So, if you\u2019re looking for a quality carry pistol firing a potent defensive caliber and like the feel and packing qualities of a single-stacked .45, but find condition one, cocked-and-locked carry, somewhat unnerving, the Para-Ordnance Black Watch Companion with its LDA trigger system just might be your pistol. For more information, visit paraordnanceguns.com<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Para-Ordnance Black Watch Companion .45 ACP Review","post_excerpt":"Para-Ordnance\u2019s ultimate defensive LDA!","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"paras-black-watch-companion-45acp","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-14 18:00:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-14 23:00:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2007\/08\/01\/paras-black-watch-companion-45acp\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":95336,"post_author":"351","post_date":"2018-11-22 06:43:10","post_date_gmt":"2018-11-22 11:43:10","post_content":"\r\n\r\nBack in 2004, I purchased a Para-Ordnance P10. The 1911<\/a> is my favorite pistol platform, and I naturally gravitate toward those with higher capacities because I want as much firepower as possible. Hell, I\u2019d carry a rifle everywhere if it were practical. I\u2019d started with a larger P14 Limited and was very satisfied with it until I really settled on Commander-sized pistols because of their speed, handling and balance. So, to round out my stable, I also wanted a compact, hence the Para P10.\r\n\r\nOut of the box, the P10 delivered good combat accuracy, an acceptable trigger and ran reliably. However, I thought the cycling was a bit choppy with Federal\u2019s 230-grain Hydra-Shok JHPs. I called Para and discussed this with one of the company\u2019s gunsmiths. Then, I ended up sending it in to fix the cycling issues. It came back from the shop running as smoothly as I\u2019d hoped.\r\n\r\nIn stock form, the P10 is a handy little 1911. It has a stainless-steel slide and frame, making it substantial enough to effectively grip while carrying 10+1 rounds of .45 ACP ammo. Despite that capacity; however, the gun has a relatively small footprint for concealment. All told, the P10 has a 3-inch barrel, an overall length of 6.5 inches, a height of 4.5 inches and an unloaded weight of 31.5 ounces. And if you\u2019re wondering about the handling qualities of such a small, stubby pistol, I shared the same concerns \u2014 until I shot an IDPA match with the P10 after having shot the P14 consistently before that. Much to my surprise, I really couldn\u2019t tell the difference in my shooting performance during the match. In my experience, the little P10 handles just fine.\r\nAccurate Upgrades<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n[in_content post=\"107051\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n\r\nOne night, while perusing 1911s on an internet forum, I came across Mike Cyrus of Accurate Iron in Jones, Okla. After a bit of good-natured banter, Mike made a suggestion. He said, \u201cYou need to get your hands on an Accurate Iron pistol.\u201d\r\n\r\nMike gave me his phone number, and we discussed a custom project. My candidate for customization was the little Para P10. I told him I wanted a checkered frontstrap, an action job and tuning for reliability. I left the rest up to him. So, I sent the gun away and waited a few weeks for it to return.\r\n
Upon Return<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nOne thing that became apparent when I got the pistol back is that Mike is a master metal worker. The checkered frontstrap I\u2019d requested was there; he\u2019d cut out a small section and then TIG-welded a 20-lpi replacement into position before blending it flawlessly into the frame. In fact, it looks like a factory job. (Remember, this pistol was made long before Para started offering checkered frontstraps.) The beavertail grip safety was also re-fitted and blended into the frame. Also, grooves were added to the memory bump.\r\n\r\nMike flattened the top of the slide and gave it serrations to help reduce glare. Mike also gave the whole pistol a carry-bevel treatment with French cuts along the slide. The ejection port was also lowered and flared, and the old GI-style extractor was retained but tuned. Finally, Mike replaced the sights with a set of Dawson Precision fiber-optic units. The rear unit has a ledge for one-handed slide racking.