Llama .380

[wardog]

A buddy of mine has a Llama .380. He's planning on getting a CZ75 and a Taurus PT 92, but this is all he's got for a handgun right now.

The extractor keeps coming off. It seems the pin that holds it in was too loose, and would lift up during firing. When it lifted up, boing....the extractor and spring would be gone. He bought a couple of new pins and spings from e-gunparts.com.

The new pins seem too tight. Tried tapping one in and it would only go part way. Tried the other one, same thing. On one end of the pin, it is rounded a bit. The other end is not. Tried tapping them in both ways.

Any ideas? It's already been to a gunsmith once, and the cost of the pistol doesn't make him want to spend a lot on it. It is a neat little gun though. Mini 1911 right down to the grip safety.

Thanks.

 

[horge]

Llama Micromax .380's?
They aren't particularly well known for workmanship or for metal durability.

I agree they're cute, and one of my earliest posts on this forum was an inquiry on such a pistol. I was gently steered towards my eventual choice, a Bersa Thunder 380.

I do know several fellow Filipinos who've DIY'ed their Micromax 380's into shape, and where pins had to be replaced, they generally tapered the narrow pin-end, while using a finer needle and some rouge to lightly prep the hole (flushing generously with lighter fluid afterwards to get all the rouge out). They lubed pin and hole with light oil prior to insertion. Light taps should do it.


hth.

 

[wally]

A special "roll pin punch" with a hole to fit the flat end of the pin often helps alot.

I too like the idea of the Micromax .380 -- if it were made by anyone other than Llama I'd have one.

I vote for the CZ83 if you want a large .380. Cocked'n'Locked like the 1911 (or Micromax) or DA if condition 1 makes you nervous. Mine's a sweet shooter, I was willing to pay the extra $100 over the Bersa to get 1911 style cocked'n'locked.

--wally.

 

[pyblood]

Tell your friend that he should see if he can trade in his Llama for a Bersa .380 and some cash. I think that with the right Ammo (Cor-Bon, Winchester Rangers, etc) .380 can be a pretty good caliber.

 

[SirVette]

A friend bought a Llama 380 because of "small hands" & had the same issue "the pin that holds it in was too loose, and would lift up during firing".

PS Wally
Paid much more for a modern DA/SA reliable BERSA.

 

[wally]

PS Wally
Paid much more for a modern DA/SA reliable BERSA.

I'm confused? Bersa .380 starts about $189 around here, might go up to $239 depending on finish. Paid $289 for the CZ83. $100 extra for cheapest, $50 extra to match the nickel on the CZ83 -- worth it for me to get cocked and locked shooting option.

Bersa is said to be a good gun, so is CZ83, both are IMHO large for their caliber but that's what I wanted -- a gun with very low recoil which would help my wife learn to shoot better that was also cocked'n'locked so it will make her CHL qualifier much easier than all those DA first shots the course would require with the Bersa (load two, gun safe, shoot; load three, gun safe, shoot; load five, gun safe, shoot; etc).

Taurus PT92 (9mm) also works well, but she has bouts of flinching with it after a bit of shooting, 50 accurate enough shots in the time allowed might be pushing it without a lot more range time than we likely will have time for.

I'm happy with the CZ83, but she has some trouble working the slide :-( Hopefully with some more time in the gym....

Nothing ever seems to work out exactly right. I thought about the Beretta 85 with the tip up barrel (sorta a Jetfire on steroids) but I just can't bring myself to spend $400+ for *any* .380 unless absolutely necessary. The more I shoot the CZ83 the more I like it.

--wally.

 

[wardog]

Thanks for the suggestions.
I didn't mention it before, but the gun does have quite a bit of sentimental value.

He's planning on getting 2 new 9mm's when his finances permit, but does want to get this little guy workin.

 

[SirVette]

That was a quick comment on your cost comment of two particular models.
When double column BERSAs were available they were about $350. Cost is not an issue w/ me. Would never choose one gun over another based on cost as you evidently didn't either since you said you bought the CZ83 for the cocked & locked option. The BERSA DA is very good, not heavy as a PPK. How's the CZ83 in DA?