I owned one and must admit it was one I regret letting go. It ran flawlessly and I never had even one issue with it. It wasn't popular with 1911-purists, but I liked it a lot. I only got rid of it in order to get something else.
I had one for several years. It was reliable and accurate, but I could never just get completely happy with the trigger action on it so I sold it and bought an alloy commander. That said, it was mechanically perfect through a high round count as it has several thousand rounds through it when I sold it.
I carried one on duty for a while to get around the no cocked and locked policy. Put about 3k rounds on it before I sold it. One note… when I changed the spur hammer to the flush one I couldn't get it to reset. When i sent it to the factory they stated the frame and slide were both out of spec and didn't pass inspection. They hand built a replacement set and was a good gun since the full size gun hadn't been made in a long time. It's my understanding some less than stellar machined slides and frames made it out. Function test it thoroughly and make sure the firing pin doesn't stick in the slide when dry fired. Common issue.
I have 2 1640 LDA pistols. They run well and I love the trigger. One of the 2 has a round count of at least 10k. I would love to find a 45 cal LDA to add to my collection.
When I was a 1911 guy I had Officers, 9mm HC,40 cal HC, 45acp HC LDA's I thought they worked great. I shot a lot of DAO rev, so they fit right in. Good luck
Most of the folks that don't like the para LDA or any traditional DAO's (with a hammer, Glocks and M&P's don't count) (and no offense to anyone here) is they were not trained "properly" on or had to carry a true double action design (ie revolver). Being I am a revolver head and started out a revolver I really like the LDA and feel it is one of the most underrated handguns around. but that's just me.
Great comments everyone, thanks. I'm strongly leaning towards a .45 Para. Perhaps I'll get a chance to shoot the one I handled last weekend to make up my mind.
I think you are making a good choice. I bought this pistol in Que's photo, but in the "True 1911" style and it is great. Good quality and accurate with a Match Barrel! I looked at the LDA, but had never owned a 1911, so I went with the traditional trigger. I have never had any malfunction or other issues and would strongly recommend a Para to others.
I owned and carried a stainless C7.45 LDA for several years. It functioned perfectly and shot better than I can generally hold for. As a Certified Geezer and lifelong southpaw I grew up shooting mostly DA revolvers. The LDA trigger action was easy and natural for me to get accustomed to and never fazed me a bit.
The lack of "second strike" capability never became an issue, as after many years of training with a regular 1911 and other SA semiautos had engrained doing a "Tap, Rack, Bang" sequence reflexive should there have been an FTFire. Other than in drills, I never had to resort to it though.
Unfortunately, I fell upon a streak of Bad Times and regretfully had to part with it when someone offered me more than I had in it for it. I often wish that I'd parted with something else instead, but one does what one must to get by these days.
P.S.: A set of XS Big Dots made it one of the fastest carry pistols to get hits with I've ever had. Wish I had another!
Here is my LDA in 9mm. It shoots really well, smooth and I carry it often. Though I am considering selling it to fund a Sig P226 in 9mm (just to try something new)