Llama vs Armscor/RIA.... better of the two?

[10 Ringer']

Yeh, yeh, their both in the same boat in terms of their position in the 1911 totem pole, but for someone looking into a "clones for the working man" type of range plinker, would you (or have you gone) RIA or Llama for a full size 1911?

I saw a Llama Max-1 today for a tad over $200 new (where local stores sell it and RIA for $400+!!!). Fit was just fine, controls are extended (good for my short thumbs and not on the RIA), and even though the finish was about as flat and unglamorous as the parkinglot outside, $205 was mighty tempting....

 

[Josey]

I had a Llama Max-1. I used it for CCW and bowling pins and a field pistol. I had no trouble with mine and it fed Winchester Silver Tips fine. I traded it for a POJ Springfield. The Llama was very reliable. The Springfield wasn't. The only advantage of a RIA is that aftermarket 1911 parts work in them. The Llama is not going to accept many aftermarket 1911 parts. I trusted and used my Llama. It has a rough finish but, it didn't rust up.

 

[George Hill]

"The only advantage of a RIA is that aftermarket 1911 parts work in them. "

That's not a small advantage. That's a big one.

 

[Shmackey]

"The only advantage of a RIA is that aftermarket 1911 parts work in them. "

That's not a small advantage. That's a big one.

It's huge.

 

[liliysdad]

The RIA is nowhere near the Llama on the pole, hell the Llama isnt even on the same pole.

 

[PCRCCW]

You guys are generalizing. Its normal to do this.......Ill tell you one of the nicest 1911's Ive played with is a Llama.....but it had over 1K$ in work done to it too......

For a run like hell out of the box gun, one that will take all of the parts they are supposed to, one that doesnt have the plunger tube made of plastic and screwed to the frame.............is a RIA's.

In general for outa the box 1911's RIA's are at the bottom of the totem pole......Llamas are too.....there just buried under about 2 feet of soil.

Shoot well................

 

[liliysdad]

I have to disagree. I feel that the RIA is every bit the gun, possibly more, than the Springfields, CDs, and definitely the Llamas.

 

[Snowdog]

Um, bunching Springfields with Charles Dalys and Llamas... am I missing something?

 

[Josey]

I haven't seen a Llama with a plastic plunger tube since 2000. I have had nothing but BAD luck with Springfield Armory 1911s. I will not get bit by them again. RIA is a true 1911 and does take aftermarket 1911 parts. The Llama won't oftentimes. A Llama makes a great beater and field pistol.

 

[liliysdad]

Um, bunching Springfields with Charles Dalys and Llamas... am I missing something?

Nope, not missing anything. The most often debated topic seems to be the RIA vs the Mil-Spec Springer. Since the Llama and the CD are in the same price range, roughly, it is a quite valid argument, especially since the RIA is every single bit as good as the Springer, for less cash.

 

[PCRCCW]

It Llamas have IXNAY'd the plastic plunge tube......good, they needed to.

Still gotta vote with the more expensive base guns though. Just from my own experience.

RIA, CD and Armscorp are all in the same price range........280-350$ for a stripper gun at a good deal..........

The Llamas I see around here range from 180-280$............just for reference.

Shoot well.

 

[Sean Smith]

Um, bunching Springfields with Charles Dalys and Llamas... am I missing something?

Wishful thinking.

You guys are generalizing. Its normal to do this.......Ill tell you one of the nicest 1911's Ive played with is a Llama.....but it had over 1K$ in work done to it too......

Talk about polishing a turd!

 

[JA]

I bought a Llama MAX-1 L/F in 1995. It has been 100% reliable out of the box with Fiocchi,S&B,Remington,Wolf,Winchester,reloads,and military surplus fmj ammo. Also with Winchester and Remington hollow point ammo. The only ammo that has not been 100% is reloads using semi wadcutters and Speer 200gr "flying ashtray" hollow points.
For a list of interchangeable parts with the 1911 pistol.
http://www.firestorm-sgs.com/colt.html
I have over 1000rds through my Llama and it works very well on bowling pins at 50 yards.
Llama incressed the size of the safety and slide release on the MAX models of pistols so I can't really see where any aftermarket parts are needed except for maybe a adjustable rear sight.