Para Ordnance 7 . 45

Para Ordnance Single Stack .45s



The company that makes high capacity double action only .45s also produces some of the best single column magazine single action 1911 handguns in the world. Para Ordnance should take innovation as a middle name. Their credits include not only the first high capacity 1911 but the Light Double Action (LDA) trigger and standard production ramped barrels in all of their 1911 handguns. Recently they have introduced the PXT or Power Extractor. This extractor features a spring loaded plunger and an extractor hook with perhaps fifty per cent more area than the original 1911 extractor. When you add this up, the modern Para Ordnance PXT pistols are a far cry from great grandfather’s 1911.
The PXT extractor is comprised of a coil spring plunger lever and a claw that locks into the cartridge case rim during the feed cycle and on extraction. The 1911 is a controlled feed design that controls the cartridge from the time it is loaded in the magazine until the case is ejected. My experience indicates the PXT system does not affect this controlled feed system. It seems to reinforce the good features of the 1911. The ramped barrel is an asset in that the original two piece feed ramp of the 1911 is eliminated. The ramped barrel also fully supports the case head, unlike some of our low bid polymer frame pistols that feature an unsupported chamber. The PXT is in short a
good improved version of the 1911 pistol.
I have been able to test two versions of the PXT or Power extractor pistols, a PXT ‘sterling’ version and a matte finish SSP. The sterling finish pistol is very attractive, with highly polished slide flats and a black effect on the slide. Both pistols feature high visibility sights, ramped barrels, an extended beavertail grip safety, an extended slide lock safety, and match trigger. The sterling finished pistol also features cocobolo grips. Each is supplied with a locking hard plastic case with two eight round magazines. The SSP is a matte finish handgun with rubber grips. The sights are good examples of a modern high visibility sight. The rear sight is the archetypical pyramid, but lower than some. This is not a sight that will snag on clothing. The rear cocking serrations offer plenty of traction. The modestly extended slide lock and beavertail safety make for ease of handling. The barrel deserves some attention. This barrel is a ramped configuration. This simply means that the original two piece feed ramp of the 1911 is replaced with a one piece ramp. Rather than relying upon a feed ramp that is partly on the frame and partly on the barrel, the SSP and PXT pistols and all Para Ordnance 1911 handguns feature a one piece feed ramp. Not only is feed reliability improved there is better support for the cartridge case head.
Trigger compression on either handgun is good, with the PXT exhibiting the superior trigger at a smooth five pounds with no creep. The SSP is set at five and one half pounds, perfectly acceptable for the intended purpose. I have fired both pistols extensively. Since I adopted the PXT sterling finish handgun as a personal defensive handgun I have fired it more often, but the SSP has been fired over three hundred rounds. Either has proven its mettle on combat course. The pistols set well in the hand and the controls are within easy reach of average size hands. A combination of a smooth trigger compression and good sights allow for excellent combat ability. At 7 yards either pistol will put the magazine full into a single ragged hole, which may be all we can ask of a fighting handgun. But either handgun is plenty accurate enough to use in competition such as IDPA or local practical shooting matches. A combination of a low bore axis that limits muzzle flip and a straight to the rear trigger compression makes for a very controllable handgun.
The new Power Extractor is an interesting turn on the 1911 design. This extractor is a counterpoint to the original tool steel 1911 extractor. There is nothing wrong with the original, properly done, but over the years I have replaced more extractors than any other single part on many dozens of 1911 I have worked with. The new extractor design has more leverage by design but also features perhaps fifty per cent more area where it grasps the cartridge case rim. This is an important advantage. The Match Grade barrel is as important as you make it, and results in accuracy testing have certainly been good. The most important test of a combat pistol is firing quickly at man sized targets at close to medium range, and this is where the pistols excel. Draw, get on target, and you have a hit. Of course there is more to it than that, these are pistols for those who practice. In skilled hands they deliver. I subjected both pistols to careful benchrest testing at a long twenty five yards. This type of testing tells the tale as far as fit and quality control goes. The pistols are properly sighted for 230 grain ball and the 6 o’clock hold, with lighter bullets striking approximately dead on at a long seventy five feet. Results were good. The bottom line is these pistols perform well and offer the advantage of both the Power Extractor and a ramped barrel. In firing well over one thousand rounds of ammunition there have been no failures to feed, chamber, fire or eject.

Ammunition 25 yard accuracy results
PXT SSP
Handloads
200 gr. Montana Bullet Works/
WW 231 powder/850 fps 2.0 inches 2.4 inches
Sierra 230 grain MATCH/ 1.8 inches ---------
Titegroup Powder/775 fps
Factory loads
Cor Bon 165 grain JHP 3.25 inches --------
Cor Bon 185 gr. DPX 2.0 inches ---------
Speer 185 gr. Gold Dot 2.3 inches 2.5 inches
Cor Bon 230 gr. JHP 2.25 inches 2.8 inches
R K Campbell

Leather goods ----------------------------
During range testing I have relied upon a very practical and well made holster from Wilson Combat. This holster is comfortable, rugged, and offers the correct draw angle for a rapid presentation from the holster. There is nothing to be faulted with this holster. This tactical/IDPA holster has much to recommend.
For concealed carry under a jacket I relied a belt holster from 5 Shot Leather. This holster is well made of good material and offers good fit and finish. The balance of speed and retention ideal. I have been particularly impressed with the stitching seen on this holster. We will be seeing more from this maker. The quality is similar to that once seen from the shop of the late Lou Alessi- and that is a high compliment.
Finally, I used an inside the waistband holster from Mach 2. This kydex holster is impervious to moisture, perspiration and solvent and is among the most comfortable holsters I have worn, no matter what the material. It is secure and carries the big 1911 in the proper angle for a rapid draw from concealed carry. I like the Honorman holster and I think you will as well.



Captions
The author carries his .45 Para often in this Honorman from Mach 2 Tactical holsters. Good kit!
After thousands of rounds of ammunition the Para .45 is tight with no sign of eccentric wear. This is a good pistol.
The match grade trigger of the PXT gave a fine let off for a factory pistol.
The controls of the 7.45 pistol, including the slide lock safety and beavertail grip safety, are well designed. Note the skeletonized trigger for fast lock time.
This Marine found the SSP a good performer. A Marine and a .45 are awesome in action!
The SSP delivered. While fired less than the 7.45 PXT, there is nothing lacking in the SSP.
The PXT ‘sterling finish’ 7.45 pistol gave excellent results on the range.
The author is giving the steel plates a run for their money.
5 Shot Leather offers first class concealment leather. There is nothing to fault with these holsters.
Para’s low mount high visibility sights are a good example of the type and they certainly get the job done.