[K9stang]

I was just browsing to see what had turned up in the used cased and there it was! I have been drooling over a Colt Commander, just too much money right now, for sometime.
I don't know much about Paras but I have been doing a lot of reading! The one I put back has all black controls, black grips and a steel frame. I assume the grips have been changed because I can't find a picture of one with them. I did see one older one with black controls. I had not heard of the PXT before then either. Seems to be a love/hate on those.

How long has Para been making the LTC And did they come in all black?
Thanks

 

[Mulerider93]

I have an "all black" LTC - it is actually Midnight Blue. As you've probably learned, there are three kinds of LTC in the current catalog. One has an alloy frame, one is all stainless, and the other is finished steel. The steel version has a model number PCX745E (the "E" is for steel. The alloy frame as an "R" and the stainless an "S").

On the website (they have a new one, btw http://www.para-usa.com/), they show the alloy and steel with the polished accent pieces. Maybe someone changed them out or, perhaps, it is an older model.

Either way, they are cool guns.
--jcd

 

[Reconvic]

It is made of steel

I have stayed out of the 1911 fight for a good reason, it isn't one that can be won. The 1911 is a great platform, a proven stopper and an all-around staple of the 2nd amendment. Its simplicity is its strength. Not to mention the stopping power of .45 ACP round.

The round was made for the handgun. Buying a 1911 platform in anything except .45 ACP is like drinking light beer on St. Patrick's day, you can do it, but it doesn't make much sense.




That being said I like the platform. It's solid, it feels good and I have a lot of experience with them.

So my first offering is the Para Ordnance Steel LTC. Why, why not, gotta start somewhere.



The Para LTC has a 4.25-inch barrel on a full-size frame and features the Para Koteâ„¢ Regal finish and has a recoil-absorbing steel frame. It comes with two magazines, one that holds the standard seven rounds of .45 ACP and a second one that holds eight rounds. The frames are cast and internal parts are MIM. While their quality control gets high marks I would prefer forged frames, slides and internals. But thats just me.



The Para LTC is what I like best in the platform, it's a commanders length with an arched mainspring housing. You are not going to get the hand fitted hammer forged parts you will from the master 1911 houses such as Les baer or Wilson, but you will get a solid shooter for about a third of the cost.



One note of importance, the customer service is outstanding. I e-mailed their sales director and received a response that day. Everyone at Para is focused on the customer, a lot of the famous 1911 houses aren't.



Specifications:
PCX745E
Caliber:
.45 ACP
Weight:
35 oz.
Overall Length:
7.75"
Barrel Length:
4.25"
Capacity
7+1
Price:
$711.99

 

[Cap]

How long has Para been making the LTC And did they come in all black?
Thanks

I'm not positive of the LTC, but i know they make PX745 and PCX745 in an "M" suffix model number.
(least I "think" that's suffix mod number
I looks to be the same as the "E" model with the exception of black controls and grips
Doesn't have the "bling" of stainless controls and cocobolo grips like the "E"

They generally run a few bukz le$$ too


..L.T.A.

 

[Reconvic]

I beleive you are correct Cap.

 

[Mulerider93]

Mine is an "EMB" for the Midnight Blue. It is some limited edition I got from Bud's. It's all steel. I do like the 4.25-inch barrel on the "true" commander. I also have a full size Kimber that is an incredible gun. I'm hoping to utilize the LTC as a HD, CCW, and range (fun/practice) gun.

Speaking of service. I had to send the LTC back in for a chambering and ejector issue. It returned to me today just one day shy of 2 weeks. Not bad. The range will tell the tale of results. The folks I emailed and talked to at Para in Toronto and Tennessee we're very pleasant and professional.

If this works out, I've got my eye on one of there "Hawg" pistols. making a 1911 in 3, or even, 4 inches is a challenge to the engineering, but that size is perfect for carry and flinging 45acp when bad stuff happens is ideal, IMHO.

--jcd

 

[redmonster13]

I havent had any trouble out of mine at all. While it hasnt replaced my P226 as my favorite, it has replaced it as the most shot. Now I just need your black parts

 

[K9stang]

Thanks for all the info guys. I have read some of that before but a lot of that is news to me. I will probably put some checkered grips on it because I like them. It seems from what I read these shoot well. I'm hoping this is a good one. I like the look of the commander but I still like shooting my SA Mill-spec.

Red - sorry, I like the black parts too! Maybe the black grips, I'll let you know. lol

 

[redmonster13]

Well good luck and I am pretty sure you will enjoy your LTC.

 

[Bill in Ohio]

I bought a new LTC Stainless a few months ago. I've enjoyed it and I've probably got 350 bullets through it. It's accurate and the only bullets I couldn't get through it were DPX. It might still need more breaking in. I carried it constantly when I got it, but haven't carried it in a while - for no good reason.

I don't know enough to have real strong opinions on most things related to pistols. I know MIM is something controversial. I haven't had any MIM wear issues (new gun) but I can say that stuff tarnishes in a kind of annoying way. I'm sure mine being stainless shows the worst of that.

 

[flinch]

I got a blue, steel one from Buds and I like my Para better than the Colt Commander I had. Seems to be more accurate. Commander size may just be close to a perfect creation.
Im not sold on the Para mags though. Im finding it impossible to work the slide release to close the slide if an empty Para mag is in.

 

[usmcmp]

Im finding it impossible to work the slide release to close the slide if an empty Para mag is in.

Thats because the mag was designed to lock the slide back and will not let you send it home without some force, also you should not send the slide home without a round being chambered.