STI vs. Para

[ToeBall]

I've been around guns for a while. I cary a Walther P99 9mm. I'm thinking about building a Range/Home Defense/SHTF gun. What I want is a black, double stack, full size, with night sites. I could go out and pick up a Glock 21, but I'm not thrilled with the ergonomics. Alot of my friends are Glock junkies but, while reliable, they're not the most comfortable (hence my P99 QA, 6000 rounds with not 1 feed/exctact/fire issue).

I think a 1911 is the way to go. Seems like if you make them properly and don't mess with them, they just work, which is what I want. Anyway, I've handled a Para before and while not thrilling, it's not an unacceptable gun. I didn't care for the LDA trigger though. I've been told the STI is lighter and thinner which I do like if it's true. If I do that I'd probably wind up buying a frame kit and turning it over to a buddy of mine who's a smith at Briley's to turn into a working unit.

Now my question is, what are the potential issues I'm likely to run into going with each? If I go with the Para, most likely it'd be the P14-45. I'd have to replace the sights. Of course, if I got the STI/Briley route I'd have to get some of everything but I could pretty much choose the exact setup I want, though I'd still run as many stock parts as possible for interchangability.

[hitachifixer]

If you buy a frame kit, you will get just that, a frame, a trigger and a mag catch. Even the short block kits don`t have any more pieces in them.
I have a gunsmith built 2011 in .40. It is by far the best gun for the money I`ve ever had.
I think the Para mag is better than stock STI mags. I have some from Dawson Precision that they tuned and have had zero problems with. I put about 300 to 400 rounds a week through it.

[Hawkmoon]

I would be very surprised if the STI could possibly be thinner than the Para, since the Para double stack grip is less than 1/10" thicker than a standard Colt single action grip. And, of course, Para makes a number of single action models; you don't HAVE to buy an LDA.

Why would you have to change out the sights if you buy a Para?

[John]

Agree with Hawkmoon. Para would be my selection. And the P14 (all PO pistols actually) come with very serviceable sights. Why do you want to change them?

[ToeBall]

After having night sights on my P99 I've just gotten spoiled by it. And you can get a set of Novak sights with tridium inserts. I'd even put a tridium front sight post on my AR-15 eventually if it wasn't for the fact that I run a red dot on it. Now, here's a thought, if someone with A stock P14 and someone with an STI double stack would measure their grip width, it would prove/disprove something I've been told as fact, be it true or not. If I were to go the Para route it'd be the Midnight Blue P14-45.

[hitachifixer]

The STI 2011 grip frame is exactly 1.28 inches wide. Don`t forget they also have a reduced diameter grip set up also.

[Hawkmoon]

Single stack 1911 (Caspian frame, wood double diamond grips): 1.292"

Para-Ord P13 (stock Para grips): 1.321"

Hitchifixer, are you certain of your measurement? You've got a double stack that's THINNER than a standard single stack? Of course, how critical is it anyway? From the STI to the Para we're talking about a difference of 0.041", and from the standard 1911 to the Para we're talking only 0.029"

What's really different about the double stacks is that the maximum width carries farther forward. The double stack magazine requires that the front part of the grip be more squared off, so rather than a more or less oval shape like a single stack, the grip on a double stack is more like a rectangle with radiused corners.

[John]

I would like to see a comparison of the circumference of the grips, instead of just the width.

[hitachifixer]

John is exactly right, the circumfrence of the STI will be greater than the single stack, width doesn`t tell the whole story.
Also don`t forget there are no grips on an STI, so if you are using thick grips on a single stack, makes a big difference.

[Young-Kiwi]

Having smaller hands, it's a big deal for me....

I tried a bunch of pistols, STI, Para, etc to find one that suits. I purchased the BUL M5, because even though it takes the same magazines as the STI and Para, the grip is smaller, and better suited for me.

The BUL is imported into the US in a number of guises. I think Kimber uses the frames.

Just my 2 cents.

[ToeBall]

I've palmed the Kimber Ten II and I really don't care for the feel. I know it's purely subjective, but just not for me.

[Rotorflyr]

The BUL is imported into the US in a number of guises. I think Kimber uses the frames.

The BUL M5 is sold here in the US as the Charles Daly M5.
As I recall it, Kimber Used to use the frame but no longer does, though the one they use now is supposedly similar.

[Young-Kiwi]

Ah OK, looking around the site the Kimber looks a very different grip.

I agree with the subjective part, how I picked the BUL M5 picked up a bunch of wide body 1911's and knew before I fired any, which was best (for me)

I guess the Charles Daly's are little hard to find, just to play with.