Llama Micromax 1911 style .380 comparison of older and newer models?

I can only speak for the old ones. The one I had was a point shooting laser that just hit what I looked at. It’s the only .380 I have ever actually really liked. I sold it to my dad and he will not let go of it until he no longer needs it, but I will get it back.

But MicroMax is not a locked breech version of .380 Llamas, is it now? The last one was either IIIA or Especiale. By the time they released MicroMax, they only did blowback guns.

Still blowback. In that class, the best option IMO is the Browning 1911-380. Get a decent holster & you’ll get used to cocked/locked within a couple days of carrying.

If you like .380, don't let anyone dissuade you from getting one you like. With the new ammunition available, both HP's and the newer designs like the Underwood Extreme Defense +p or even the standard load the caliber is a great choice. Check out Lehigh ammunition and others using that bullet type.

Beretta 85 or 84, for a 380 shooter and carry pistol. My choice is the 84F.

Apparently SA pistols and blowbacks are out of consideration.

The 1911 derivatives are very nice, but are SA.

The various Walther PP/K derivatives and Beretta 80-series are nice, but are blowbacks.

Pistols such as the CZ75 compact and Beretta 92 compact are in a larger category, imho.

There are any number of small 9mm pistols, such as the Glock 43, which would meet the OP's criteria.

I think the Glock 42 in 380acp fires from a locked breech.

Tallball said:

I think the Glock 42 in 380acp fires from a locked breech.

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Yes it does, and it's one of the easiest shooting .380s I've owned, especially with magazine extender to make the grip just a bit longer.
(I still like my Colt Gov't Model better.)

The first Llama IIIA pistols were breach lock while later IIIA pistols were blow back. The one I have is blow back. It is still a pleasant shooting little pistol.

For my money I definitely prefer the locked breech designs as found in the Colt Government .380, Colt Mustang, and the SIG P238. Very little in the way of felt recoil, suitably accurate with an above average SAO trigger, and nice and flat for easy concealed carry.

You did see my response in the other forum, didn't you?

If this is not the same person, I will repost it here.

DTL said:

If you like .380, don't let anyone dissuade you from getting one you like. With the new ammunition available, both HP's and the newer designs like the Underwood Extreme Defense +p or even the standard load the caliber is a great choice. Check out Lehigh ammunition and others using that bullet type.

Click to expand...

I have a Ruger LCP 2 for when deep concealment is required. I did a lot of research on best ammo since HP expansion can challenging. Based on ballistics test I opted for Underwood Extreme Defender. I carry that in mt 9mm too.

12Bravo20 said:

The first Llama IIIA pistols were breach lock while later IIIA pistols were blow back. The one I have is blow back. It is still a pleasant shooting little pistol.

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https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/112180 Model IIIA lllA recoil operated judging from the barrel link and that is how I remember them.

Barrel, Used Factory Original (Cut For Indicator, Barrel Lugs & Link)
$76.50
Manufacturer: LLAMA
Model: IIIA
Product #: 112180

barnetmill said:

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/112180 Model IIIA lllA recoil operated judging from the barrel link and that is how I remember them.

Barrel, Used Factory Original (Cut For Indicator, Barrel Lugs & Link)
$76.50
Manufacturer: LLAMA
Model: IIIA
Product #: 112180

View attachment 988655

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Yes that barrel is for the early version of the Llama IIIA. Later IIIA pistols were blowback only. Here is a photo of the barrel from my IIIA

bannockburn said:

For my money I definitely prefer the locked breech designs as found in the Colt Government .380, Colt Mustang, and the SIG P238. Very little in the way of felt recoil, suitably accurate with an above average SAO trigger, and nice and flat for easy concealed carry.
View attachment 985549
View attachment 985551

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And all of those can trace their lineage back to the Colt Pony which was nothing but a rebranded Star Model D.

http://star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/d/index.shtml

12Bravo20 said:

Yes that barrel is for the early version of the Llama IIIA. Later IIIA pistols were blowback only. Here is a photo of the barrel from my IIIA

View attachment 988684

Click to expand...

I wonder if the recoil operated version can work with higher pressure cartridges.

12Bravo20

Over the years I have seen a couple of Colt Ponys for sale at various gun shows. They were in mint condition in the box and the sellers wanted a king's ransom for them. Much more affordable were the Firearms International (FI), Model D. I would have bought one but I was always concerned about parts and service, this being the pre-Internet days and whoever heard of FI anyways!

. Not too small, not too big

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Given you want locked breech and not to small or to big I would really consider stepping up to 9mm. Going to 9mm gives you a lot more choices.
If you reload you can load it lighter than factory, if you buy ammo (when there is ammo to buy) you can look into some of the loads aimed at the pistol games.
I know Federal makes some loads for USPSA that are designed to just make a bit above the required 125PF (lighter than normal 9mm ammo)
If you don't reload when things are normal (not now) 9mm ammo tends to cost less than .380 and is easier to find sales on.
Just me, but for a .380 I was just interested in small one (I have a Kahr P380, one of the few choices in CA because of our approved list) Sig P238 is about the same size.
If small is ok I like my Kahr P380 but both it and the Sig P238 are on the expensive side of .380s. (Kahr CW380 is less)
Kahr is striker fired, no safety, P238 is SA with a safety.


This is a neat link to compare some pistols sizes
https://www.handgunhero.com/

Back in the late '70s I bought my dad a blue Llama .380 with a vent rib, crude engraving, and gold lettering. For some reason he adored gaudy things. Think of a white Mr. T. The pistol looked like the kind a New Orleans pimp would have and my dad loved it. I couldn't stand to look at it.

When he died, it disappeared ... Thank the Lord.

Although the OP appears to not be considering the Single Action models anymore, I thought I'd reference the best resource I have found on the internet for Llama Pistols for others that found this thread.

llamapage (carbinesforcollectors.com)

It is long and covers all of the models and history.

The general rule of thumb is that prior to around 1975 the mini 1911 style .380's are locked breach while after 1975 they are blow back. The change came in the Model IIIA series. I like mine as it is locked breach but I'd prefer one of the earlier models that had slide without the rib or loaded chamber indicator. It is as close to a 7/8 1911 as Llama came. I believe all had an external extractor, so none were an exact copy.

FYI - one does get used to Cocked and Locked. Although it just looks intimidating to see the hammer in the cocked position, it helps to think of the condition carried in terms of a rifle or shotgun. I don't give the fact that my rifle or shotgun is cocked with a safety on a second thought. That is just the way it is. And it is a bit more 'soothing' because the hammer isn't out in the open for me to see. But for rifles or shotguns with an internal hammer, and I have a few, they are in the same condition as a 1911 is. Cocked and Locked. My 1903A1 rifle doesn't have a hammer but when it is cocked and the safety on it too is basically in the same condition as a 1911 is. You just can't see it.

FYI - I too feel the same way about cocked and locked. It just makes me feel uncomfortable. I just rationalize the feeling away.