Para Ordnance C6.45 LDA REVIEW - Page 2

Hawkman · May 8, 2002, 03:29 PM

Wonder if my new one has the "beefed up" version.

Inspector Callahan · May 9, 2002, 09:51 AM

I really appreciate this honest review folks. I'm still trying to help my wife figure out what CCW pistol to get. We've pretty much settled on the Sig P239 in 9mm. My Dillon press, however, is set up for .45acp and it would be nice if we could find the right .45 for her. This Para was on the list until I re-read this thread. Peening? Broken guide rod? I think not.

Thanks again.

VVG · May 9, 2002, 01:58 PM

The answer to the question

SIG P245

Hawkman · May 9, 2002, 03:33 PM

Gotta admit it's darned close!

Betty · May 29, 2002, 02:45 PM

SMALL UPDATE:

Got my replacement recoil system in the mail yesterday, but I won't be able to test it until the next weekend. And even then, only time can tell if this part will hold up.

Today, G. Wedge from QC at Para called me up to follow up on the problem. (That was very nice of him to call!) Told him I hadn't been able to test the new part, and asked what was beefed up. He said the new part wasn't exactly "beefed up", but they have a new guy working on those parts who's extra meticulous. He went on to say that my broken part was most likely the result of a bad production day and my bad part was rare and that the recoil system they've been using has been the same since 1994 with no problems.

Make that at least two rare cases, with a member on 1911forums.com checking his full size Para after reading my thread, only to discover the same part was loosening and rotating. He is being sent a replacement part also.

Oleg had also told me that he has seen a couple full-size Para's shoot their guide rods out the front too, but cannot say whether the bushing cracked or the same problem as mine happened.

Why can't I test my pistol this weekend? I'm not headed in that direction because I'm going to the local gunshow. I've had my eyes on a HK USP Compact. You can't have too many .45's, and after testing both, I might choose one over the other.

Redlg155 · May 29, 2002, 08:02 PM

Perhaps Wolff will come out with a replacement spring set and guide rod that replaces the captured set on your para ord. They might even have one in the works, although I can't find any C series LDA springs in their catalog. It should be worth giving them a call to check.

It sucks to have to think of aftermarket parts to cure an ailment, but if it is otherwise a sound pistol it would be worth the investment for peace of mind.

Good SHooting
RED

Richard · May 29, 2002, 11:48 PM

I own and shoot a Para 12 (LDA) and I describe the recoil as snappy. It isn't more than other 45acp pistols just sharper. I started out really liking the Para 12 (LDA) as it has a great trigger, is accurate, and carries 10-12 rounds. The more I carried and shot it the less I liked the grip. It just doen't feel right in my size 12 hands. What am I carrying at the moment? I picked up a used S&W 457 and it seems to work better for me. Regards, Richard

PS I have had no bobbles or peening after about 250 rounds.

Betty · June 10, 2002, 02:28 PM

UPDATE:

My 6.45 has gone through at least 150 more rounds. The new recoil system seems to work fine, but only time will tell. But now I have a new problem:

This happened once before, but I dismissed it as "factory grease still stuck in there" and the gun was new. Now I know that's not the case.

After cleaning and reassembling the pistol, I racked the slide and dry-fired (I don't recall the manual saying dry-firing is inadvisable). Then I racked it again, and the firing pin stop fell out. The firing pin shot forward, sticking like that, allowing the stop to detatch and come out. I'm glad I didn't lose any parts; I was down in the grass on my hands and knees the first time!

I emailed G. Wedge at Para this morning.

Anybody have this happen before or can explain this?

SlackO · September 27, 2002, 01:30 PM

I've had a 14.45 LDA for several years and it was my understanding (not sure if it was in my manual of arms or where I heard it) that it is very bad to dry fire any LDA and even worse to pull the trigger with it disassembled (may require factory work to fix).

I'll see if I can find my manual... there may be something on their website too.

cor-man · October 28, 2002, 02:47 AM

bumpity bump bump
bumpity bump bump
look at that Frosty go...

CastleBravo · October 28, 2002, 09:04 AM

Runt,

Maybe a bad firing pin spring would do that? That's the only thing I can think of... very strange malfunction. Then again, it IS a Para Ordinance, so you shouldn't expect any better from them. I never got my P14-45 to work at all & sold it for scrap metal.

Betty · October 28, 2002, 09:24 AM

SMALL UPDATE:

I've long since traded the Para to my brother, who loves the little gun. He knows the history behind the pistol, but has not had any problems with it (but he hasn't shot it alot since the replacement parts).

I did buy an HK USPc in .45, and that's what I carry now.

w1mnk · October 28, 2002, 12:00 PM

To quote Gov. LePetomain (Mel Brooks, Blazing Saddles) "work work work". I've got a C6.45 and a P245 in the Ft Knox, unfired. Darn job. What a paradox; it gives me the $$ to buy guns, but not the time.

Sorry for the above. Monday blues. Question: Should I contact Para about the updated parts before firing? Or wait until it fails? This reminds me of the Glock E series saga.

cor-man · October 28, 2002, 11:40 PM

Quote:

runt_of_the_litter
I did buy an HK USPc in .45, and that's what I carry now.

pics of you with your new .45?

have Oleg take one and post a link

Oleg Volk · October 29, 2002, 10:00 AM

there's a bunch of images in http://www.olegvolk.net/newphotos/tn/?M=D but you got to go find them, I don't have the time today.

May 9, 2002, 01:58 PM	#28
VVG Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2001 Location: Boston Posts: 645	The answer to the question SIG P245 Last edited by VVG; May 10, 2002 at 04:41 PM.

