Firestorm 1911?

[Noxx]

I don't own any 1911's, but I've certainly been kicking it around a lot lately. And by "kicking it around" I mean I've got a serious jones to buy one and see if I like the platform.

Locally there's a "firestorm" 1911 available for $280. Now that's dirt cheap so I don't expect much, but anyone have any feedback on this brand? If it's not utter junk, any .45 at that price is worth picking up, imho. Whatchya think?

 

[Princi]

You read this article - right? http://www.firestorm-sgs.com/article_firestorm.htm

I think that is a great price, and I'd go for it. Understand that it is not likely to out perform a Wilson, STI, etc.

For your first 1911, going inexpensive isn't a bad idea. If you have problems with it, it becomes a learning experience.

If you spend a lot of money, you have high expectations and the gun had better meet it. If you don't spend much and the gun really performs - happiness.

 

[Snowdog]

Developing a first impression of the 1911 through the use of a Firestorm isn't such a hot idea, in my opinion.
To my knowledge, Firestorm use to be Llama and Llama pumped out plenty of lemons. Mine wasn't so bad, but it wasn't nearly as accurate or reliable as my RIA that didn't cost much more.

I would strongly suggest you consider a 1911 from RIA and shell out the extra $50 or so. If you find you don't like the 1911, you'll likely get your money back as RIA 1911s have developed a solid reputation from those in the 1911 community.

Good luck!

 

[Noxx]

Thanks for the feedback guys. On inspection the gun appeared to be NiB. The front sight was so-so but everything else appeared to be pretty solid, so I picked it up. I don't expect a whole lot at that price, but if it functions reliably hey that's alright with me, and I'll probably pick up something a lot nicer next year.

FWIW, I keep hearing good things about Rock Island but they don't appear to be on California's "list", so I wouldnt be able to buy one new, have to get it interstate from a private seller, with the associated fee, etc etc. Real PITA.

 

[panther22]

I've heard good feedback about the Firestorm pistols. They were made by Llama, and Llama has since gone out of business. Firestorm is still selling the double action pistols it gets from Bersa though, so they are still around if you need anything from them.
I'm sure you'll get your money's worth out of it.

 

[gbran]

My son bought the Commander sized Firestorm a few years ago. Coulda got 3 of them for the price of my Colt, but I gotta say it was tight and very dependable. I was impressed.

 

[10-Ring]

I'm not a fan of the Firestorm 1911. A shooting buddy bought one years ago and the first time at the range w/ it, the thing went full auto... Thankfully the dealer gave him a store credit towards a Colt and my Buddy is much happier now

 

[Fumbler]

If you can find a Rock Island Armory 1911 in California then get it.

It's one heck of a deal.

I got a new RIA 1911 Tactical. It has the same features as a Springfield Loaded.
Mine works perfectly (with ball ammo, haven't bought any hollow points to try yet). The fit and finish is 95% as good as the Springfield.
With 95% of the quality at 50% of the price it's a no brainer for someone who wants a low cost 1911.

I got mine for $445 OTD.

I've never shot a Firestorm, but a friend has a Llama. It's got all sorts of feeding issues, parts don't really fit well (I think holes were drilled off square), and I've heard some aftermarket parts don't fit.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I've heard good feedback about the Firestorm pistols. They were made by Llama, and Llama has since gone out of business. Firestorm is still selling the double action pistols it gets from Bersa though, so they are still around if you need anything from them.
I'm sure you'll get your money's worth out of it.

Firestorm is still around but spare parts are not . Llama gone and so are spares. If it breaks you will need to look to other 1911. other than grips and a couple other items most 1911 parts will fit.

Now their is a New Firestorm 1911 coming to America. It will be 1911 compatable. This one also like RIA comes from the Phillipines. Its a brand new factory and been told will be as good or better as a Rock. About same price. Still some Govt red tape to finish and they will be arriving. I ve been advised I will be be one of the first to try this pistol out. So I can post a report on Bersa Talk.
http://bersatalk.com

 

[Noxx]

Picked this up today, will hit the range tomorrow with it for a more detailed report.

First impressions are that's a solid piece, if a bit rough round the edges. In test cycling, it feeds hornady XTP "ok" from the factory mag, and not worth a damn from a Chuck Wilson. If this gun gets a place around the house for HD duty it looks like it probably be with hardball or powerball, which may feed better.

More to follow.

 

[BigO01]

Noxx I have a government model Firestorm , I bought new a few years ago .

It is a pretty dependable weapon despite it shooting low left .

Don't try to replace the rear sight as the factory grove it is in is deeper than a normal 1911 and there is a safety system spring under the rear sight that will come flying out .

Try picking up a few Promag brand magazines for it from www.MidwayUSA.com , they are often on sale as cheap as $10 each and work great in my FireStorm as the magwell is a bit oversized compared to other 1911's .

It aint real pretty but so far it is a good shooter .

You can polish the feed n Barrel ramps by wrapping some fine wet/dry around a wooden dowel and working it up and down in the direction in which a round would feed from the magazine for about 5-10 minutes . DO NOT USE A DREMEL TOOL ON YOUR RAMPS ! They spin which leaves swirl marks in the wrong direction and can remove too much metal to fast and ruin your frame !

 

[Noxx]

Don't try to replace the rear sight as the factory grove it is in is deeper than a normal 1911 and there is a safety system spring under the rear sight that will come flying out .

Good to know, as I was considering that after this mornings range session. While it shoots a tight group, it's very definitely shaded to the left a wee bit, not helped by a somewhat gritty trigger pull.

