Is the Para Ordnance p14 better than a Colt 1911?

[@mikea.2306]

I absolutely love mine. Bought my Canadian P14.45 in 1993.

[@FlyingKSports]

If I could afford it, I’d love to have a second one.

[@brokenmedic9133]

I just picked up the exact same Para! Dude came in my shop and wanted to trade for a Canik. I saw it was unfired and in like new condition and almost threw that Canik at him! The original 2011 and in a unfired low serial # pistol. 🤙🇺🇸👊

[@FlyingKSports]

Sounds like you got the better end of that trade!

[@PureNationalism13]

I have a P14. I like it a lot. I’m very accurate with it.

[@FlyingKSports]

I really like my p14. If things went bad I'd grab that before I'd grab my 1911.

[@MisterDeets]

I bought one back in 1998 or maybe 2000. It quickly became my favorite gun. It did have some slight issues as the trigger was pretty heavy and long for a 1911 and the muzzle flip was very pronounced when firing it due to so much of the weight being centered in the magazine. Turns out that replacing the hammer and sear with some Chip McCormick parts and putting a tungsten guide rod in it fixed all those issues quite well. It shoots like a dream now and is very accurate. One time at a group shoot, I saw a dude blasting away at a target about 20 feet away and suggested that he push that gun out to 100 yards and hit the bowling pin sitting out there in the rifle range. Everyone there told me that was impossible and said "if it's so easy, lets see you do it!". So I did. Took me two shots to drop the bowling pin with my bone stock P14 Limited Stainless from 100 yards out with just the iron sights on the gun. When I hit it, I heard some in the crowd saying I cheated by hitting the cardboard behind the bowling pin, but that cardboard was about a foot behind the pin. I walked that bowling pin back to the firing line with the big shiny chunk of copper clad lead still in it. If I have to make a pistol shot count, that is the gun I reach for.

[@drewgraysonxoxopanda]

Para-Ordnance started selling "high capacity conversion kits" for M1911A1 pistols in the 1980's. They didn't make complete P14s until 1990.

[@FlyingKSports]

Thanks for the clarification and thanks for watching.

[@veritechy]

Great info and history. I didn't know parts were swappable with the 1911. Thanks!

[@FlyingKSports]

Thanks. Glad I could help.

[@sheckylee5760]

The fact that these were originally made here in Canada (Markham Ontario) and are incredibly illegal (holds more than 5 rounds) AND is a restricted firearm is hilarious. Regardless my favourite 1911. Nothing beats a hi-cap big meaty, shiny .45 pistol!

[@FlyingKSports]

My favorite too. Its a shame they are no longer being made.

[@pray4mojo35]

I have a Canadian made Para Ordnance SSP, which is one of their single stack 1911 and has the proprietary Para pxt large claw extractor. Has a ramped barrel too. I did t care for the Para magazines but with Wilson Combat magazines, the pistol is very reliable. They moved production to the U.S., became Para USA and got rid of the power extractor (pxt). Eventually, Remington bought them out and killed the brand. The pxt extractor was neat idea but I believe the use of MIM resulted in broken extractors, ruining a good design idea.

[@FlyingKSports]

Para was a good product. Not the highest quality early on but seemed to be getting better. Too bad they ended the way they did.

[@562handsomemike]

Thanks for the video. I loved it. Learned a lot about my own pistol. Thx

[@FlyingKSports]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@jdblackwell2]

I've had my 2 p-14's for 30 years. Shot a lot of USPSA with them. My only gripe is that I can't find aluminum cased 185 gr JHPs

[@FlyingKSports]

I’d like to get a second one. Great pistol.

[@gameragodzilla]

I had my custom gun built off a Para-Ordnance frame so I could use the 15+1 Remington magazines. Also have some Taylor Freelance extensions on some of them which add an additional 3 rounds for 18+1. That’s a lot of .45ACP. So far, any issues I’ve had with the gun have been ammo or Shok-Buff breaking to pieces related. Really nice. I did hear talks about how the magazines were always an issue with double stack 1911s, which haven’t been an issue with the ones I’ve used. Wondering if the design was improved or if manufacturing was worse before. I think the Remington mags I have were made by Mec-Gar, who make OEM mags for many other companies, so maybe after Mec-Gar took over manufacturing the magazines, the mag issues went away. No issue with the guns, though, since it is custom built and the nice thing about the Para frame is most parts are standard 1911. Used a Kart NM barrel, the slide off my Sig 1911, and Wilson Combat parts for the rest. Only the mag catch, grips and screws, and the trigger had to be proprietary, and there are still parts available for those.

[@FlyingKSports]

I’ve heard good things about the Mec-Gar magazines. All the ones I have are Para made so I can speak personally about them.

[@gameragodzilla]

@@FlyingKSports How are they, btw? I've heard mixed opinions and people always said the magazines were the main Achilles Heel of early double stack 1911s. It's why the 2011 frame existed since the 90's but was mostly relegated to shooting competitions until fairly recently when they're finally getting some duty use. But I know 2011 magazines are fairly notorious for needing constant tuning and I'm not sure if the Para-Ordnance magazines were the same way. Certainly the Mec-Gar magazines I have used ran fine out of the box.

[@franktower9006]

I own a P14-45 and absolutely love it to death.

[@FlyingKSports]

I love mine too. It has become my carry gun.

