Western Arms - Para Ordnance P14.45 GBB
A little history on the real Para Ordnance pistol.
The Para-Ordnance P14-45 (14.45) is an improved derivative of the successful United States Armed Forces' M1911 pistol. Created by Para-Ordnance (now Para USA) in the 1980s, it was the first ever M1911 derivative to feature a high-capacity double-stack magazine.
In the late 1980s, Toronto-based Para-Ordnance started selling "high capacity conversion kits" for M1911A1 pistols, consisting of an updated frame with a thicker grip to accommodate a double-stack magazine that was supplied with the kit, which doubled M1911's 7-round magazine capacity to 14; and a new trigger assembly with suitable dimensional changes to fit into the widened grip frame. With the success of the kits, Para-Ordnance began manufacturing complete M1911 pistols of its own in 1990.
The Western Arms Para Ordnance P14 Ultimate Comp is a full on Race Gun the speed and recoil of the Ultimate Comp.is something to behold.
On the left side of the slide, there's the wording Para-Ordnance and on the frame below that (in quite small text) "This product is made in Japan by Western Arms Co., Ltd and Para-Ordnance", with "Trade Marks are affixed under license of PARA-ORDNANCE MFG. INC." below that. On the right hand side, the slide is marked P14.45. The frame is marked "PARA-ORDNANCE INC. FT. LAUDERDALE FL. CANADA". Just above the trigger is a WA ASGK marking and the grips bear the Para Ordnance logo.
Unlike an Infinity, the Para Ordnance is (in real steel form) a metal 1911 frame swollen around the grip area to accommodate a double stacker magazine and this gives the gun quite a different look to the SV range. The grips are (like on the original 1911) flatish panels which can be swapped (for instance, Hogue make a range of wood grips, which would look great on this black gun) and WA, as usual, have done a great job of replicating these.
The sights consist of an adjustable Bo-Mar rear sight (Adjusts for elevation and windage) and a front blade sight which is fixed to the compensator, which is made of metal. The sights are simply black in colour, with no dots and I found them a little difficult to use in low light, although I'm sure they're fine outside.
It's quite quickly apparent why this gun feels light. The slide is extremely lightweight. It even feels lightweight to touch (almost like a springer slide!), which I assume is deliberate design on WA's part to reduce the 'recoil' effect of the slide cycling and improve second shot accuracy.
Interestingly, and in line with the real thing, apparently, the slide lock doesn't function when the last round is fired, meaning you have to count shots or risk dry firing. I believe I read somewhere that it's possible to re-enable the slide lock, but there's no obvious indication of this in the manual.
This particular Para Ordnance has no Hop-Up. WA often delete Hop-Up from their specialised target models to increase consistency between shots and it also has a lightweight recoil spring to reduce the effect of the slide slapping back to battery on the user's aim.
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Due to the rarity of Western Arms and spare parts the pistols are tested before despatch and sold as a collectors item only.
Please note these pistols must be used with HCF134A gas only