\r\n\r\nMike polished the barrel and gave it a deep crown. He also modified the slide stop and installed an Ed Brown thumb safety. Additionally, he beveled the magazine release and re-cut the Smith & Alexander arched mainspring housing I\u2019d added to make it flat. Then Mike tuned the pistol for reliability and installed a Cylinder & Slide Super Match trigger with a crisp break. Due to Para\u2019s proprietary sear spring, the slot for the C&S spring was re-cut in the grip frame.\r\n\r\nMike cleaned up the exterior of the pistol, removing any casting and machining inconsistencies, before giving the entire Para P10 a black nitride finish. When I got the pistol back, I only made one more change: I had my brother, Greg, inlay a set of Para medallions into the grip panels.\r\n
Back In Action<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen the P10 came back, it had improved aesthetics and the pistol\u2019s feel had changed. This was mainly due to the checkered frontstrap, which provides an outstanding gripping surface. Another feature that became obvious while dry-firing was the vastly improved trigger. With about 0.13 inches of take-up before hitting the \u201cwall,\u201d and barely perceptible creep, the trigger breaks at a crisp 2.75 pounds. There\u2019s also no discernable overtravel.\r\n\r\nDuring my first range session, the pistol cycled smoothly with all of the ammunition I tried. Additionally, the improved grip made a noticeable difference in controlling muzzle flip. Whether firing slowly from a bench or rapidly during drills, I didn\u2019t experience a single hitch in functioning. Firing from a benchrest at 25 yards, the pistol shot to the point of aim or slightly lower. Acquiring the fiber-optic sights in daylight was quick and natural.\r\n
Accuracy<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nUsing Champion VisiColor targets to shoot five-shot groups, the top performers of the day were Winchester\u2019s 230-grain Ranger JHPs and Black Hills\u2019 230-grain FMJs, which created groups measuring 1.38 and 1.75 inches, respectively. These were followed by CorBon\u2019s 185-grain +P DPXs at 2.25 inches, Winchester\u2019s 230-grain FMJs at 2.44 inches and Federal\u2019s 165-grain Guard Dog FMJs at 2.5 inches.\r\n\r\nA little work with pepper poppers and cardboard targets revealed that the pistol to deftly put rounds on target quickly and easily. And the Para P10 was a ton of fun to shoot. However, I would almost prefer an extended magazine release because operating the current one is a bit awkward for me due to my large hands and the pistol\u2019s tiny grip area. But, then again, conventional wisdom is that larger magazine releases have drawbacks on defensive handguns. I still lean toward wanting one, perhaps with a very heavy spring to avoid unintentional activations.\r\n\r\nIt isn\u2019t as easy to reload the P10 quickly thanks to its stubby grip frame, but the stock mag well has a cavernous opening that coupled with the truncated profile of the double-stack mags, facilitates relatively easy loading.\r\n
Little Extras<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nSpeaking of unintentional activations (or deactivations, as it where), one of the things I\u2019d requested of Mike is that the thumb safety be very positive in clicking \u201con\u201d or \u201coff.\u201d Anyone who is a fan of cocked-and-locked carry knows how annoying it can be to find your thumb safety has worked its way to the disengaged position during carry. Thankfully, the new Ed Brown safety is just what I ordered; it locks into each position positively and stays there until deliberately switched.\r\n\r\nOne lesson learned in this experience is that you must be specific in what you want unless you truly don\u2019t care. In fairness, all I told Mike is that I wanted a checkered frontstrap, an action job and reliability tuning, leaving the rest up to him. I like arched mainspring housings, as flat ones tend to point the pistol low for me. But Mike elected to transform the arched mainspring housing into a flat one. However, I will say this: He did an excellent job with it. It looks like it came from Smith & Alexander that way and was flawlessly blended into the frame.\r\n
Parting Shots<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nThe Para P10 is a very practical pistol for concealed carry. Its diminutive dimensions, large bore, 10+1 capacity, good handling characteristics and reliability all contribute to it being one of my favorite carry pieces. With Mike\u2019s expert smithing, its features have been enhanced and refined.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, sometime after I got the P10 back into my hands, Mike shut down his operation. Only time will tell if this talented gunsmith will choose to get back into the game. I sure hope so, because this pistol is just one example of his skills.\r\n