October 29, 2002, 10:00 AM	#40
Oleg Volk Staff Alumnus Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 7,022	there's a bunch of images in http://www.olegvolk.net/newphotos/tn/?M=D but you got to go find them, I don't have the time today. __________________ Oleg "peacemonger" Volk blog.olevolk.net

May 8, 2002, 03:29 PM	#26
Hawkman Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2000 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 447	Wonder if my new one has the "beefed up" version.

May 9, 2002, 09:51 AM	#27
Inspector Callahan Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2001 Location: Virginia Posts: 372	I really appreciate this honest review folks. I'm still trying to help my wife figure out what CCW pistol to get. We've pretty much settled on the Sig P239 in 9mm. My Dillon press, however, is set up for .45acp and it would be nice if we could find the right .45 for her. This Para was on the list until I re-read this thread. Peening? Broken guide rod? I think not. Thanks again.

May 9, 2002, 03:33 PM	#29
Hawkman Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2000 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 447	Gotta admit it's darned close!

May 29, 2002, 02:45 PM	#30
Betty Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2000 Location: southern U.S. Posts: 1,807	SMALL UPDATE: Got my replacement recoil system in the mail yesterday, but I won't be able to test it until the next weekend. And even then, only time can tell if this part will hold up. Today, G. Wedge from QC at Para called me up to follow up on the problem. (That was very nice of him to call!) Told him I hadn't been able to test the new part, and asked what was beefed up. He said the new part wasn't exactly "beefed up", but they have a new guy working on those parts who's extra meticulous. He went on to say that my broken part was most likely the result of a bad production day and my bad part was rare and that the recoil system they've been using has been the same since 1994 with no problems. Make that at least two rare cases, with a member on 1911forums.com checking his full size Para after reading my thread, only to discover the same part was loosening and rotating. He is being sent a replacement part also. Oleg had also told me that he has seen a couple full-size Para's shoot their guide rods out the front too, but cannot say whether the bushing cracked or the same problem as mine happened. Why can't I test my pistol this weekend? I'm not headed in that direction because I'm going to the local gunshow. I've had my eyes on a HK USP Compact. You can't have too many .45's, and after testing both, I might choose one over the other.

May 29, 2002, 08:02 PM	#31
Redlg155 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2001 Location: NW Florida Posts: 2,307	Perhaps Wolff will come out with a replacement spring set and guide rod that replaces the captured set on your para ord. They might even have one in the works, although I can't find any C series LDA springs in their catalog. It should be worth giving them a call to check. It sucks to have to think of aftermarket parts to cure an ailment, but if it is otherwise a sound pistol it would be worth the investment for peace of mind. Good SHooting RED

May 29, 2002, 11:48 PM	#32
Richard Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 1,305	I own and shoot a Para 12 (LDA) and I describe the recoil as snappy. It isn't more than other 45acp pistols just sharper. I started out really liking the Para 12 (LDA) as it has a great trigger, is accurate, and carries 10-12 rounds. The more I carried and shot it the less I liked the grip. It just doen't feel right in my size 12 hands. What am I carrying at the moment? I picked up a used S&W 457 and it seems to work better for me. Regards, Richard PS I have had no bobbles or peening after about 250 rounds.

June 10, 2002, 02:28 PM	#33
Betty Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2000 Location: southern U.S. Posts: 1,807	UPDATE: My 6.45 has gone through at least 150 more rounds. The new recoil system seems to work fine, but only time will tell. But now I have a new problem: This happened once before, but I dismissed it as "factory grease still stuck in there" and the gun was new. Now I know that's not the case. After cleaning and reassembling the pistol, I racked the slide and dry-fired (I don't recall the manual saying dry-firing is inadvisable). Then I racked it again, and the firing pin stop fell out. The firing pin shot forward, sticking like that, allowing the stop to detatch and come out. I'm glad I didn't lose any parts; I was down in the grass on my hands and knees the first time! I emailed G. Wedge at Para this morning. Anybody have this happen before or can explain this?

September 27, 2002, 01:30 PM	#34
SlackO Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 1999 Posts: 345	I've had a 14.45 LDA for several years and it was my understanding (not sure if it was in my manual of arms or where I heard it) that it is very bad to dry fire any LDA and even worse to pull the trigger with it disassembled (may require factory work to fix). I'll see if I can find my manual... there may be something on their website too.

October 28, 2002, 02:47 AM	#35
cor-man Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2002 Location: KY Posts: 137	bumpity bump bump bumpity bump bump look at that Frosty go...

October 28, 2002, 09:04 AM	#36
CastleBravo Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 1999 Posts: 2,144	Runt, Maybe a bad firing pin spring would do that? That's the only thing I can think of... very strange malfunction. Then again, it IS a Para Ordinance, so you shouldn't expect any better from them. I never got my P14-45 to work at all & sold it for scrap metal.

October 28, 2002, 09:24 AM	#37
Betty Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2000 Location: southern U.S. Posts: 1,807	SMALL UPDATE: I've long since traded the Para to my brother, who loves the little gun. He knows the history behind the pistol, but has not had any problems with it (but he hasn't shot it alot since the replacement parts). I did buy an HK USPc in .45, and that's what I carry now.

October 28, 2002, 12:00 PM	#38
w1mnk Member Join Date: February 27, 2002 Location: Brandon, FL Posts: 24	To quote Gov. LePetomain (Mel Brooks, Blazing Saddles) "work work work". I've got a C6.45 and a P245 in the Ft Knox, unfired. Darn job. What a paradox; it gives me the $$ to buy guns, but not the time. Sorry for the above. Monday blues. Question: Should I contact Para about the updated parts before firing? Or wait until it fails? This reminds me of the Glock E series saga.