[@franktower9006]

@@FlyingKSports Everything you said is true. Even with the bigger tank, it's still comfortable to handle and it's easy to personalize because the 1911 accessories fit very well.

[@FlyingKSports]

@@franktower9006 Thanks. And thanks for watching.

[@DoctorMeatDoesHousecalls]

@@franktower9006 do all thumb/grip safeties carry over? Slide stops etc? From research i've done it seems they do, but I don't want to put in a $450 Ed Brown order if stuff doesn't fit (aside from custom fitting that comes with the territory) I know the triggers are different any idea who makes them still?

[@robroy6158]

I have big hands. When I carried a 1911 in Viet Nam, I put rubber bands on the grip so it fit my hand better. My Para Black Ops grip fits me perfectly and I get a lot more rounds in the bargain. Who wouldn’t love that?

[@FlyingKSports]

That Para fits my big hands just fine.

[@70bonnevilleguy53]

I'll take my 14.45 and 14.45 LDA over a new Colt 1911.

[@lckgilmo43]

To me my Para-Ordnance P14-45 is better than a regular 1911 because it holds more rounds. Mine also has a match grade barrel. Bought it in 1997. Only jammed twice after hundreds of rounds.

[@FlyingKSports]

All the features of a 1911 plus double the capacity, what could be better?

[@mongosafariadventure]

Para's are good guns. I like my two high caps: 40 S&W and 45 ACP. I love my two 7.45 LDA pistols in 45 ACP. All Canadian guns. Sorry to see PARA USA disappear.

[@FlyingKSports]

PARA USA is an example of a great product and poor corporate management.

[@CROSSFIRE_TACTICS_SOFIA]

Great video!

[@FlyingKSports]

Thank you very much.

[@CROSSFIRE_TACTICS_SOFIA]

@@FlyingKSports :-)

[@ericculver6346]

why has this not become the standard 1911 design? the low capacity has been the only problem i have ever seen with the 1911.

[@FlyingKSports]

14 rounds of 45acp does get a little heavy and the double stack mags are kinda bulky. Other than that, this seems like the ultimate 1911 to me.

[@70bonnevilleguy53]

@@FlyingKSports I wish Remington never bought them, they were so great.

[@FlyingKSports]

@@70bonnevilleguy53 Remington screwed that up. Para was a really good gun.

[@70bonnevilleguy53]

@Flying K Sports I have a original LDA 14.45, and a S/A 14.45 that's from like the transitional period, they both run great, but the transitional gun is definitely not as good when it comes to to fit and finish.

[@PureNationalism13]

It’s sooo heavy

[@cecilpotter1229]

I have had P-12 P-13 P-14s I even have had Colt mixed with Para. I will say I have bet my life on all of them, And I will continue to do so. The are outstanding in so many ways. I will say the P-12 is my favorite. EDC. Here is extractors are absolutely excellent. Big and Fat . Truly a great weapons. Thanks for the video 😉

[@FlyingKSports]

Thanks for the compliments. After your high praise , I’ll have to go and check out a P-12.

[@jerichofalls8236]

Better than a colt? No. I have both, and the fit and finish on the colt is better. The stamps/roll marks look cleaner, and the gun itself is heavier being all steel, which makes recoil noticeably snoother. That being said, the colt never rides the holster because It's a beautiful blued gun with no night sights or rail that doesn't like most hollow points. The para is a superior fighting/defense pistol.

[@FlyingKSports]

I’m with you. My Colt seems to be left in the safe way too often. I end up carrying the Para more.

[@63Rifat]

The new Para 14.45 is wayyy better than a Colt!

[@massiveaction6217]

I need real good magazines for my newly bought p 13 45. Anybody have any suggestions. Oh and i fired it for the first time and it was awesome.

[@FlyingKSports]

The Para brand magazines are getting harder to find. All of mine are Para. I have heard really good things about Mac-Gar but have not used them myself.

[@stanleyspurgeon5339]

The 1911 is heavy enough,I will just change mags more often thank you, and the frame is a alloy like aluminum,sorry I like the real thing

[@FlyingKSports]

If you want an all steel, extremely reliable, tough, dependable, large caliber pistol, go with a 1911 and never look back.

[@stanleyspurgeon5339]

@@FlyingKSports I came to that decision over 20 years ago, I own series 80 colt With Series 70s guts inside of it and it’s all been fixed properly, And I just bought a colt model zero brand new Series 70 So I’m good colt model zero

[@jackhobbie4305]

You would want it in stainless! My first pistol and still my favorite!

[@562handsomemike]

Anyone in Canada wanna sell your mags? 🤷‍♂️

[@PureNationalism13]

Same. I need some 14 rounders

[@carlosdovalina1240]

I got several mags at gun mag warehouse.

[@9unslin9er]

My Rock Island is far better made than my Colt was, so my vote is yes.

[@FlyingKSports]

Colt makes a nice gun, but they haven’t been very innovative or imaginative when it comes to improving upon older designs.

[@63Rifat]

Can't hear a word you're saying, talk into your mic!

[@FlyingKSports]

Sorry about that. I made that video before I bought my current mic.

[@cecilpotter1229]

I see you shoot alot as well as I do. Frist thing to go is your ears. I have worn ear plugs all my life religiously. Still the hearing is going fast. One thing about it. I don't need a sound suppressor anymore 😁😇

[@brianmowers3729]

Paint your walls already.

[@FlyingKSports]

I took your advice. Check out a newer video.