Para Ordnance P14.45CC (or is it P13.45?) by Western Arms

[John]

It is a well-known fact that I love Commander-length pistols. I like them because they balance better in my hand than their full-size brothers (the Government ones), they point more naturally for me and I find them aesthetically pleasant. For equally well-known reasons, acquiring a Colt Combat Commander doesn't look to be something I can expect to happen in the near future, so in the past few months, I've tried to satisfy my desire for those Commanders, by acquiring some airsoft models. One of them is the subject of this review, the Para Ordnance P14.45 Combat Carry (or P14.45CC for short) from Western Arms.

Mike Cripps of Elite Shooting Center (http://www.eliteshootingcenter.co.ul) in UK mentioned me the Para P14.45CC from Western Arms, when discussing my Commander love affair with him. This is a Commander length pistol, with most of the features I wanted, except for its short sights. For some reason WA had used the tiny GI sights on this pistol, while they use the taller ones on the 5" P14.45 that Ted Szabo had brought me two years ago. I have never before heard about this pistol, so, I told Mike to order one for me. I considered it another small tribute to my beloved, late friend Ted and I wanted to add it to my airsoft exhibition display shelf.

The pistol arrived (together with several other boxes which contained parts for my Commander project, more about this in another article, soon to appear in here) and upon opening the uninspiring WA box, here is what I found inside.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/sv1cec/Airsoft%20Collection/P1445C/Dsc_1385.jpg

I must admit the pistol looked terrific. And when I picked it up, I was pleasently surprised from its weight. My not-so-accurate scale showed 980 grs for it, with a loaded magazine in place (which can take up to 25 BBs).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/sv1cec/Airsoft%20Collection/P1445C/Dsc_1386.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/sv1cec/Airsoft%20Collection/P1445C/Dsc_1387.jpg

A little discussion here is in order, regarding the authenticity of this pistol. As far as I know, Para Ordnance never produced a pistol called P14.45CC (for Combat Carry, as it says on the box). Actually, Para never produced a pistol with a Commander-length slide matted to a P14 frame. The Para Commander-length pistol of that era was the Para P13.45, which had a shorter frame than the P14 and accepted magazines with one less round than its bigger stablemate. So, as far as authenticity, this pistol looses some points, since it doesn't represent any real Para Ordnance model. For me however, the usage of the P14 frame for this pistol, was not only acceptable but rather welcome. You see, my P14.45 which was donated to me by my Ted Szabo was the only pistol in my collection, for which I had only one magazine (I always try to have at least two magazines for each airsoft pistol I own). The P14.45CC gave me the second magazine I needed.

Here are some more pictures of the P14.45CC.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/sv1cec/Airsoft%20Collection/P1445C/Dsc_1388.jpg

Typical muzzle end with bushing and the short recoil spring guide rod and checkered recoil spring plug. Plus one for these features, I do not fancy the full-length guide rods.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/sv1cec/Airsoft%20Collection/P1445C/Dsc_1389.jpg

Nicely checkered main spring housing, very correct-looking Commander grip safety and round Para Ordnance hammer, very much like the original items used on the Para pistols of that era.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/sv1cec/Airsoft%20Collection/P1445C/Dsc_1390.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/sv1cec/Airsoft%20Collection/P1445C/Dsc_1393.jpg

The sights were the only parts of this pistol that left a lot to be desired. They are the old, WWII, GI style sights, that I find impossible to use. A set of new, taller ones was ordered from Elite Shooting Center, in order to replace these.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/sv1cec/Airsoft%20Collection/P1445C/Dsc_1395.jpg

The 25 rounds magazine is the usual, staggered column thing that WA supplies with the P14s. The one that came with this pistol had a problematic filing valve, which was easily replaced with one from a damaged Wilson Combat magazine I had in my parts box. The replacement valve worked fine, so my second P14 magazine was added to my collection.

Overall, I just liked the P14.45CC. I started carrying it in the house, and it provided a great fun while plinking in my garden. I could hit moving targets at distances of 8-10 meters with unaimed firing easily. I liked it so much, that I decided to ask Mike to try and find me a metal frame/slide kit for it. Unfortunately, Mike confirmed my suspission, that it would be too difficult to find such a kit for this old airsoft pistol. They were no longer available. Not that it is absolutely necessary, since the pistol is heavy enough as it came from the factory, but it would be nice if I could find such a kit.

