Are Firestorm guns any good?
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Snowdog
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It probably depends on what model you're looking at. From my understanding, Firestorm is a combination of Llama and Bersa firearms. Bersa has a fairly respectable reputation whereas Llama's reputation is a bit tarnished. If you have a particular model you're looking at, you might want to specify which one has caught your eye.
ccw9mm
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Never heard of them, which tells me that not enough guinea pigs have gone before. YMMV.
myusername
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IIRC Firestorm guns are built in the U.S. from mostly, if not all, Bersa parts shipped in.
I think they are pretty good guns for the money. I had a .380 Firestorm and never had any problems with it. It was a very comfortable gun to shoot and pretty accurate too. I didn't care for the take-down procedure but other than that it was good for $200.
Cousin Mike
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What this tells me is that someone doesn't go to gunstores or websites very much.
joab
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A friend has one of their 1911s.
For the price it's a great gun thereare someparts that don't interchange with 1911s and I hate their grips.
I can't speak for longevity because he hasn't had it long enough and doesn't shoot it enough to get a feel for that.
It's not a Colt but then it's not a Bryco either
For the price it's a great gun thereare someparts that don't interchange with 1911s and I hate their grips.
I can't speak for longevity because he hasn't had it long enough and doesn't shoot it enough to get a feel for that.
It's not a Colt but then it's not a Bryco either
modifiedbrowning
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It depends. If you are looking at the 1911 style models they have a pretty bad reputation. If you are talking about the Mini Firestorm models then you are good to go. The Mini models are made by Bersa in Argentina and are good quality guns at a reasonable price. I have two Bersa 9mms that have been excellent.
Btw Firestorm is no longer in business, so the only models currently in production are the Bersa made models.
Btw Firestorm is no longer in business, so the only models currently in production are the Bersa made models.
johnny blaze
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I have the 45 Firestorm compact model. It is the two tone model.
It shoots well, has never jammed, and is accurate. Actually the pistol is pretty well made.
I like the pistol.
The only draw back is that it is not based on the standard 45 frame. Most 1911 parts will fit it, but some will not. Like the grips, the standard 1911 grips will not fit. Even the grip screws are different.
When Llama went out last year, the DA only Firestorm 1911 style, went with them as they were made in the same factory.
That does not bother me. There are parts still available for them.
Mine was as new and I paid 225.00 for it.
I do not know where you can get anything close to it for the money. I like it!
It shoots well, has never jammed, and is accurate. Actually the pistol is pretty well made.
I like the pistol.
The only draw back is that it is not based on the standard 45 frame. Most 1911 parts will fit it, but some will not. Like the grips, the standard 1911 grips will not fit. Even the grip screws are different.
When Llama went out last year, the DA only Firestorm 1911 style, went with them as they were made in the same factory.
That does not bother me. There are parts still available for them.
Mine was as new and I paid 225.00 for it.
I do not know where you can get anything close to it for the money. I like it!
MCgunner
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My daughter's boyfriend has a firestorm .45 sort of a 1911, but not a direct copy. The 1911 magazines work, though. I shot it. It was 100 percent with ball and 200 grain cast SWC and shot well which I can't say for at least one 1911 I had, an Auto Ordinance. I had an AMT hardballer that WOULD shoot the 200 grain SWC load, the Auto Ordinance was ball only. I had a 220 grain cast round nose handload it'd shoot, actually a Lee mold for a Ruger Old Army cap and ball. Got the hollow point version, too, that worked because the cavity isn't very big.
Anyway, for the price of that firestorm, it worked quite well I thought. I didn't try any hollow point in it, but I wouldn't carry it anyway for self defense, rather carry something lighter and DA.
Anyway, for the price of that firestorm, it worked quite well I thought. I didn't try any hollow point in it, but I wouldn't carry it anyway for self defense, rather carry something lighter and DA.
Exmasonite
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i love my bersa thunder .380. Very reliable shooter + very accurate (10-12 yd ranges). I trust it as a carry piece.
have fired the Mini Firestorm .45. Tack driver out to 15 yards. No problems w/ the 200 rds i put through her. Been fighting the urge to get one as i'm saving $$ for the Springfield XD .45 Subcompact when they come out.
have fired the Mini Firestorm .45. Tack driver out to 15 yards. No problems w/ the 200 rds i put through her. Been fighting the urge to get one as i'm saving $$ for the Springfield XD .45 Subcompact when they come out.
10-Ring
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A shooting buddy bought a Firestorm that looked like a 1911 copy. 1st time to the range, 1st mag full, the thing went full auto on him. He never took it to the range again...instead, he sold it!
I have a FireStorm Mini 40 which is one of my favorite guns. It had a few FTFs during the first 100 rounds, but it has been perfect for the last 600 rounds since then. It has a very nice trigger, which is even better since I put a trapper spring kit in it. The fit and finish are not quite in the same class as a Sig, but it works great and it fits my hand better than any other handgun I have. My only complaints would be that there are not many aftermarket items for it and extra magazines are pricey. For some reason I am not aware of, they are only sold in the western half of the U.S. The 1911 type models sold by FireStorm were made by Llama who is no longer in business. They are no longer offered. They also sell Comanche revolvers. You can find more people familiar with the FireStorms on the forums at www.bersatalk.com.
mega1quake
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I have three llamas up forsale at http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=58671698 take a look!
two are minimax sub-compacts one is Chrome and the other blue (copys of the warthog para ordnance), and the other is NIB duo finish a copy of the (colt officers model).
two are minimax sub-compacts one is Chrome and the other blue (copys of the warthog para ordnance), and the other is NIB duo finish a copy of the (colt officers model).
