1911 Para-Ordnance 18.9

Eppie · February 19, 2012, 11:53 PM

Hi Guys,
I have been considering buying a 1911 with a 5" barrel in 9mm for fun shooting at the range. I know that for some it is heresy to mention a 1911 in any caliber other then .45, but they need to get over it.

What's not to like about the most popular gun model in history chambered in the most popular caliber in history?

The kicker is, I am also looking a high capacity magazine, after all the whole point of 9mm is high capacity. My research shows me that the only mid priced gun that fits my criteria is a Para P18.9. STI Eagle seems like a good gun but cost nearly twice as much as Para. What am I missing?

All advice is appreciated.

Rugerismisticness · February 20, 2012, 07:36 AM

The P18.9 is amazing, especially considering the price. The trigger is excellent at 5lbs and no creep, it's 1.5" 25yard accurate, the slide to frame to barrel fit is optimal, and the dawson sights rock. Mine hasn't had a single issue. I changed the bushing on mine when I first got it, just because the original had machine marks (the rest of the pistol has no marks at all). I put in a nighthawk bushing that works well.

**Aguila Blanca** · February 20, 2012, 11:49 AM

I am a Para fan and I think the P18.9 is a great pistol (although I stick to .45 Automatic). That said, if price is a consideration I believe Armscor/Rock Island has just introduced a 9mm version of their double stack 1911.

shortwave · February 20, 2012, 01:21 PM

Agree with Ruger and Aguila.

Although, I too prefer the 45cal, the P18.9 is a lot of gun for the $.

Have owned/own several Paras in different configurations and have only had trouble with one. Not a P18.9 but a Carry Companion LDA C7.45.
Contrary to what many say, I had a wonderful dealing with Para CS on this one issue.

G. Freeman · February 20, 2012, 02:39 PM

The P18-9 should be a good buy, especially since all 2012 produced guns will now come with the EGW HD extractor. If you purchese the SX model, then it will also come with G-10 grips and ionbond finish on the slide.

But, it has to be a 2012 produced pistol. So I would wait a little if I were you. There should still be a lot of last years guns in dealer's warehouses.

Eppie · February 21, 2012, 04:23 PM

Thanks for your response guys. Blanca, I appreciate your suggestion about Armscor, unfortunately their 9mm hi cap is a bit of vaporware. Apparently it was announced six months ago, shipped a few and then stopped because they were supposed to be coming out with Micromag. But the Nevada office said that they haven't received any in six months and don't know when they will get any.

The Armscor Micromag is supposed to include a 9mm barrel and .22TCM (2,300 FPS) barrel. See http://canward.com/Rock-Island-Armor...l?review=write

Also some guys on YouTube are complaining about Armscor hammer bite. Another person that had one on Texas Gun Trader traded it away. He said that it was a $300 gun priced at $400. He bought himself a Taurus. That's why I decided to up the ante for a Para. The picking is really slim for a hi cap 1911 and I can understand it, after all you can get a Glock 34 (5 1/3" barrel) for $600.

The 1911 market seems to be a little irrational, but some people will pay extra to get what they want. I went ahead and ordered the Para and at $1,000 (delivered) it is the most I've ever paid for a pistol. Probably will stop my collection right there.

shortwave · February 21, 2012, 05:48 PM

Congrats! ...and don't forget to post pics when you get it.

Rugerismisticness · February 21, 2012, 05:54 PM

I feel the same way, it's my most expensive pistol as well. I payed 920$ about a year ago. Armscor is great for someone looking for a tool (or maybe a glock would be better alocated to here), but a fine 1911 is something else.

Eppie · February 25, 2012, 10:10 PM

Here's my new Para 18.9 barely broken in with 200 rounds down the pipe. I had a few FTE but I believe with a little polishing and use things will be fine. If not I'll send it back for servicing.

The irony of this purchase is that I normally wouldn't buy a shiny gun. But the black STI version of this gun would have cost me $2,000. So I decided to keep a $1,000 an live with the stainless. It's only going to be used as a range gun anyway.

shortwave · February 25, 2012, 10:45 PM

Very nice.

FWIW, you probably know but, make sure you clean your mags as well.

Eppie · February 25, 2012, 10:58 PM

No Shortwave, I've never bother to clean mags. I just never thought about it. But I can see your point now. I appreciate your suggestion.

shortwave · February 26, 2012, 12:46 AM

Just don't oil the insides. Collects to much dirt.

Captain Slow · March 1, 2012, 02:20 PM

Linked to this thread from your other post on 9mm 1911s. I have a 18.9 and love it. It's a dream to shoot. Compared to my Springfield, I find the Para to be a bit more sensitive to cleaning. It runs great when it's clean, but put more than a few hundred rounds down her and she starts getting a little finicky. It's just a range toy, so that's not really a worry for me - just more of an observation.

February 19, 2012, 11:53 PM	#1
Eppie Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 802	1911 Para-Ordnance 18.9 Hi Guys, I have been considering buying a 1911 with a 5" barrel in 9mm for fun shooting at the range. I know that for some it is heresy to mention a 1911 in any caliber other then .45, but they need to get over it. What's not to like about the most popular gun model in history chambered in the most popular caliber in history? The kicker is, I am also looking a high capacity magazine, after all the whole point of 9mm is high capacity. My research shows me that the only mid priced gun that fits my criteria is a Para P18.9. STI Eagle seems like a good gun but cost nearly twice as much as Para. What am I missing? All advice is appreciated.

