Wide body 1911 questions.

[bernie]

I have a buddy with a Para Ordnance wide body, full size 1911, and today I saw an Armscor widebody handgun. I know that at one time Springfield also made one.

Who makes wide body 1911's. Also, are the mags interchangable? What parts would be different from standard? For example, would a standard main spring housing fit them?

If you have one, do you like it? My buddy loves his para.

 

[HSMITH]

I have had a few Paras. They used to be very well made, accurate and reliable. The latest examples I have seen have not been fitted anywhere near as well as the older ones. They are still a decent value.

In a Para all frame parts are standard 1911 with the exception of the trigger and mag release. The same goes for Springfield, and the Springer will use Para mags also.

I just had a brand new Springer widebody in my hand less than a half hour ago. Slide to frame fit was OK, but the barrel fit was pretty bad. It would probably run good with enough accuracy for most. The frame is not nearly as comfortable to me as a Para, but I think you could get used to it.

STI and SVI also make widebody 1911's that are in a class that Para and Springfield can't even aspire to, the price reflects that but they are exceptional guns right out of the box. They use standard 1911 fire control parts, but proprietary triggers, mag release and magazines. IIRC they use a non-standard recoil spring guiderod also.

 

[wally]

Para, Springfield and Armscor widebodies all take Para Ordnance mags. Kimber BP has a mag that is basically a Para mag but they moved the mag catch location slightly so Para mags won't work without modification.

I've the Armscor clone of the P18 fantastic gun at a great price.

--wally.

 

[Krag]

I've had a number of "fat" 1911s and the only ones I own today are Paras!

 

[Onmilo]

Dan Wesson Wide body and Springfield Inc. Wide body magazines are not that interchangable.
At least the Springfield mag won't work in the Dan Wesson, I know,,,
I wedged a Springfield magazine so tightly into the Dan Wesson that I had to diassemble it to get the magazine out.
While I had it apart I also switched out the two piece, full length guide rod for a conventional set-up.

Para Ordinance magazines will interchange with Springfields but the Springfields are about ten bucks cheaper so I just keep using them.

 

[Zach S]

Para, Springfield and Armscor widebodies all take Para Ordnance mags. Kimber BP has a mag that is basically a Para mag but they moved the mag catch location slightly so Para mags won't work without modification.

The Para tubes are a little wider than the Kimbers, they work great in my series I (BUL M5), however I've heard they dont drop free from kimber's current polymer frames. Never tried it myself, I've only held one of kimbers current polymers, and I didnt hold it for long. My BUL feels a lot better IMO.

 

[lycanthrope]

Sti.

Sti.

Sti.

 

[Ivy Mike]

Wouldn't it be more prudent just to buy a decent handgun without having to resort to huge prices for outdated weapons?

 

[valor1]

I love STi/SVi widebody pistols. They are a bit expensive but made great. I also prefer the Armscor over the Para. Half the price at twice the performance over the Para (flame suit on). In most of the gun clubs I've seen, the Para experienced warping on the rails and other whatever terms you may call it, yet the Armscor still takes on the beating.