Seeing what I can do about that trigger ATM, I've got this thing all over my desk.

Mine had several failures to feed in the first fifty rounds, then seemed to get over it and fed the next 100 without incident, some polishing is surely in order however.

All in all I'm content with the purchase. It's neither shiny nor spiffy, but it's a classic flat easily carried .45 that goes boom when asked and puts very large holes in things. It points very well for me which is always a major issue, most of my practice at the range is for time, not for pinpoint accuracy.

 

[jaysouth]

1. Firestorm is NOT a 1911. It is a very poor imitation indeed.

2. Parts and non-existant and magazines are very hard to find and VERY expensive.

Buy a Rock Island or Springfield Armory.

 

[Noxx]

1. Firestorm is NOT a 1911. It is a very poor imitation indeed.

2. Parts and non-existant and magazines are very hard to find and VERY expensive.

This is certainly news to me, it accepted the standard 1911 mags I bought for it with no problem. I got my detail strip information from the standard 1911 schems, and it all came apart the same way, leading me to believe that it is in fact, a 1911, whatever "fit and finish" issues it may have.

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

...magazines are very hard to find and VERY expensive.

One of the common misconceptions about the Llama .45s is that they don't take 1911 magazines. They work just fine, but Llama magazines won't work in 1911s.

 

[Exmasonite]

I'm a fan of the bersa/firestorm line. The Thunder .380 is one of my best purchases to date. also, shot the .45 and thought it was awesome..

Noxx- did you get a firestorm 1911 or the Mini Firestorm .45? (see here
http://www.firestorm-sgs.com/minispecs.htm

I'm not knocking the gun, i think that mini firestorm .45 is a great gun, been looking to get one for years. But i wouldn't call it a 1911 anymore than I'd call a Sig P220 a 1911. It may happen to chamber a .45 ACP round but that is where the similarities with the 1911 stop. Again, not knocking your new gun at all, just trying to figure out whatcha got.

Any chance you can grab us some pics of the gun? this has piqued my interest.

 

[Exmasonite]

or is it this:

http://www.impactguns.com/store/757873FS45GM.html

b/c THAT is a 1911...

 

[Noxx]

I purchased the latter, the Firestorm 1911 Gov't

 

[Exmasonite]

Awesome... congrats on the new acquisition. Let us know how it shoots.

 

[hankdatank1362]

AAAAHHHH!!!!

IT'S THE RETURN OF THE FIRESTORM 1911!!!!

My first handgun I ever purchased was a 5" Firestorm 1911, with the combat hammer, beavertail grip safety, forward cocking serrations. Paid about the same price. It was nice enough looking, pointed naturally, felt good in my hand, so I bought it.

Well....

It was accurate as Hell, I'll give it that. But the plunger tube shot loose after only a few dozen rounds, causing the slide stop to get caught in between the slide stop plunger and the frame, siezing the gun up and rendering it useless until I could wrench it out with pliers.

So I stuck the plunger tube back on with some JB weld. Still shot loose. So I had my gunsmith stake it to the frame. Still shot loose. One day, while shooting, it completely fell out. The spring shot out and I lost it andf the safety plunger in the sand. Then the thumb safety fell out the left side. That was followed by the grip safety coming out into my hand. I was disgusted. I took the parts back to the store I bought it at in a box and demanded an exchange.

Pros: Accurate, inexpensive, and takes standard 1911 mags.

Cons: Fell apart like a cheap watch. The thumb safety was alwasy floppy ( a good fart would knock it off-safe) so I could never trust it to cocked-and-locked. Some parts are out of spec (don't expect to be able to swap out the grips... you can't)

If it weren't for the catastrophic failure of the plunger tube and the crappy thumb safety, I'd still have it. If you find one with a good, stiff safety and after a couple hundred rounds the plunger tube is still tight, I think you might have a winner on your hands.

 

[Noxx]

4,000 Round update on "El Cheapo".

Much to my own surprise, and that of my range buddies, after four thousand rounds this little monster is still chugging right along. The only failures I've seen with it were ammo related (FTF hollow point, and FTF / FTE on some very soft handloads, my fault.)

It shoots a pretty decent group up close. Out at 40 and 50 yds it starts to open up A LOT, but I attribute that more to the trajectory of the .45, and my own marksmanship than anything else.

The trigger is much better than original, after a lot of shooting and some long sessions on the bench polishing out the trigger yoke and the grooves it rides in. It is still sub-par, but it it is no longer mid-bogglingly gritty.

Overall I'd compare my long term experience with this pistol to a Makarov. It may have pretty low production standards, but it's really hard to F' up what is essentially an idiot proof design. It's cheap and ugly, but so far it works, and it works all the time. Good enough for me.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Noxx I just noticed date of your orginal post I belive you have the Llama Firestorm Does your have a external extractor .
Does it say made in Manila Phillipies or is it spanish made.
New ones are just starting to appear on the shelves I got mine last week My serial number is under a 100. These are the new approved and 1911 compatiable .
Trying to sort out the old Llama Firestorm from the new one is going to be a night mare

 

[Noxx]

My model has an external extractor, and is made in Spain.

 

[Moonclip]

Last year I bought a used Firestorm (Llama) .38super that was made in 2004 for $230. It takes standard Colt magazines and works fine.

 

[Mauserguy]

I've also got the Spanish Firestorm. It is a great gun, though it is showing some erosion near the firing pin hole. I'm keeping a close eye on that, but otherwise it's great. It's smooth and 100% reliable.
Mauserguy