ParaOrd P16-40

J

jakester

New member
I have posted several messages on this board and appreciate all the feedback. I am down to the final choice between a ParaOrd P16-40, EAA Witness 10mm, and SA MilSpec 38super. Most likely, the Para would be reamed to 10mm for IPSC matches. I have heard both the good and bad comments on the Para pistols. My major concern is the cost difference between the Witness and Para. I read very positive comment on the Witness, while the jury is split on the Paras.

Anyone have any last comments on any of these guns before I place my order? My dealer can get the Para's immediately, but the Witness and SA's are on backorder (a sign of popularity?).
 
I had a P16 once w/ 3 hi-cap mags. Got rid of it because I didn't like the round. The gun tho, worked flawlessly and was very accurate.
 
I also have a P-16 in .40 S&W, hard chromed. I love the gun. ABSOLUTELY reliable and quite accurate, Easy to shoot-no problems at all. I use it for CCW some of the time (has nite sights also). Using hi caps for carry makes me feel at ease even if I decide not to carry extras. Good luck.
 
I also have a P16-40 Limited, and think it's a great gun. Very reliable using Remington JHP in 155 grains as well as accurate. Never had any problem getting 16 rounds in the factory magazines. So far have only fired a couple of thousand rounds, but am very impressed with the gun overall. :)
 
I too have also read of the bad comments on some of the Para pistols. I have a Limited P-12 that shoots great, A two-tone P-13 that I just got and my favorite of my handguns is my SS P-16 limited. This is one very nice pistol, shoots great and those 16 round mags are a blast! I would not hesitate to buy a Para Ordnance.
 
I'll give my impression of the Paras. I have 3, a 12, 13 and 16 that has been converted to 10mm.

I would rate the Para in the same quality as any other mass produced 1911. Yes even Kimber. My factory P13 does not shoot groups markedly larger than my buddy George's Kimber Gold Cup version.

Between EAA and Para, I'd say that you are getting a better quality pistol in the Para. My .38S/9x23W Witness, while a fun gun and offering 18+1 of .38S/9x23, is not as reliable as my Paras. The Witness has a failure rate of 1-2% in 9x23.

My Paras (all 3 combined) are at .21% failure rate. The majority of which were caused by a tight barrel link on a 400 CorBon Barrel from BarSto in the P12--which has loosened after about 200 rounds.

I'd go with the Para-Ordnance P16, in duo tone or stainless. My only complaint is the finish of the "standard" models. The blue cast frames don't like sultry weather. I have sent my P12 and 13 off to Tripp Research to have the frames hard chromed so that they can by carried from April to September!

In looking for something positive to say about the Witness. . . The Witness is a fine pistol and half the cost of the ParaOrdnance and they ride in the hand as comfortable as a 1911.

I will also say this, I don't believe that either pistol will fair well against a tuned 1911 in an IPSC match. Figure both are milspec weapons. A custom 1911, or a semi custom 1911, might be a better avenue to explore if the pistol will be used hard/in competition.

Derek
 
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I have the SS Para P16, which I think is a great gun. It is very accurate & the trigger pull is lite. I have found 18-round magazines for it in the IPSC magazine, but the 16-round magazines that it comes with are fine. Other accesories & parts can easily be found. If you do have any problems with the handgun, Just call Para in Canada & they will probably fix it for free. They have a shop in Pennsylvania to ship the handgun to. I use the handgun in action shoots & it has proven to be very reliable, accept when I tried using Winchester 180grain .40 ammunition, which for some reason kept jamming when feeding, but I have had no problems with any other ammunition.
 
I shot a P16 in IPSC for 3 years.

The gun was accurate and reliable -- after I replaced most of the factory parts. It simply didn't hold up under heavy use. Got to know my gunsmith pretty well.

I replaced it with an STI Edge and beyond some minor changes I wanted done to the gun, it hasn't seen a gunsmith or replacement parts beyond the recoil spring.
 
I would suggest that if you are looking at the P16.40, that you pay the little extra and get the Limited series one.

I have a S16.40ER, in blue. It's one of the most accurate out of the box gun I have shot.
 
KBear makes a great point about the P16 and its use in an IPSC arena. A semi custom is a way to go if you want to race and at least compete.

I will say this though, if you purchased a Springfield/Colt/Kimber you'd also end up replacing nearly everything but the frame/slide also in trips to the 'smith. It is just a strange bias that folks who denegrate the Paras for total parts replacement, laud the SA/Colt/Kimber lines when the exact same work had been done. :rolleyes:

Derek
 
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