Ok guys, i have here a lightly used Llama Mini-Max .45 ACP i got from my father. All the local gun shops either wont take it on trade at all or only want to offer me 50-75 bucks for it towards a trade. My question here is, is the thing worth putting some money into and stuffing a few new parts to upgrade it and keep it as a truck gun or should i just try to get a better deal using it as trade sometime later down the road?
Llama Mini-Mag .45 worth putting money into?
- Thread starter Philippe
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Snowdog
Member
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- Dec 24, 2002
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the Llama MiniMax I had was a reliable enough pistol. Accuracy wasn't too shabby either.
There really wasn't anything it offered that was brag-worthy, but I must say I don't recall ever having a malfunction with it.
However, I really didn't shoot it much as it would routinely fling brass towards my face. On two occasions it drew blood when the lip of a case would dig into the skin.
I'm sure it could have been corrected, but a buddy really wanted it and was willing to pay nearly what I paid for it new despite knowing of the ejection issues. So to him it went and I understand he enjoys it, so I believe he did resolve the issues it had.
Mine was kept in the glove box of my Jeep Grand Wagoneer (got to love FSJs) for a couple years.
I sold mine for about $230 and this was several years ago, so you should be able to get more out of yours.
There really wasn't anything it offered that was brag-worthy, but I must say I don't recall ever having a malfunction with it.
However, I really didn't shoot it much as it would routinely fling brass towards my face. On two occasions it drew blood when the lip of a case would dig into the skin.
I'm sure it could have been corrected, but a buddy really wanted it and was willing to pay nearly what I paid for it new despite knowing of the ejection issues. So to him it went and I understand he enjoys it, so I believe he did resolve the issues it had.
Mine was kept in the glove box of my Jeep Grand Wagoneer (got to love FSJs) for a couple years.
I sold mine for about $230 and this was several years ago, so you should be able to get more out of yours.
MICHAEL T
Member
Llama closed their doors for good around 2005 In their last few years they weren't very good pistols I had a couple older llama's in 60'70's they were ok guns I bought one in 2003 was junk.
I would keep and shoot as is . Not worth putting money in. If father alive give it back.
I would keep and shoot as is . Not worth putting money in. If father alive give it back.
Michael, He is no longer alive but he had bought this pistol back around 95-96 i cant remember i still have all the papers though. I've already shot it a bunch, it functions and has not given me any issues yet, feeds all sorts of ammo but the gun just feels clunky and is not really accurate. I guess im spoiled by my STI's though. Anywho, its all cleaned up, i just figured i could ask and see if there are any loose ends i could fix with aftermarket parts.
larryh1108
Member
You should be able to tune that baby up to be a decent shooter. You can sell it on the online auctions for about $325-$350 if the finish is still in nice shape, $250 if it's fair. Is it the officer's size single stack or the 10 round double stack? Most internal parts should swap out with 1911 parts with minor fitting. The main difference is the grips. extractor and barrel. The Max series was the closest to the original specs of the entire Llama line.
Rex B
Member
That Llama was the RIA of it's day, functional for a price. My Mini-Max 45 is a keeper. 1911 parts fit fine, with the differences noted above. You can tune it to your specs. I've seen some very nice pistols based on the Mini-Max
Ash
Member
Phillippe,
My dad died, and any firearm I got from him might as well be filled with gold - there ain't no way I'm parting with it. The only one I am considering parting with is a Garate Anitua British OP Mk 1 revolver from WWI, and that would only be to donate it to the Camp Shelby museum under my Dad's name for the WWI British collection.
I once owned a Llama and it was a perfectly reliable pistol. It wasn't all that accurate, but I chock it up to not being good with 1911's (I can do far better with a Tanfoglio). That Llama was kept precisely to be a truck gun (kept it in my 1995 Chevy). As a truck gun, the parts that came on it were perfectly fine.
This begs the question: what is wrong with your pistol? If the Llama shoots reliably, then it already is the ideal truck gun. Don't fix it if it isn't broken. More to the point, don't customize it if it's going to be a truck gun.
I would wager a bunch of money the leading cause of unreliability in handguns is customization.
Keep that Llama and if it works fine, leave it alone.
My dad died, and any firearm I got from him might as well be filled with gold - there ain't no way I'm parting with it. The only one I am considering parting with is a Garate Anitua British OP Mk 1 revolver from WWI, and that would only be to donate it to the Camp Shelby museum under my Dad's name for the WWI British collection.
I once owned a Llama and it was a perfectly reliable pistol. It wasn't all that accurate, but I chock it up to not being good with 1911's (I can do far better with a Tanfoglio). That Llama was kept precisely to be a truck gun (kept it in my 1995 Chevy). As a truck gun, the parts that came on it were perfectly fine.
This begs the question: what is wrong with your pistol? If the Llama shoots reliably, then it already is the ideal truck gun. Don't fix it if it isn't broken. More to the point, don't customize it if it's going to be a truck gun.
I would wager a bunch of money the leading cause of unreliability in handguns is customization.
Keep that Llama and if it works fine, leave it alone.
7mm Rubrbnd Shootr
Member
As 1911 .45's go guys... simply get a good Pachmyer clip,
and that will solve 99% of their problem, which is in most
case's, an ammo feeding problem due to weak followers
in the factory clip. :. BADD
and that will solve 99% of their problem, which is in most
case's, an ammo feeding problem due to weak followers
in the factory clip. :. BADD
7mm Rubrbnd Shootr
Member
Also, Philippe... noticed you signed off yesterday, but if you
do happen to read this, have your gun "accurized," this involves
having a bushing inserted around the end of the barrel, inside
the slide, which will limit the barrel from flopping around inside
the slide, as the 1911's do have some play in the barrel. Still keep
in mind, that even though many folk's think that the .45 ACP is
not terribly accurate... the gun itself, is much more accurate than
the individual shooting it in many cases! :. BADD
do happen to read this, have your gun "accurized," this involves
having a bushing inserted around the end of the barrel, inside
the slide, which will limit the barrel from flopping around inside
the slide, as the 1911's do have some play in the barrel. Still keep
in mind, that even though many folk's think that the .45 ACP is
not terribly accurate... the gun itself, is much more accurate than
the individual shooting it in many cases! :. BADD
Jonah71
Member
If llama's were considered good guns, I must have picked up a lemon in the 80's. One of the "prettiest" guns I every had. But then so was my first wife. Don't know which was the most undependable.
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