February 20, 2012, 11:49 AM	#3
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,459	I am a Para fan and I think the P18.9 is a great pistol (although I stick to .45 Automatic). That said, if price is a consideration I believe Armscor/Rock Island has just introduced a 9mm version of their double stack 1911. Last edited by Aguila Blanca; February 20, 2012 at 06:15 PM.

February 25, 2012, 10:10 PM	#9
Eppie Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 802	Here's my new Para 18.9 barely broken in with 200 rounds down the pipe. I had a few FTE but I believe with a little polishing and use things will be fine. If not I'll send it back for servicing. The irony of this purchase is that I normally wouldn't buy a shiny gun. But the black STI version of this gun would have cost me $2,000. So I decided to keep a $1,000 an live with the stainless. It's only going to be used as a range gun anyway. __________________ "Socialized Medicine is the Keystone to the Arch of the Socialist State.” -Vladimir Lenin "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." - Thomas Jefferson (An early warning to Obama care) Last edited by Eppie; February 25, 2012 at 11:10 PM.

February 25, 2012, 10:58 PM	#11
Eppie Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 802	No Shortwave, I've never bother to clean mags. I just never thought about it. But I can see your point now. I appreciate your suggestion. __________________ "Socialized Medicine is the Keystone to the Arch of the Socialist State.” -Vladimir Lenin "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." - Thomas Jefferson (An early warning to Obama care)

February 20, 2012, 07:36 AM	#2
Rugerismisticness Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Posts: 909	The P18.9 is amazing, especially considering the price. The trigger is excellent at 5lbs and no creep, it's 1.5" 25yard accurate, the slide to frame to barrel fit is optimal, and the dawson sights rock. Mine hasn't had a single issue. I changed the bushing on mine when I first got it, just because the original had machine marks (the rest of the pistol has no marks at all). I put in a nighthawk bushing that works well.

February 20, 2012, 01:21 PM	#4
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	Agree with Ruger and Aguila. Although, I too prefer the 45cal, the P18.9 is a lot of gun for the $. Have owned/own several Paras in different configurations and have only had trouble with one. Not a P18.9 but a Carry Companion LDA C7.45. Contrary to what many say, I had a wonderful dealing with Para CS on this one issue.

February 20, 2012, 02:39 PM	#5
G. Freeman Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2001 Location: Walnut, California Posts: 155	The P18-9 should be a good buy, especially since all 2012 produced guns will now come with the EGW HD extractor. If you purchese the SX model, then it will also come with G-10 grips and ionbond finish on the slide. But, it has to be a 2012 produced pistol. So I would wait a little if I were you. There should still be a lot of last years guns in dealer's warehouses.

February 21, 2012, 04:23 PM	#6
Eppie Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 802	Thanks for your response guys. Blanca, I appreciate your suggestion about Armscor, unfortunately their 9mm hi cap is a bit of vaporware. Apparently it was announced six months ago, shipped a few and then stopped because they were supposed to be coming out with Micromag. But the Nevada office said that they haven't received any in six months and don't know when they will get any. The Armscor Micromag is supposed to include a 9mm barrel and .22TCM (2,300 FPS) barrel. See http://canward.com/Rock-Island-Armor...l?review=write Also some guys on YouTube are complaining about Armscor hammer bite. Another person that had one on Texas Gun Trader traded it away. He said that it was a $300 gun priced at $400. He bought himself a Taurus. That's why I decided to up the ante for a Para. The picking is really slim for a hi cap 1911 and I can understand it, after all you can get a Glock 34 (5 1/3" barrel) for $600. The 1911 market seems to be a little irrational, but some people will pay extra to get what they want. I went ahead and ordered the Para and at $1,000 (delivered) it is the most I've ever paid for a pistol. Probably will stop my collection right there.

February 21, 2012, 05:48 PM	#7
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	Congrats! ...and don't forget to post pics when you get it.

February 21, 2012, 05:54 PM	#8
Rugerismisticness Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Posts: 909	I feel the same way, it's my most expensive pistol as well. I payed 920$ about a year ago. Armscor is great for someone looking for a tool (or maybe a glock would be better alocated to here), but a fine 1911 is something else.

February 25, 2012, 10:45 PM	#10
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	Very nice. FWIW, you probably know but, make sure you clean your mags as well.

February 26, 2012, 12:46 AM	#12
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	Just don't oil the insides. Collects to much dirt.

March 1, 2012, 02:20 PM	#13
Captain Slow Member Join Date: April 5, 2010 Posts: 19	Linked to this thread from your other post on 9mm 1911s. I have a 18.9 and love it. It's a dream to shoot. Compared to my Springfield, I find the Para to be a bit more sensitive to cleaning. It runs great when it's clean, but put more than a few hundred rounds down her and she starts getting a little finicky. It's just a range toy, so that's not really a worry for me - just more of an observation.