Any thoughts on the Llama .380?

V

VaughnT

New member
I just got back from a very small show where I saw quite a few of these miniature 1911's and was curious about their quality.

I was thinking about picking up a Ruger MkII, but nobody had the one I wanted.

Same goes for everything else I was looking for. However, that Llama looked sharp and would seem to fill the bill for a drop-in-the-pocket weapon. The only downside would be lack of available replacement parts, and the small caliber. I agree that a .22 in the hand beats a .50 in the store window, but........

Any of you have experience with this weapon? Any ideas or suggestions for a 1911 clone that is as cheap (relatively) and as small? Any insights as to the true monetary worth of the Llama .380?

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When Reason Fails.....
 
Hang on! Let me ship you from the General Forum to the Handguns Forum.
(That's where all the pistol experts hide! :D
 
I looked at it while evaluating a Colt Mustang. Had a chance to fire two mags through one at the range.

Recoil: mild
Accuracy: mediocre - 2.5-3" at 21ft. Kahr P9 compares at 1.5-2" and Hi-point .380 at 4-5".
Sights: slightly better than Mustang
Grip: More comfy than Mustang, less comfy than Colt Govt.380
Weight: heavier than Mustang.
Size: about the same.
Trigger: slightly creepy but lighter than the Mustang, better overall.

My main reservation was about the metallurgy and finish: it seemd reminiscent of Mustang II (truly ugly inside). FWIW, the gun I saw went through my two mags and a box of PMC ball with its owner, zero stoppages.

If you can get one cheap (under $200), it maybe worthwhile. I was holding out for a Pocketlite Mustang and ended up with a Kahr P9 instead (which is GREAT but bigger by far). The gun goes for $230 locally.

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Oleg "peacemonger" Volk

http://dd-b.net/RKBA
 
They shoot fairly well.No stoppages but metal quality is poor.Ok if you aren't going to shoot a lot of ammo.

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Bob--- Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed.
I'm old and deceitful.
 
I used to work with a guy who bought one for $150. Both plastic grip panels cracked as he shot it and it gave severe hammer bite. It was a nickel (or stainless) older model with a spur hammer. The newer ones have a commander type hammer. It didn't feed too well either. He finally had a woodworking guy make nice grips and a 'smith supposedly clean up the functioning problems. But it would still gag on hollow points from time to time. My gunsmith told me LLama's are known for their soft metal. Personally, I would stand clear of LLamas.

[This message has been edited by mattfra (edited September 16, 2000).]
 
When I shot one parts started falling out after the third shot. They are junk.

If you want a small, cheap, good gun look at the Keltec P-11. 10 +1 of 9mm in a small light package.

If you can spend more, then look at the Glock 26 (9mm), 27 (.40 s&w), or 33 (.357 sig). They are a little wider than the Keltec, but they are the best in small guns.
 
BTW price on a new KelTec P-11 9mm runs about $200-225. It is the best gun for the money out there.
 
I gotta agree with the others. The one I had sent more metal flying sideways then it did downrange. There are better pistols out there in that caliber/price range.
 
The cheapo I have always liked was the Astra Constable in .380. They seemed to be a decent gun and hold up quite well for a cheaper gun. They used to have a version with nickel plate,engraving and pearl grips for a good price. I have not seen one for sale for some years. I do know of almost 6 people that still have one squrreled away that they got like 25 or so years ago.
 
If you are looking for a drop-in-the-pocket pistol that is going to go bang every time you pull the trigger then I would humbly suggest the Makarov. You can get it in .380 or for a tad more oomph there is 9mm Makarov caliber.
I have one and it has been flawless. Okay, it ain't as pretty but it's solid, accurate (even for a novice like me, I can make a single ragged hole at 25 ft) and always yells "BANG!" when you squeeze the trigger.
Good luck

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Those who use arms well cultivate the Way and keep the rules.Thus they can govern in such a way as to prevail over the corrupt- Sun Tzu, The Art of War
 
If you are looking for an inexpensive carry piece, As posted above by Apple,Take a look at the Makarov. You can't beat it for the price. I have an E. German and it's alot of gun for the money, you can't go wrong.
Also on the low end I own a Bersa .380 and a Star Firestar 9mm. Both those in my opinion are great low cost handguns. Now Star is out of business but you can still buy a Bersa.
But you can't go wrong with a Mighty Mak :D

Happy Shooting :)

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We preserve our freedoms by using four boxes: soap,ballot,jury, and cartridge.
Anonymous

[This message has been edited by loknload (edited September 17, 2000).]
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Apple a Day:
If you are looking for a drop-in-the-pocket pistol that is going to go bang every time you pull the trigger then I would humbly suggest the Makarov.[/quote]

While I agree that the Mak is a very reliable pistol, it's hardly a pocket pistol! I know that I sure wouldn't want to be attempting to conceal my Mak in any of my pockets.
 
Glad to get so many worthy responses in so short a time. Equally glad that I didn't pick one up as they sound quite horrid. My thanks to all.

I thought about the Mak but I'm hesitating. While dirt cheap, and a little ugly, I've fallen pretty hard for the 1911 and would like to keep my defensive pistols in that family. The One-gun mentality seems to make their use easier as you don't have to transition from one set of controls to the other as you switch weapons.

Of course, you folks are some honey-tongued devils and will probably talk me into buying a mak. I've already succombed to buying a MkII so I guess the mak will be next. Of course, I see your plot so you're job is gonna be harder.

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When Reason Fails.....
 
As it would happen, I have had about 19 years experience with one of these. The newer ones are blowback and are truly POS. If, however, You can get your hands on one of the older locked-breech specimens, it's a whole different story! the one I have has endured at least 600 rounds of 4.8 gr. unique loads( my book says 4.5 max, but the book was written for blowback) It's not a target pistol, but I have turned in a few 25yd 3 to 4 inch groups. The nice thing is that they respond to exactly the same tightening tricks as any 1911 pattern. my only complaint is the hokey gca-68 rib on top. I'd love to find an early one without it. The only unusual item to check out in purchase, is that some of them had the lock tab on the muzzle bushing machined a little narrow, concetrating the force on a small area of its groove. Mine was that way, so I lathed out a bushing with a wider tab, as I planned ( and did) to use a lot of serious loads.
crankshaft
paranoia is a fine idea when they really are out to get You!
 
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