Llama, Taurus, and other low price autos

B

Beowulf_93

New member
I have been checking the prices on Gunsamerica.com for semi-autos made by Llama, Taurus, and Bersa. The Llama seems to be a copy of the Colt 1911. Taurus used to produce Beretta clones, but now seems to make guns similar to Keltec in function. Bersa and Ruger autos also seem cheap, priced used at under $250-300. Does anyone have experience, good or bad, with any of these gunmakers? The asking price just seems low and I was wondering if it had to do with the quality of function for these firearms?
 
I wouldn't put Llama in the same category as Taurus or Bersa.

Llama's are more on the level of Jenings, Lorcin, Bryco :barf:


Taurus' revolvers, Beretta clones and their other steel autos are fine handguns. Their polymer "Millennium" line has had some problems, but they seem to be working them out (although I won't be buying one until I see proof that they have worked the bugs out ... do a search of TFL for PT145 and you will find the story there). I have no experience with Bersa's, but based on what I've read in these forums they seem to be nice PPK clones.
 
Llama and Bersa are owned by the same company but make different guns. The Llama 1911 clones are very hit and miss at best. A couple of younger men (kids) were shooting one NIB at a range last week....they couldnt hit anything with it. I was watching them and talked to them alittle..."POS Llama...bla"
I tried it...aside from a HORRID s/a trigger, this gun wasnt bad at all. They were pulling to the left so bad because of the trigger they were missing the paper.....
The Bersa/FireStorm mini 9/40 are excellent guns. Much like a CZ/Taurus...great guns for the money. The 380's are good guns...
Taurus metal framed s/autos are IMO, as good as they get. Ive had a 40 that rivaled ANY gun for accuracy, fit and finish, trigger, dependability etc....very nice.
The Taurus poly guns are still questionable....the PT145 is "internet famous" for breaking its frame..the 111 (9mm)
is supposed to be pretty good. You may want to consider one.

Now the catch....If your gonna spend 300$ on a good s/auto..
Spend another 50$ and at least LOOK/SHOOT a CZ...I wont tell you that you wont regret it..because if you do shoot one..you will regret not buying it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

Shoot well
 
I owned a Llama .357 clone of the S&W Model 19. It was a malfunctioning piece of crap. I took it back and paid the extra for the S&W.

I own a Ruger P95 and IMHO it's the best bargain out there. Rock solid reliable, easy (for me) to shoot well. Paid $8 each for hi-caps.

I have friends who love their Taurus revolvers, and I've heard good things about their metal framed pistols. The polymer Taurus guns have had some problems as noted, but Taurus' warranty is comprehensive.
 
I had a LLAMA .22LR [No longer made]back in the 60's Oh, I wish I had that gun back. The metal was excellent, the accuracy was very good and, it was on a scaled down 1911 frame.
 
How much are you looking to spend? I would take a look at the CZ-75 series. They have excellent ergonomics, accuracy, reliability, etc. They can be found in the low/mid $300 range.
 
I have looked at CZ as an option. I had a surplus CZ-52 in .30 Mauser & it was a great shooter out of the box. I would prefer something in .45ACP as an auto & CZ seems to make great pistols & rifles. The reason I asked about Ruger, Taurus, et al, is that the pistols are just so inexpensive on Gunsamerica & I have an affiliated FFL nearby. I was just trying to garner some opinions of these brands as far as price vs. value. I am disappointed to hear about Llama's poor quality as they make an inexpensive 1911 copy, but if I have to spend more additional $$ to make it a decent shooter, I may as well buy a better brand.
 
The Bersa Thunder is a fine, inexpensive weapon. Every one
I've seen has functioned flawlessly. Do I own one? No. Would
I carry one? Probably, if it was all I could afford; but that is a
big "if", cuz all my guns (including the Sig's) are paid for.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
I used to have a llama 1911 clone in 9mm. It jammed constantly. I usually couldnt get all the way through one magazine without a malfunction. I must admit I didnt try all the ammo possibilities out there but it did have problems with at least 4 major brands of ammo. Needless to say it has been sold.
 
I wouldn't put the Llama in the same catagory as Taurus either, but it sure as hell isn't in the "pot metal special" catagory either!

My Llama Minimax has never failed to feed, fire or eject out of the few hundred rounds I've put through it. It also is far more accurate than a $200 NIB 1911 rip-off has any right to be.
However, I understand that with Llama it's a crap shoot. You might get a lemon, or you might get something you refuse to part with. I suppose I lucked out.
One thing for sure, you certainly will not find any pot metal zinc alloy on Llamas as you will on Lorcins, Jennings or Davis handguns. It is without a doubt a different breed.
 
My Take on Llama Pistols

I don't think you can use a broad brush on Llama anymore than any other manufacturer. I know of one individual that shot his 1911 like Llama over 10,000 rounds before it required work. I own a Llama Especial which has been okay with me. Why did I buy it? It was well regarded by Ian Hogg. Mr Hogg has a vast knowledge of military weapons. Regards, Richard
 
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