I have a new project in mind around a double stack 1911 frame either from springfield, para or STI. I'm interested in chambering it for 9x23 and .22lr. I think I am leaning towards the springfield but I haven't run into anyone that has them. I don't like the para but my first experience with para was the p10(what a nightmare!) i like my friends SA single stack. Any ideas folks? Any info would help a great deal!
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want to build double stack 1911...
- Thread starter KelTeKee
- Start date
Don't take all your Para experince off a P10(those ARE a nightmare of early Colt Officers proportions). A stock full size Para can be made to run pretty well, just go to any IPSC match in your area and you'll see a fair share of P16s. I'm very happy with mine in fact. That said, if I was buildng one I would go with a STI or SV frame. These are a modular design where the grip is polymer and held to the steel frame by screws. This is a very versitale and proven design. Be advised however, hi-caps will be hard to find for any of the frames, as they've been snatched up by the IPSC crowd.
Thanks folks, I was looking at the STI stuff...pretty neat. I just don't like the half polymer/steel frame, not by an engineering standpoint but just pure asthetics!? since the speed gunners use them, they must be reliable, but damn it, I think my glock looks better...yikes! I think the traditional 1911 look but with fatty grip would be more my style. Is there anything wrong with springfield? They seem to be a bit lower in price for the frames from what another hobbyist has told me. Well I guess it's off to do some more research.
PKN: I do like the para feel though, particularly the p14. I have a friend that has both the p14 and p10 andhis p10 was and still is the same as mine,...a headache. But his p14 spits everything out fine.
........Thanks again.
PKN: I do like the para feel though, particularly the p14. I have a friend that has both the p14 and p10 andhis p10 was and still is the same as mine,...a headache. But his p14 spits everything out fine.
........Thanks again.
Have you tried http://www.gunspot.com/
they are a great help and have some very
talented 1911 gunsmiths.
they are a great help and have some very
talented 1911 gunsmiths.
STI. I have several STI guns and a couple built on STI frames. The difference in quality between a Para and an STI is huge. Several of the major gunsmiths and aftermarket parts mfgs are carrying special parts lines for Paras because the failure rate is so high, particularly front and rear sights (fall off, won't stay on), barrel bushings, slide stops. One prominant 'smith won't do a trigger job on a Para without replacing the entire trigger group because the metal is so soft. Paras are also known to quickly peen loose because the frames are so soft (RC 16!). On the plus side, I like their magazines better than the STIs. True Todd Jarrett wins with a Para but I know for a fact his frames are hand picked at the factory. I have many friends with Paras. Some have been unable to get a decent trigger job because the holes are drilled so far off. One guy had to get a custom made sear spring, another a specially drilled sear.
BTW, my first limited gun was a Para P16 and 'till I replaced all the stuff with good parts, I had as much in the gun as if I bought an STI in the first place. The difference was I was able to spread the cost out over a period of time that way.
BTW, my first limited gun was a Para P16 and 'till I replaced all the stuff with good parts, I had as much in the gun as if I bought an STI in the first place. The difference was I was able to spread the cost out over a period of time that way.
In reply to kbear38S's comments,
I don't think Paras are all that bad. Granted, I don't know what you put your pistols through- I haven't put multi thousands of rounds through a Para, nor do I compete in IPSC regularly.
I've put approx. 2k rounds through a P13 and have had no problems to date. No signs of the slide or frame wearing prematurely. However, the P13 is bone stock, with fixed sights that have not come loose.
The one thing I really don't like about Paras is the crappy parkerized finish they use on the frame. The slide has a polymer finish that is fairly corrosion-resistant, but the parkerized frame rusts any time you expose it to humid conditions, along with the other little parts like the hammer, slide release and the thumb safety. I plan on replacing those parts w/ stainless parts and having the frame refinished eventually because of the corrosion problem.
I don't think Paras are all that bad. Granted, I don't know what you put your pistols through- I haven't put multi thousands of rounds through a Para, nor do I compete in IPSC regularly.
I've put approx. 2k rounds through a P13 and have had no problems to date. No signs of the slide or frame wearing prematurely. However, the P13 is bone stock, with fixed sights that have not come loose.
The one thing I really don't like about Paras is the crappy parkerized finish they use on the frame. The slide has a polymer finish that is fairly corrosion-resistant, but the parkerized frame rusts any time you expose it to humid conditions, along with the other little parts like the hammer, slide release and the thumb safety. I plan on replacing those parts w/ stainless parts and having the frame refinished eventually because of the corrosion problem.