Para Owners Replace Slides?

[2guntom]

I purchased a used Para P14. Actually, it was acquired in some trading. What surprised me was that the original slide was replaced with a "government model" slide. The original owner said that the Para slides are a little soft. He explained that anybody that shoots +P ammo usually replaces the OEM slide w/ a government model slide. All of his Para owning friends had done it to theirs, I've met other people that have done it, and I've read about people in these forums that have done it.

Is this really true?
What if you don't change the slide; what will happen?

I just thought it was strange to take a quality gun that is pretty and replace the slide with one that is quite plain looking.

2gun

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[Hawkmoon]

I'm hardly an expert, but this is the first I've heard of it.

[stans]

I have heard of Para slides being too soft and I have heard of Para slides being castings and will crack. I have not actually seen either one, so this may be a case of a few bad slides (happens to all manufacturers) getting out there and then the stories grow to epic proportions.

[2guntom]

... so this may be a case of a few bad slides (happens to all manufacturers) getting out there and then the stories grow to epic proportions.

That makes sense. It is a shame- I'm sure it was a pretty gun before that ugly slide was put on it.

2gun

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[Hawkmoon]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I just read again the Guns and Ammo review on the Para LTC. For those who don't know, this new model is mostly in black "Regal Kote" finish, with a few things such as the safety, slide release, grip safety and hammer in shiny stainless steel. The magazine thinks it's beautiful. I think it's hideous -- second only to Para's two-tone "Spec Ops" colour scheme in the truly ugly guns category.

Whatever happened to basic black? My original P12-45 is just black. It's utilitarian, inconspicuous, and functional. What's not to like? I don't want my piece to look all tarted up fike a French prostitute.

[2guntom]

Uh, okay?!

I talked with a Gunsite certified smith yesterday. He said for a slide to be "government model" it had to be a certain hardness and meet other specific criteria. He didn't say that there was anything wrong with Para slides, but that the "government model" slide and barrel on mine was a good thing.

I've seen the new Para SSP's and I got to shoot one of the full-sized models. They are very nice, well built guns. I DO like the looks of them and am considering getting one of the LTC lightweight models. I'm not exactly sure what this or the comment below have to do with my original post in this thread. Unless, this is your way of replying or saying that you prefer a plain looking gun.

2gun

[robertbank]

There is nothing wrong with Para's slides! I guess S--- happens but soft.....rrriiiggghhhttt!

I have the SSP and really like the gun. MY P 14 went to my son, great shooter and very accurate. Not sure why I sold it to him, but it sure wasn't 'cause it was made of soft metal LOL.

I have heard nothing but great remarks about the LTC, next gun for me. Hope you enjoy yours.

[John]

I have a meeting arranged with Ted Szabo in the next few days, so I'll ask him about this issue, even though I know what his answer will be, beforehand!

Rgds

[2guntom]

There is nothing wrong with Para's slides! I guess S--- happens but soft.....rrriiiggghhhttt!

I have the SSP and really like the gun. MY P 14 went to my son, great shooter and very accurate. Not sure why I sold it to him, but it sure wasn't 'cause it was made of soft metal LOL.

I have heard nothing but great remarks about the LTC, next gun for me. Hope you enjoy yours.

Okay. That falls in line with what I have seen time and time again- there are general opinions in the shooting community that get propogated through history that are an old opinion or really an obscurity. I've heard people say that the 30-30 is an inherantly inaccurate, short range round. But what I've seen is that same round shoot 1" groups at 150yds., and show good accuracy out to 300. People have said and general opinion is that an SKS or AK have poor accuracy, but what I have personally experienced is quite the opposite. People have tried to tell me that Glocks are "combat" handguns only! They serve little purpose as target or hunting pistols. I've also heard that the 9mm round is insufficient for lethal performance. Again, my personal experiences have proven much different results!

I could go on and on, but the morale of the story is you can believe 25% of what you hear, and then take it with a grain or two of salt. Opinions are like dingleberry chutes- everybody has one, but some stink worse than others!

I'll take it that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Para pistols, but some people like to change the slides. I have a choice, I can be pleased with the awesome performance of my P-14 and leave it alone, or I can refinish the slide to my likings. No matter what, it is worth every penny! Thanks for your help Robert.

As far as the Para SSP LTC lightweight is concerned, it is #2 on my "to buy" list. Unfortunately I am still laid off, and I still have a month before the money will start rolling again. I hate that.

2gun

[2guntom]

I have a meeting arranged with Ted Szabo in the next few days, so I'll ask him about this issue, even though I know what his answer will be, beforehand!

Rgds


Cool. Thanks John.

Let me know.

2gun

[Hawkmoon]

I have a meeting arranged with Ted Szabo in the next few days, so I'll ask him about this issue, even though I know what his answer will be, beforehand!

Rgds
Please ask him how/where I can purchase a 2003 model Tac Four -- in good old plain stainless, not the ugly new multi-color <expletive deleted>.

