Back in 1988 Para-Ordnance’s Ted Szabo designed a new frame for the 1911 that was wide enough to accommodate a double stack magazine that held 14 rounds of .45ACP. In the wider magazine, the rounds are next to each other instead of on top of one another – hence the name double stack magazine. Initially Para-Ordnance only offered the high capacity frames and magazines as any standard 1911 top end could be fir to it to complete the pistol. But by 1990 Para was manufacturing complete P14 pistols with a 13+1 capacity. The Hawg 9 uses one of these double stack magazines, holding 12 rounds in its abbreviated tube. My test sample came with two magazines, one with a standard polymer floorplate and one with a Pearce extended floorplate that lets shooters get all three fingers on the frontstrap instead of having to tuck the pinky under the magazine’s floorplate. It sacrifices a little bit of concealability, but it’s a trade-off that I’ll make for the added control and comfort gained. The Hawg 9’s dimensions are about as compact as any 1911 you’ll find. It stands just 4.5 inches tall and is only 6.5 inches in length. Para uses precision aerospace-grade castings for its frame and slide. The Hawg 9 is cast from a weight-saving alloy. In fact, I didn’t realize just how lightweight the frame is until I took the top end of the gun off of the frame to clean it. The frame by itself, even with all of its internals, seemed to weigh nothing. Despite the fact that it is machined from a casting, I was unable to find any seams or pores that are normally associated with the process.