Lennyjoe
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I had a Mini-Firestorm .45 that functioned flawlessly thru several thousand rounds. Only downside was the price of spare mags. $39 each and they were hard to find. Other than that, it was a great little gun for $300.
Rich K
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I've had a Bersa Thunder 380 for the past 3 years, and haven't had an issue with it yet. In fact I like them so much that I just bought a Firestorm 22. Both are accurate, and digest everything I feed them. Whats not to like?
vs
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I have a FireStorm .45 compact that is two tone made in Spain. On the right side portion of the slide is engraved FABRINOR LEGUTIANO, the left side is of course the FireStorm crest then .45 COMPACT. I can honestly say that I have shot a minimum of probably 5000 rounds over the years through both barrels that I have when I purchased it new rotating when one gets dirty or hot of course just quick cleaning the slide and then back to shooting. I keep it clean and oiled like brushing your teeth before you go to bed. I have several 45's, and I prefer H & K, but I don’t carry it with me everywhere I go because honestly I hate to see it get scratched, I carry the FireStorm. After the first 100 rounds you should be able to tell if it is a good piece out of the lot because there are defects in anything these days, I checked for cracks in the frame inside and anything not normal and believe me I have an H & K, a Colt Mark 4 Gld Cup, a Sig so I tell it was pretty good after the break-in. No complaints.
I hope this helps
I hope this helps
gator1gear
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My fiance has a Firestorm Mini 40 (subcompact model). She carried a Springfield 1911 before she bought it, and wanted something a little smaller. I took her to the gun shop expecting her to end up with an M&P or something like that. After much too much time was spent, she asked to see this Firestorm, and as soon as she held it she said "this is it" I tried to talk her out of it, but it's what she wanted. We have put at least 3k rounds through this thing and it has NEVER failed in any way. I now have a 9mm, 40 S&W and 45...YMMV but the one we have is well made and has been 100% reliable.
Firestorm used to import double action pistols, made by Bersa, that were very nice guns. They also imported 1911 pistols made by Llama. Llama went out of business a couple years ago, so the 1911 Firestorms stopped. About a year ago I read that Firestorm might bring in a 1911 made in the Phillipines, but I don't think it ever happened.
Stick with the Bersa made Firestorms and you'll have a well made, reliable gun.
Stick with the Bersa made Firestorms and you'll have a well made, reliable gun.
mcdonl
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That must have been a tough sell... LOL
Here, great gun... just be careful... tends to go full auto....
Mxracer239y
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VS, you have 3 posts and joined yesterday, so I assume that typical forum etiquette is still a new thing. Digging up a thread that is over 4 years old to give your opinion of a pistol is typically frowned upon.
It did happen; I have one. They were made by Metro Arms, and identical to the 'American Classic II' pistols being sold today. I do not know the total number of Metro Arms pistols imported with the Firestorm rollmark, but the serial number of mine is under 500.
It did happen; I have one. They were made by Metro Arms, and identical to the 'American Classic II' pistols being sold today. I do not know the total number of Metro Arms pistols imported with the Firestorm rollmark, but the serial number of mine is under 500.
MICHAEL T
Member
When Llama closed 2005 ? The Firestorm 1911 was dropped. In 2008 when Metro Arms begin making the American Classic. The Firestorm was brought back . It was the American Classic with Firestorm roll mark. Was found that people were confusing the old and new Firestorms and the bad rep of Llama was carrying over to the great Metro Arms Fire storm. So Dec 09 The Firestorm 1911 was discontinued This also allowed the importation of more American Classic.
The Firestorm name was also dropped from the Bersa made pistols only the 22 and 380 were kept. This again allowed increase in production of the Bersa 9mm 40S&W 45acp. New Poly Bersa single stack 9mm should be here in March.
Bersa had nothing to do with Llama and has nothing to do with Metro Arms . They are all their own company Firestorm is a brand name and contracted the guns made with their rollmark.
They did and still do other than (Llama history closed up) use the same import family, and Warranty centers .
I do hope this clears up some of the confusion
come visit us at http://bersachat.com or Bersa importer board at http://www.bersa.com/forum/ Bersachat more fun and active.
The Firestorm name was also dropped from the Bersa made pistols only the 22 and 380 were kept. This again allowed increase in production of the Bersa 9mm 40S&W 45acp. New Poly Bersa single stack 9mm should be here in March.
Bersa had nothing to do with Llama and has nothing to do with Metro Arms . They are all their own company Firestorm is a brand name and contracted the guns made with their rollmark.
They did and still do other than (Llama history closed up) use the same import family, and Warranty centers .
I do hope this clears up some of the confusion
come visit us at http://bersachat.com or Bersa importer board at http://www.bersa.com/forum/ Bersachat more fun and active.
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