Para-Ordnance P12-45 .45 ACP - The Firearms Forum

RedHawk · 07-13-2011, 08:06 AM

I could be wrong ,but this seems like the ultimate concealed carry 45 , Ive read about it and I like what Ive read, does anybody have one of these? and can you tell me how it shoots and carries?

carver · 07-13-2011, 08:22 AM

I don't own one, and have never shot one, but the reviews I've read on this gun are all favorable. The one thing I do want to point out is that this pistol has a double stack magazine, which will make it almost as heavy as a standard Colt 1911. It might be smaller, but the reason most folks want the smaller guns are all due to weight. They look for something smaller because they don't want 36-40oz hanging on their belt.

Double D · 07-13-2011, 08:40 AM

I dont know for certain, but I have read that para doesnt have much of a warrantee or cust service.

Shooter45 · 07-13-2011, 03:11 PM

You heard right. And the finish wears pretty fast unless that's changed in the last 6 years. I've owned a few Para's over the years but never kept them for some reason.

My last one was a P-16 .40 built by my friend Ken Hallock. He installed a NM barrel and completely reworked pistol to compete in IPSC Limited Competition. A couple of months later, Para came out with a P-16 .40 Limited. Great pistol but not cheap and wouldn't shoot with my Hallock built P-16.

hogger129 · 07-13-2011, 08:17 PM

Never tried Para. The best CC 1911 I've found so far is the Kimber Pro Carry.

RedHawk · 07-14-2011, 08:25 AM

Im seriously contemplating Kimber right now

Helix_FR · 07-14-2011, 08:40 AM

Honestly I would not even bother with a Para. Quality control is lousy, CS is lousy. Finding parts that fit is a real pain. Night sights are few and far between and I would be careful what you read about them. Reviews are often favorable bc they are paid to be favorable. The finish on them is really weak. The ones Ive seen all have edge wear all over the gun.

RedHawk · 07-14-2011, 08:45 AM

Well thats the main reason I come to this forum Helix , the reviews are usually favorable in mags , but on here they are not , theres no prejudice here (at least on weapons advice) ,and even if there is, theres a balance that you dont get from a mag review , I realize theres those that hate Kimbers or Smiths or whatever , but theres also the Pro's , so the balance usually gives you a fair understanding , thats why I go to gun forums!

The Duke · 07-14-2011, 05:18 PM

Para's are fine...Never had a problem with the two or three Ive owned..

My favorite was the Carry 6 .45ACP. Has the look of a 3" 1911..all steel and with a bobbed hammer and a Glock type trigger..Sweet little gun for concealment but a bit hefty. It will also accept any size 1911 magazine, if you dont mind it sticking out the bottom of the mag well. Factory mags are flush fit and 6 round. Only objection is they are 'pinned', making cleaning and mag spring replacement a PITA.

I sold it when I got my SW .45ACP Pro Series 1911..

The Carry 6 was a bit rough on the recoil spring and I had to change mine about 4-500...I suppose thats pretty average for short barrel .45's though...

It was absolutely flawless in function until the recoil spring started to weaken. I replaced it with one from Brownells...the new spring was nearly a half inch longer than the old one...Slapped in the new spring and she was back back to shucking as normal.

RedHawk · 07-14-2011, 08:01 PM

Hows the SW .45 ACP Pro Series?

Helix_FR · 07-15-2011, 12:33 AM

The only issue I've ever seen in a SW 1911 is that they don't stake there detent tubes very well

dad2thebone · 07-15-2011, 12:51 AM

never heard much said about the para but guys i know with the Kimbers love the hell outta them. Reliable,shoots well and carry great. give em a look.

The Duke · 07-15-2011, 09:18 AM

Redhawk...My SW Pro .45 is the "IT" gun for concealed carry....Ive always been a 1911 guy...carried a Colt commander for awhile along with various other sizes and makes of 1911 and other types of pistols/revolvers as well..Searching for the perfect carry gun...After I found the "Pro" my search was finally over...I was close with the Para Carry 6, but being all steel, it was a bit heavy...The SW has a scandium alloy frame and is very light to the point I hardly know Im carrying...about 26 oz....Recoil isnt that bad either. 7 in the mag + one in the chamber. Any 1911 magazine will work in it as well...if you dont mind a little protrusion from the mag well..

So far, I have maybe 200 rounds total of ball and 40 of Gold Dot 230 through it and it has been flawlessly right out of the box..Trigger is fine, no creep or scratchiness.....Using a range bag for rest, a pepper popper at 50 yards isnt a problem to hit everytime if I do my part...Ive honestly not shot it on bullseye paper, so I cant give you an absolute accuracy report, but on steel silhouettes at 7-25 yards its deadly..

Im a happy camper now...finally!!!

