Athlon Outdoors Supersite
Tactical Life Website
Ballistic Website
Personal Defense World Website
Skillsetmag Website
  • Guns
    • Handguns
      • Semi-Automatic Handguns
      • Revolvers
    • AR Pistols
    • AR Rifles
    • Rifles
      • Semi-Automatic Rifles
      • Lever Action
      • Bolt Action
    • Shotguns
    • Airguns
    • Custom Guns
      • Handgun Build
      • Rifle Build
      • Shotgun Build
    • Specialty Guns
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
    • Rifle Parts
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
      • Thermal Vision
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
    • Holsters
    • Slings
    • Shooting Rests
    • Targets
    • Maintenance & Tools
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
      • 9mm
      • 10mm
    • Rifle Ammo
      • .223
    • Shotgun Ammo
      • 12 Gauge
    • Rimfire Ammo
    • Reloading
  • Gear
    • Apparel
    • Ears & Eyes
      • Ears
      • Eyes
        • Night Vision
    • Storage
    • Tactical Gear
      • Body Armor
    • Knives
      • Fixed Blade
      • Folding Knives
      • Tactical Knives
    • Less Lethal
    • Flashlights
    • Electronics
  • Lifestyle
    • Concealed Carry
    • Personal Defense
      • Self-Defense
      • Hand to Hand Combat
    • Home Defense
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
      • Competition Shooting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range Shooting
    • Training
      • Shooting 101
    • Survival
      • First Aid
    • Tactical & LE
    • Military Lifestyle
    • Pop Culture
      • People
      • Rides
      • History
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Gun Facts & Laws
    • Police News
    • Military News
    • Politics
  • VIDEOS
No Result
View All Result
Athlon Outdoors
  • Guns
    • Handguns
      • Semi-Automatic Handguns
      • Revolvers
    • AR Pistols
    • AR Rifles
    • Rifles
      • Semi-Automatic Rifles
      • Lever Action
      • Bolt Action
    • Shotguns
    • Airguns
    • Custom Guns
      • Handgun Build
      • Rifle Build
      • Shotgun Build
    • Specialty Guns
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
    • Rifle Parts
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
      • Thermal Vision
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
    • Holsters
    • Slings
    • Shooting Rests
    • Targets
    • Maintenance & Tools
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
      • 9mm
      • 10mm
    • Rifle Ammo
      • .223
    • Shotgun Ammo
      • 12 Gauge
    • Rimfire Ammo
    • Reloading
  • Gear
    • Apparel
    • Ears & Eyes
      • Ears
      • Eyes
        • Night Vision
    • Storage
    • Tactical Gear
      • Body Armor
    • Knives
      • Fixed Blade
      • Folding Knives
      • Tactical Knives
    • Less Lethal
    • Flashlights
    • Electronics
  • Lifestyle
    • Concealed Carry
    • Personal Defense
      • Self-Defense
      • Hand to Hand Combat
    • Home Defense
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
      • Competition Shooting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range Shooting
    • Training
      • Shooting 101
    • Survival
      • First Aid
    • Tactical & LE
    • Military Lifestyle
    • Pop Culture
      • People
      • Rides
      • History
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Gun Facts & Laws
    • Police News
    • Military News
    • Politics
  • VIDEOS
No Result
View All Result
Athlon Outdoors Super Site
No Result
View All Result
  • TL
  • PDW
  • BM
  • Skillset
 
ENTER TO WIN: Smith & Wesson's Free Gun Friday Package ft. Caldwell, Volcon, and Black Hills

Para-Ordnance Black Watch Companion .45 ACP Review

ShareTweetPin
LARGE-RIGHTSIDE copy
Combat HandgunsbyCombat Handguns
August 1, 2019
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Para-Ordnance Black Watch Companion .45 ACP Details

Although not necessarily the latest LDA pistol to be offered by Para, the latest one I’ve got to look over, the Para-Ordnance Black Watch Companion, is a nifty little two-toned pistol. First of all, it’s built on a single-stacked frame giving it slimness for concealability yet girth to match most hands. Even with my big mitts, I still prefer a slimmer frame’s feel to wide-bodied ones. Although I own several high-cap framed guns, these are reserved for competitive use, not carry. My carry pieces, by preference, all have slim frames.

