Llama .380acp, any experience?

S

Snowdog

New member
For the life of me, I can't remember the model designation on this particular pistol, but I know it's a single stack .380acp that looks like a miniaturized 1911.

I saw one at a local shop for $239 NIB a few weeks back, and think it would make for a nifty little carry gun, or something (I like to enrich my collection occasionally without specific reasons).

Does anyone have any first hand experience with this little .380acp?
I am mostly interested in reliability, but curious of the accuracy as well.


Two other questions:

1) I vaguely recall seeing a grip safety, was that just my eyes playing tricks?

2) Is this a blowback, or does it have a locking breech?

TIA
 
Many here don't like Llama's older product line, but I have found that their 1911 style pistols are great for the price. Llama is currently known as FireStorm. When they were Llama, I think their miniature 1911's were known as the MiniMax. I have shot the one in 40S&W and have seen one in 9x19mm, but haven't experienced the 380ACP. If it is like the others, it should be a nice little gun and it should have a grip safety. If you like the 380 cartridge, it sounds like it's worth going after. One thing though. Does it come with an extra magazine? I am not sure but it may be a pain to find more.
 
Llama has made some great gun, and some real turkeys. Their quality has varied over the years, and you can never be sure what you're going to get.

The reviews I've read about the newest ones (the Firestorm) -- including a recent test in Gun Tests Magazine (which doesn't accept advertising) -- were not good.

In the final analysis, you'll find good ones and terrible ones, but generally speaking, you'll do best to avoid them.

If the caliber is what interests you, look into a Makarov -- in either .380 or 9x18. That's a far better gun, and typically far less expensive. The new little Bulgarian Makarovs have been getting good reviews, and the older East German Maks are spoken of with almost reverence, for their quality and fine craftsmanship.
 
llama

I agree with Walt that Llama has a checkered past. For the money, I'd buy a Makarov in .380 or 9mm Makarov. Another prospect might be the CZ 83 in .380.
 
For far less money you can buy a far better gun if you will look around and find an East German Makarov. You will have a more powerful weapon that holds more rounds and is a high quality weapon. Get the Makarov and you will be happy and not have to worry about your carry piece letting you down if you really ever need it. Plus the Russian ammo is good and it's cheap by the case lot.


7th
 
I bought one at a local gun show last year. It is a scaled down 1911 in 380 acp, and the only thing I don't like about it is that it punishes my hand even more than my 45 when I shoot it. That's to be expected, so I just live with it.

Otherwise, I think I made a good buy. It's never jammed or failed, and I shoot better with it than I do with my Makarov. That grip safety does indeed work the same as on the 1911, and it field strips and reassembles the same way.

Good little backup gun.
 
Model IIIA, IIIRC, was the minature 1911 Llama in .380. They also made them in .22 LR and .32 ACP. The 9 m/m Corto pistols were locked breech not blow back. The problem, other than the spotty metalurgy, was the firing pin. It would protrude thru the face of the breech if the hammer was down. Safe carry was either C&L or Condition 3, hammer down on an empty chamber.

The one I have has worked well and it does not show any signs of battering.
 
Friend of mine has one. He thinks it's the greatest thing since chocolet chips in cookies. I believe he has about 250 rounds through it with no problems.

I thought it a little crude in fit and finish (compared to quality Colts), but the little sucker seems to work - and work well. And a LOT less costly than a comparable Colt.
 
Thanks for the replies.

Thanks for the information.
As for the Makarov, I already have Bulgarian and Russian Makarov (although both in the original 9x18 chambering).

I just wanted to keep my collection healthy.
Thanks again.

BTW,
PreserveFreedom- I have a Llama MiniMax I bought new for $259 two years ago. It's just as reliable as my Kimber Custom Classic or Colt. Though accuracy isn't up to par, it serves as a glovebox gun, making it the ideal choice.
However, mine has the odd habit of ejecting one in three shells directly back, popping me in the forhead (with .45acp cases, it hurts).
Overall, I have had good experiences with Llama... so far.
 
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