Major Habu · 09-17-2012, 07:10 PM

I've carried a P-12 45 for 8 years. Great weapon. Accurate, a little on the heavy side, but when you have a short barreled handgun with 12 rounds of .45 ACP, you are batting clean up! I carry in a Mitch Rosen Express Lite holster. Never had a malfunction with military ball or my anti-personnel rounds (Tactical HST, 230gr) by Federal. I have fed this pistol just about everything I can find in .45ACP and it just runs! As far as customer service/support; about 4 yrs after I got the pistol one of my mags wouldn't load more than 9 rounds. Called the folks in Pineville, NC, they said send in the mag, and I received a new one in about 5 days! In addition, I want to upgrade the sights and the Para folks said send them the slide and they would take care of the rest for the cost of the sights alone! I think that speaks pretty well of their customer service.

GunHugger · 09-18-2012, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Major Habu

I've carried a P-12 45 for 8 years. Great weapon. Accurate, a little on the heavy side, but when you have a short barreled handgun with 12 rounds of .45 ACP, you are batting clean up! I carry in a Mitch Rosen Express Lite holster. Never had a malfunction with military ball or my anti-personnel rounds (Tactical HST, 230gr) by Federal. I have fed this pistol just about everything I can find in .45ACP and it just runs! As far as customer service/support; about 4 yrs after I got the pistol one of my mags wouldn't load more than 9 rounds. Called the folks in Pineville, NC, they said send in the mag, and I received a new one in about 5 days! In addition, I want to upgrade the sights and the Para folks said send them the slide and they would take care of the rest for the cost of the sights alone! I think that speaks pretty well of their customer service.

I totally agree.

I've owned a P12 since they were first made in the early 1990's, can't remember the exact year. I was working in a gun shop at the time and it was the first one I ever had my hands on.

It's has been my carry gun since that time. Never once did it ever fail, the finish is just fine and I have shot it a good bit. I can't really speak of their Customer Service since I haven't had a reason to find out. Besides I work on my own guns and wouldn't send it to them anyway.

Someone mentioned parts are scarce...I haven't found that to be true since most of it's parts are standard 1911 parts with a few exceptions such as the trigger, mags and grips. Wilson Combat still offers a lot of stuff for them. And speaking of Wilson, I highly recommend the Wilson Combat Full Length Guide Rod for the P12. HIGHLY recommend it. It makes a big difference.
http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Full-Len...ductinfo/25CO/

And I have no idea what the one guy that reviewed the guide rod above is talking about when he says it sticks out of the front of the pistol, mine doesn't.

Here's a pic of mine, almost 20 years of carry and use.

It also has Wilson Combat ambi safety, extended slide release, stainless barrel bushing, extended mag release, rear sight, trigger, stainless hex head grip screws and a Hogue wrap around finger groove grip. And a few things I'm forgetting.

Wilson Combat stuff;
http://shopwilsoncombat.com/1911-Acc...epartments/13/

Hogue grip;
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/86353

07-13-2011, 08:06 AM	#1
RedHawk Former Guest Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 177	Para-Ordnance P12-45 .45 ACP I could be wrong ,but this seems like the ultimate concealed carry 45 , Ive read about it and I like what Ive read, does anybody have one of these? and can you tell me how it shoots and carries? -->

07-13-2011, 08:22 AM	#2
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,227	Re: Para-Ordnance P12-45 .45 ACP I don't own one, and have never shot one, but the reviews I've read on this gun are all favorable. The one thing I do want to point out is that this pistol has a double stack magazine, which will make it almost as heavy as a standard Colt 1911. It might be smaller, but the reason most folks want the smaller guns are all due to weight. They look for something smaller because they don't want 36-40oz hanging on their belt. __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

07-13-2011, 08:40 AM	#3
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,059	Re: Para-Ordnance P12-45 .45 ACP I dont know for certain, but I have read that para doesnt have much of a warrantee or cust service. __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

07-13-2011, 03:11 PM	#4
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,749	Re: Para-Ordnance P12-45 .45 ACP You heard right. And the finish wears pretty fast unless that's changed in the last 6 years. I've owned a few Para's over the years but never kept them for some reason. My last one was a P-16 .40 built by my friend Ken Hallock. He installed a NM barrel and completely reworked pistol to compete in IPSC Limited Competition. A couple of months later, Para came out with a P-16 .40 Limited. Great pistol but not cheap and wouldn't shoot with my Hallock built P-16.

07-13-2011, 08:17 PM	#5
hogger129 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,064	Re: Para-Ordnance P12-45 .45 ACP Never tried Para. The best CC 1911 I've found so far is the Kimber Pro Carry. __________________ Samuel Adams once said, "among the natural rights of the colonists are these: first, a right to life, secondly to liberty, thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can."

