Para 12-45

DaTeacha · 10-25-2009, 06:35 PM

I was in my gun store today and handled a Para 12-45. Aside from the weight, it's a nice little gun. Does anyone know anything about it? I kind of liked the fat grip on the thing, but a fully loaded mag in the steel gun would be kind of heavy for carry. Do they make a lightweight version? 12 rounds of .45 will add a lot of weight to any small gun. Oh yeah, it was used, still dirty from firing - they don't clean trade ins - and looked to be in very good shape. They're asking $550.

dsschuler · 10-26-2009, 01:38 PM

I have an alloy framed P-13, they made them in alloy in the P-10 thru the P-14's.

wcassidy · 10-26-2009, 05:21 PM

well if it were me in my present economic situation i'd jump on it just because it's a 1911 under $600 and i know that at least some of Para's line can take a real beating. unfortunately i know nothing valid to bring to this discussion.

DaTeacha · 10-27-2009, 12:22 PM

I googled it and found a forum wherein a poster was having a lot of FTF problems. It seems the magazine springs are too weak or something, not pushing the next round up before the slide comes forward again. There is a replacement spring on the aftermarket. That thread was dated 2004. The 12-45 is a short frame, short barrel, hi-cap (12+1) design, but the grips don't feel extra wide due to thin scales.

dsschuler · 10-28-2009, 10:53 AM

I have a P-13 that is 14 years old, never had any issues with the original mags, Para ran a special a few months ago, you could get 3 high cap mags for a good price, don't remember but under $100. The mag feed lips were tighter than my originals and would't feed reliably, I opened them up to match my originals and never had a problem since. The older models of Para's seem to be for the most part problem free, the newer ones seem to be having alot of problems. I have a full size LDA thats 5 years old and it runs great. Hope this helps. Para USA has a forum but you have to be a POA(para owners of america) member to read.

Iron_Colonel · 10-31-2009, 01:03 AM

I had a P12 for a little while. It had a pretty short barrel, but it worked pretty well. Accuracy wasn't as bad as I thought it could be shooting out of a short barrel like that. I found a full length guide rod for it, I believe it was a 2 stage spring that I bought from Midway if I'm not mistaken. I had 3 mags with mine, and I bought some Hogue rubber finger groove grips for it. It was very fun to shoot. I did carry it a few times. I don't know as I ever topped the mags off to 12. Maybe 10+1. 10 is a pretty good number, and if you need more than 10 rds, you might be in real big trouble especially if you're shooting a .45 (not saying you can't shoot, but generally speaking). It didn't stick out below a coat because the barrel was so short. I toted it a few times in a Ross holster like this one: Ross Leather .

It was very comfortable for me to shoot. I liked the wide frame and the Hogue grips made recoil a cinch. I think I bought it for something like $450 or $475, and got about $400 when I traded it in at a different gun store towards my Kimber TLEII. The guy at the shop was pretty generous on his trade in price. I can't remember any FTF problems either. The stock grips were quite thin, and the screws were very low profile that held them in place. I shot some factory 230 gr FMJs through the gun, and some 200 gr Gold Mtn. hollow points. Both shot well that I can remember, but it was more than a year ago that I shot it. If I had planned on keeping it, I may have considered a trigger job on it. There is a good guy out here at Olympic Arms in the Nisqualley Valley that does good pistol work on 1911s. The trigger was a little mushy, but it was still pretty good for a factory job. Still kinda wish I had the old girl.

normand · 10-31-2009, 04:45 PM

Hi,
I am a new member trying to find his way around.
I had to give up my collection many years ago because of an unruley stepson, but would like to get back in the game before uncle Sam has his way.
I want to pick up a model 1911- A in reasonable condition ,via a private transaction, the way I used to deal, if possible.
Any advice or leads that I follow up on?
Thanks, Norm.

Iron_Colonel · 10-31-2009, 08:00 PM

Norm, for the ramifications you have outlined, definitely looks like a gun show is going to be your best bet. Or anyone local to where you are. There is a trading post for firearms listings or wanted firearms on this forum. That is an option also. Anything else, like online gun auction websites, looks like it'd be shipped to an 01 FFL unless you found something C&R and had a C&R license. Local newspapers in the classifieds? HTH and good luck.