Design

With its slim frame, the Para-Ordnance Black Watch Companion’s magazine holds seven of those big, fat .45ACP rounds. Seven plus one should get you through most situations requiring an armed response. If not, reload with the extra magazine you’re supposed to carry. The Para-Ordnance Black Watch Companion’s frame is equipped with a full beavertail grip safety, even though its hammer lies flush with the back of its slide (no spur or rowel). This may seem an unnecessary appendage on a gun with a bobbed hammer, but frankly, I like it and prefer it over the bobbed grip safety found on Para’s Carry.

Why? Well, one of the things I noticed while putting the Carry through its paces was that, when performing rapid draws from the holster, I occasionally missed that perfect grip with my hand ending up too high on the backstrap with the lack of a beavertail to snuggle up to. When fired with that hasty grip, the bottom of the slide raked the web of my firing hand during recoil and, eventually, after firing several rounds this way, drew blood.

Grip

Having drawn a .45ACP from a holster who knows how many times over the years, I’ve just come to prefer the feel and safety afforded by a well-shaped
grip safety. The grips on the Black Watch are fabricated from cocobolo, are slim in profile, and nicely checkered in a double-diamond motif. The width measured straight across this grip was slightly over an inch, giving this pistol a flat profile to aid in surreptitious carry. The width on a normally stocked .45 is usually some 0.20 of an inch wider. The mainspring housing on the Black Watch is flat and checkered and appears to be made of some sort of polymer. Its thumb safety is extended and single-sided, and when in its “on” position disengages the LDA’s trigger mechanism and locks the slide in place. Speaking of safeties, the Para LDA series of pistols are equipped with several safety devices above and beyond the slide lock safety. We’ve already mentioned the grip safety, which on the LDA pistol locks both the hammer and slide from movement until disengaged.

Grasping the Para-Ordnance Black Watch Companion in a normal firing grip disengages the grip safety and, provided the slide lock safety has been disengaged, readies the pistol to fire. The LDA series of pistols are also equipped with two passive-type safeties that are activated automatically, without manual intervention and are designed to prevent accidental discharges. This includes the “inertia firing pin,” a firing pin that, because of its size and position, can’t come in contact with a cartridge’s primer unless subjected to a blow of the hammer, and a “firing pin lock” that physically traps the firing pin until the trigger is intentionally pulled. This is a safe, well-designed little pistol.

Front Strap

The front strap on this little Para wears what Para-Ordnance calls “Griptor” grasping grooves, which are a series of milled horizontal ridges and hollows that serve to provide a much more secure hold over a plain, smooth surface. While I prefer good old hand (or machine) cut checkering on my pistols, I applaud Para for its attention in this area. It does feel good in the hand and seems to provide a more secure gripping surface over a plain strap.

The magazine chute on this pistol has a nice bevel to provide for easier, rapid magazine insertion, and the magazine release button is serrated and of standard height to not extend above the surface of the slimline grips to avoid unintentional activation.

Exterior

Both frame and slide are manufactured out of stainless steel and are finished in Para’s proprietary sprayed-on/baked-on finish called ParaKote. ParaKote is a chemical coating available in several colors and when applied provides a very durable finish that is impervious to scratching, impact, and the elements. In the case of the Para-Ordnance Black Watch Companion, its main frame is finished in what I’d call OD green, while its slide, hammer, grip and thumb safeties, magazine release, slide release, cross-pins, and screws are a dull, subdued black. I’ve always carried either a stainless gun or one treated to a finish like electroless nickel or hard chrome to protect it from the rigors of continuous carry. I like the idea that one can now start with a gun made entirely of stainless and darken it with a finish like ParaKote to provide a more subdued, less-attention-getting arm.

Slide

The Black Watch’s slide has been given the same Griptor grooving treatment at its rear to aid in slide retraction. Its ejection port has been lowered, flared, and opened up considerably. This should aid in the positive ejection of fired cases and also allow for the uninhibited removal of a loaded round from its chamber. The front or muzzle end of the Black Watch’s slide has been tastefully beveled, and this should aid in reholstering. All edges have been given a light “dehorning” treatment, and no sharp edges were left untreated that could cut or abrade. I’ve handled supposed carry pistols in the past that have had edges so sharp that firing them always resulted in blood loss. This shouldn’t be a problem with this pistol.

