Opinions on the LLama XI-B 9mm

[gym]

Saw one in great condition at a gun store, owner says parts are no problem. He seems to specialize in these as he had 2 9"s and a 45 all the same model, just different barrel lengths. I have done some reading and it appears the accuracy is questionable. More of a 2nd tier gun. But the 9 is a nice size for a carry.
http://floridaguntrader.com/index.php?a=2&b=361883

 

[MICHAEL T]

I wouldn't spend my money on a Llama . maybe a old one from 60's I had one then that worked 1 I bought in 80's didn't work and in 2000 was even worst.

 

[gym]

thanks, so much for that. What about Star? Have a buddy , "Marine" who swears by them, and he has just about every gun out there, owned a gun store in his youth.

 

[Mango88]

I sold a bunch of Llama 9mm pistols back in the 1980's. If I remember correctly while that they are copies of the Colt 1911 they are not exact copies and parts may not interchange without a lot of hand fitting if they will fit at all. The one in the ad is $400.00 and for that price you can get a new Rock Island Armory 1911 that is a good, faithful copy of the 1911. I have a compact RIA 1911 and a Colt Comander. The Colt cost me twice what the RIA cost and the RIA shoots rings around the Colt. So for $400 you can get a new, under warranty, 1911 that has assured parts and accessory availability.

 

[Fishbed77]

hanks, so much for that. What about Star?

A friend of mine has a Star M43 Firestar in 9mm. It's a neat little pistol - compact, but easily to hold and very accurate and reliable. It feels like a little 1911 in the hand.

The only real negatives to it are the tiny trigger guard, weight, and the fact that parts availability is questionable, since Star has been out of business for a while.

 

[larryh1108]

That's a $275-$300 max pistol. For that price it's a good gun. For $400 you have a lot more choices. I love my Llama 9mm but not for $400.

 

[rcmodel]

owner says parts are no problem.

Ask him to prove it!!

Star & Astra went out of business years ago.

And finding specific parts that more commonly break is an exercise in frustration in the USA.

There was a guy I Spain who sold parts on eBay, but I don't know if he is still doing it.


Was it me.

I would spend the money on something you really can get parts for if you ever need them.

rc

 

[PabloJ]

Pass. Parts are no longer available. Guys that buy guns to stash and or "parade" on net buy Colt double actions revolvers. Please see Colt King Cobra topic under revolver portion of this board.

 

[bannockburn]

gym

I would say a conditional "Yes" to most Star models because they have always worked great for me but spare parts and magazines are hard to come by.

Llamas get a definite "No" from me as my experiences with them, as well as those from others I have known, have been rather unsatisfactory. Add in a similar shortage of parts as with Star and I think you'll find better choices out there.

 

[PabloJ]

gym

I would say a conditional "Yes" to most Star models because they have always worked great for me but spare parts and magazines are hard to come by.

Llamas get a definite "No" from me as my experiences with them, as well as those from others I have known, have been rather unsatisfactory. Add in a similar shortage of parts as with Star and I think you'll find better choices out there.

There was one real good one out there called the Omni in 9x19 and .45 but one needs real LONG fingers to use one efficiently.