First things first, thanks to many emails and comments, I am planning on just waiting out the repairs on the Para Gun Blog 45. It's a great pistol, it just needs to get fixed, that is all.
However, feeding it is always going to be expensive. Prohibitively if I do nothing but buy factory ammo, tolerable if I reload myself, and even then I could lower the pain level if I use lead cast bullets rather than FMJ or hollow points.
Now, I've contacted Para USA, and like every other manufacturer they can only recommend that I use factory loaded ammunition in their handguns. Of course, this is total horse shit, but they have to say that for legal reasons. I did find out that there isn't an issue shooting lead in Para barrels like there is in Glock barrels, but that each gun and barrel combination is unique and you'll have to try several things to see what works best.
When it comes to lead bullets, that can be a pricey issue. I can buy 1000 of the damned things for $50, but if that particular make / shape / lube job doesn't work, then I'm out $50.
What I'm looking for is some cast bullets in .452 diameter at 200 grains, preferably in SWC, RN, or RNFP with a Brinell hardness around 16-18. I'd like to try about 50 of each to get a feel for if they feed well and work well enough at the range to justify buying them in bulk.
Even better, I'd like to consider casting my own, but that's a lot of cost to that if nothing feeds well or just doesn't provide good enough accuracy.
Does anyone cast their own bullets or reload lead for 45 that could possibly ship me a sample of some of your bullets so I can run some tests? I'd be glad to compensate you for them (you know us gunnies - always compensating for something!).
Thanks,
R
Orange, I also Recomend the S&W1911. My only complaint on the platform is they use Full-length guide-rods, and I just don't like those.
They're also one of the only factory 1911s that use external extractors. Extractors are a HUGE problem in the 1911 platform. Para fixed it with their Power Extractor, Smith fixed it by giving the 1911 the same-type extractor found on every other damn semi-auto out there.