Custom Para P10<\/h3>\r\n[in_content post=\"106060\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
\r\n \t
\r\n\t
So, if you\u2019re looking for a quality carry pistol firing a potent defensive caliber and like the feel and packing qualities of a single-stacked .45, but find condition one, cocked-and-locked carry, somewhat unnerving, the Para-Ordnance Black Watch Companion with its LDA trigger system just might be your pistol. For more information, visit paraordnanceguns.com<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Para-Ordnance Black Watch Companion .45 ACP Review","post_excerpt":"Para-Ordnance\u2019s ultimate defensive LDA!","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"paras-black-watch-companion-45acp","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-14 18:00:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-14 23:00:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2007\/08\/01\/paras-black-watch-companion-45acp\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":95336,"post_author":"351","post_date":"2018-11-22 06:43:10","post_date_gmt":"2018-11-22 11:43:10","post_content":"\r\n\r\nBack in 2004, I purchased a Para-Ordnance P10. The 1911<\/a> is my favorite pistol platform, and I naturally gravitate toward those with higher capacities because I want as much firepower as possible. Hell, I\u2019d carry a rifle everywhere if it were practical. I\u2019d started with a larger P14 Limited and was very satisfied with it until I really settled on Commander-sized pistols because of their speed, handling and balance. So, to round out my stable, I also wanted a compact, hence the Para P10.\r\n\r\nOut of the box, the P10 delivered good combat accuracy, an acceptable trigger and ran reliably. However, I thought the cycling was a bit choppy with Federal\u2019s 230-grain Hydra-Shok JHPs. I called Para and discussed this with one of the company\u2019s gunsmiths. Then, I ended up sending it in to fix the cycling issues. It came back from the shop running as smoothly as I\u2019d hoped.\r\n\r\nIn stock form, the P10 is a handy little 1911. It has a stainless-steel slide and frame, making it substantial enough to effectively grip while carrying 10+1 rounds of .45 ACP ammo. Despite that capacity; however, the gun has a relatively small footprint for concealment. All told, the P10 has a 3-inch barrel, an overall length of 6.5 inches, a height of 4.5 inches and an unloaded weight of 31.5 ounces. And if you\u2019re wondering about the handling qualities of such a small, stubby pistol, I shared the same concerns \u2014 until I shot an IDPA match with the P10 after having shot the P14 consistently before that. Much to my surprise, I really couldn\u2019t tell the difference in my shooting performance during the match. In my experience, the little P10 handles just fine.\r\n So, if you\u2019re looking for a quality carry pistol firing a potent defensive caliber and like the feel and packing qualities of a single-stacked .45, but find condition one, cocked-and-locked carry, somewhat unnerving, the Para-Ordnance Black Watch Companion with its LDA trigger system just might be your pistol. For more information, visit paraordnanceguns.com<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"Para-Ordnance Black Watch Companion .45 ACP Review","post_excerpt":"Para-Ordnance\u2019s ultimate defensive LDA!","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"paras-black-watch-companion-45acp","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-14 18:00:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-14 23:00:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2007\/08\/01\/paras-black-watch-companion-45acp\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":95336,"post_author":"351","post_date":"2018-11-22 06:43:10","post_date_gmt":"2018-11-22 11:43:10","post_content":"\r\n\r\nBack in 2004, I purchased a Para-Ordnance P10. The 1911<\/a> is my favorite pistol platform, and I naturally gravitate toward those with higher capacities because I want as much firepower as possible. Hell, I\u2019d carry a rifle everywhere if it were practical. I\u2019d started with a larger P14 Limited and was very satisfied with it until I really settled on Commander-sized pistols because of their speed, handling and balance. So, to round out my stable, I also wanted a compact, hence the Para P10.