Mrguns Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 Like the title said, I have this extra para P14-45 frame I'm thinking of converting to open, got most of the parts I need and since the big stick are easier to find now (MBX) as well but i'm still on fence whether to use the frame or fork out the extra cash and buy a 2011 frame. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatland Shooter Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 Nothing wrong with it. I have three open guns in the safe build on Para frames. Two are in 45 ACP (1985 vintage) and one is 9x21 (1995 vintage). Nothing wrong with any of them. They are all strong shooters. I would recommend you use STI/SVI magazines rather than Para magazines. Reloads are so much smoother. Back then, all it required was a little modification to the magazine catch. If you watch closely, you do see the occasional Para open gun at matches, but they are few and far between. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimberacp Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 the only issue IMO, is the dust cover, maybe. and I agree on using S_I magazines, in any para build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckS Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 32 minutes ago, kimberacp said: the only issue IMO, is the dust cover, maybe. and I agree on using S_I magazines, in any para build. Yup, the dust cover is pretty thin and does not last when drilled and tapped for a scope mount. You could braze/weld/whatever some additional metal to the frame to strengthen it. Example: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrguns Posted September 23, 2016 Author Share Posted September 23, 2016 45 minutes ago, ChuckS said: Yup, the dust cover is pretty thin and does not last when drilled and tapped for a scope mount. You could braze/weld/whatever some additional metal to the frame to strengthen it. Example: that was my next question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrguns Posted September 23, 2016 Author Share Posted September 23, 2016 1 hour ago, Flatland Shooter said: Nothing wrong with it. I have three open guns in the safe build on Para frames. Two are in 45 ACP (1985 vintage) and one is 9x21 (1995 vintage). Nothing wrong with any of them. They are all strong shooters. I would recommend you use STI/SVI magazines rather than Para magazines. Reloads are so much smoother. Back then, all it required was a little modification to the magazine catch. If you watch closely, you do see the occasional Para open gun at matches, but they are few and far between. What mount are your using on your open para's, single sided or c-more serendepit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatland Shooter Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 On one I have a serendipity style mount that bolts to both sides of the dustcover. The others have the old EGW Red Buff mount that mounts above the left grip and replaces the plunger tube. They were special ordered with the rail cut off and milled to fit a C-more sight. I don't know if they are still available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckS Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 My frame above had a single-sided Arredondo mount and a Deltapoint. We thought it would be light enough. We were wrong. The EGW mount sounds interesting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHitchcock Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 I would sell the para frame and buy one for your project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatland Shooter Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 Some folks like an all steel gun. I know it took me quite a while to warm up to the 2011 with its polymer grip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gooldylocks Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Do caspian frames have the same issue or are they thicker? It would seem, to an uneducated me, that if they would hold up we might start to see a resurgence of guns built on caspian frames now that reliable 140s and 170s are going to widely available from MBX. You can buy a complete frame for less than a steel grip for a 2011, which should drive down the cost of builds. But I've got no experience in that field, so I defer to those that do.Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bamboo Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Caspians have thicker dust covers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z40acp Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Standard STI's are .830 and the new wide Caspian Hi Cap frame that I have is .860. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noexcuses Posted September 28, 2016 Share Posted September 28, 2016 Would the rock islands be thin also for optic mounts as they are built on para frames? Mine measures .050" at the dust cover where you would drill and and tap. What does a STI based gun measure there and how thick would be needed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeerBaron Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 0.050 is very thin. that's 1.27mm. I'd say the standard STI type frame would be closer to 1.8mm and the wide frame 2mm or more. someone with a frame handy can measure for you i'm sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noexcuses Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 56 minutes ago, BeerBaron said: 0.050 is very thin. that's 1.27mm. I'd say the standard STI type frame would be closer to 1.8mm and the wide frame 2mm or more. someone with a frame handy can measure for you i'm sure. A measurement would be great, I will have some material welded on to make it stronger. I will be using a 90degree cmore mount so that's a bit of force on the mounting screws Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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