Nowind0 Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 I purchased a P16-40 Limited probably about 10 years ago. So it was made in Canada and has the standard extractor. I have made some upgrades to it. 1. took the series 80 parts out 2. replaced hammer and sear with a C&S unit 3. installed a short trigger (as I have short fingers) 4. extended mag release 5. removed the grips and added skateboard tape (as I have short fingers) I am thinking of performing more upgrades, but not sure what it needs. Definitely a mag well and basepads. So I have two questions: 1. What other upgrades should I be looking to do (this will mainly be a 3-gun pistol)? 2. Would I be better off selling the gun as is and going to the dark side with an STI (both cost and functionality wise)? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddrod Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 You have basically the same setup I have. The only thing different is I have a Dawson ICE magwell on mine. If the gun runs I do not see the reason the sell it to upgrade to an STI. The gun will not hold you back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbbean Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 How many rounds through the gun? How happy are you with the gun in it's current state? How tight are the tolerances? How accurate is the gun? How reliable is the gun? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retread1911 Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 I shoot the same gun in IPSC limited Get a new barrel bushing fitted as the bushing is a weak link for sure. I am upgrading to the Dawson Magwell as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nowind0 Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 How many rounds through the gun? How happy are you with the gun in it's current state? How tight are the tolerances? How accurate is the gun? How reliable is the gun? The gun has less than 1,000 rounds throught it. I am happy with the gun save a few magazine induced malfunctions. Just a bit large for my hand, but not sure any other double stack 1911 is any better. The gun is pretty good on tolerences...for a factory gun. Definitely not as tight as my bullseye guns. It is resonably accurate, to the point that I would not be concerned with the accuracy. It will hold the 10 ring on a 25 yd rapid fire target (at 25 yrds) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmspdi Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 (edited) I have the same gun (Candian made without the PX) plus a Dawson Magwell and five mags with Dawson extentions. I bought my P16-40 used and had to chase down a few issues that I thought were magazine induced, but turned out to by caused by the slide stop and magazine release button. You can read all about it at http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=298470&highlight=Gotchas and find my solutions to the problems. Tight slide to frame fit is overated in a combat style gun as it increases the chances of a malfunction. However I does come into play with a frame mounted optic (Open gun). Since the sights on a Limited gun are mounted on the slide the most important thing as a good barrel to slide fit. Also Run-n-Gun isn't bullseye and the demands for accuracy are different. The larger grip size is directly related to the number of rounds it holds. As far as I am concerned it could be the size of a 2x4 if it held 30 rounds in a 140mm long magazine, but I have big hands. If the gun runs fine I don't see a need to spend a lot of money for an STI, unless you are looking for STI "bragging rights". STIs are a little lighter than the Para all stainless steel frame guns (sometimes weight is your friend without a compensator) and they do have their own set of "issues" (mag tuning amoung them). Remember the devil you know is sometimes better than the devil you DON'T know. Edited February 21, 2012 by wmspdi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nowind0 Posted February 22, 2012 Author Share Posted February 22, 2012 Thanks for all the replies/advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leas327 Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 I have a friend with small hands that was having issues with his grip. He installed a short trigger, sanded the grip panels down and added skate tape. Problem solved Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParaGunner Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Stick with your Para and use your money for ammo to practice. If you're going to be doing a lot of reloads then get a DP Ice magwell. Your mag issues can probably be solved with ISMI 140mm mag springs and if you want more rounds get the Dawson Precision basepads too. I wouldn't trade my P-16 for any other limited gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nowind0 Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 Stick with your Para and use your money for ammo to practice. If you're going to be doing a lot of reloads then get a DP Ice magwell. Your mag issues can probably be solved with ISMI 140mm mag springs and if you want more rounds get the Dawson Precision basepads too. I wouldn't trade my P-16 for any other limited gun. If I get the Dawson basepads, what spring do you recommend? Is there a follower that is better than the stock OEM? