I've got a WA P14 45 Ltd that's been defaced by removal of the trademarks and I want to upgrade it with a metal slide and frame. I've seen these available for the WA Para P14 45 and would like to know if that "Para" is different in form from what I have (the P14 45 Limited). Thoughts??? Thanks!

See if the photos in these reviews help you zero in on the maker:

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=6939

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=7248

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Hawkmoon
On a good day, can hit the broad side of a barn ... from the inside

Thanks - from what I've been able to see, it sure looks as though parts for the WA "Para" should work with my P14-45 Ltd., as the two versions look like they have the same dimensions. I am just concerned that there might be something not obvious to me that would keep Para parts from working for my gun...

One thought I just had: What does the "P" in the P14-45 stand for? Might it be Para???

Yes. All early Para-Ordnance pistols used a 'P' to start the model designation: P14.45, P16.40, P13.45, P18.9, etc. The first number designated the capacity in rounds, the second number designated the caliber.

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Hawkmoon
On a good day, can hit the broad side of a barn ... from the inside

I've been searching for parts to upgrade to a metal slide & frame, but so far haven't found any in stock anywhere. I'd sure appreciate help if anyone's got a line on parts!

Thanks!

The P14-45 series from Western Arms are old pistols. I was lucky enough to find a slide for my pistol (a personal gift from Ted Szabo himself), when its own slide cracked mysteriously, and I think there are still some frames available but you should be careful of one thing.

Your pistol has an adjustable sight. Most of the slides I've seen for Paras are for the fixed sight variety either the standard High Profile sights or the Novak ones. Since your pistol won't have those sights, you will end up looking for the proper sights as well.

I found some frames and slides for the Western Arms Para P14.45 in WGC (http://www.wgcshop.com). Part numbers are shown below.

PGC-MF-PARABK
PGC-SL-PARABK

The thing is that these would not take your existing sights, so you will probably be looking for the sights that fit that slide.

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John Caradimas SV1CEC
The M1911 Pistols Organization
http://www.m1911.org

But thanks, John, for the referral - I'll keep checking.