Revision 109318188 of "Para-Ordnance" on dewiki

{{Infobox company
| company_name   = Para-Ordnance Mfg. Inc.
| company_logo   = [[Image:Parlogo1.jpg|180px]]
| company_type   = [[Private company|Private]] |
| foundation     = 1985
| location       = [[Scarborough, Ontario|Scarborough]], [[Ontario]], [[Canada]]
| key_people     = [[President]] Thanos Polyzos
| industry       = [[Arms industry|Defense]]
| products       = [[Firearm]]s
| revenue        =
| num_employees  = ~ ([[65 (number)|65]])
| homepage       = Canada: [http://www.paraord.com/ www.paraord.com]
                 USA: [http://www.para-usa.com/ http://www.para-usa.com/]
}}

'''Para-Ordnance''' is a [[Canada|Canadian]] [[firearm]]s manufacturer founded in [[Toronto]] in 1985 by two childhood friends, Ted Szabo and Thanos Polyzos. Szabo was born in Hungary and his family fled the country when the Russians invaded during the Hungarian Revolution in 1956.<ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_8_53/ai_n19313650/</ref> Polyzos was born in Greece and later immigrated to Canada.<ref>http://www.gunweek.com/2002/feature0520.html</ref>

Para-ordance has a factory in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. The company is estimated to have an annual revenue of over 10 million dollars and employs a staff of 60.<ref>http://www.manta.com/ic/mt6c14m/ca/para-ordnance-mfg-inc</ref>

The company originally started out manufacturing sub-machine gun paintball guns, but under the direction of CEO Ted Szabo the company soon transitioned to the manufacturing of handguns.<ref>http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/114/114761.html</ref>

On March 28, 2007, Ted Szabo died at the age of 60. The company is now run by Polyzos.<ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_8_53/ai_n19313650/</ref>

==Para USA==
In January 2009, it was announced that the U.S. headquarters for Para-ordance's U.S. subsidiary (''Para USA'') would be set up in [[Pineville, North Carolina]].

==Overview==
[[Image:P14-45 handgun .jpg||thumb|right|A Para-Ordnance [[P14-45]] [[M1911]]]][[Image:P14-45 Mag.JPG||thumb|right|A [[P14-45]] magazine.]] Para-Ordnance is the originator of the high magazine capacity [[M1911]]-style [[pistol]]. Para-Ordnance offers a wide range of products for the law enforcement, [[military]], and [[civilian]] markets. The company has created a true double-stack 1911 pistol, in addition to single- and double-stack pistols in [[.45 ACP]], [[.40 S&W]], 9 mm, and .38 super calibers.  Para pistols have found a variety of uses, including competition, law enforcement, [[concealed carry]], and general barrier shooting. In 2009, Para-ordnance announced the '''TTR''' "[[Tactical Target Rifle]]", which features a delayed gas blowback system, dubbed DIGS, over the barrel which lessens recoil when compared with a traditional gas system. The TTR also relocated the recoil spring assembly over the barrel and under the handguard, allowing it to have a true folding stock.<ref>[http://www.americanrifleman.org/ArticlePage.aspx?id=2070&cid=1 "Para USA Tactical Target Rifle," ''American Rifleman''].</ref> [[Image:Para ordnance TTR.jpg||thumb|right|A '''TTR''' with the stock unfolded]]
Para-Ordnance was also the manufacturer of the first double-action-only 1911-style pistol. The introduction of the LDA (Light Double Action) allowed law enforcement agencies to use 1911-style pistols while still addressing the perceived liability issues of a single-action pistol.

In recent years,{{When|date=March 2012}} Para-Ordnance competes with companies such as [[Smith & Wesson]], [[Springfield Armory, Inc.]], and [[Kimber Manufacturing]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
;General
*[http://www.paraord.com/ Official Para-Ordnance Homepage]
*[http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/app/ccc/search/navigate.do?language=eng&portal=1&estblmntNo=123456086343&profile=completeProfile Industry Canada Profile]
*[http://www.1911forum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=33 Discussion forum]

;Reviews:
*[http://www.paraord.com/new/newsandreviews.php Magazine reviews]
*[http://www.americanrifleman.org/ArticlePage.aspx?id=2070&cid=1 Review of the Para TTR from ''American Rifleman'']

[[Category:Firearms manufacturers in Canada]]

[[sl:Para-Ordnance]]
[[zh:帕拉軍工廠]]