With the pistol being so nice, I had to do something about those horrible sights. Well, an email to Mike was enough to bring me a set of taller sights from a 5" P14.45, which of course were fitted on the short pistol. The rear one was a direct swap, but the front required some ... dremel work. Nothing serious, but the sight on the P14.45CC was fixed, an extension of the slide, so I had to do some inventive work and use some JB Weld to secure the taller sight in place. Here is the end result.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/sv1cec/Airsoft%20Collection/P1445C/Dsc_1396.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/sv1cec/Airsoft%20Collection/P1445C/Dsc_1397.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/sv1cec/Airsoft%20Collection/P1445C/Dsc_1398.jpg

With this change completed, I took the pistol to my "personal firing range", in other words my garden. Shooting the P14.45CC for score was what one would expect from an older WA model. Groups between 1.5" and 2.5" are normal from this pistol.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/sv1cec/Airsoft%20Collection/P1445C/target.jpg

Power-wise, the pistol was comparable to other WA pistols we've tried punching through one side of the Coke can, bulging the other side, but didn't exit.

Overall, this pistol has earned its place not only in my airsoft collection display cabinet but also in my heart. I just like this Commander-size pistol a lot, mainly because of its handling characteristics. Ted Szabo was correct when he told me once, that the fat grip of the Para double-column pistols is not a disadvantage, but for some people it can be a definite plus. Rest in peace my friend, your creations are appreciated.



Accuracy: 3
Upgradeability: 3
Training Capability: 5
Realism: 4
Quality: 4
Power: 2

Overall: 21

Note on Gas

With all Western Arms pistols, you are supposed to use the HFC 134A gas. Using Green gas in them, will cause problems, premature wear etc. HFC 134A is giving slightly less performance (lower BB speed), when compared to Green Gas. Green Gas should not be used in unaltered pistols made in Japan, like the WA ones.

With the above warning noted, I have to admit that I am testing all pistols using ... propane. Green Gas is in reality propane, with a little silicone oil added, to lubricate the pistols. So instead of paying for Green Gas, I bought a canister of propane, like the ones sold in US for the camping stoves, or flame torches, and a special valve adaptor, which allows me to use the much cheaper propane instead of Green Gas. In this site, you can read more on this issue:

http://www.airsoft-innovations.com (http://www.airsoft-innovations.com/)

The reason I am ignoring the manufacturer's recommendation, as far as gas is concerned, is two-fold. First, I want to have consistent environment for all the tests (some of the pistols we'll test here use HFC 134A, some use Green Gas), and second it's plain difficult to find HFC 134A in Greece. Also, I plan to upgrade all the standard pistols (like this one) so that it is safe to use Green Gas (and thus propane) with them.

[residu]

hi john,
am a new member on this forum, really enjoy your reviews on all the airsoft here, esspecially this para 14.45 cc...i use to own one of this for a few years. its been my trusty piece for a fun close quarter airsoft combat game. have you seen his twins the combat plus type?...its also a very nice looking replica's...really apreciate your accurate work for i have never read a review from people who single handedly operates the real one, this was very usefull for me, because am kinda self taught GBBsmiths among few in my city for almost 3 years now, facing long run used problems of this airsoft from several clients...so a good reference is always comes in handy...

[John]

I am not sure I've seen the Combat Plus. If you have a link, please post it here.

Playing with airsoft guns is fun, I am currently waiting for a couple more.

[residu]

http://www.lonestarairsoft.com/forums/reviewpost/showproduct.php/product/464/cat/29/sort/2/date/1085441423

just follow this link, hope you'll like it...

[John]

Ah, yeah, I've seen that. But I prefer the old-fashioned looks of this model. The Novaks, huge beavertails and huge thumb safeties have all fallen off my preferences list, long time ago. If only I could find a netal frame/slide kit for this baby.......

[residu]

hahaha...thats why i bought the compact carry instead of the Plus ones...few years back the only one available ( metal slide ) is for the combat plus,and now all there inst any, even in different markings for this system. i once install a p 14 45 5inch same make model and system with wilson combat classic marking metal slide (its the only one avail for this system ) and have to change the standard back sight with bo mar type and also the loading nozzle breach inside the slide..http://www.uncompany.com/pageproduct.asp?L3catid=182 check this links...but i think its for th 5 inch model...

[John]

Well, there is a slide that should match the P14.45CC, but it has the low sights, like the original GI ones. It's for the Colt Commander that WA made some years ago. I was lucky and found one, for my Commander Project (a long story), but I am still trying to figure out what to do with the sights. I have a set of real sights which I might put on it, but I am not sure it is worth the trouble.

