Cheaper obscure branded pistols

[zombie44]

I sometimes come across these brands of used semiautos in my local shop:

FM
Star
Tanfoglio
Llama
Astra

They're usually in the $200-300 range and to me, they appear to be mostly well constructed, but then again I'm mostly a revolver guy so I may not know any better I'm really enjoying the 2 9mm's I have, a S&W 5906 and a Browning Hi-Power, but would like to try out other metal semiautos too, are those brands worth considering or are some of them known to be problematic?

 

[2GunsWest]

Tanfoglio AKA EAA Witness pistols have been good to me. I have had them in 9mm and .40. I must have had exceptional specimens as many people put them down.

I don't have any first hand knowledge of interest concerning the other brands.

 

[SteelManCM]

I am a definite fan of Llama. Their full size "1911 clones" are 85% compatible with standard 1911 parts.

You can get the guns on the cheap and they are great shooters.

 

[Tinpig]

I've always liked my Star Firestar in 9mm. Compact, somewhat heavy, solid, accurate enough and well-built. Nice carry pistol.



Tinpig

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

The FM Hi Power is actually really good.

 

[Valkman]

I have a Star Firestar in .45 auto, a good gun that's given me no problems. Not the best carry gun although I did carry it for a while when I first got a CCW in CA.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

are those brands worth considering

no.

 

[Deanimator]

Argentine FM Hi Powers have a good reputation.

 

[Mike J]

I had a Star in 9mm Largo back around '95 it was a nice little pistol.

 

[jcwit]

Quote:
are those brands worth considering

no.

That is nothing more that an opinion, and a blanket one at that.

If there is any facts to back that up please give them.

 

[MAKster]

Star, Astra, and Llama were Spanish companies and are all out of business.

 

[fgr39]

I have owned Star and Tanfoglio pistols and they were great guns. I've heard good stuff about FM and Astra. Llama seems to be more hit or miss than the others from reports or it could just be people who have never had one saying they were crap.

 

[rellascout]

Older FMs where higher quality than the more recent offerings IMHO. They are still decent guns. True BHP clones which at one time were made under lic. IIRC.

I would also add Arcus to the list. They are a very close copy of the BHP with a few a parts which will not interchange IIRC.

 

[bikerdoc]

Zombie 44.

belated welcome. (ever think about changining your sceen name

If you study, learn, search, you will get a lot of info. The pistols you mention can be good or bad, depends on the individual specimem.

9mm largo is a great round. Ammo runs about 8/9 bucks a box of 25 online.

Just do your research and inspection and have fun.

 

[GCBurner]

Those are all good, solid guns. All of them except Tanfoglio are out of business now, but prior to more restrictive import laws killing their business, used to export a lot to the U.S. I've got a Tanfoglio pocket pistol, and a Star Model Super 9mm Luger/9mm Largo convertible that I like a lot. The only real drawback to them now is that parts and magazines are getting hard to find.

 

[potmetal]

I've owned both a Star and an Astra in the past and both were very well made guns, and accurate. I currently have a Tanfoglio and it's one of my favorites.
Star and Astra were Spanish companies(as well as Llama) and all are out of business now. Tanfoglio is an Italian company and still in business. They make the Witness semi auto pistols, as well as many under their own name.
FM was made in Argentina. I'm not as familiar with them, but the only complaint I've ever heard about their hi-power copies has been that the finish isn't as good as a Browning, but that could be said about alot of guns.

 

[rellascout]

Norinco 1911s. There was a time you could get these great 1911ai patterned guns for under $300. These days you can still find them for $400 which is a steal. Great base guns due to their very hard steel.

 

[Liberty1776]

Tanfoglio (Witness) are really sturdy and well made. My Astra 90 is an excellent gun, all steel, well built. (It's a copy of a Sig, so the engineering is good too.) Very reliable, eats anything and is accurate.

 

[McCall911]

I like most of the brands on your list, if not all of them. The only problem I might have is the worry about parts availability and/or expense.

 

[KodiakBeer]

I've had a couple of bad experiences with Llama .45's, but all the others have solid reputations.
FM pistols are fully interchangeable with FN/Browning Hi Power, so if you ever have a problem or want to upgrade there are parts widely available.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

That is nothing more that an opinion, and a blanket one at that.

If there is any facts to back that up please give them.

jeez, why don't you give facts to back up your opinion? are you saying yours is more valid than others? plz

 

[nalioth]

THe FM Hi-Power is an excellent choice for folks who want a quality P-35 but don't want to "pay for the name". They are every bit as reliable as their high-dollar cousins.

Those are all good, solid guns. All of them except Tanfoglio are out of business now

Fabrica Militar is definitely not out of business.

 

[natman]

jeez, why don't you give facts to back up your opinion? are you saying yours is more valid than others? plz

I guess it's established then. No facts.

 

[rellascout]

THe FM Hi-Power is an excellent choice for folks who want a quality P-35 but don't want to "pay for the name". They are every bit as reliable as their high-dollar cousins.

Not the value they used to be. I see them selling for $400 which IMHO is a crime. These are great guns in the sub $300 range.

But too often these days I see this....

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=208164583

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

I guess it's established then. No facts.

orly? where's your "facts", slick?