Post by: EZ CZ75 on March 27, 2006, 06:42:23 PM
This new one was a bit of a surprise. I have been trying to get rid of my extra 10mm upper and someone local called and offered me a ANIB Llama 45 Minimax subcompact for it! My brother has a Llama in 45 so I thought I might as well look at it. It looked clean and as if it hadn't been shot. I know that as far as 1911's go it is on the cheap side, but I have heard lots of good for the price.
Does anybody here have any experience with Llamas (insert animal jokes here)?
Also, 45 ACP is a new caliber to me and I am excited to start reloading for it, too. So much to do, so much to do.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I think that I will at least get an action and trigger job done to see what happens.
Any other info for a guy that has never owned a 1911 before is also welcome.
TIA
Post by: Walt-Sherrill on March 27, 2006, 06:52:33 PM
Post by: KingPolymer-III on March 27, 2006, 08:41:55 PM
Post by: SLM crew chief on March 27, 2006, 11:09:52 PM
Post by: jwc007 on March 28, 2006, 10:55:49 AM
Post by: EZ CZ75 on March 28, 2006, 11:36:38 AM
Post by: BRASMAN on March 28, 2006, 01:21:05 PM
Post by: lee n field on March 28, 2006, 04:27:22 PM
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Also, 45 ACP is a new caliber to me and I am excited to start reloading for it, too.
On the positive side, you should find .45 ACP a very easy round to load. (Hint: 4.7 gr. Bullseye behind a 230 grain round nose.)
Post by: EZ CZ75 on March 28, 2006, 05:35:50 PM
Post by: Walt-Sherrill on March 28, 2006, 05:47:57 PM
I've got an older (circa 1980, imported by Stoeger) 1911 Llama in 9mm that's about as good anything around -- hgih quality throughout, with a fully ramped barrel.
The internal parts aren't exactly standard 1911. I suspect that will be the case with yours, as well.
When I had to replace a hammer on it (one of the hammer hooks was chipped), I was also forced to replace the sear. (The replacement 1911 hammer wouldn't work with the factory sear, but with a replacment 1911 sear, it was fine.)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/WalterRSherrill/Possible%20Trades/Llama9mmLeft.jpg)
Post by: EZ CZ75 on March 29, 2006, 02:36:16 AM
How can I tell when this pistol was imported and through whom? Are there markings that I should be aware of? I haven't inspected it too closely as school always seems to demand the majority of my time.
Hmmm. Out of business. I guess the lifetime warranty isn't any good anymore. I know that it is for the original owner only, but it was a thought that crossed my mind.
What went awry at Llama? Was it QC or similar to what happened to Bren-Ten when it closed it's doors? I am doing some searching online and am having a hard time finding much. I know that the net is not exhasutive, so cough it up, boys and girls.
Post by: Walt-Sherrill on March 29, 2006, 06:34:48 AM
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Quote:Doesn't much matter.
How can I tell when this pistol was imported and through whom? Are there markings that I should be aware of? I haven't inspected it too closely as school always seems to demand the majority of my time.
The most recent importer was Import Sports, in NJ. Parts are still available, but service will have to be done at your local gunsmith. I suspect that many generic 1911 parts will work for the internals.
(According to the Fjestad Blue Book, Llama went bankrupt in 1992, and in 2000 a group of employees reopened the company. I don't know what the company's status is right now, and haven't heard of any being imported.)
The MiniMax, new, sold for around $265, and the Blue Book says that one in 95%-98% condition (or thereabouts) is probably worth $200 - $230.
If it turns out to be a shooter, you did alright.
Post by: jwc007 on March 29, 2006, 09:14:44 AM
www.stoegerindustries.com/ (http://www.stoegerindustries.com/)
Post by: lee n field on March 29, 2006, 06:37:00 PM
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Thanks, Lee. Is this a plinking load that you like to shoot? I think that I will definitely load this pistol light considering some of the previous statements made about the quality of metal.
Midrange load. It does well (for me) in both FMJ and lead.
Post by: ghostcop on March 31, 2006, 08:37:37 AM
I briefly owned a commander sized .45. It would shoot alright with fmj, but didn't like hollowpoint. It was fairly accurate, more so than my series 70 commander.
The only problem I had,was the plunger tube coming unscrewed, as it's not staked on. Even red loctite wouldn't hold for long.
I also had a .380 IIIX, that looked like a mini .45. It was an early stoger import, that was NIB. It was recoil operated, and had a tiny link on the barrel.
I have NEVER had a worse p.o.s. in my life. It was rare if I could get thru 4 shots, without a problem. I would guess I had 4 barrel links installed, in the short time I had it. It would tear them out like paper. I traded it for a taurus 85, to a bud of mine. he thought he could fix it
. He didn't have it long.I truly hope you have good luck with yours.
Post by: EZ CZ75 on April 13, 2006, 12:42:41 AM
The 75BD shot wonderfully, as always. That thing just keeps getting more accurate.
The Llama was a bit of a surprise. I think we only had time for about 30-40 rounds, but it only FTE once, and I believe it was because I wasn't doing my part. It was at the begining of the first string of 10 and I was concentrating on the trigger more than anything else. The trigger on these things out of the box is horrendous. I read it is around 8 lbs. and it feels like it.
The first 10 shots yielded only five shots on the paper at about 25 feet.
Curse that trigger. After that I could consistently hit a circle the size of a tin can with a little effort. The gun is very accurate and POI seems pretty close to POA. I didn't have a rest or time to really run it all I wanted, but for the few rounds I put through it I like it.
I think the thing I like the most was that it put such nice big holes in what ever it hit. Real purdy. I'll take her out again.
Almost forgot, I only shot WWB 45 ACP this time. I'll try some other stuff when I get the chance.