Western Arms is coming out with all kind of silly models, like the Novak Next or the Bob Chow pistols, and they haven't come out with a decent Colt Combat Commander. Who the heck decides what they make in that company is beyond my comprehension. I was hoping that Tokyo Marui would come out with one, instead they went for the MEU-SOC model, a pistol produced in 3-4 different versions by WA. Go figure how those Japanese think.

[residu]

i think, most of the airsoft newbie a full option pistol is easier to choose then the original model ones, especially an 1911, with its well known shapes when not added with cosmetics option is just a plain old pistol, well as for me, i love them simple and original.. hehehe..but for a past month, why after a few weeks a new pistol comes out in a combat handgun magazine, WA most likely to produce that model, this happened to bob chow, Kimber SIS, Novak,S&W 1911, MEU pistol, among others, could this be some decision for WA to consider as a trend or is it i have to read other magazine more often.

[John]

Yes, I understand that a "full-options model" is an interesting candidate, but the standard ones are also of high interest. For example, who wouldn't buy a Colt Series 70 repro as it is produced today? Or the current Combat Commander. WA is selling only the original S70 and S80 with the lowish sights. And it won't cost them an arm and a leg to bring them out, they have the molds for all the parts, all they need is to alter the slide mold for a taller sight, they can use the same rear sight as the ones used on the Para P14.45. I just do not get it.

[residu]

they think, the fancier the better..my first 1911 was came from maruzen it was a series 70's, back there we wouldnt know about different type of gas consumption would damage the internal parts of the gun...and the loading nozzle breaks after 3 months, the other three came from kwa, a cheaper version of series 80's from taiwan that copied the system from WA. i got it 3 for the price of 1. the one i regretly just sell last years was the WA premium model of series 80's with metal engraved grips and a replica of ivory grips with gold colts medalion and now thinking to get a WA colt combat comander..yes we kept buying the original series every once in a while....

[John]

There is no WA Colt Combat Commander. The only Commander is the Lightweight one, here: http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=6927

The Premium Edition of the Colt Combat Commander is very very rare, and I think it is ugly, but I keep looking for one, just to get the sights, LoRL and the ivory grips.

[residu]

http://www.uncompany.com/pageproductdetails.asp?prodid=1390 what about this one?...its way before SCW lightweight combat comander.

[John]

That's the same gun, I think the only difference is that this one is (or at least it doesn't say if) it is not SCW. It has the same lowish sights as the SCW one but it appears to be heavier. Who can tell what it is with the way WA marks their pistols?

[residu]

is it got anything to do with the rights WA bought from colts?..so whatever already in their works is what they put on their guns...i really get it by what u meant, WA still lacks with commitment to produce the true and original combat commander with its natural born feature's...

[John]

I do not think that Western Arms has bought any rights from Colt. They usually do not care much to buy rights these days, because the various laws do not affect them (they produce in Japan, not in US). So they do not care.

I know they had got the rights to produce the P14.45 from Para Ordnance, Ted Szabo had told me so, but I do not think they got the rights to produce the rest of their pistols.

I know for sure that Nighthawk didn't give them any rights to produce their pistol (the Larry Vickers). Nighthawk had no idea about it, until I showed them the pictures. Actually, the WA Larry Vickers has the same serial number as the pistol we tested in our E-zine. So I guess WA has read our review and copied things, LoRL.

[residu]

i thought it was all a legit trademarks matters...i didnt know it before, when i read your stories about Para, am pretty sure that all the trademarks WA put on thier guns was an outcome of some agreement between two company..i guess theyve already busy keeping their product at high end quality so there isnt any room for this kind of things...and what ive also heard that tanio kobayashi were now aiming to european market for a cheaper product with his keen quality control using taiwan company such as KJW or WE..have you heard an MEU type made by co. named SOCOM GEAR?...with its full metal frame n slide it only cost arround US$ 85..at this stage of competition i thinks its becoming hard to seek or wait for a true product thats fits with or accurate to the real ones especially the 1911 type.

[John]

There are all kind of "cost-effective" airsoft guns around. Even Japanese manufacturers come out with relatively cheap guns. For example, Tokyo Marui's 1911 is as good as the Western Arms one, as far as authenticity and reliability is concerned. And it costs half the money. The bad thing is they do not have the plethora of models WA has, only the GI, the Detonics and lately the MEU model. I was hoping that they would come out with a Commander, but so far no such thing.

[residu]

and now we should just be satisfied with what WA already offered in their lines. it was a very informative talking to you..i might drop in a few words to your other reviews