Sorry I didn't chime in on this thread earlier... I' in grad school, and this semester is kicking my butt, so I haven't been on OCDO much lately...
As Para Ordnance's most vocal unofficial OCDO propaganda minister, er, uh, PR spoeksman, (yeah thats it!), let me give you my MASSIVELY biased take on Para hi-caps...
I own a pretty heavily tricked-out S-14.45. It was custom built for me by Wayne Novak's shop in WV from a "gunsmith receiver", and a complete Para S-14.45 Limited upper. It has Wolff springs throughout, Ed Brown controls, and an old Videki adjustable trigger (they don't make them for Para's anymore, that I know of). It also has a set of custom rosewood double-diamond checkered grips.
With the stock Para plastic grip panels, a P-14 is just a little bit thicker in the grips than a single-stack 1911. (maybe 1/16")
But I will admit that with the wood grip panels, it IS a little thicker. Maybe 1/8" thicker than a single-stack 1911. That doesn't sound like a lot, but if you have small hands or short fingers, it can feel like holding a 2x4...
I love my Para. I will buy more Para's. In fact my next semiauto will DEFINITELY be another Para--probably one of their single-stack sub-compacts like the PDA in .45 or 9mm. They are VERY reliable (once properly broken in), will feed just about ANY ammo I try (from the cheapest range ammo to the most exotic self-defense rounds), they are nearly match-grade accurate right out of the box, and most of their models look STUNNING--even the GI model has a fit and finish far exceeding most other "budget" 1911s.
Granted, my Para is NOT a factory unit--it was custom-built by one of the top 1911 custom shops in the Eastern US, and it looks and functions accordingly. But I have shot several other Para's--from rental beaters at ranges, to privately-owned factory-stock guns owned by friends--and never have I had an issue or a complaint with any Para that has found its way into my hands.
I trust mine as my "fair weather carry gun". The only time I don't carry it daily is when the weather is to crappy (cold, rainy, etc) to OC. When I have to wear a coat, or it's raining, I usually CC with my Glock. But when I want to ""fly my OC flag" for everyone to see, it's usually the Para that goes on my hip.
The only thing about Para double-stacks that some people have a legitimate complaint about is that if your hands are small, the grips CAN seem a little on the fat side.
My stepdaughter (who is a pixie of a woman, with tiny hands) can barely hold on to the Para--but she CAN shoot it, and is pretty darn accurate when she has tried it. (But she MUCH prefers my Walther P-22...)
My suggestion is to find someone with a Para double-stack and try it out on the range. Some of the indoor ranges that rent guns have Para's in stock. I know for a fact that the indoor range in Asheville NC has 2 or 3 Para P-14.45s in their rental case...
If you make it to any of the "range days" in NC where I am in attendance, I'll gladly let you give my Para a "test drive".
Just ask around for "Dreamer"...