Has anyone had any experience with the Para Ordinance P1640 LDA? If so, is that a better option than the Kimber stainless II?

Have you done an internet search?

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=3697

Seems to me they are different guns. I have a Kimber Pro Carry II in 38 Super. Is the Kimber not a single action while the Para has the Light Double Action feature? There were some negative comments posted here about the Para. Do a search and make up your own mind.
Peter

I am actually pretty familiar with both guns. The LDA is a cross between a single and double action, where the kimber is not. I am just wondering if anyone personally has one of these guns and has input.

I shoot the LDA in 40 in IPSC. I am not very good at it, but mine has several thousand rounds thru it and still runs flawlessly. Cast bullets.

Rich

I do not have a stainless II but do have a Kimber CDP II. I can probably shoot it better than any other pistol I have except a S&W 41.
It simply puts the bullet where I aim. No problems so far.

Depends what you are after.

If you want to shoot gun games, then the LDA may be a good choice. Its a big, heavy piece with a 16 round mag. If you have smaller hands, it may be a bit of a handful. As others have said its a modified double action gun. It has no double strike capability, and you cannot manually recock it. The only real advantage to it is shooting USPSA production division- heavy gun, low recoil impulse, light trigger. They do seem to have QC issues at Para compared to other makers, IME.

The stainless Kimber pistols (I have a Target II) is basically a copy of the colt 1911. This is still usable in gun games (IDPA, IPSC/USPSA) as well as concealed carry/defensive uses, and is a good production made gun. I think you can find them in .45 and .38 Super only, but I may be wrong there (its been a while since I brought a single stack pistol.)

Since you don't KNOW you want the Para, I think you would be better off with the Kimber.

Edited to add I have both of them- if I was going to get one or the other, it would be the Kimber.

Thank you for the input....Now that you brought up the concealed carry, I will maybe look at which one will fit the bill for that. I probably am leaning more towards the kimber myself. I am however looking at getting the next pistol in .40 cal. So, the manufacturer will have to offer the caliber.

I would keep as far away from Para as you can. When they work, they work well, but when they do not work well they have no, none, zero, customer service.

My one Para-Ordinance (P-13) worked after changing out the factory magazine springs and the recoil springs with Wolff extra-power springs. The 2 Kimbers I've had worked well but one thumb safety broke (early MIM part).

Best,

jpj3