Para Ord CCW - LDA

[Rapier]

On a lark this past weekend I bought another 45 ACP but an itty bitty one in DA only. Seemed like a good idea as it was in the box and $200 under book. Soooo.

Has anyone worked with one of these short barreled jobs? It is similar to a Compact or Ultra Carry with a 3 inch barrel. I have a bunch of cast loaded but no jacketed and was thinking that my long slide loads might not be fitting as the powder burns ok in the 7 inch but might not do so good with the 3. If it won't shoot it can get back on the road. However, it needs a fair trial.
Ed

[skeet]

Ed as stated i do have one but ya ain't gonna like part of this...It really isn't the most accurate handgun I own. It is ok..but it is an itty bitty gun for a 45. I do like the LDA as the trigger pull is ok. But mine is fair to good in accuracy..remeber though.. the average gun fight happens at like 8 ft. I consider my LDA a 50 ft gun for 100% hits.. Not saying killing hits that far. I did kill a yote at about 25-30 ft. But he stopped and looked at me. I think the little gun will shoot the heavier loads as all I shoot in mine is factory and factory equivalent reloads. Meaning all hollowpoint loads of 220-230 gr. I've shot lead bullets in it but I use it as a carry piece only and use jacketed. Mine is a pretty little thing. Wintertime use is reserved for my Wilson Combat or a Kimber. Standard sized of course...less'n I go to the big city(Billings) to a play er somethin. Momma ropes me into one of them ever now and again. LOL! Shoot the little sucker with factory..I think you'll like it.

[Rapier]

I kinda figured it was not all that accurate after looking at the barrel/slide/bushing setup. It is the typical production carry piece, they sacrifice a tight fit for operation. Of course when the barrel gets less than snug, it will walk. I will run it out this weekend with some WW452 AA that I happent to still have. I have some 230 FPTC-FMJ bullets and some 200 H&G cast.
Ed

[skeet]

Good grief..452 AA?? They ain't made that in a ton of years. I also have some of that..cept it is called Hodgdon Trap 100. Good powder. I also have a bunch of Win 473 540 and 571..Also about 6 lbs of HS 5 and some HS6 and 7. The 473 loads some handgun rounds pretty well. I also use the H&G 200 gr bullet. That is what I shot in my Para LDA.mainly cause I had a bunch loaded but as I said..I mostly shoot Jacketed hollowpoints in it. It's in one of the safes now..winter is comin here.. I have a bunch of gun projects to work on...

[Jack]

I've got a little 540 and 571 around, too. If memory serves, 540 is HS-6, and 571 is HS-7.

[skeet]

You are right Jack.. The only thing I am not sure of is the HS-5..have been told it is the same as 473..but no comparison in color..HS-5 is much darker than 473 Win. Maybe like Super Field. HP 38 is Win 231 of course and H110 and 296 are the same..H-414 is Win 760

[Rapier]

Ha, Ha :D How old is it? Well I bought two 10 pound containers of 452 when I was shooting IPSC, IDPA, Plates, Pins and B Cup. I used it in all of my 45s including the 25-2. At 4-5.1 gr it lasts a long time. But, I had a 100, 50 and 25 yard practice range in my back yard and between matches every weekend and practice, went through 15k per quarter and is how I bought my componets, in 15K lots. But I did find that 452 worked with every gun and every bullet weight, from 200s to my 252gr pin bullet and it gave you a nice push recoil rather than a slap.

Thanks for the info on the HS powders.
Ed

[Rapier]

It is better to be lucky than good sometimes. I came in Friday after a long day, pluse getting poked and prodded for more med teasts. So I just scrounged around, found some misc cartridges plus a cardboard bullet box I had filled up in the early 90s with rounds loaded for my Smith 25-2. I discovered I could not see my small target at 25 and moved to 20 yards where I could see a blur good enough to group. Geez, it is sad to get old and blind, at least for iron sights.

This is the result after shooting 9 rounds of the misc stuff to get framilar with the trigger. I pulled the one round straight out to the left, typical DA like a Glock, otherwise the group is A zone at 20 and with a 6:00 on the square, it is also dead on. That is 4.2 gr of WW 452 AA under a 200gr H&G hard cast. The bullets are set up with a profile crimp die (combo taper and roll). Now both clips are loaded with this load. Ialso never got hit with an empty, all just to the right, scattered of course.

I also shot two of my 252gr loads which went in square, making neat round holes. But the setup of OAL for my longslide did not match the needs of the Para Ord for its lands so I would need a little work on the 252s.

All in all the gun shot better than I expected and functioned 185s to the 252gr bullets. The squares are 1 inch.
Ed

[popplecop]

Have 2 Paras DAs, first is a Carry 9 and the other a PDA, both are 9mms. I picked them up as the grip frame and controls are the same as my other 1911. I really like them, small function flawlessly and very accurate. The Carry 9 is always with me in my truck and the PDA next to my bed. The PDA has nite sights, which are great in dim light or darkness, but do not like the in the daylight.- Either are nice for concealed carry and with all the new 9mm ammo available. That being said I have not abonded the .45, have 2 for carry also. An old Colt LW Commander and a Springfield GI Champion that I rebuilt. The Springer has a 4" barrel with XS System sights, very fast and accurate.