Para USA's Pro Custom 14.45

We’ve covered Para USA products previously, however, different models have different features that follow along with each of their intended purposes. The Pro Custom 14.45 falls into Para USA’s competition product category. Subsequently, the Pro Custom 14.45 has a target type adjustable rear sight with a high visibility, non-target obscuring, small diameter front fiber optic sight.

Additional accommodations for competitive shooting are the pistol’s ambidextrous thumb safety, bumped beaver tail grip safety and double stack 14 round capacity. The Pro Custom’s magazine guide is oversized and flared to facilitate rapid magazine changes.

The Para USA Pro Custom slide top is rounded, their Black Ops has a ribbed flat that runs from front sight to rear. Aesthetics or functional? I don’t know. Below line of sight, neither slide top is visible when shooting. Both models have 5″ ramped match barrels and full length guide rods.

I have to admit I’ve come to appreciate the most recent generations of black oxide alternative finishes. This Para USA’s Black IonBond© PVD finish is actually metal vaporized at very high temperatures and deposited uniformly to the firearm’s surfaces. It is a stronger and more durable surface than could be achieved with oxide bluing or even plating.

So where are they hiding the extra ammo?

Para USA does a good job of minimizing the effects of this expanded capacity. There is a big difference between Para USA’s single and double stack guns at the front strap, 0.760″ for the former and 1.160″ for the latter, an 0.400″ difference or almost half an inch. However, by employing a different grip panel design, the overall width of the grips are 1.305 and 1.355 respectively, only a minor 0.050″ difference. Best way to see if this would work for you would be to visit a local gun shop… or ask someone who is shooting one at the range to let you fire a few rounds.

Exaggeration intended…

Initially, hand memory of a single stack pistol can get you to end up grabbing the Pro Custom as illustrated below left. With a little handling experience, bottom right becomes the norm.

Other than for folks with small hands, the front strap width would not be a problem. Larger than average paws might find a somewhat tight squeeze at the front of the magazine guide.

Not being a combat shooter ace, I might find my way to an Allen wrench and remove the magazine guide and recover that lost grip real estate… or practice until I could use the hardware as designed, which would probably be more appropriate. I do not have bear paws, but I wear a large size glove and I had no problem with grip fit.

How did it shoot?

Tight and it stayed that way throughout the project. The Para USA Pro Custom is also probably the softest shooting 45 ACP 1911 type I’ve shot in a long time. That wide group spreads the recoil over approximately 50% more surface area in the palm of the hand, which appears to reduce shock to the wrist. Tough gun to put down.

Where initially the Pro Custom double stack took a small investment of time to feel comfortable, it soon became as easy to shoot as the Para USA 1911 Black Ops single stack. The Pro Custom really shined in a two hand hold. The sights were great, even against a shaded woodland back drop. The front light pipe glowed bright green and the serrated face of the rear sight offered a clean, precise sight picture. All and all it is a nicely done product.