Little LLama What is it?

JlazyH · September 22, 2005, 04:22 PM

Just picked this little guy up at a pawn shop. It is a LLama 380 and came with 3 mags. Got it for $150. Think it will make a great summer carry gun, but I can't find any info on it. Does anyone know what model it is, and does LLama still make it?
Thanks, Jess

res1b3uq · September 22, 2005, 04:37 PM

I hate to drop this on you, but Llama has closed it's doors, as have Star and Astra. I have a newer model .380 called a micromax. It is basicly the same gun without the top rail. I just tried to pull up the parts website and got an error message,so if you need parts, check the Bersa-Llama Firestorm website, maybe they can help you.

JR47 · September 22, 2005, 04:39 PM

I believe that it was the Model IX. Parts are also available from the Gun Parts Corp/ Numrich Arms. If the little fellow likes the hollowpoints, have at it. Some of them, especially the early models, weren't set up to feed anything but FMJ.

JlazyH · September 22, 2005, 06:53 PM

Well I don't need any parts,YET. The little gun is almost mint. Never owned a LLama before but fell in love with this little guy, and the price.

tipoc · September 22, 2005, 08:20 PM

Try here: www.bersa-llama.com

google and reading are useful things.

tipoc

citizen · September 22, 2005, 08:46 PM

.....I, myself almost bought one NIB last week. Blued(?) for <$225.....didn't know Llama closed.....for once I think I was wise to hesitate.

packa45 · September 22, 2005, 11:43 PM

I have a MicroMax. It's a cool little gun, no problems in 5 years but I've found it likes winchester silvertips and speer HP and not much else besides FMJ.

michael t · September 23, 2005, 12:30 AM

That is a older one I belive. Is it like a mini 1911a1 on take down or blow back. The mini 1911 is the perfered one and is a very good carry gun. Not all Llama's are junk no matter what so people think. I would test with new Corbon 380DPX when they come out and then you will be set.

JlazyH · September 23, 2005, 08:25 AM

The gun is a dead ringer of a 1911a1. That is what turned me on to buy it.

Lou22 · September 23, 2005, 09:43 AM

I had one very similar to it back in the 70's. I believe it was also a 380. Fun little gun to shoot. If I could find another for what you'd paid, I'd buy it in a minute.

Lou

nasty habit · September 23, 2005, 10:08 AM

I have one of them.Older I think.On the slide says "llama" especial.Frame, stoeger arms.Its blue.Shot 50 rounds round nose monday.No problems at all.Fits my hand like it was made for it.

michael t · September 23, 2005, 11:46 AM

For those worried about parts . Well I have a Colt Mustang and parts are about all gone for them. Yet people pay $450 and up to own a pistol.You can only find a few new parts for. Its a American made Colt and yet Colt doesn't even support it any more. I would have jumped on the Llama at that price.

res1b3uq · September 23, 2005, 04:18 PM

I called Corbon about running PowerBall in mine. They said no problem. Since it has the plastic ball in the front, there is no feeding problem with this ammo. Due to the cost, I only use it when I am carrying the gun. (I have checked it out at the range, though, it is potent.)

JlazyH · September 23, 2005, 08:10 PM

Here is another shot of this little gun. I can find the 380 nickel but it dosen't look like this one. The others I see don't have the little vent/rib deal on it. So I still can't find the model. All that is marked on the gun is LLama on one side, and Stoeger Inds. on the other, with S. Hackensack,Nj

sceva · September 24, 2005, 04:22 PM

They aren't bad pistols, I had a blued one in the mid 80's. The older ones were locked breach but starting in the early 80's they switched to blowback. I am betting that your's is a blowback pistol. Mine shot well but would not handle silvertips well.

michael t · September 25, 2005, 12:34 AM

Lets see a picture of it broke down See how close really is to 1911 I don't think it a blowback

doncameron · September 25, 2005, 06:39 AM

Looks almost like mine, you will find out that it is a great shooter and a good
ccw! look on the frame right above the trigger on the left side, their should
be a couple of symbols then a letter and a number, that is the proof mark
(date code) post it and I'll tell you the year it was manufactured!

I've had mine going on 10 years, fired hard-ball ammo and HP's with no problems. Going on 20,000 rounds and only had 3 stovepipe jams.

Magyar · September 25, 2005, 07:13 AM

The ventilated sight rib on your .380 & .45's make these pistols "elegante".
No Llama bashing here, love my Llama....Give us a range report....

JlazyH · September 25, 2005, 10:51 AM

Here it is taken down. This little gun has a very heavy recoil spring. I mean HEAVY. Probably will never find a lighter one. What would be the chances of cutting back 1 or 2 coils?

This would lighten it up a little. Or does this gun need the heavy spring?

JlazyH · September 25, 2005, 11:10 AM

DONCAMERON-there is no way I can read the code on this, so here is a picture of it. What does is mean?

