Para USA P14-45

The Para Ordnance P14-45 is a Canadian semi-automatic pistol. First number in the designation denotes magazine capacity (14 rounds), the second number denotes caliber (.45 ACP). The Para Ordnance company was founded in Canada in 1985. Since 1988 it was making high capacity conversion kits for M1911A1 type pistols. Upgraded pistols could accommodate double-stack magazines with higher ammunition capacity. This feature doubled available rounds for the shooter. With the initial success of the kits the Para Ordnance soon introduced their own line of M1911A1-type pistols with high capacity magazines. These pistols found buyers among law enforcement and civilian shooters and were adopted by the Canadian Armed Forces. In 2009 the company moved from Canada to the USA and changed its name to Para USA. The P14-45 is essential a clone of the famous M1911A1. It has double the ammo capacity of the original M1911A1. This pistol is also well known as a 14-shot M1911. Early Para Ordnance pistols were almost exact copies of the M1911A1. However over time design of these pistols evolved and several new features were added. This pistol is chambered in .45 ACP. Also there are versions of this weapon, chambered in .40 S&W and 9x19 mm Parabellum. The Para Ordnance P14-45 is a short-recoil operated weapon. It uses a classical Browning locking system and fires with locked breech. Most Para Ordnance pistols have steel frames, however there are also versions with aluminum alloy frames. This pistol has a "single-action" type trigger mechanism. This weapon has a manual safety lever, located at the side of the frame. "Limited" series pistols come with ambidextrous levers. There is also an M1911-style automatic grip safety. Furthermore there is a disconnect or, which does not allows the gun to fire if the slide is not fully closed and the barrel is locked. This pistol has a double-stack magazine. That is an improvement over a single stack M1911A1. The P14-45 holds twice more ammo, however the downside is that it is not that comfortable to hold and shoot. This pistol can be fitted with either fixes or adjustable sights. The rear sight is dovetailed into the slide. A number of variants of this Canadian pistol were created, including compact and subcompact models, chambered in various calibers.