The recoil spring assembly used to power the Para’s slide is comprised of two separate springs, the outer of conventional diameter containing approximately eight coils, mated to a smaller diameter, multi-coiled inner spring that rides around a captured guide rod. The combination of these two springs provides the necessary force to operate within the limited confines of the shortened Companion’s slide. The trigger on this particular LDA weighed in at 6 pounds even. That may sound heavy by single-action standards, but this is a good, safe, easy, and controllable pull weight for this pistol. And if you haven’t tried one the LDA system, I urge you to try it before passing judgment.

Sights

Sights on the Black Watch consist of an excellent set of fixed combat-type sights, the rear being of the snag-free, sloped, Novak style and the front being dovetailed into the slide. Both front and rear sights are appropriately lackened, with the rear sight being serrated to break up possible glare, and both carry white dots to aid with rapid sight acquisition. Even though the sight picture on this Para looks a little fuzzy to me, those white dots are easily discernible and make acquiring a quick sight picture with this little pistol a snap. The rear sight sits in a dovetail and is held in place with a single set screw, making any necessary windage adjustments easy to accomplish.

Carrying

One effectively has two choices of carry with the LDA pistol. If you subscribe to the theory that a pistol should be carried with a safety employed, should it be wrested from one’s control and turned upon them, then the Companion fits this bill. Or, if you like a piece that’s good to go with just a pull of the trigger, then the Companion can be carried in that manner, too. Fieldstripping the Companion reveals that its barrel is of the integral feed ramp type mated to the slide sans bushing.

Range Time



In preparation for firing the Black Watch Companion, I rounded up several brands and weights of carry-type rounds from the likes of Winchester, Hornady, Federal, and Speer. The first rounds tried were the white-boxed, Winchester USA brand loaded with full metal-jacketed bullets weighing 230 grains each. With my targets set 20 yards downrange, I was pleased to see the Black Watch’s first five rounds all fall within the 5.5-inch bull upon which I was holding at 6 o’clock.
This first group measured a pleasing 2.3 inches and formed about 3 inches above, and 1.25 inches right of my bottom-of-the-bull hold. That’s encouraging. The next round tried was one of my favorite carry rounds and was also from Winchester. Several five-shot groups fired with this 230-grain SXT-bulleted round averaged 1.8 inches producing 835 feet per second (fps) at the muzzle of the Para’s 3.5-inch tube.

The group of the day was the expanding full metal-jacketed 165-grain offering from Federal’s Personal Defense line. Unlike a revolver whose point of impact varies greatly when bullet weight changes, the little Para put five of these Federal rounds into a group measuring a noteworthy 1.36 inches, all falling within the X- and 10-ring of my 20-yard target. Felt recoil, as you might imagine, was considerably less than what was being experienced when shooting the heavier-bulleted rounds. Velocity recorded with this offering averaged but three feet shy of 1,000 fps.

Impressions

The Para-Ordnance Black Watch Companion performed flawlessly throughout its testing with nary a hiccup or bobble experienced even when fed several magazines of my lead-bulleted reloads. Extraction was positive and ejection was brisk, most fired cases landing several feet to my right and slightly to my rear. I found the Griptor treatment on the Black Watch’s front strap indeed affords a comfortable, non-slip grip, and overall this gun was quite controllable when firing full duty-type ammo.


Holster Carry



I found the model 2145 Compact Undercover holster from the Kirkpatrick Leather Company to be the perfect complement to the Black Watch Companion. Designed originally for the Colt Officer’s Model pistol, it’s constructed of premium vegetable-tanned saddle leather and finished off in a rich, dark brown. Hand molded for a secure fit on the Para and double stitched at all stress points, the Compact Undercover was a comfortable carry. One thing I liked about the Model 2145 was that the back side of the holster extended up and effectively shielded one’s love handles from coming into continued abrasive contact with things like the Para’s extended thumb safety. This is a nice touch and greatly adds to the comfort of long-term carry with this pistol.

To pack the extra reload (that we all should carry), Kirkpatrick included a well-formed, single magazine pouch that held the Para’s extra magazine securely but allowed for easy retrieval for that rapid, smooth reload. I packed the 32-plus ounce Para around in the Kirkpatrick rig on several occasions and found it very comfortable, secure, and concealable while affording a full firing grip and quick access to the pistol. Known primarily for their quality handcrafted Western belts and holsters, the Kirkpatrick Leather Company can also build you a quality, concealable carry rig. Kirkpatrick Leather goods are well-constructed and
reasonably priced.



