ksf141 Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 I have a Para P16 .40 limited that I built out for Limited years ago. All new internals, magwell, bull barrel etc. Im wondering if the frame can accept the Para p18 9mm/38super mags and I could put a 9mm open top end on it. Does anyone have any experience with a conversion similar to this or have any guidance? I figure since I have the para frame with nice internals, and a holster setup for Para, it may be worth building an open top end for it.... Thanks for any help you guys can offer. There also just happens to be someone in the classifieds selling a 9mm open top end with a para barrel cut... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troupe Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 All you will need is a complete top end. You may get lucky with the ejector. 9MM Para mags with work fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrguns Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 I was just thinking of doing the same thing (open para). I do have a p14 and thinking of building a open 9major or 38 super. The only thing that is stopping is 170mm magazine, I do have some old para p18 mags(140mm) (canadian) but can't seem to find any 170mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFlowers Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 My Para open gun started its life as a TJ Limited model in 40. Para full size frames are all the same. No one makes a 170mm Para mag. You might find an old STI for Para mag here or you can either (a) use all STI mags and a certain mag catch which works with them or ( use and STI 170mm magazine and just modify the mag catch slot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrguns Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 JFlowers would mind posting picture of of you para open gun? any problems as far reliability wise? I do have a 2011 frame being build but I wan't to build my para as back up or a club gun while i'm waiting for my 2011 to finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksf141 Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share Posted August 7, 2014 My Para open gun started its life as a TJ Limited model in 40. Para full size frames are all the same. No one makes a 170mm Para mag. You might find an old STI for Para mag here or you can either (a) use all STI mags and a certain mag catch which works with them or ( use and STI 170mm magazine and just modify the mag catch slot. I previously had a para 38super open gun and had a 170mm mag made by welding two bodies together, worked awesome but sold the gun and mags and dont want to have to do it again. Can you elaborate on the STI mag and mag catch option? I havent heard of this before. What mag catch are you using? Is it as simple as switching the mag catch and then using standard STI mags? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckS Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Canyon Creek sells a Para mag release for S_I tubes. You may want to try with your mag catch. The mag will sit about 1/8" low. Might work. I have a SVI tube that works well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grantwoodok Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 Try SPS Shop (www.spsshop.es) in Spain they sell 170mm PARA mags for 38Super/9mm Major. I got 2 for my wife's Para in 38 Super and work perfectly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrett Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 (edited) My Para open gun started its life as a TJ Limited model in 40. Para full size frames are all the same. No one makes a 170mm Para mag. You might find an old STI for Para mag here or you can either (a) use all STI mags and a certain mag catch which works with them or ( use and STI 170mm magazine and just modify the mag catch slot. I previously had a para 38super open gun and had a 170mm mag made by welding two bodies together, worked awesome but sold the gun and mags and dont want to have to do it again.Can you elaborate on the STI mag and mag catch option? I havent heard of this before. What mag catch are you using? Is it as simple as switching the mag catch and then using standard STI mags? Thanks in advance. I used to have a Para open gun, and I had a couple of the "STI for Para" mags for it. You can't just file the mag catch slot on the mag and get it to work. That works when going from a Para mag to STI, not the other way around. To do that, you would have to first weld up the hole in the mag and re-cut it for the Para catch.You may be able to modify the mag catch in the gun to work with standard STI mags, but I haven't looked at whether or not this would work. If you cut and weld a couple of Para mags, you can end up with a 170 mm mag that holds more ammo than any STI/SV mag out there. I've heard of people getting 33 or so rounds in the welded Para mags. Of course, you are then relying on the skill of the welder. But it's an option. Edited September 8, 2014 by Garrett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sschultz Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 I shoot STI 170 mags in my unaltered para with no issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totoykidlat Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 (edited) Hi... I'd like to share what I did on my para ordinance 16-40...I converted it to 9mm minor/major 1. I bought the slide and compensator to BRAZOS during 2012 nationals in Las Vegas. Bought a kkm Barrel and had my friend fitted it to the frame and slide.. He also made 5 holes (tap) 5-40 on the left Side of the frame for my red dot mount.. 2. I sent the gun to Doug for accurail because Para's frame is thinner than sti so in the long run it will have Play.. But after the accurail i gave Doug 10 thumbs up for how fitted it is right now.. 3. I bought the mag release to canyon creek and I fitted it to the gun and sti magazine... Soooo ..any 170 mm and 140 mm magazine fits the gun without any problem... I bought 1 sps magazine to try it But that damn magazine is a trash... I throw it away.. It gives me a headache... 4. I can put a c more sideways or straight.. But docter is my favorite with Arredondo mount.... 5. If you're getting a compensator BRAZOS comp is for major power factor only I need to put 7.3 grain of Vit 350 and autocomp is 7.3 grain (powder) for the compensator to work.. So what I did is cut the comp 2 holes out and I put 3 holes on top of the barrel..now it works on minor load and I can tame my major Load to as low as 167 power factor.. 6. I made myself a thumb rest because I'm a lefty and colored the gun with cerakote black.. 7. The best magwell for me for para is cape magwell from speedshooter... 8. Trigger is an sti made for para.. With cylinder and slide trigger components inside.. 9. I have an sti open gun too... But my para is my favorite because I shoot better and faster with Para.. I hope this helps those shooters who wants to convert their para ord into open gun.. Edited September 13, 2014 by totoykidlat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 Hello: You can buy a Para 9mm slide from Para and then get all the other parts. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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