D9Firearms

We have spoken about the Para products before but this one is worth re-visiting.  I was able to break free of some domestic duties the other day to test out a new handgun I purchased from our Euro friends, the HK USP Compact in a .40SW which also included bringing the Para LTC.  One thing I have learned is always go to the range with a couple of guns and this was no exception.  When testing a new pistol for the first time I never have high expectations since it usually takes me two or three times out to get acclimated.  So I will have a better report on the HK in a couple of weeks.

However, I brought the Para LTC .45 with me since it is quickly becoming a favorite shooter of mine.  I picked this one up on a wholesaler’s weekly special and ended up buying a couple of them.  The Para I have is in the commander style which has a 4” barrel, a single action, a 7 round single stack with the 1911 style grip and thumb safeties.

As I commented in an earlier review, I was surprised to find it was manufactured by our socialist, peace loving, gun-control, Canadian friends.  Well I’m positive none of these nit-wits work at Para-Ordnance since this is a precision manufactured firearm designed for performance.  And you know this the instant you slide the action back, squeeze the trigger and feeling the recoil as the casing is ejected out and you’re lining up your follow up shot, of course only to realize you won’t need it.  These guys make a solid pistol.  (My apologies to all gun loving, anti-socialist, peace through strength, and engineering Canadian friends.  And thanks for electing a new Prime Minister its refreshing to hear a positive person.)

Well after warming up with der HK, I went for the Para and set the target at 5yds out and just proceeded to punch all the red out of the bull’s eye.  I mean just point and shoot and what ever you’re aiming at, no questions asked, it is on the mark.  This gun is the kind you like to shoot because it seems effortless to put it on the mark and it can make any shooter look good.  Even with the recoil of the .45, recovery time to place your sights back on the target is as manageable as a 9mm or .40SW, just a little more punch.  I also wheeled the target out to the 15yd line and was holding in 8 ring and better.  Again I was surprised by the first shot just high of the bulls.  Another important fact is I haven’t shot pistols and this one in particular since early November, and I can pick this one up and just proceed on punching the lights out of anything.

My previous comments also included not using this particular gun for a carry conceal or for a beginner shooter and I still feel that away.  I think it is an excellent range gun or home defense gun, but without the extra capacity combined with the single action I personally wouldn’t use it for CCW.  However, I am researching Para’s products for a larger frame with double stack .45 and plan to report with the same results.

If you are interested in purchasing a Para-Ordnance please contact us here at D9 we will be glad to assist you.

We’re always pleased when one of our clients provides us feedback on a rifle package we provided. I have copied the email I recieved from Gary who we outfitted a T3 Varmint a Zeiss optic.

I finally got a chance to sight in my Tikka/Zeiss package with your hand loaded 168 grain bullets and the results were fantastic. The first shot at 100 yards was about 3” to the right and 3 or 4” down. It took a total of six shots to get the round in the bull. I then proceeded to shoot two different 3 shot 100 yard groups. Both groups had all three bullets touching and one was considerably less than 1moa … this was during a fairly brisk wind and less than “ideal” shooting conditions. I’m certain the rifle will also perform at yardages well beyond 100 yards. These results are phenomenal

As I told Kyle, this rifle will be able to shoot anything (even something as small as the head of a squirrel) at 100 yards and has a round large enough to cleanly take most North American animals. Combine that will very manageable “low” recoil and you get a true “killer” combo.

Gary

We hope this feedback assists you in making a decision if you are interested in a Tikka. Please contact us here at D9 we will be glad to provide you with an outfitted package of your choice.

Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you

Typically you walk up to the counter and say hey cowboy let me see that there rifle and the obliging big box store attendant says yes sir. You immediately ratchet back the bolt and proceed to aim at a discontent rhinoceros baring down on you and as you make eye contact you start to lightly squeeze, and then squeeze some more and even more and finally the trigger breaks and the rhinoceros goes down for the count. But was the trigger pull smooth? Did it break clean? Did you jerk when the trigger finally broke? Or was it smooth, with a clean crisp break and the target went down with a clean heart shot and the natives are celebrating. These are just a few issues to consider when evaluating the trigger on any firearm.

In an effort to increase accuracy of your standard factory firearm modifying the trigger or installing an aftermarket will typically produce the most immediate and noticeable results. First you can feel the difference when you squeeze the trigger and secondly and most importantly you will see the difference, hopefully when it is directed at one of God’s little miscreant fur ball creature’s hell bent on the destruction of the cattle population. (Sorry for the digression, but I have prairie dog fever.) Depending on the firearm you may or may not be able to modify the trigger. Additionally some firearms just don’t require it or you wouldn’t want to adjust it. For instance, standard deer rifles or brush guns where you don’t want a tweaked trigger, but when accuracy becomes a focal point of the firearm you’re using the trigger is the first place I tend to look at for changes.

