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Thread: Para P13-45?

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  1. #1
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    Para P13-45?

    I stumbled onto one, unwanted by the family, at a price too low to refuse. Canadian made, and honest shooting wear should indicate it’s reliable.

    Feels good in my hands, and I haven’t shot it yet. Commander size, blued and stock. No signs of damage. It’s in our mandatory waiting delay and I pick it up next week.

    I haven’t found much information on this model. Does anyone here have anything they can share?
    Last edited by Poohgyrr; 16th March 2018 at 20:37.


  2. #2
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    You have summed it up pretty well. One often-overlooked aspect of the Para double stacks, however, is that they weren't limited to two frame sizes, like the Colt single stacks. The P13.45 has a grip frame that's shorter than the full-size P14.45, yet longer than the Officers-size P12.45. P14,45 magazines will work in a P13.45, but they will protrude a bit beyond the bottom of the mag well. If you start trying to customize, the mainspring housing is proprietary to the P13 -- a standard 1911 MSH is too long, and an Officers ACP MSH is too short.

    Finish isn't blued, it's "Paracote" (or Paracoat" or maybe "Parakote,"I don't remember how they spelled it). It's a spray-applied polymer coating. My research suggests that they bought it from Lauer Weaponry (Duracoat), but I was never able to get definitive confirmation from either Para or Duracoat.

    When you get to detail stripping it, the lower end of the hammer is going to look very strange to you. Don't be alarmed -- it's a design Ted Szabo came up with that was easier to machine, but nonetheless functions completely normally. The Para hammer can be replaced by any standard 1911 hammer, but don't try tinkering with the hammer "hooks" on the Para hammer. Don't ask me how I know this.

    Good find. They're great pistols.
    Hawkmoon
    On a good day, can hit the broad side of a barn ... from the inside
    Likes (1) :
    Poohgyrr (17th March 2018)


  3. #3
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    Ahhh, thank you. The grip length and “thickness” feels good; I hadn’t quite figured out why. I am looking forward to shooting it.

    I may or may not change the sights, but that’s it for any changes in the foreseeable future. Both P13 & P14 mags are on order. My holsters should fit, and I’ll take care of mag pouches. Then range, and if it shoots as well as it handles, this should be on my carry list within a few months.

    If anyone has one, it’d be great to read about. Pics for this after it comes home and is cleaned.
    John from 1849 Sutter's Fort. Retired to Texas.
    Family, blue steel & wood, hot biscuits, and fresh coffee.
    "Life brings sorrow and joy alike. It is what a man does with them - not what they do to him - that is the true test of his mettle." T. Roosevelt
    Last edited by Poohgyrr; 17th March 2018 at 14:02.


  4. #4
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    Mine is the standard (not Limited) version, with old-fashioned, upright sights. They are white dot, and I haven't found any need to change them. The front is dovetailed, not tenon, and I think it's a fairly standard dovetail. Dawson Precision has lots of goodies for the Paras. The rear sight is, I think, a standard Colt/USGI dovetail.
    Hawkmoon
    On a good day, can hit the broad side of a barn ... from the inside
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    Poohgyrr (17th March 2018)


  5. #5
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    There were a few different fixed rear sight designs by Para, over the years. Pictures would be useful! Congrats on the pistol.
    Too many people miss the silver lining because they're expecting gold.
    M. Setter
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    Poohgyrr (17th March 2018)


  6. #6
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    Thank you again, this one is also the standard version; regular GI style three dot sights and no forward cocking serrations. In the last 2/3 years (?), my carry rotation includes a Rock Island GI with the factory Dura Coat, and this P13 looks to have noticeably more wear, I’ll compare them later.

    The balance seems good, I’m anxious to compare shooting it with the 5” steel frame single stacks.
    John from 1849 Sutter's Fort. Retired to Texas.
    Family, blue steel & wood, hot biscuits, and fresh coffee.
    "Life brings sorrow and joy alike. It is what a man does with them - not what they do to him - that is the true test of his mettle." T. Roosevelt
    Last edited by Poohgyrr; 17th March 2018 at 17:40.


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    John Caradimas SV1CEC
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    Poohgyrr (24th March 2018)


  8. #8
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    Well, range isn’t for another day or two, but here are pics. This has good balance in my hands, clean trigger, good sights, clean positive thumb & grip safeties, clean slide action, and just overall sweet. Magazines are in and new recoil springs on order. Field stripped but not detail stripped for cleaning.





    John from 1849 Sutter's Fort. Retired to Texas.
    Family, blue steel & wood, hot biscuits, and fresh coffee.
    "Life brings sorrow and joy alike. It is what a man does with them - not what they do to him - that is the true test of his mettle." T. Roosevelt
    Last edited by Poohgyrr; 25th March 2018 at 12:13.


  9. #9
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    Looks good. I'm pretty certain that in that time period para-Ordnance used solid, black polymer triggers, so the trigger is most likely a replacement. Everything else looks original about it.
    Hawkmoon
    On a good day, can hit the broad side of a barn ... from the inside
    Likes (1) :
    Poohgyrr (25th March 2018)

    Last edited by Hawkmoon; 26th March 2018 at 08:33. Reason: typo


  10. #10
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    Hawkmoon,

    Thanks, with my enthusiasm in buying this, and desire to learn... I finally noticed the solid black triggers in the pictures found in internet land. Unfortunately there isn’t any history, paperwork, or etc with this piece. Checking the action, this pistol runs so smooth that I expect it was cleaned up or gone over at some point...... It’s good to know you have a favorable impression of the model, and the range will tell how I do with it.
    John from 1849 Sutter's Fort. Retired to Texas.
    Family, blue steel & wood, hot biscuits, and fresh coffee.
    "Life brings sorrow and joy alike. It is what a man does with them - not what they do to him - that is the true test of his mettle." T. Roosevelt
    Last edited by Poohgyrr; 25th March 2018 at 21:18.


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