimber makes the most versions of 1911's that are all almost as good as a custom gun. That is why they are #1 right now.

It was explained to me that ParaOrdnance is of average quality and that the main reason for their existance was the double stack. You could buy a 16 round .40! As soon as the large capacity magazines are not available for them, they will be "just another so-so brand". Not my opinion, just repeating. (See WESHOOT2, He is spot-on)

Read this article on rust proofing your gun.
http://communities.prodigy.net/sportsrec/gz-rust.html
Many 1911 owners use NOTHING BUT Break-Free. I use that inside and out and then put a little "Tetra Gun Grease" with teflon on the rails and on barrel contact points. Do the same on your knives.

*Sounds like you should get one like mine just to have and carry your Glock... Big and Heavy are great for everything but carrying. Small and Light are good for nothing but carrying???
 
.45 ACP

Whatever you do, don't go out and shoot a SIG P220 against a custom M1911. Because once the $650 SIG outshoots the M1911 custom clones costing $200 to $500 more, despite having a shorter barrel and weighing an average 10 ounces less, and having good DA and SA trigger pull, you will have a real dilemma on your hands. www.sigarms.com

"You can't make a racehorse out of a pig. But you can make a damned fast pig." Vince Lombardi
 
Shooter.45

That's it. Looks exactly like that. Great photo! The double action seemed as smooth as glass. Great looking grips. I notice in the picture that you are loaded up with FMJ's. Do jacketed hollow points work well also? Have you had any stoppages or malfunctions of any type? (From the very first time you took it out of the box?) Did you have to send it back for any reason? Lastly, would you buy another one?
The Para "Companion" is definately one of the finalists. Far better lookng than the Kimber. (Sorry) However, I do like that Mauser also. Tough decision. I've even thought about playing it safe and buying a Glock 36. I have never had so much trouble making up my mind in all my life. :rolleyes:

Kentucky Rifle
 
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No offense meant,

No offense, fellows,
but Kentucky Rifle, I've learned to respect your opinions through your threads...I suggest that you spend a little more research time by going to the TFL Links and look up the 1911 forum and go down to the Para-Ordnance subsection and read the opinions expressed there.

I too have heard the call of P.O., but after reading the info posted there...I'll wait a little longer.

I suggest you read a little more before making your final decisiion... Good luck in making your choice.
 
LASur...

Well...That was quite the scary thing to do!
You just can't imagine the disappointment when I (ever so rarely) get a gun that doesn't "work" right. It goes back to the manufacturer and if it comes back, still unreliable, it goes in the botton of my safe. I will NOT stick someone else with a lemon just to get some money back. The sleep I do get is difficult and troubled. I will not make that worse over MONEY and the GUILT I would feel forever if I stuck someone else with a sub-standard gun in a trade.
Anyway, last night about 4:00AM, I found another Springfield that I like. It's a stainless "Loaded Ultra Compact" with Novac night sights and a Hogue "wraparound" grip. Also, a 3.5 inch barrel.--Anyone happen to have experience with THIS one. :) I'd appreciate your words.

KR
 
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Paraordinance

I agree it looks great, but have heard the horror stories. Almost everything is cast not forged, and the castings are not good.

Kentucky rifle, If I were you, I'd save that money, wait until you have enough for a Les Baer TRS, and splurge. I have a safe full of guns, and the one I'm wearing is the Les Baer TRS. It is absolutely awesome. Get a WAY good 1911 as Weshoot2 has suggested. There is absolutely no comparison to the ParaOrd.

Shooter .45, I thought you were a Glock fan? What happened? :D

Bob
 
Bob (WestTexas)

I just went to the site. I like those "Stinger" stainless models. Do you know anything about the "Bear Coat" for rust resistance? If you live in west Texas, you know what I mean. Kentucky summers are BRUTAL also! I have to have a LOT of rust protection on a blue pistol, or I just can't carry it in the summer. It simply becomes an "unknown iron ore deposit" on my hip.

KR
 
Pigpen:

Two-tone? I've got a number of blued (or black) guns. I've got a bunch of stainless guns. Two-tone guns? All they need are a gold trigger, pearl grips, and they'd look just right in a bordello :barf:. Sorry, not my style.

Kentucky:

I've got a ParaOrdnance P14, two Kimbers, and a Gunsite GSP-2000. Before I'd put more than a couple thousand rounds through the P14, the hammer started following the slide down. My gunsmith had to replace the hammer and sear. Some of my P14 mags just don't feed well. The P14 sits in the safe. My P14 was an early model. Perhaps ParaOrdnance's quality control has improved since them. Even if it worked perfectly, the grip of the P14 is rather blocky -- not as comfortable for me as my standard, single-stack M1911s.

The Kimbers go the range. I bought the GSP used and it has to go to a gunsmith to have a trigger problem fixed. The GSP (basically a mildly customized Springfield Armory) has a lot more tooling marks then either of my Kimbers.

Regarding the DA ParaOrdnance, I just have to ask, why? The beauty of single stack M1911s for me are that 1) they fit my hand just about perfectly, and 2) the short, light, consistent triggers make them easy for me to shoot accurately and quickly. Why mess that up with a double action trigger?

If I could get one in this g*dforsaken state, I'd be real interested in a M1911 from Rock River Arms. For carry purposes, my Kimber Compact seems to work very nicely -- 4" barrel, officer's style frame (6 + 1 capacity).

M1911
 
I've always HATED two-tone guns. Doesn't matter if it's silver-black, or OD Green-black, or whatever, I CAN'T STAND 'EM.

The original idea, back in IPSC in the '80s, was to have a durable stainless steel frame (since it got handled the most), with a non-reflective blued or blackened slide which wouldn't compromise the sight picture in bright light.

Since then, it's become a solely "fashionable" thing, rather like front-of-slide serrations (which I also DESPISE, since they now appear on almost EVERY "custom" 1911 made, yet are not only unnecessary for doing a chamber check safely and easily, but are obtrusive and annoying, as they tend to catch on holsters and clothing).

Kimber, in particular, has got it confused, since you'll notice their guns tend to come with the slides in reflective stainless steel, while their frames are blued!

Give me an all-the-same-color gun every time. I don't own any two-tone guns. Best.
 
I think .45 is a fine caliber and I like 1911 guns. My one serious suggestion for you is to not buy an aluminum-framed gun if you plan to shoot it a lot. I had a Kimber Ultra Elite and the frame cracked at 9600 rounds. That does not mean it will happen to you, but aluminum seems less resiliant to abuse than steel. I know some people feel that a few ounces on a carry gun will cause them all sorts of back, leg, etc. type problems and maybe for some people, it will.

Kimber fixed the gun as it was not a year old and was still under warranty. They handled things fine, but it was still a hassle.

There is one major benefit of single action guns like 1911s over double action. This is some Ayoob points out in a couple of his publications. Those officers who use guns that are DA/SA are more likely to score with their second shot that is single action than their first shot that is double action. Longer and heavier trigger pulls are not as conducive to accurate firing under stress by many people. Some people will do great no matter what gun they have as they practice religiously and are experts. Others who don't practice will never hit anything no matter what gun they have. Unless you are an expert with the gun, based on Ayoob's observations, then for most shooters the single action will offer you a better chance of hitting your target. I offer this aspect, not for debate, but simply as consideration. Like I said, for some people it won't matter either way. Also, as noted above, there are some pretty sweet Double Action guns that won't hamper you like some of the old S&W revolvers.
 
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