[SMMAssociates]

Hawk:

>>Please ask him how/where I can purchase a 2003 model Tac Four -- in good old plain stainless, not the ugly new multi-color <expletive deleted>.

You're just jealous....

(I think I would have been better with SS, too, but green was all my dealer had. But I don't have to look at it.... :eek: )

Might be my imagination, too, but it seems that the darker colors don't "print" as well as the lighter ones. A slight advantage for concealed carry. (Or maybe light colored shirts are a bad idea? :D )

There's a picture of my ugly green Tac-Four in the "stripdown" thread.

[John]

(Why write a quick note when you can write a novel?)

Because there are two 2 1/2 years old babies crying in the next room, and you are the one who has to prepare them for the nursery school and take them there, and it's only 7:30 am, and you are still half asleep.

LoL

[SMMAssociates]

John:

Been there....

My one and only baby is off to college and living with my baby sister about 175 miles away. But I've been there, done that, and bought the T-shirt.

Give 'em a little while and they'll get cranked off at you when you don't stop at the candy store on the way home from nursery school, too....

Been there, too. Particularly fun when you've got irritable bowel issues and _really_ need to get home....

Gonna go visit her this weekend. I think she's going to babysit my baby sister's granddaughter too RSN. That'll be punishment.... :eek:

My daughter claims to hate little kids. So, guess who was a baby sitter and camp counselor? Usually not "ordinary" kids, either. "ADD" and stuff like that.

("ADD" - Attention Deficit Disorder. Us older folks would call 'em "hyperactive".)

A couple months ago she was asked to take care of a couple of little ones - one about 5, and one about 3. After giving them supper, the kids _vanished_. Becka was cleaning up a bit, etc. Next thing she knows, the little ones are in the kitchen - the older one, a girl, had bathed them both, put a clean diaper on her little brother, and they were both in their jammies. "Goodnight...." and off they went to bed. Becka felt guilty taking the money.... :D

As to why these sometimes are long - I'm a very good typist.... :cool:

[parano]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I just read again the Guns and Ammo review on the Para LTC. For those who don't know, this new model is mostly in black "Regal Kote" finish, with a few things such as the safety, slide release, grip safety and hammer in shiny stainless steel. The magazine thinks it's beautiful. I think it's hideous -- second only to Para's two-tone "Spec Ops" colour scheme in the truly ugly guns category.

Whatever happened to basic black? My original P12-45 is just black. It's utilitarian, inconspicuous, and functional. What's not to like? I don't want my piece to look all tarted up fike a French prostitute.

Wow! My new Warthog has the Regal finish enhanced with the buffed (not shiny) Stainless Steel controls. I love the way it looks. The main reason I bought that model. I didn't realize I would be compared to a pimp for a French prostitute because of it though! Between you and me it looks a lot better than it performs. I'd trade it for the absolute ugliest anything right now as long as it worked. This thing is all show and no go, even if you don't like my little "prostitute"! But at my age and health I can't do much more than look anyway!

[TonyT]

I have not heard of a problem with soft Para slides. A number of local shooters use them and have not expereinced any problems with soft slides.

[John]

Good Lord, why did you revive a 2-years old thread?

[Rotorflyr]

Cause if you look at his other posts (and to be honest I've only seen one of them) he want's to complain about his Para being junk but doesn't say what the problem is.

But since this thread was revived, I'd like to ask if MAYBE the original posters gun may have been built on a Para frame kit and that was the real reason it had a "government" slide on it?

[robertbank]

Lets see a guy comes on to a 1911 website and registeres as Para No or to be more correct Parano. Claims he is not a youngster. Interesting choice of handles.

I assume he has a mad on for Para Pistols and has come on the forum to tell us what they are...I think. Hasn't yet but I suspect it is coming. Is it just me or if you had a problem with a product wouldn't you contact the manufacturer as opposed to going on a public forum, first. Seems to me the first thing I would do is read my warranty and contact the manufacturer. I suspect others might as well. Just the result of a lifetime of experiences but others may have travelled a different road.

Take Care

Bob

[Rotorflyr]

Bob,
I might not contact the mamufacturer first, it would depend on the nature of the problem. However if I'm going to post on a public forum about a problem I'm having Im going to post WHAT the problem is. After that if the suggestions I get from members don't help I would contact the manufacturer for sure.

[John]

7 posts in one day, all against that pistol! Man, Parano, you are really hating Para.

[robertbank]

yea you are probably right. Either way I know I would NOT pick a nome de plume like "Parano" to join a forum. He must really be upset.

Take Care

Bob

[Rotorflyr]

7 posts in one day, all against that pistol! Man, Parano, you are really hating Para.


yea you are probably right. Either way I know I would NOT pick a nome de plume like "Parano" to join a forum. He must really be upset.

Take Care
Bob


All of which might be fine if he would tell us what the problem was and what he has done to try and resolve it.

[John]

Parano has posted a description of what the problem is. Basically a failure to return to battery.

[Hawkmoon]

I can see no constructive reason for this thread to have been revived after being unused for more than two years. The current line of discussion is totally unrelated to the original question.

Thread closed.