DaTeacha · 11-01-2009, 07:12 AM

Welcome Normand! I don't suppose your last name starts with E, does it? Depending on your age you may or may not get that right away.

I agree with Iron Colonel -- anything you buy from an out of state source generally will need to go through a licensed dealer unless you have a license of your own. Private sales are fine in many areas, but may not be in your state, presuming you're in the U.S. I know my SIL in Michigan needs to get a permit to purchase before he can legally buy a handgun, while I live in Ohio and just need to do the usually dealer paperwork when I buy one at a store. In Ohio, I can buy a gun from my neighbor or whatever with no paperwork, but my SIL can't. Check your local laws before doing anything more. You do not want to be breaking any laws, no matter what you may think of them, while exercising your constitutional rights.

Beyond that, we occasionally get people coming on the site who are basically anti-gunners, trying to get someone here to advocate or enable illegal activity. We can usually spot them pretty quickly because they don't quite speak the language the same way a true shooting sports afficianado does. Your post aroused my suspicions a bit because of the terminology you used in describing the gun you want. It may just be my personal ignorance showing, but I have never heard of a 1911 - A. I have heard of and seen the 1911 and the 1911-A1. If there is variant called the 1911-A, please tell me how it differs from the plain 1911 and the A1.

If you simply made a typo, forgive my paranoia. I am not used to how well you do or do not type since that's your first post. Welcome to the site. We are generally a friendly and helpful bunch here. I'm sure someone else will be glad to let me know if I'm just ignorant about the "A" variant and educate me if they get a chance. There is a great deal of knowledge here that everyone is more than eager to share.

10-25-2009, 06:35 PM	#1
DaTeacha Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: near Funk, Ohio Posts: 2,913	Para 12-45 I was in my gun store today and handled a Para 12-45. Aside from the weight, it's a nice little gun. Does anyone know anything about it? I kind of liked the fat grip on the thing, but a fully loaded mag in the steel gun would be kind of heavy for carry. Do they make a lightweight version? 12 rounds of .45 will add a lot of weight to any small gun. Oh yeah, it was used, still dirty from firing - they don't clean trade ins - and looked to be in very good shape. They're asking $550. __________________ Teach NRA -- If you're reading this, you should be a member. United, We Stand.

10-26-2009, 01:38 PM	#2
dsschuler Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 213	I have an alloy framed P-13, they made them in alloy in the P-10 thru the P-14's. __________________ Para DX745 LDA SSP / P 1345 Ruger SR9 / Mark II Beretta neos u22 / Bersa 380 Taurus PT25 / STF 3000

10-27-2009, 12:22 PM	#4
DaTeacha Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: near Funk, Ohio Posts: 2,913	I googled it and found a forum wherein a poster was having a lot of FTF problems. It seems the magazine springs are too weak or something, not pushing the next round up before the slide comes forward again. There is a replacement spring on the aftermarket. That thread was dated 2004. The 12-45 is a short frame, short barrel, hi-cap (12+1) design, but the grips don't feel extra wide due to thin scales. __________________ Teach NRA -- If you're reading this, you should be a member. United, We Stand.

10-28-2009, 10:53 AM	#5
dsschuler Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 213	I have a P-13 that is 14 years old, never had any issues with the original mags, Para ran a special a few months ago, you could get 3 high cap mags for a good price, don't remember but under $100. The mag feed lips were tighter than my originals and would't feed reliably, I opened them up to match my originals and never had a problem since. The older models of Para's seem to be for the most part problem free, the newer ones seem to be having alot of problems. I have a full size LDA thats 5 years old and it runs great. Hope this helps. Para USA has a forum but you have to be a POA(para owners of america) member to read. __________________ Para DX745 LDA SSP / P 1345 Ruger SR9 / Mark II Beretta neos u22 / Bersa 380 Taurus PT25 / STF 3000