Magyar · September 25, 2005, 11:21 AM

If you view this upside down, it appears to be V 1= 1977
This coincides with the approximate time line of the ventilated sight rib..FWIW...
I assume you haven't fired it yet? If this is as LNIB as you say, why would you change the recoil spring/anything at this point?

doncameron · September 25, 2005, 11:31 AM

unless it's an I1 (made in 1963) can't really tell for sure.......sorry

JlazyH · September 25, 2005, 11:34 AM

The spring isn't a major problem other than I have really bad arthritus in my hands and it's hard to rack.

doncameron · September 25, 2005, 12:38 PM

If you view it upside down the other symbols would be upside down.

recommend you take it to a good gunsmith and have them check it out.

JlazyH · September 25, 2005, 12:41 PM

I will, thanks. Oh buy the way it shoots great.

September 22, 2005, 04:22 PM	#1
JlazyH Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2005 Location: Colorado Rockies Posts: 81	Little LLama What is it? Just picked this little guy up at a pawn shop. It is a LLama 380 and came with 3 mags. Got it for $150. Think it will make a great summer carry gun, but I can't find any info on it. Does anyone know what model it is, and does LLama still make it? Thanks, Jess __________________ SemperFi 3rd MAW-E6 1964-72 "A cop is just another stranger with a gun."

September 22, 2005, 04:37 PM	#2
res1b3uq Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2005 Posts: 111	Llama I hate to drop this on you, but Llama has closed it's doors, as have Star and Astra. I have a newer model .380 called a micromax. It is basicly the same gun without the top rail. I just tried to pull up the parts website and got an error message,so if you need parts, check the Bersa-Llama Firestorm website, maybe they can help you.

September 22, 2005, 06:53 PM	#4
JlazyH Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2005 Location: Colorado Rockies Posts: 81	Well I don't need any parts,YET. The little gun is almost mint. Never owned a LLama before but fell in love with this little guy, and the price. __________________ SemperFi 3rd MAW-E6 1964-72 "A cop is just another stranger with a gun."

September 22, 2005, 08:46 PM	#6
citizen Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2000 Posts: 801	.....I, myself almost bought one NIB last week. Blued(?) for <$225.....didn't know Llama closed.....for once I think I was wise to hesitate. __________________ ILLEGITIMI NON CARBORUNDUM NRA, GOA, AOC Ignorance can be cured, Stupid is forever Life is too short for dial-up

September 22, 2005, 11:43 PM	#7
packa45 Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2005 Location: Waco TX Posts: 756	I have a MicroMax. It's a cool little gun, no problems in 5 years but I've found it likes winchester silvertips and speer HP and not much else besides FMJ. __________________ The disarming of the citizenry has always been the mark of the totalitarian government. -Massad Ayoob Don't mess with the bull, you'll get the horns.

September 22, 2005, 04:39 PM	#3
JR47 Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2005 Location: North Georgia Posts: 2,229	I believe that it was the Model IX. Parts are also available from the Gun Parts Corp/ Numrich Arms. If the little fellow likes the hollowpoints, have at it. Some of them, especially the early models, weren't set up to feed anything but FMJ.

September 22, 2005, 08:20 PM	#5
tipoc Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2004 Location: Redwood City, Ca. Posts: 1,192	Try here: www.bersa-llama.com google and reading are useful things. tipoc

September 23, 2005, 12:30 AM	#8
michael t Registered User Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: Out back Ky Posts: 2,271	That is a older one I belive. Is it like a mini 1911a1 on take down or blow back. The mini 1911 is the perfered one and is a very good carry gun. Not all Llama's are junk no matter what so people think. I would test with new Corbon 380DPX when they come out and then you will be set. __________________ 1995 Colt Combat Commander,Colt Defender ,Colt Mustang ,Dan Wesson CBOB,American Classic PPK/S Bersa Thunder 380 You must learn to be......slow in a Hurry Wyatt Earp 1849 1929

September 23, 2005, 08:25 AM	#9
JlazyH Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2005 Location: Colorado Rockies Posts: 81	The gun is a dead ringer of a 1911a1. That is what turned me on to buy it. __________________ SemperFi 3rd MAW-E6 1964-72 "A cop is just another stranger with a gun."

September 23, 2005, 09:43 AM	#10
Lou22 Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2005 Location: Oakland County, Michigan Posts: 349	I had one very similar to it back in the 70's. I believe it was also a 380. Fun little gun to shoot. If I could find another for what you'd paid, I'd buy it in a minute. Lou

September 23, 2005, 10:08 AM	#11
nasty habit Junior Member Join Date: June 2, 2001 Location: hillsboro n.h Posts: 6	I have one of them.Older I think.On the slide says "llama" especial.Frame, stoeger arms.Its blue.Shot 50 rounds round nose monday.No problems at all.Fits my hand like it was made for it.

