Para-Ordinance 12 LDA 45Cal

[dwight_frye]

Just wondering what you guys think of para-ordiance guns in general? The new Doa carry 12 looks intersting. I've always wanted a 45 cal and

   love the 1911 model but never felt comfortable

   with cocked and locked...i have the colt gov't

   pocket lite in .380 which i love and it shoots

   great but i never carry becuase of cocked and locked...i do sometimes carry without one in

   the barrel. I wish there was someway to convert this little gun to DA....Anyway just wondering

   about the qulity etc on the Para

[lynnkcircle]

I felt the same way you did until I began shooting and carrying a 1911-style .45 (Kimber CDP Pro).  I now believe my own reluctance (and others) about "cocked and locked" is more our own psychological fear than reality.  I've tested my Kimber (with snap caps, of course).  It cannot fire with the safety on.  More importantly, it cannot fire with the safety OFF and the grip safety not firmly held.  That means the gun simply cannot fire unless someone is holding it and intending to fire it.

   

   The best safety is still the one between our ears.  Moreover, I am far more accurate faster with the SA 1911-style trigger than I ever was with any SA/DA gun. That gives  me a lot more confidence if push ever comes to shove.

   

   Having said all that, everything I have ever heard about the Para-Ordinance guns has been uniformly favorable.  Certainly, although I haven't fired it, their trigger must be far better than a standard double-action, and probably as good as a DA/SA in single action.  But one more caveat -- twelve rounds of .45ACP is going to get awfully heavy fast if you carry it all day!

[woodstockdoug]

The gun store I go to always has a fair (40 to 50) selection of used guns, at pretty good prices, and they go FAST.  If I see one I like, and I don't buy it, it's gone the next day.  So when I was there the other day, and I saw the Para C7 .45 LDA, it seemed like a great gun, and a good deal ($525) and it looked brand new, so I bought it.  THEN I researched it to find out what I'd bought.

   

   The reason I bought it was because the trigger is like a feather, and it fits my hand beautifully, and I really like the safeties... first, that it has them, and second, that they are really easy to click off.  The slide pull isn't too hard, it locks back when you fire the last round (I love that feature)it has beautifully clear 3 dot night sights, and, although it isn't a small gun, it isn't too big, either.  I actually got a DeSantis pocket holster for it for $15 that hides it in my jeans pocket.  Unbelievable, but it actually fits, and disappears, but is still very accessible to draw since it sits so high in the pocket.

   

   Every single web site and review of it, and the opinions of my friends, are all favorable.  There were two reviews where people said good things about the gun, but also said that they sold it because it wasn't right for them... but even those did say lots of good things about it.  At the store, when I bought it, one of the other customers couldn't shut up about what a great gun it was... said that he spent a few years on a Florida SWAT team, and that was the handgun he carried the whole time... said he was issued a Smith and Wesson and left it in the locker, and carried his own Para instead.  

   

   I haven't fired it yet... Monday I get to try it out.  One of my shooting buddies, who used to be a gunsmith, assured me that once I fire it, I'll never want to shoot any of my other guns again, especially the ones with heavy trigger pulls.  I can't wait.  

   

   In the meantime, I have to say that it sure does feel good to have a .45 in my hand.

   Peace (through superior firepower)

   Woodstock Doug

[mrj4420]

The Para LDA is unique on the market.  It has a great trigger and is quite accurate in all configurations I've shot.  My wife works for a gun range which is a Para dealer and we have several in the rental case.  Our experience is that the Paras require more frequent warranty maint than Glock, S&W, Ruger and Taurus.  We have only had problems with the LDA.  The single action Paras seem to hold up much better.

   

   John

[ltgpete]

I have recently inherited a 12.45. I have fired it and it will soon become my carry weapon. I am not a hand gun novice but I cannot figure out how to field strip the slide assembly. Can some one walk me through this. Thanks

[richardb]

Do you have a copy of the owners manual?  

   

   If not they are at http://www.paraord.com/pages/information.html">http://www.paraord.com/pages/information.html