The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: CZShooter on July 01, 2008, 10:31:45 PM
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I was at my local gun shop today and ran across a Llama Especial .380...it looks like a Colt Government .380 (a mini 1911), complete with grip safety and all. They had 2 of them...one for $299 and one (with a vent rib) for $249. The more expensive one had decent bluing, and the cheaper one definately showed some wear.
I'm a sucker for "neat" and unusual guns...and just wondered if this was something worth adding to my collection.
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I saw one here as well. Neat looking piece. My Bro-in-Law has a Llama .22 in the 1911 design, and needed parts to repair an extractor problem. He had a devil of a time finding the part and it required machining to boot. He loves the gun and it shoots great. Repair is the problem.
Mac.
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If you are a collector of little pistols, add it to your collection. Yet, be aware that shooting it may lead to the need for repairs. Because Llama went out of business years ago, parts for it will be hard to find. I would avoid it as a shooter.
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I've had one since 1972. Great gun. Cost $69.95. You can not find parts for it. If you have a (real) source, please let me know. Also, watch out for replacement magazines...they don't work. Have the gun with you when you buy a magazine.
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If the one without a vent rib is still available, buy it.
It should be dated pre-1950
These are pure mini-1911, very well made.
The detail-strip just like a 1911, except for the extractor which is external.
May favorite guns. I have 3 of them.
The one with the vent ribs came later, and the rib grew bigger after 1960 or so. Still neat guns, but the old ones were unique and also better made.
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Don't buy Llama if you want to shoot them a lot. You can't hardly find parts. ESPECIALLY firing pins. My dad's having a couple machined by a gunsmith right now.
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There are parts out there. Two parts sets sold on AuctionArms just today.
Many thousands of these guns were sold from the 1930s on. There are variations, but the type the OP has is the most common - blowback pistol with a slide rib.
Firing pins are pretty easy to make. I may make up a batch of them to sell.
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AR 1911, if you decide to make some, let me know. My Bro-in-Law would probably want a couple. He has the vent rib model.
Mac.
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It won't be anytime soon, but I'll do so.
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It won't be anytime soon, but I'll do so.
Add me to the list please. Perhaps this can become a second job for you! ;)
One with the rib...
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I made two purchases this week:
1 - Llama .380 made in 1987, parts gun/project. firing pin included.
I also have 4 Llamas from the 1940s, so I'll compare those pins as well.
2 - Emco Compact 5 CNC lathe - Learning project. Never done CNC, and a firing pin looks like an ideal project to learn on.
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I made two purchases this week:
1 - Llama .380 made in 1987, parts gun/project. firing pin included.
I also have 4 Llamas from the 1940s, so I'll compare those pins as well.
2 - Emco Compact 5 CNC lathe - Learning project. Never done CNC, and a firing pin looks like an ideal project to learn on.
I run CNC milling centers, not lathes, but some of the info is transferable. Plan on crashing and breaking tooling :(
Make sure you start from the Origin position, Have fun ;D
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I have some plastic rod to practice on.
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I have some plastic rod to practice on.
It's not so much that as the machine starting it's movement X number of inches from where it THINKS it's starting from. Loud noise, Not good ;D
Yes, that is the voice of experience ;D
Best bet is to ALWAYS "dry run" before you start cranking out parts. Select "dry run" then set your rapid traverse REAL slow 10 - 20 % that way if it starts to do something funky you can troubleshoot the problem BEFORE you drive the toolholder 2 inches into the spindle.
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Tom, sounds like you are just the guy to make our firing pins ;)
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No rush Tom!! But I'll take two please. ;D
Mac.
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Thanks, all, for the great feedback (as usual :) ). However, when I went back to the gun shop, they had a "like new" Taurus 905 revolver...So I got that instead. Well...I put it on layaway...so I'll have it sometime in the future. The 905 is basically the model 85 chambered in 9mm Luger. I've always wanted a wheel gun...and I already reload 9s...so, I think it worked out well.
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Tom, sounds like you are just the guy to make our firing pins ;)
I don't know turning centers, but a lot of the things that can mess you up on millers are the same. :(
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does any one know where i can find a llama 111A firing pin and a mag
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does any one know where i can find a llama 111A firing pin and a mag
Mags are readily available. Ive bought some online and some from gun shows. ProMag is preferred, but the Triple-Ks will usually work.
Did you try Numrich aka e-gunparts.com for the firing pin?
I just got a replacement plunger tube there.
They did not have the slidelock, which I also need.
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any one know where i can find a romanian ak drum mag follower it looks like 3 plastic rounds clipped together fits inside the drum thanks