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmspdi Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 (edited) I have 5 P16-40 magazines with Dawson extensions and they all use the Dawson springs. http://www.dawsonprecision.com/ProductDetail.jsp?LISTID=3640000-1100274077 I get 20+1 rounds of 40 S&W in my Canadian made Para OEM blued tubes and followers. No problems. You might be able to shoehorn an extra round in with a different follower, or buy cutting the magazine spring a little (at the risk of FTF on the last round). I am happy with twenty reliable rounds so I never tried it. YMMV. Edited February 24, 2012 by wmspdi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckaroo45 Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I run a P16 in Limited and the only things I'd do to your particular gun is be prepared to replace the extractor, I went Aftec installed by Millenium Custom, and I had the barrel throated to run 1.200 oal by Shay at AKAI Custom to run ammo from DC Ammo. Runs 100% with everything I feed it w/ Para nickel mag bodies and followers, Dawson extensions and ISMI 140mm mag springs. It will put all shots into a fist sized hole at 15 yards. What's not to like. No, I don't see any need to go STI. Those who do not take an interest in public affairs are doomed to be ruled by evil men ~ PLATO, 300 BC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chirpy Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 I have a P14 and had a P16. The 16 was modified similar to your gun. I have small hands and do not find the grip to be a problem. Once I loaded out to 1.2 it was 100%! I sold it and went back to the 14 because I can see .45 holes easier than .40...I'm 65. I just compete locally these days and don't feel the extra rounds will help that much. FWIW Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxshooter Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Add the magwell, extended base pads and use Grams springs and followers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParaGunner Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 (edited) Stick with your Para and use your money for ammo to practice. If you're going to be doing a lot of reloads then get a DP Ice magwell. Your mag issues can probably be solved with ISMI 140mm mag springs and if you want more rounds get the Dawson Precision basepads too. I wouldn't trade my P-16 for any other limited gun. If I get the Dawson basepads, what spring do you recommend? Is there a follower that is better than the stock OEM? I have had great success with 140mm ISMI Para mag springs with factory followers. Sometimes you might have to radius the front andback of the follower to keep the follower from getting caught when it transfers from the basepad to the mag body when fully loaded(there is a great video that Dawson Precision has about this on there website). Some magazines will hold 21rnds and some will only hold 20rnds of 40s&w. This combination will be very reliable and last a long time,I only change my mag springs every 2 years with the ISMI springs. My P-16 will even feed empty cases! Edited February 25, 2012 by Roy Hess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEH Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I have a P14 and had a P16. The 16 was modified similar to your gun. I have small hands and do not find the grip to be a problem. Once I loaded out to 1.2 it was 100%! I sold it and went back to the 14 because I can see .45 holes easier than .40...I'm 65. I just compete locally these days and don't feel the extra rounds will help that much. FWIW Richard thread drift--Chirpy,,whats wrong with being 65... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckaroo45 Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Ahoy EEH - nothing is wrong with being 65 that minus 35 years wouldn't cure. I'm also 65. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BurdDawg69 Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 Im getting 20 +1 in mine with Factory followers, DP base pads, and Wolff +10% springs. Ive got one mag for some reason just wont hold over 19 even when tuned and played with. Just difference when built I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motorjon68 Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 So what did you end up doing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chirpy Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 Nothing wrong with being 65! Just splainin why .45 holes are easier for me to see than .40! Richard PS: A few years ago I didn't think I would make 65...long story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbullet Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 I thought of reviving this thread as this talked about magazine set up for a P16-40. As of late, I have had issues with my magazines where the last 1 or 2 rounds have been jamming in the magazine where the rounds would no longer go up. I can see the rounds just sort of getting wedged on the side of the follower. I dont know if the follower is tilting but the rounds are certainly not going under or on the side of the follower and the stoppage is somewhat puzzling. My set up is the standard nickel P16-40 OEM mags. I have the original Para Ord follower and have replaced the mag springs with the 10%+ brownells springs for Para. I have tried to use the arredondo followers thinking that it could be the cause but the arredondo were much worse as it tilted at the bottom of the mag and rendered the magazine incapacitated. I am considering to try the gram followers and springs but are they suitable for para mag tubes as they appear to be for STI and SPS only. Anyone tried the followers with a Para mag tube? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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