All things being equal the trigger is the one area that can be easily modified to produce immediate and very noticeable effects. Mechanical design has never been my strong suit and so I always find it interesting to study how the system works only to see how ridiculously simple it is. The genius behind a good engineer is KISS “Keep It Simple Stupid”. I also think about the mechanics behind the firing control system of my guns. Have you ever stripped down a semi-auto handgun, or bolt rifle, or even your shotgun and studied how the trigger mechanism actually works? Although I could never design a fire control system I can understand, see, and appreciate the ingenuity behind it.

The first installation was for Mike and his DPMS LR-308. Briefly Mike is quite an enjoyable fellow who routinely drops by Saturday mornings and gets it all kicked off by talking about one of our favorite topics, shooting and what he wants next. So Mike decided to go with the JP Adjustable trigger that I have been recommending and personally have in both of my DPMSs. This trigger will reduce the pull from 6lbs down to 3lb. This trigger allows you to set the break point and adjust the over travel. The process is relatively straight forward and requires a punch set, small hammer, and a dremmel tool. Once the original trigger is removed and the new one installed the trigger must then be set for engagement and over travel adjustment. This is a repetitive process until everything is lined up and breaks clean and smooth. Once this is completed, you need to take out the set screws and apply loctite, then re-adjust it again. The overall process takes about 30 minutes that is after you’ve done a few. The triggers sell for $130 - $135. We offer the trigger installed for $150.

Another fire control mechanism we are also reviewing and starting to work with for the DPMS rifles is the speed hammer. I’ve just received it in and plan on installing it on my DPMS Sweet 16 Bull. The objective behind the speed hammer is to reduce lock time which increases accuracy on follow up shots, not that I need a follow up shot, but occasionally a prairie dog deserves a second shot. (Actually they’ve escaped death a few times to many; hence the replacement trigger and speed hammer.)

A few weeks ago I sold a Glock 23 (40SW) to another local client and I had him test the difference between mine, which has the 3.5lb disconnector, and his new one. He immediately recognized the benefit of dropping the pull on this pistol. So I ordered in a 3.5lb disconnector to replace the factory disconnector, which has about a 5.5lb pull. While waiting on the trigger to come in, I recommended that he get acclimated and shoot a couple of boxes of rounds through it. The trigger came in about 3 weeks later and I had my new shooter come back over so we could install the disconnector. Since I haven’t done this for awhile it took a little more effort but 30 minutes later the pistol was back together and operating as smoothly as my personal Glock. He was immediately pleased with the new pull.

As I wrote in earlier reviews I have modified both of my Remington 700’s with an aftermarket trigger on my VLS and VSF, which has made an incredible difference. I’ve used both the Timney and Rifle Basic replacement trigger and have been very pleased with both of them. Each trigger took me about 30 minutes to install and did not require any adjustment. However they are both adjustable, but I just like mine set light.

So if you are interested in an after market trigger please contact us here at D9. We will be glad to provide a trigger and provide installation. However, depending on the firearm we may opt not to install it if it is something we have no experience with. As always we hope this information is beneficial.

At D9Firearms we are not a stocking dealer for any firearms manufacturer which allows us flexibility and honesty in providing you with the best products and costs.  However, we do purchase a variety of firearms routinely from our wholesalers and list them for sale on the auctions.  We are in the process of developing additional web pages that offer you more choices.

First is our New Products page which displays NIB firearms we have on hand.  These are typically geared towards an upcoming or current hunting or shooting season.  Additionally, if we know a certain product is in demand that we believe in and can honestly recommend, we will order them.  We will also watch for specials or pick up an oddity and list it.

Additionally we are also working on a Consignment Page where we will list your firearm for trade or sale.  This page will allow you to post pictures and a description of the firearm you would like to trade or sell.  The buyer and seller will negotiate directly.  We only ask for a $10 sales commission or if we handle the transfer the standard transfer rates will apply to the buyer.  For local customers this also means no tax.

Another page that is currently under development is a Watch List page.  Our vendors send regular email and mail flyers that offer specials on a variety of firearms.  If we know you are thinking about a gun, but not ready to purchase unless of course a significant discount became available, we would notify you.  These specials usually are limited in quantity and time.  So if we know you’re interested we’ll give you a heads up.

Thanks for your interest and we look forward to working with you.  Please contact us here at D9 if you have any questions or would like to place an order.