REVIEWS
Cut For Carry
Apt acronym: The Para CCW fills its niche smashingly.
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In police jargon, "CCW" rings as familiar as GTA (Grand Theft Auto), DUI (Driving Under the Influence) or ADW (Assault with a Deadly Weapon). CCW stands for Carrying a Concealed Weapon, and without proper licensing, it's a violation of the law in almost all jurisdictions. But there's good news, too. Some 36 states now have procedures in place that permit citizens with no criminal record and proper training to carry a concealed handgun.
So it's no small wonder that Para Ordnance, the Canadian-based maker of some fine .45 pistols, has tagged its newest model with the CCW moniker. That's exactly the role for which this pistol is intended. After due consideration and evaluation shooting, it becomes obvious that a great deal of thought went into the equation. This is a well-thought-out pistol.
The .45 ACP Para CCW was built with features calculated to produce an optimal concealed carry pistol. It's made entirely of stainless steel, and most of the basic design is a rendering of John Browning's classic 1911, suitably altered in size. The major difference is in the LDA trigger system. Since Para Ordnance makes single-stack LDA pistols with four different barrel/slide lengths and three different magazine/butt lengths, the company had a menu of established options from which to choose in producing its flagship CCW pistol.
DIMENSIONALLY DISCREET
How about barrel and slide length? This pistol comes with a 4.25-inch upper, which is about an inch shorter than the original full-size Government Model. There is no doubt but that the longer pistol is superior in a shooting situation. The longer barrel gets more from the ammunition, and the longer sight radius means faster, more precise sight alignment. However, the modern trend is toward somewhat shorter guns, even when they are full-size police holster pistols. With training, shooters can master the fast and accurate use of a slightly shorter gun. And since the longer ones are more difficult to carry and deploy under stress, the CCW's dimensions are nearly ideal.
The gun's weight is 34.6 ounces, which is on the heavy side. But premium stainless steel is substantial stuff, and Para uses it for a reason. It's strong, and that means it's a gun that will last a lifetime and keep on shooting. This is a defensive pistol, and that's a role that requires frequent, intense practice sessions. Shooting gets fast and furious in a well-organized training program, where the ammunition is full-power stuff. When the gun is a light one that knocks you around a bit, there is a marked tendency to cut the training short. Serious business demands serious practice. You need a comfortable heft to your defense gun, and the CCW gives it to you.