10-31-2009, 01:03 AM	#6
Iron_Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington St. Posts: 3,281	I had a P12 for a little while. It had a pretty short barrel, but it worked pretty well. Accuracy wasn't as bad as I thought it could be shooting out of a short barrel like that. I found a full length guide rod for it, I believe it was a 2 stage spring that I bought from Midway if I'm not mistaken. I had 3 mags with mine, and I bought some Hogue rubber finger groove grips for it. It was very fun to shoot. I did carry it a few times. I don't know as I ever topped the mags off to 12. Maybe 10+1. 10 is a pretty good number, and if you need more than 10 rds, you might be in real big trouble especially if you're shooting a .45 (not saying you can't shoot, but generally speaking). It didn't stick out below a coat because the barrel was so short. I toted it a few times in a Ross holster like this one: Ross Leather . It was very comfortable for me to shoot. I liked the wide frame and the Hogue grips made recoil a cinch. I think I bought it for something like $450 or $475, and got about $400 when I traded it in at a different gun store towards my Kimber TLEII. The guy at the shop was pretty generous on his trade in price. I can't remember any FTF problems either. The stock grips were quite thin, and the screws were very low profile that held them in place. I shot some factory 230 gr FMJs through the gun, and some 200 gr Gold Mtn. hollow points. Both shot well that I can remember, but it was more than a year ago that I shot it. If I had planned on keeping it, I may have considered a trigger job on it. There is a good guy out here at Olympic Arms in the Nisqualley Valley that does good pistol work on 1911s. The trigger was a little mushy, but it was still pretty good for a factory job. Still kinda wish I had the old girl. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU! Last edited by Iron_Colonel; 10-31-2009 at 01:10 AM.

10-26-2009, 05:21 PM	#3
wcassidy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 283	well if it were me in my present economic situation i'd jump on it just because it's a 1911 under $600 and i know that at least some of Para's line can take a real beating. unfortunately i know nothing valid to bring to this discussion.

10-31-2009, 04:45 PM	#7
normand Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1	Hi, I am a new member trying to find his way around. I had to give up my collection many years ago because of an unruley stepson, but would like to get back in the game before uncle Sam has his way. I want to pick up a model 1911- A in reasonable condition ,via a private transaction, the way I used to deal, if possible. Any advice or leads that I follow up on? Thanks, Norm.

10-31-2009, 08:00 PM	#8
Iron_Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington St. Posts: 3,281	Norm, for the ramifications you have outlined, definitely looks like a gun show is going to be your best bet. Or anyone local to where you are. There is a trading post for firearms listings or wanted firearms on this forum. That is an option also. Anything else, like online gun auction websites, looks like it'd be shipped to an 01 FFL unless you found something C&R and had a C&R license. Local newspapers in the classifieds? HTH and good luck. __________________ Mosin Nagant evangelist on a mission to convert YOU!

11-01-2009, 07:12 AM	#9
DaTeacha Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: near Funk, Ohio Posts: 2,913	Welcome Normand! I don't suppose your last name starts with E, does it? Depending on your age you may or may not get that right away. I agree with Iron Colonel -- anything you buy from an out of state source generally will need to go through a licensed dealer unless you have a license of your own. Private sales are fine in many areas, but may not be in your state, presuming you're in the U.S. I know my SIL in Michigan needs to get a permit to purchase before he can legally buy a handgun, while I live in Ohio and just need to do the usually dealer paperwork when I buy one at a store. In Ohio, I can buy a gun from my neighbor or whatever with no paperwork, but my SIL can't. Check your local laws before doing anything more. You do not want to be breaking any laws, no matter what you may think of them, while exercising your constitutional rights. Beyond that, we occasionally get people coming on the site who are basically anti-gunners, trying to get someone here to advocate or enable illegal activity. We can usually spot them pretty quickly because they don't quite speak the language the same way a true shooting sports afficianado does. Your post aroused my suspicions a bit because of the terminology you used in describing the gun you want. It may just be my personal ignorance showing, but I have never heard of a 1911 - A. I have heard of and seen the 1911 and the 1911-A1. If there is variant called the 1911-A, please tell me how it differs from the plain 1911 and the A1. If you simply made a typo, forgive my paranoia. I am not used to how well you do or do not type since that's your first post. Welcome to the site. We are generally a friendly and helpful bunch here. I'm sure someone else will be glad to let me know if I'm just ignorant about the "A" variant and educate me if they get a chance. There is a great deal of knowledge here that everyone is more than eager to share. __________________ Teach NRA -- If you're reading this, you should be a member. United, We Stand.