Final Notes

So, if you’re looking for a quality carry pistol firing a potent defensive caliber and like the feel and packing qualities of a single-stacked .45, but find condition one, cocked-and-locked carry, somewhat unnerving, the Para-Ordnance Black Watch Companion with its LDA trigger system just might be your pistol. For more information, visit paraordnanceguns.com

Didn't find what you were looking for?

MOST POPULAR

Vote & Win: 2023 Ballistic’s Best Readers’ Choice for Best Guns

Suicide by Cop

WINCHESTER’s SXP ‘Defender’ Pump Shotgun

Holiday Safety Pat McNamara lead Christmas

The ‘No Snowflake’ Guide to Holiday Safety

Gun-Filled Christmas Movies A Christmas Story Ralphie

10 Black Friday Tactical Gear Deals [2023]

TRENDING

ZEV OZ9 Competition, Not simply a Glock knockoff, the OZ9 is built to compete.

The ZEV OZ9 Competition Pistol Needs No Upgrades Out of the Box

Defense contractor BAE Systems won a three-year contract extension by the U.S. Air Force Space Command to continue work on its space radar system

BAE Systems Wins USAF Space Radar Contract

(L-R) Silver medalist Janessa Jo BEAMAN of the United States of America, Gold medalist Victoria Rose BURCH of the United States of America and Bronze medalist Alessandra PERILLI of San Marino pose with their medals after the Trap Women Finals at the Olympic Shooting Range Munich/Hochbrueck during Day 1 of the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun on June 6, 2014 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Wolfgang Schreiber)

USA Shooting Wins Gold & Silver at ISSF World Cup Munich

Volquartsen TG9

Volquartsen Announces TG9 Trigger Group for Ruger PC Carbine

BROWSE BY BRAND

Skillset-Logo_yellow-153x47png
Ballistic_LOGO-217x47
CH-Logo_blue-153x47
T-L-SS-stack life-47x140
PDW_CCH_LOGO-300x101
PDW-2022-Sidebyside-logo 160x30-blk
GOW LOGO x101
AF_LOGO-184x47

SPOTLIGHT

Whack Taxidermy lead

Whacky Taxidermy: A Collection of the Weird & Macabre

Many weird, whacky and morbid things came out of England’s Victorian era, but perhaps none fit that bill better than...

RELATED POSTS

Mission First Tactical Achro bags and packs.

Mission First Tactical Achro Bag Line Offers Discreet Firearm Storage

...

Springfield Armory sponsors Hillsdale College Action Shooting Team.

Tactical Life Shooting Sports Blog: Springfield Sponsors Hillsdale College

...

Magtech Steel Case 9mm

Magtech Steel Case 9mm Brings Affordable Pistol, PCC Ammo

...

Load More

TRENDING

10 Pocket Pistols Perfect for Christmas [2023]

Santa Claus is coming to town...to deliver these 10 pocket pistols from Remington, Ruger, Glock and many more!

Suicide by Cop

WINCHESTER’s SXP ‘Defender’ Pump Shotgun

Tactical-Life.com brings you the newest products live from the NASGW ‘08 show!

The Standard Manufacturing Damascus 1911.

Damn Sweet: Standard Manufacturing Damascus 1911 Review

You’ve worked hard all your life, and though it hasn’t been all puppies and rainbows, fortunately, there have been more...

Barrett MRADELR rifle.

Barrett MRADELR: The Extreme Long-Range MRAD is Here!

Barrett Firearms recently announced is long-awaited follow-up to the MRAD platform. The new Barrett MRADELR expands on the martial design...

MOST POPULAR

The Mossberg MC2sc semi-auto pistol.

12 Best Micro-Compact Handguns for Concealed Carry [2022]

A thick veil of fog stood forever in front of me as I cruised down the highway at 6:30 in...

Police Sidearms, police duty pistols, Handguns, America's Largest Police Departments 2018

Police Sidearms: Handguns of America’s 10 Largest Departments

Law enforcement in the United States is in constant evolution and that includes various police sidearms. These days, law enforcement...

Vote & Win: 2023 Ballistic’s Best Readers’ Choice for Best Guns

One of our most anticipated magazines each year, the 2023 edition of Ballistic's Best, hits the press soon. But first,...