07-14-2011, 08:25 AM	#6
RedHawk Former Guest Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 177	Re: Para-Ordnance P12-45 .45 ACP Im seriously contemplating Kimber right now

07-14-2011, 08:40 AM	#7
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,617	Re: Para-Ordnance P12-45 .45 ACP Honestly I would not even bother with a Para. Quality control is lousy, CS is lousy. Finding parts that fit is a real pain. Night sights are few and far between and I would be careful what you read about them. Reviews are often favorable bc they are paid to be favorable. The finish on them is really weak. The ones Ive seen all have edge wear all over the gun. __________________ Only cowards shoot with their eyes closed.... helixgunsmith.com

07-14-2011, 08:45 AM	#8
RedHawk Former Guest Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 177	Re: Para-Ordnance P12-45 .45 ACP Well thats the main reason I come to this forum Helix , the reviews are usually favorable in mags , but on here they are not , theres no prejudice here (at least on weapons advice) ,and even if there is, theres a balance that you dont get from a mag review , I realize theres those that hate Kimbers or Smiths or whatever , but theres also the Pro's , so the balance usually gives you a fair understanding , thats why I go to gun forums! Last edited by RedHawk; 07-14-2011 at 08:46 AM..

07-14-2011, 05:18 PM	#9
The Duke Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NW Louisiana Posts: 813	Re: Para-Ordnance P12-45 .45 ACP Para's are fine...Never had a problem with the two or three Ive owned.. My favorite was the Carry 6 .45ACP. Has the look of a 3" 1911..all steel and with a bobbed hammer and a Glock type trigger..Sweet little gun for concealment but a bit hefty. It will also accept any size 1911 magazine, if you dont mind it sticking out the bottom of the mag well. Factory mags are flush fit and 6 round. Only objection is they are 'pinned', making cleaning and mag spring replacement a PITA. I sold it when I got my SW .45ACP Pro Series 1911.. The Carry 6 was a bit rough on the recoil spring and I had to change mine about 4-500...I suppose thats pretty average for short barrel .45's though... It was absolutely flawless in function until the recoil spring started to weaken. I replaced it with one from Brownells...the new spring was nearly a half inch longer than the old one...Slapped in the new spring and she was back back to shucking as normal. Last edited by The Duke; 07-14-2011 at 05:26 PM..

07-14-2011, 08:01 PM	#10
RedHawk Former Guest Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 177	Re: Para-Ordnance P12-45 .45 ACP Hows the SW .45 ACP Pro Series?

07-15-2011, 12:33 AM	#11
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,617	Re: Para-Ordnance P12-45 .45 ACP The only issue I've ever seen in a SW 1911 is that they don't stake there detent tubes very well __________________ Only cowards shoot with their eyes closed.... helixgunsmith.com

07-15-2011, 12:51 AM	#12
dad2thebone Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1,357	Re: Para-Ordnance P12-45 .45 ACP never heard much said about the para but guys i know with the Kimbers love the hell outta them. Reliable,shoots well and carry great. give em a look. __________________ 9-11-01 we will never forget.And then we have dec 7 now it's Nov 6th all sad days for our country. And dont whizz on my leg then tell me it's raining.

07-15-2011, 09:18 AM	#13
The Duke Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NW Louisiana Posts: 813	Re: Para-Ordnance P12-45 .45 ACP Redhawk...My SW Pro .45 is the "IT" gun for concealed carry....Ive always been a 1911 guy...carried a Colt commander for awhile along with various other sizes and makes of 1911 and other types of pistols/revolvers as well..Searching for the perfect carry gun...After I found the "Pro" my search was finally over...I was close with the Para Carry 6, but being all steel, it was a bit heavy...The SW has a scandium alloy frame and is very light to the point I hardly know Im carrying...about 26 oz....Recoil isnt that bad either. 7 in the mag + one in the chamber. Any 1911 magazine will work in it as well...if you dont mind a little protrusion from the mag well.. So far, I have maybe 200 rounds total of ball and 40 of Gold Dot 230 through it and it has been flawlessly right out of the box..Trigger is fine, no creep or scratchiness.....Using a range bag for rest, a pepper popper at 50 yards isnt a problem to hit everytime if I do my part...Ive honestly not shot it on bullseye paper, so I cant give you an absolute accuracy report, but on steel silhouettes at 7-25 yards its deadly.. Im a happy camper now...finally!!!

09-17-2012, 07:10 PM	#14
Major Habu Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1	Re: Para-Ordnance P12-45 .45 ACP I've carried a P-12 45 for 8 years. Great weapon. Accurate, a little on the heavy side, but when you have a short barreled handgun with 12 rounds of .45 ACP, you are batting clean up! I carry in a Mitch Rosen Express Lite holster. Never had a malfunction with military ball or my anti-personnel rounds (Tactical HST, 230gr) by Federal. I have fed this pistol just about everything I can find in .45ACP and it just runs! As far as customer service/support; about 4 yrs after I got the pistol one of my mags wouldn't load more than 9 rounds. Called the folks in Pineville, NC, they said send in the mag, and I received a new one in about 5 days! In addition, I want to upgrade the sights and the Para folks said send them the slide and they would take care of the rest for the cost of the sights alone! I think that speaks pretty well of their customer service.