\r\n\r\nOut of the box, the P10 delivered good combat accuracy, an acceptable trigger and ran reliably. However, I thought the cycling was a bit choppy with Federal\u2019s 230-grain Hydra-Shok JHPs. I called Para and discussed this with one of the company\u2019s gunsmiths. Then, I ended up sending it in to fix the cycling issues. It came back from the shop running as smoothly as I\u2019d hoped.\r\n\r\nIn stock form, the P10 is a handy little 1911. It has a stainless-steel slide and frame, making it substantial enough to effectively grip while carrying 10+1 rounds of .45 ACP ammo. Despite that capacity; however, the gun has a relatively small footprint for concealment. All told, the P10 has a 3-inch barrel, an overall length of 6.5 inches, a height of 4.5 inches and an unloaded weight of 31.5 ounces. And if you\u2019re wondering about the handling qualities of such a small, stubby pistol, I shared the same concerns \u2014 until I shot an IDPA match with the P10 after having shot the P14 consistently before that. Much to my surprise, I really couldn\u2019t tell the difference in my shooting performance during the match. In my experience, the little P10 handles just fine.\r\n
<\/strong>
I found the model 2145 Compact Undercover holster from the Kirkpatrick Leather Company to be the perfect complement to the Black Watch Companion. Designed originally for the Colt Officer\u2019s Model pistol, it\u2019s constructed of premium vegetable-tanned saddle leather and finished off in a rich, dark brown. Hand molded for a secure fit on the Para and double stitched at all stress points, the Compact Undercover was a comfortable carry. One thing I liked about the Model 2145 was that the back side of the holster extended up and effectively shielded one\u2019s love handles from coming into continued abrasive contact with things like the Para\u2019s extended thumb safety. This is a nice touch and greatly adds to the comfort of long-term carry with this pistol.
To pack the extra reload (that we all should carry), Kirkpatrick included a well-formed, single magazine pouch that held the Para\u2019s extra magazine securely but allowed for easy retrieval for that rapid, smooth reload. I packed the 32-plus ounce Para around in the Kirkpatrick rig on several occasions and found it very comfortable, secure, and concealable while affording a full firing grip and quick access to the pistol. Known primarily for their quality handcrafted Western belts and holsters, the Kirkpatrick Leather Company can also build you a quality, concealable carry rig. Kirkpatrick Leather goods are well-constructed and
reasonably priced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Final Notes
<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAccurate Upgrades<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n[in_content post=\"107051\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n\r\nOne night, while perusing 1911s on an internet forum, I came across Mike Cyrus of Accurate Iron in Jones, Okla. After a bit of good-natured banter, Mike made a suggestion. He said, \u201cYou need to get your hands on an Accurate Iron pistol.\u201d\r\n\r\nMike gave me his phone number, and we discussed a custom project. My candidate for customization was the little Para P10. I told him I wanted a checkered frontstrap, an action job and tuning for reliability. I left the rest up to him. So, I sent the gun away and waited a few weeks for it to return.\r\n
Upon Return<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nOne thing that became apparent when I got the pistol back is that Mike is a master metal worker. The checkered frontstrap I\u2019d requested was there; he\u2019d cut out a small section and then TIG-welded a 20-lpi replacement into position before blending it flawlessly into the frame. In fact, it looks like a factory job. (Remember, this pistol was made long before Para started offering checkered frontstraps.) The beavertail grip safety was also re-fitted and blended into the frame. Also, grooves were added to the memory bump.\r\n\r\nMike flattened the top of the slide and gave it serrations to help reduce glare. Mike also gave the whole pistol a carry-bevel treatment with French cuts along the slide. The ejection port was also lowered and flared, and the old GI-style extractor was retained but tuned. Finally, Mike replaced the sights with a set of Dawson Precision fiber-optic units. The rear unit has a ledge for one-handed slide racking.