Pics wanted: P-13 w/o grip panels

[kjhof]

I have a weird request--could someone post a side view pic of a P-13.45 with the grip panel on that side removed? Don't ask why--I just have a bizarre idea in mind. Thanks in advance.

[SMMAssociates]

Try:

Entreprise (http://www.entreprise.com/Catalog.htm)

Select "Handguns", and then "Frames".... There are some pics of bare frames there.

Not specifically Para, but they sure look like the Para's.

The P-13 is an "Officers" grip length - about a quarter inch shorter than the GM 1911, but that's about the only major difference outside of LDA models. The LDA's don't have the cutouts for the trigger bow, and are missing a good piece of the right side rails on the frame.

I'm afraid to ask what you're up to :eek: , but this might be simpler than calling Para.

Regards,

[kjhof]

I'm afraid to ask what you're up to :eek: , but this might be simpler than calling Para.

Yeah, you don't want to know :D . Thanks, that helps.

[Hawkmoon]

Try logging onto the Para web site (www.paraord.com). Go to the Catalog section, then look for the entry for the Gunsmith Kit. This is their double stack frame for converting existing single stack guns. I believe the picture shows a bare frame with no grips. It'll be a P14 not a P13, but that may be as close as you're going to find.

[kjhof]

Thanks, Hawkmoon--although on Para's website, the only imgage I saw of the gunsmith frame had grip panels on, and in the catalog, I couldn't find any mention of the gunsmith frame at all (may just have missed it).
I might as well say why I was interested--you guys seem nice enough, and I guess I'm thick skinned enough to handle being told how stupid my pet ideas are. Anyway, for concealment purposes, I like the idea of a short grip frame. For other reasons (reliability mostly, but also for sight radius and velocity) I want to keep the barrel at 4 1/4" or longer. Now, my understanding is that the frame rails and dustcover are the same length on the P-12 and P-13, so it should be easy enough to build a hybrid, with a P-13 slide on a P-12 frame. But (here's where I get reallly stupid)...what if you wanted an even shorter grip frame, a la P-10 (or Warthog, but I like steel)? I think the slide rails on the frame would be too short, as would the dustcover. So I was thinking you could cut the grip frame on a P-13 down to P-10 length, and use Warthog rear frame components (grip safety, MSH, etc.). Only problem I can see with that is that you wouldn't have a grip panel bushing and screw hole at the bottom (oh, you'd need to drill a new MSH pin hole, but no big deal). I was thinking you could just drill a new hole and install a bushing, but I think the "window" cutouts in the frame would prevent that. I wanted to see a picture to verify that. Thanks

[SMMAssociates]

you guys seem nice enough, Boy are you in for it....

Seriously, I think all the newer Para double-stack frames have the round cutouts.

Somebody, somewhere, somewhen, suggested filling the holes in (not the end of the world on a steel frame), but that may be more work than you want to do.

I'm not sure that I'd bother.... My preference is still for the longer barrels. I shoot 'em better, and in the 1911 world, 4" and up seem to be more likely to be reliable. Putting a smaller "handle" on the gun would improve concealment, of course, but....

My double stack Tac-Four's grip frame is exactly same size - if you count the rather large plastic magazine base - as a Commander.

But the Tac-Four's grip frame is essentially square, while the Commander's grip frame + grips make an oval. I find that the Comander conceals just a little better - the "line" made by the grip frame is less pronounced.

Both guns have aftermarket grips - the Para's got Pearce "finger groove" grips, and the Commander has a Pachmayr "Signature" grip. Both grips increase the size of the overall package a bit, but it's kind of even.

This isn't an unsound idea, IMHO.... The longer barrel has some major advantages, but maybe playing with holsters would let you use a P13 "as is".

Regards,

[kjhof]

Thanks Stu,
The idea still intrigues me, but I'm unlikely to pursue it anytime very soon--call this a very preliminary "feasibility study."

[gottripletsNC]

and I thought I was nuts....

Good luck, wanna see pics if you ever manage that...

[kjhof]

and I thought I was nuts....


And that's before I mention that I'd like to set it up for .45 Super, or even .460 Rowland! :D

Think of it as a P-10 Longslide.

[Hawkmoon]

Thanks, Hawkmoon--although on Para's website, the only imgage I saw of the gunsmith frame had grip panels on, ...
So it does. Sorry. I thought I remembered it as showing the bare frame.

[gottripletsNC]

And that's before I mention that I'd like to set it up for .45 Super, or even .460 Rowland! :D




Gusto, I like that, heh heh