September 23, 2005, 11:46 AM	#12
michael t Registered User Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: Out back Ky Posts: 2,271	For those worried about parts . Well I have a Colt Mustang and parts are about all gone for them. Yet people pay $450 and up to own a pistol.You can only find a few new parts for. Its a American made Colt and yet Colt doesn't even support it any more. I would have jumped on the Llama at that price. __________________ 1995 Colt Combat Commander,Colt Defender ,Colt Mustang ,Dan Wesson CBOB,American Classic PPK/S Bersa Thunder 380 You must learn to be......slow in a Hurry Wyatt Earp 1849 1929

September 23, 2005, 04:18 PM	#13
res1b3uq Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2005 Posts: 111	hp ammo I called Corbon about running PowerBall in mine. They said no problem. Since it has the plastic ball in the front, there is no feeding problem with this ammo. Due to the cost, I only use it when I am carrying the gun. (I have checked it out at the range, though, it is potent.)

September 23, 2005, 08:10 PM	#14
JlazyH Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2005 Location: Colorado Rockies Posts: 81	Here is another shot of this little gun. I can find the 380 nickel but it dosen't look like this one. The others I see don't have the little vent/rib deal on it. So I still can't find the model. All that is marked on the gun is LLama on one side, and Stoeger Inds. on the other, with S. Hackensack,Nj __________________ SemperFi 3rd MAW-E6 1964-72 "A cop is just another stranger with a gun."

September 24, 2005, 04:22 PM	#15
sceva Member Join Date: November 27, 2004 Posts: 46	They aren't bad pistols, I had a blued one in the mid 80's. The older ones were locked breach but starting in the early 80's they switched to blowback. I am betting that your's is a blowback pistol. Mine shot well but would not handle silvertips well. __________________ Sceva

September 25, 2005, 12:34 AM	#16
michael t Registered User Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: Out back Ky Posts: 2,271	Lets see a picture of it broke down See how close really is to 1911 I don't think it a blowback __________________ 1995 Colt Combat Commander,Colt Defender ,Colt Mustang ,Dan Wesson CBOB,American Classic PPK/S Bersa Thunder 380 You must learn to be......slow in a Hurry Wyatt Earp 1849 1929

September 25, 2005, 06:39 AM	#17
doncameron Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 143	Looks almost like mine, you will find out that it is a great shooter and a good ccw! look on the frame right above the trigger on the left side, their should be a couple of symbols then a letter and a number, that is the proof mark (date code) post it and I'll tell you the year it was manufactured! I've had mine going on 10 years, fired hard-ball ammo and HP's with no problems. Going on 20,000 rounds and only had 3 stovepipe jams.

September 25, 2005, 07:13 AM	#18
Magyar Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2005 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,365	The ventilated sight rib on your .380 & .45's make these pistols "elegante". No Llama bashing here, love my Llama....Give us a range report.... __________________ "cold, brutal, deadly...." stark reality of the .45

September 25, 2005, 10:51 AM	#19
JlazyH Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2005 Location: Colorado Rockies Posts: 81	Here it is taken down. This little gun has a very heavy recoil spring. I mean HEAVY. Probably will never find a lighter one. What would be the chances of cutting back 1 or 2 coils? This would lighten it up a little. Or does this gun need the heavy spring? __________________ SemperFi 3rd MAW-E6 1964-72 "A cop is just another stranger with a gun."

September 25, 2005, 11:10 AM	#20
JlazyH Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2005 Location: Colorado Rockies Posts: 81	DONCAMERON-there is no way I can read the code on this, so here is a picture of it. What does is mean? __________________ SemperFi 3rd MAW-E6 1964-72 "A cop is just another stranger with a gun."

September 25, 2005, 11:21 AM	#21
Magyar Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2005 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,365	If you view this upside down, it appears to be V 1= 1977 This coincides with the approximate time line of the ventilated sight rib..FWIW... I assume you haven't fired it yet? If this is as LNIB as you say, why would you change the recoil spring/anything at this point? __________________ "cold, brutal, deadly...." stark reality of the .45

September 25, 2005, 11:31 AM	#22
doncameron Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 143	unless it's an I1 (made in 1963) can't really tell for sure.......sorry

September 25, 2005, 11:34 AM	#23
JlazyH Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2005 Location: Colorado Rockies Posts: 81	The spring isn't a major problem other than I have really bad arthritus in my hands and it's hard to rack. __________________ SemperFi 3rd MAW-E6 1964-72 "A cop is just another stranger with a gun."

September 25, 2005, 12:38 PM	#24
doncameron Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 143	If you view it upside down the other symbols would be upside down. recommend you take it to a good gunsmith and have them check it out.

September 25, 2005, 12:41 PM	#25
JlazyH Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2005 Location: Colorado Rockies Posts: 81	I will, thanks. Oh buy the way it shoots great. __________________ SemperFi 3rd MAW-E6 1964-72 "A cop is just another stranger with a gun."