\r\n\r\nMike polished the barrel and gave it a deep crown. He also modified the slide stop and installed an Ed Brown thumb safety. Additionally, he beveled the magazine release and re-cut the Smith & Alexander arched mainspring housing I\u2019d added to make it flat. Then Mike tuned the pistol for reliability and installed a Cylinder & Slide Super Match trigger with a crisp break. Due to Para\u2019s proprietary sear spring, the slot for the C&S spring was re-cut in the grip frame.\r\n\r\nMike cleaned up the exterior of the pistol, removing any casting and machining inconsistencies, before giving the entire Para P10 a black nitride finish. When I got the pistol back, I only made one more change: I had my brother, Greg, inlay a set of Para medallions into the grip panels.\r\n
Back In Action<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen the P10 came back, it had improved aesthetics and the pistol\u2019s feel had changed. This was mainly due to the checkered frontstrap, which provides an outstanding gripping surface. Another feature that became obvious while dry-firing was the vastly improved trigger. With about 0.13 inches of take-up before hitting the \u201cwall,\u201d and barely perceptible creep, the trigger breaks at a crisp 2.75 pounds. There\u2019s also no discernable overtravel.\r\n\r\nDuring my first range session, the pistol cycled smoothly with all of the ammunition I tried. Additionally, the improved grip made a noticeable difference in controlling muzzle flip. Whether firing slowly from a bench or rapidly during drills, I didn\u2019t experience a single hitch in functioning. Firing from a benchrest at 25 yards, the pistol shot to the point of aim or slightly lower. Acquiring the fiber-optic sights in daylight was quick and natural.\r\n
Accuracy<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nUsing Champion VisiColor targets to shoot five-shot groups, the top performers of the day were Winchester\u2019s 230-grain Ranger JHPs and Black Hills\u2019 230-grain FMJs, which created groups measuring 1.38 and 1.75 inches, respectively. These were followed by CorBon\u2019s 185-grain +P DPXs at 2.25 inches, Winchester\u2019s 230-grain FMJs at 2.44 inches and Federal\u2019s 165-grain Guard Dog FMJs at 2.5 inches.\r\n\r\nA little work with pepper poppers and cardboard targets revealed that the pistol to deftly put rounds on target quickly and easily. And the Para P10 was a ton of fun to shoot. However, I would almost prefer an extended magazine release because operating the current one is a bit awkward for me due to my large hands and the pistol\u2019s tiny grip area. But, then again, conventional wisdom is that larger magazine releases have drawbacks on defensive handguns. I still lean toward wanting one, perhaps with a very heavy spring to avoid unintentional activations.\r\n\r\nIt isn\u2019t as easy to reload the P10 quickly thanks to its stubby grip frame, but the stock mag well has a cavernous opening that coupled with the truncated profile of the double-stack mags, facilitates relatively easy loading.\r\n
Little Extras<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nSpeaking of unintentional activations (or deactivations, as it where), one of the things I\u2019d requested of Mike is that the thumb safety be very positive in clicking \u201con\u201d or \u201coff.\u201d Anyone who is a fan of cocked-and-locked carry knows how annoying it can be to find your thumb safety has worked its way to the disengaged position during carry. Thankfully, the new Ed Brown safety is just what I ordered; it locks into each position positively and stays there until deliberately switched.\r\n\r\nOne lesson learned in this experience is that you must be specific in what you want unless you truly don\u2019t care. In fairness, all I told Mike is that I wanted a checkered frontstrap, an action job and reliability tuning, leaving the rest up to him. I like arched mainspring housings, as flat ones tend to point the pistol low for me. But Mike elected to transform the arched mainspring housing into a flat one. However, I will say this: He did an excellent job with it. It looks like it came from Smith & Alexander that way and was flawlessly blended into the frame.\r\n
