Para Ordnance: customers beware

[Bruce Withers]

I purchased a Para 12.45 LDA, 3 1/2" barrel, double stack, double action in stainless about 2 years ago for the out-the-door price of $853 dollars. Shoots great, feels great, no jams and I absolutely loved it - till now. The recoil spring guide has some heavy wear on it and will probably fail soon. No problem; purchased a new one from Brownells with the part # Para said to use. Wrong part comes, shaft was way too long. Call Para again (long distance) and gave model and serial number to Sarah. She jumps right on it and says proper part coming in mail. No part ever came. Called again for apologies and 2 days later the package comes with the "proper parts". Not the case, not even close to a fit. One more call to Customer Service and Sarah says she'll have it researched and parts will ship. Oh-oh. Two days later a letter arrives and Cari Riffy at Warranty Center writes: "I regret informing you that we no longer manufacture the recoil spring guide for your model pistol". But, you can call Brownells and order it from them. Yeah right. Well this is great; I can't get a part for a 2 year old pistol. I really didn't want to have to pay for a 'smith to custom fabricate a part (cut down the standard length 1911 guide rod to 5/8” and round it) but it's either that or no gun. For now I'm one unhappy customer. Bruce

[SMMAssociates]

Bruce:

I'm a happy Para owner and frequent defender....

Even with some insane problems with magazines....

(Tac-Four)

However, this is a shocker....

I don't know that model well enough to be sure, but if it's got a solid guide rod (instead of that multi-part screw-together one), an ordinary hacksaw and a file should do the job on a longer rod without problems. 'Course, not everybody is equipped to do that sort of work, and you really shouldn't have to pay somebody to do it anyway....

Brownells seems to have EVERYTHING, but you do need the right part number. Their people don't seem to know what's there either....

Their website shows:
199 000 116
and
199 000 318 (Stainless)

that should fit if I read things right. Either of those?

(It's even more fun with the Tac-Four.... I'm not sure what it is at times when trying to find parts based on the weapon's ID.)

You might want to talk to George Wedge at Para. Perhaps he can help....

[JCM298]

Bruce Withers,

Give George Wedge a call or send him an e-mail. He helped me when I had a problem.

Another source of parts is Dawson Precision or check with Hunter Custom, who is a wealth of info about Para's,

John

[SMMAssociates]

Forgot to post:

George Wedge is at "gwedge@paraord.com"....

I don't know if mentioning my name would be of value or not. He's probably still laughing about my problem with the firing pin block spring on my Tac-Four.

(Moral: Don't remove the rear sight without looking out for the spring. I thought it broke. It flew out of there when the sight came loose - my fault - at the range.... :o )

[John]

George Wedge is officially appointed by Thanos Polyzos, to act as the technical man in M1911.ORG. I know that this sounds a bit too ... official, but it is true, I had asked Thanos for someone of his team to participate in our discussions (well, the Mailing List discussions), and George was assigned this task, so you may contact him and see if he can help you out.

Rgds

[SMMAssociates]

George Wedge is officially appointed by Thanos Polyzos, to act as the technical man in M1911.ORG. I know that this sounds a bit too ... official, but it is true, I had asked Thanos for someone of his team to participate in our discussions (well, the Mailing List discussions), and George was assigned this task, so you may contact him and see if he can help you out.Uh-oh.... I'm going to have to start saying nicer things about George.... :eek:

I didn't know that he was "here" - that's good.

(Nice move getting him here, too!)

Regards,

[Bruce Withers]

Just got a package today from Para containing the correct recoil spring guide. No note or explanation, just the part. Apparently somebody there must read the forums, or whatever. All I know is that I’m a happy camper again. Thanks Para Ordnance, Bruce

[SMMAssociates]

Nice to get a present once in a while....

I suppose somebody could be reading the board, or one of your prior contacts lit off something.

IAC, hope it works out.

(I just sent my daughter my "Wish List" - from Brownells. This could get interesting. She'll likely send me to Victoria's Secrets. Not that I wouldn't enjoy the view, but the wife, who wants a leather coat, lacks the necessary sense of humor for me to visit Vickie other than online.... At least she understands how I got on their mailing list. Right, the kid also knows how to order online, but guess who's name is on the VISA.... My mom's on their list too. The kid was showing her how to work AOL and....)

Regards,

[robertbank]

Glad to see Para Service came through. The company, in my experience, goes out of it's way to satisfy customers. They want your business which is not surprising without it they have no business.