Nomenclature

[Hawkmoon]

I was just browsing ads for Para pistols on Guns America. Bwteen that and the confusion in a recent thread, I think it would be a good idea to suggest that when we post about Para pistols, we try to keep thje nomenclature straight.

Example: I saw an ad on Guns America for a Para P14. Looking at specifics, it says it has a 3" barrel and is .40 S&W.

I don't know if Para ever made such a gun, but if they did the nomenclature was either incorrect or incomplete. That does not sound like a P14 anything to me. I hope George Wedge will clean up after me if I mess this up too badly, but at least regarding the older pistols, the name has to include both the capacity and the caliber to be complete.

What am I blathering about? The P14.45, P16.40 and P18.9 are all the same pistol ... 5" barrel, full-size double-stack frame. The same gun holds 14 rounds of .45 ACP, 16 rounds of .40 S&W, or 18 rounds of 9mm. If you don't include both, it is difficult to know what pistol you're really talking about.

And please -- there isn't any such thing as a "P14 LDA." The P prefix describes a single action, double stack series pistol. For the LDA pistols, there is NO prefix. Thus, my two Paras are a P12.45 and a 12.45 LDA.

[G. Wedge]

I've heard models called just about everything, so I can relate. Model numbers can be complex, but that's due to the evolution of our designs. Here, in the factory, P14 typically describes the receiver, and not the model. Once the top end is assembled on the receiver, the model is born. If I heard P14 LDA, I would know exactly what we were talking about, but in reality, P14 LDA is a conflict in terms. I suppose it would be a good idea to do a question matrix that would tell you what model you had, merely by answering a set of questions.

Hey John...I have something for you to do if you are bored :geek:

The best thing to do if you do not know what specific model number you have is to contact us, and ask. Your serial number would be all we would need to determine what the build is.

Cheers,

George

[SMMAssociates]

George:

Para's got more models than Victorias Secrets.... :D

Half the battle in finding accessories is guessing which one you've really got.... :scared:

But that's also part of the fun! :)

Regards,