Parting Shots<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nThe Para P10 is a very practical pistol for concealed carry. Its diminutive dimensions, large bore, 10+1 capacity, good handling characteristics and reliability all contribute to it being one of my favorite carry pieces. With Mike\u2019s expert smithing, its features have been enhanced and refined.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, sometime after I got the P10 back into my hands, Mike shut down his operation. Only time will tell if this talented gunsmith will choose to get back into the game. I sure hope so, because this pistol is just one example of his skills.\r\n
Custom Para P10<\/h3>\r\n[in_content post=\"106060\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
\r\n \t
\r\n\t
BROWSE BY BRAND
Holster Carry<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>
I found the model 2145 Compact Undercover holster from the Kirkpatrick Leather Company to be the perfect complement to the Black Watch Companion. Designed originally for the Colt Officer\u2019s Model pistol, it\u2019s constructed of premium vegetable-tanned saddle leather and finished off in a rich, dark brown. Hand molded for a secure fit on the Para and double stitched at all stress points, the Compact Undercover was a comfortable carry. One thing I liked about the Model 2145 was that the back side of the holster extended up and effectively shielded one\u2019s love handles from coming into continued abrasive contact with things like the Para\u2019s extended thumb safety. This is a nice touch and greatly adds to the comfort of long-term carry with this pistol.
To pack the extra reload (that we all should carry), Kirkpatrick included a well-formed, single magazine pouch that held the Para\u2019s extra magazine securely but allowed for easy retrieval for that rapid, smooth reload. I packed the 32-plus ounce Para around in the Kirkpatrick rig on several occasions and found it very comfortable, secure, and concealable while affording a full firing grip and quick access to the pistol. Known primarily for their quality handcrafted Western belts and holsters, the Kirkpatrick Leather Company can also build you a quality, concealable carry rig. Kirkpatrick Leather goods are well-constructed and
reasonably priced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Final Notes
<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAccurate Upgrades<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n[in_content post=\"107051\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n\r\nOne night, while perusing 1911s on an internet forum, I came across Mike Cyrus of Accurate Iron in Jones, Okla. After a bit of good-natured banter, Mike made a suggestion. He said, \u201cYou need to get your hands on an Accurate Iron pistol.\u201d\r\n\r\nMike gave me his phone number, and we discussed a custom project. My candidate for customization was the little Para P10. I told him I wanted a checkered frontstrap, an action job and tuning for reliability. I left the rest up to him. So, I sent the gun away and waited a few weeks for it to return.\r\n
Upon Return<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nOne thing that became apparent when I got the pistol back is that Mike is a master metal worker. The checkered frontstrap I\u2019d requested was there; he\u2019d cut out a small section and then TIG-welded a 20-lpi replacement into position before blending it flawlessly into the frame. In fact, it looks like a factory job. (Remember, this pistol was made long before Para started offering checkered frontstraps.) The beavertail grip safety was also re-fitted and blended into the frame. Also, grooves were added to the memory bump.\r\n\r\nMike flattened the top of the slide and gave it serrations to help reduce glare. Mike also gave the whole pistol a carry-bevel treatment with French cuts along the slide. The ejection port was also lowered and flared, and the old GI-style extractor was retained but tuned. Finally, Mike replaced the sights with a set of Dawson Precision fiber-optic units. The rear unit has a ledge for one-handed slide racking.\r\n\r\nMike polished the barrel and gave it a deep crown. He also modified the slide stop and installed an Ed Brown thumb safety. Additionally, he beveled the magazine release and re-cut the Smith & Alexander arched mainspring housing I\u2019d added to make it flat. Then Mike tuned the pistol for reliability and installed a Cylinder & Slide Super Match trigger with a crisp break. Due to Para\u2019s proprietary sear spring, the slot for the C&S spring was re-cut in the grip frame.\r\n\r\nMike cleaned up the exterior of the pistol, removing any casting and machining inconsistencies, before giving the entire Para P10 a black nitride finish. When I got the pistol back, I only made one more change: I had my brother, Greg, inlay a set of Para medallions into the grip panels.\r\n