All the best new handguns seen at SHOT Show 2023.

21 Best New Handguns [2023]

The NSSF SHOT Show is the premier event to get your hands on new gear. It gives us a first...

VIDEO SERIES: AT THE READY | SEASON 2

MORE VIDEOS

Shooting the Ruger 10/22 in a Magpul MOE X-22 stock.

VIDEO: Magpul MOE X-22 Brings Ruger 10/22 Stock Upgrade

Barrett MRADELR rifle.

Barrett MRADELR: The Extreme Long-Range MRAD is Here!

HANDGUNS

The PTR Archon Firearms Line.

PTR Archon Firearms Lower the Bore Axis for Faster Follow-Up

The History of Beretta and its semi-auto pistols.

History of Beretta: Nearly 500 Years of Iconic & Martial Arms

The Taurus TS9 was developed for the military and police market and was adopted by the Philippine National Police.

The Taurus TS9 9mm Pistol Excels in Concealed Carry: Review

SIG P320-XTEN ENDURE in 10mm.

SIG P320-XTEN ENDURE: 10mm Pistol Built for the Outdoors

Walther PDP Match Steel Frame and Polymer pistols.

Walther PDP Match: Steel & Polymer-Framed Competition Blasters

The Standard Manufacturing Damascus 1911.

Damn Sweet: Standard Manufacturing Damascus 1911 Review

RIFLES - click to see all

The Extar USA EP9 Pistol-Caliber Carbine.

The Extar USA EP9 Carbine Accepts Glock G19 & G17 Magazines

Barrett MRADELR rifle.

Barrett MRADELR: The Extreme Long-Range MRAD is Here!

Savage Arms KLYM Series rifles.

Savage Arms KLYM Series Rifles Include PROOF, FBT Components

The MDC VOLK-S AK-47.

The MDC VOLK-S Changes the Game with 100% US-Made AK-47

AMMO - click to see all

Magtech Steel Case 9mm

Magtech Steel Case 9mm Brings Affordable Pistol, PCC Ammo

X-DEF Line from Freedom Munitions Expands with the Addition of .357 Sig.

Freedom Munitions X-DEF Line Adds .357 Sig Self-Defense Ammo

HEVI-Shot HEVI-Bismuth Upland loads.

HEVI-Shot HEVI-Bismuth Upland Expands Hunting Lineup

Ammo Storage, Survival Ammo, long term ammo storage, Prepper

Best Methods for Long-Term Ammo Storage

6 .410 Ammo Options for Home and Personal Defense.

.410 Ammo for Home Defense [2023]

410 bore revolvers for self defense

6 Best .410 Bore Revolvers

No Result
View All Result
  • Guns
    • Handguns
      • Semi-Automatic Handguns
      • Revolvers
    • AR Pistols
    • AR Rifles
    • Rifles
      • Semi-Automatic Rifles
      • Lever Action
      • Bolt Action
    • Shotguns
    • Airguns
    • Custom Guns
      • Handgun Build
      • Rifle Build
      • Shotgun Build
    • Specialty Guns
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
    • Rifle Parts
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
      • Thermal Vision
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
    • Holsters
    • Slings
    • Shooting Rests
    • Targets
    • Maintenance & Tools
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
      • 9mm
      • 10mm
    • Rifle Ammo
      • .223
    • Shotgun Ammo
      • 12 Gauge
    • Rimfire Ammo
    • Reloading
  • Gear
    • Apparel
    • Ears & Eyes
      • Ears
      • Eyes
    • Storage
    • Tactical Gear
      • Body Armor
    • Knives
      • Fixed Blade
      • Folding Knives
      • Tactical Knives
    • Less Lethal
    • Flashlights
    • Electronics
  • Lifestyle
    • Concealed Carry
    • Personal Defense
      • Self-Defense
      • Hand to Hand Combat
    • Home Defense
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
      • Competition Shooting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range Shooting
    • Training
      • Shooting 101
    • Survival
      • First Aid
    • Tactical & LE
    • Military Lifestyle
    • Pop Culture
      • People
      • Rides
      • History
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Gun Facts & Laws
    • Police News
    • Military News
    • Politics
  • VIDEOS

© 2023 Athlon Outdoors - Premium Firearm product and industry news, reviews and magazines" .