Glock 22 and Para 16-40 or just COLT GOLD CUP

[el Godfather]

Dear THR:
I need your advice on a .40 pistols. I am thinking of buying either Para 16-40 or the Glock 22. The para model code is Product Code: SX1640S. Or perhaps I should just skip both and buy Colt Gold Cup in .45?

Which would you prefer and why?F

Thanks

 

[Skylerbone]

I would prefer the M&P in 40 S&W as it's been pointed out that it was designed around the cartridge. Maybe a G17 if you prefer Glock, and I don't feel you'd be under gunned.

 

[Fishbed77]

As awesome as the Gold Cup is, it's a target gun, and I wouldn't consider it as a valid choice for an HD/SD firearm.

 

[Inebriated]

Glock 22 get's my vote (though I'd go 21 if I'm going full-sized Glock).

Reliable, light rail, and good capacity.

 

[1KPerDay]

For serious use, of the choices you offer, I'd go with the Glock. Second, the Colt.

 

[Teachu2]

It appears you have a nagging itch for a Gold Cup. The only cure is a Gold Cup. Everyone ought to own at least one 1911 in their lifetimes.

It would be better if you posted the purpose of this proposed purchase - what do you wish to do with this gun?

As far as using a "target" pistol for HD/SD - if you can carry it, there is nothing wrong with it. Unless, of course, you NEED 16 shots to hit an assailant....

 

[Teachu2]

I should disclose that I'm a long-time 1911 fan, and have shot them more than any other platform - but my last two .45acp purchases have been Glocks. I really enjoy the G30, but it's not for everyone.

I enjoy most .45acp guns far more than any .40 I've ever shot. I've only recently ventured into 9mm, simply because of ammo cost.

 

[Rexster]

I like handguns, not hands-guns, so Gold Cup, for that reason, as my large hands were not blessed with long fingers and thumbs. A home defender is likely to need a hand free to manipulate lights, phones, door knobs, and such. Another thing is that some or most .40 loads have more obnoxious flash and blast.

On a personal level, I would not select a target pistol for dedicated defensive use. The lower-profile sights on my Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special are preferable for rugged duty, and if Gold Cups still have the collet-style barrel bushings, well those have been known to break. Solid bushings are better. I would prefer the Colt Rail Gun for home defense. (Funny name, but that is what they call it.)

 

[Jed Carter]

Big fan of the 1911, even carry a CCO size when I leave the house, but my nightstand weapon is a Glock G17 with a surefire X400 light/laser. For what it is worth, it is not recomended to use a flashlight mounted to a G22, cycling problems have been noted in weapon light manual. I have owned one Para Ordnance 1911, took a lot to get it to work reliably, threw the magazines in a box, only got them out when I traded it off (got a Colt Mk IV Series 70). If I was going to get a double stack 1911/2011 it would be an STI or one of the other customs built on a STI frame. I am not a big fan of the .40S&W, my only one is a Glock G35 used in USPSA matches Limited/Limited 10. Chances are good that it will take more then one round from a handgun to stop a threat, probably just as many .40 as 9mm. I can shoot a 9mm Glock a lot faster on target than I can a .40 Glock. I sure can shoot the G17 with the added weight of the weapon light, it just mows down steel targets... ting,ting,ting,ting,ting,ting.

 

[critter]

I only have knowledge of the PO. I have an old PO P-16 that has been hard chromed. It is 100% reliable and VERY accurate. Quite a comfortable gun to shoot also.

I also was able to find an extra barrel for it in .357 SIG. Quite an interesting gun now due to its versatility.

Sort of big and heavy for CCW although I have done so quite a bit. Makes a heck of a 'house gun' for 'just in case'.

Quite a fun gun (and now has had a LARGE number of rounds shot from it) and I wouldn't like to have to get rid of it.

Good luck in your choice.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

While I don't doubt that the Paras are good guns, there seems to be a clear theoretical gap between it and the other two in reliability. Between the other two, I really don't think spending all that $$$ on the Colt gets you more reliability than the Glock. I voted Glock.

PS... Don't you just love the other, random suggestions that people give?

 

[Skylerbone]

I don't find pointing out the "why" of a choice to be "random". As I understood the OP there were two main contenders being polled head-to-head and that a third option might be on the table.

Pointing out a perceived deficiency in any of the candidates is what happens when respondents qualify their answer. "I love brand X" is no more than opinion and suggesting that other brands being mentioned serves some nefarious purpose is frankly silly.

If the 16-40 and the G22 were the only options I would vote and the Glock would be my choice. If the Glock were not an option I would vote Gold Cup and cite major QC problems with Para. If the Para were not a contender I would vote Glock as the more practical choice and mention reliability concerns with both. I've read a number of posts from el Godfather and I believe he exercises due diligence in the decision making process even when we don't agree.

Facts are facts and they point to none of the above being optimal choices in 40 S&W and/or SD/HD. Para is plagued with problems including finicky (expensive) magazines, the G22 is not optimized for the particular caliber and the Colt is far from ideal with tall target sights/lightened trigger/extra (complicated) trigger parts for the specific task.

 

[JTQ]

I voted for the G22 and I'm not even a Glock fan. I'm primarily a 1911 shooter, but I'd sell off a Para double stack if I owned one.

I prefer Colt's myself, but I'm also not a fan of the Gold Cup. You really have to want adjustable sights to want one, and adjustable sights just don't seem right on a 1911 to me.

As mentioned earlier, if I wanted a double stack "1911 type" pistol, I'd get an STI.

If I wanted a .40S&W shooter, I'd probably prefer the M&P (and probably a couple others, though not many) over the Glock.

 

[wildehond]

At the moment I have only one handgun, a Glock 22.
It is my CCW and I shoot in Standard class in IPSC.
It works every time and I do not have to baby it.
And the Glock 22 is light to carry all day. I find it easy to shoot.

But you will have to decide what you want from the handgun.

 

[tarosean]

One of these is not like the other..

What's the primary purpose of said gun?

 

[1KPerDay]

What's the primary purpose of said gun?

Which of these would you buy for HD/SD?

....

 

[jogar80]

My EDC is a polished Colt Gold Cup. Nothing wrong with it, serves me well. But, many times I find myself looking for a set of fixed sughts that would fit it, or some much lower-profile adjustables, because the stock rear sight does dig into your side a bit. Other than that small gripe, the Gold cup does well at being a multipurpose gun. It's my EDC/HD/plinker/competition/showoff gun, all in one.