Back In Action<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen the P10 came back, it had improved aesthetics and the pistol\u2019s feel had changed. This was mainly due to the checkered frontstrap, which provides an outstanding gripping surface. Another feature that became obvious while dry-firing was the vastly improved trigger. With about 0.13 inches of take-up before hitting the \u201cwall,\u201d and barely perceptible creep, the trigger breaks at a crisp 2.75 pounds. There\u2019s also no discernable overtravel.\r\n\r\nDuring my first range session, the pistol cycled smoothly with all of the ammunition I tried. Additionally, the improved grip made a noticeable difference in controlling muzzle flip. Whether firing slowly from a bench or rapidly during drills, I didn\u2019t experience a single hitch in functioning. Firing from a benchrest at 25 yards, the pistol shot to the point of aim or slightly lower. Acquiring the fiber-optic sights in daylight was quick and natural.\r\n
Accuracy<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nUsing Champion VisiColor targets to shoot five-shot groups, the top performers of the day were Winchester\u2019s 230-grain Ranger JHPs and Black Hills\u2019 230-grain FMJs, which created groups measuring 1.38 and 1.75 inches, respectively. These were followed by CorBon\u2019s 185-grain +P DPXs at 2.25 inches, Winchester\u2019s 230-grain FMJs at 2.44 inches and Federal\u2019s 165-grain Guard Dog FMJs at 2.5 inches.\r\n\r\nA little work with pepper poppers and cardboard targets revealed that the pistol to deftly put rounds on target quickly and easily. And the Para P10 was a ton of fun to shoot. However, I would almost prefer an extended magazine release because operating the current one is a bit awkward for me due to my large hands and the pistol\u2019s tiny grip area. But, then again, conventional wisdom is that larger magazine releases have drawbacks on defensive handguns. I still lean toward wanting one, perhaps with a very heavy spring to avoid unintentional activations.\r\n\r\nIt isn\u2019t as easy to reload the P10 quickly thanks to its stubby grip frame, but the stock mag well has a cavernous opening that coupled with the truncated profile of the double-stack mags, facilitates relatively easy loading.\r\n
Little Extras<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nSpeaking of unintentional activations (or deactivations, as it where), one of the things I\u2019d requested of Mike is that the thumb safety be very positive in clicking \u201con\u201d or \u201coff.\u201d Anyone who is a fan of cocked-and-locked carry knows how annoying it can be to find your thumb safety has worked its way to the disengaged position during carry. Thankfully, the new Ed Brown safety is just what I ordered; it locks into each position positively and stays there until deliberately switched.\r\n\r\nOne lesson learned in this experience is that you must be specific in what you want unless you truly don\u2019t care. In fairness, all I told Mike is that I wanted a checkered frontstrap, an action job and reliability tuning, leaving the rest up to him. I like arched mainspring housings, as flat ones tend to point the pistol low for me. But Mike elected to transform the arched mainspring housing into a flat one. However, I will say this: He did an excellent job with it. It looks like it came from Smith & Alexander that way and was flawlessly blended into the frame.\r\n
Parting Shots<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nThe Para P10 is a very practical pistol for concealed carry. Its diminutive dimensions, large bore, 10+1 capacity, good handling characteristics and reliability all contribute to it being one of my favorite carry pieces. With Mike\u2019s expert smithing, its features have been enhanced and refined.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, sometime after I got the P10 back into my hands, Mike shut down his operation. Only time will tell if this talented gunsmith will choose to get back into the game. I sure hope so, because this pistol is just one example of his skills.\r\n
Custom Para P10<\/h3>\r\n[in_content post=\"106060\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
\r\n \t
\r\n\t
