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REF; "Llama Gun PLEASE I NEED HELP/INFO.."

zumazack
I just purchased a Llama "Extra" 38 special, "Gabilondoy Cia Elgoibar (Espania) 9mm 38; 8 super 38 Auto inscribed on the barrel;
Serial #35308.

#1; Can "ANYONE" tell me about this gun? I have never owned a Llama before and have read good and bad things about it.

2; I am completely confused. The guy I got it from said it was a 9mm but I took the bullets out of the mags and they were Winchester 38 Special. Please excuse my ignorance but what the HE**??

3; I need magazines for it and spare parts. Anyone have any ideas?? I have read people saying use the Colt 9mm Mag it fits then others say it won't. Even More confused now.

4; I am taking this to my local Gun Smith who is awesome and I "WAS" going to have the gun completely "Parkerized" I think is the right word. I DO NOT like chrome guns and also have the Smithy do a complete tune up on her especially on the trigger pull and have trijicon night sights put on.

5; Damn forgot the question.....[:(][V] Oh YES here is another one for you.
I need or want new grips on her preferably "PACHMAYER" any ideas[?][?]


Any and ALL advice would be excellent and PLEASE reply to my below email address.
Thank You in advance. [?][?][?][?] [:D]

k9 Bob SSG USAR 100% Disabled Veteran Go ARMY!
k9code4@tds.net
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Comments

5 comments

Date Votes
  • David Nunn
    I can't speak for your gun, but the Llamas I have seen that were similarly marked were chambered for the .38 Super. Are you sure about the headstamp on the cartridges you removed from the gun? If they were .38 SPECIAL cartridges, they should have been loaded with wadcutter bullets flush with the case mouth. Anything longer won't feed through the action. A long time ago, some bullseye shooters had .38 Super 1911 pistols modified to shoot the .38 Special midrange wadcutter round.

    I never heard of anyone converting a Llama, but it is possible that your gun was so modified, or it may have just had a .38 midrange magazine in it.

    Take the barrel out. Hold it vertically with the chamber up. Drop a .38 Special round in and see if it seats. Try the same with a .38 Super and then with a 9mm Parabellum. I am betting the Super works, and it is a heck of a cartridge, superior to the Special.

    Another possibility is that the gun is chambered for the obsolete 9mm Largo. If you are going to take the gun to a gunsmith, he can probably do a chamber cast and tell you for sure.

    On the subject of gunsmithing, and this gun: It sounds as if you have some pricey modifications planned. When the gun is finished and you are out some serious cash, you will still have a Llama. If you add the value of the Llama, as is, together with the cost of the planned modifications, you can probably buy a much better quality 1911 pistol from another manufacturer for the same or less money.

    The older Llamas are of decent quality, but the metallurgy, fit, and finish are not up to the standards of Colt, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory, et al.

    Keep in mind that doing custom work on just about any pistol will be a labor of love. You will not get your money back when you trade or sell it.

    Regular 1911 grips will work on the later Llama 1911 style pistols, but I don't know if they will fit on yours. Go to somewhere that sells the grips you like and try them on.
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  • ruger41
    I have a Llama as well-paid $158 for it--don't believe I would spend hundreds more on it as they are just not in the same quality class as other 1911 style guns--good plinkers but not serious target guns or serious defense guns. You need to be aware not all Colt/regular 1911 parts interchange with all Llamas--some do and some don't. In MOST cases standard Colt or other 1911 mags work just fine--I use Kimbers in my 9mm Llama. Hollowpoints are a crapshoot-most won't feed--fmj or the plugged tip expanding loads like the Hornady Critical Defense or CorBon Powrball will feed for defense use in MY gun(although I do not use it for home defense)--you need to see if they would feed in yours.

    Just my opinion since you asked but honestly unless this gun runs at least 300 rounds through it without a malfunction I would NOT be using it for self defense--Llamas are just known as crapshoot guns--if you get a good one they will generally always run good--if you get a bad one you never get them to run--not something you want when your life depends on it. With the amount of money you are about to spend to have it parkerized and accurized plus the cost of the gun you could have already bought a high quality 1911(even a used Colt) that you could have used to defend your life.

    For example: Llama--$200(just assuming as thats about what they run)
    Parkerizing--$160
    Trijicon Nite Sights--$101 + installation
    Accuracy Job(polish feed ramp, trigger job, new springs)--$225--$300

    Cylinder & Slide has a BASIC package
    1911SSTAC1 - 1911 Single Stack Style Auto Level 1 Tactical Package - Series 70/80 Style 1911

    Lower Ejection Port For Reliable Ejection
    Throat Barrel and Frame for Reliable Feeding
    Radius Extractor and Set Tension
    Deburr/Polish All Internal Working Surfaces - Frame/Slide
    Wolff Recoil Spring and Extra Power Firing Pin Spring
    Test Fire for Function and Adjust Sights for Windage at 15 Yds

    Return Shipping & Insurance Will be Arranged with Customer at Time of Shipment.
    Price:
    $300.64


    So you can see the bill starts running up high--if you REALLY want to spend that kind of money to accurize a Llama then that is your right to do it-just be aware you may be putting money into a pit. First you need to find out the correct caliber then go from there--good luck with your new pistol
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  • Grasshopper
    Take the advice above,,,its good/
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  • oldnbald
    I have had three Llamas(still have two of them - 9mm and .45) and they are two of my favorite handguns. As someone said, Llamas can be a crap shoot. At one time they were good and dependable, then they went bad, then got better again, then went out of business. If you will follow the link below to the forum listed, then drop down on the list of mfgs. forums to "other 1911 makes", you can ask your questions and get good answers. Also, I believe there is a "sticky" there which lists which Colt parts interchange with the Llama. It the "sticky" is not there, email me at cedarcreekcowboy@yaoo.com with your email address and I will send the list to you. I believe I have it saves somewhere.

    Have the gun checked by a gunsmith, but you may indeed have a decent or good pistol. Enjoy your Llama.


    {Elswhere}
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  • v35
    Colt magazines will fit. Get a 38 Super and a 9mm mag and check for reliable feeding before you spend any more money on it.
    Is the slide marked Cal 9m/m 38 and is the disconnector under the right side under the grip and protruding into the slide?
    If so, the pistol was an early one intended for 9mm Largo and 38 Automatic, not 38 Super and a Colt 1911 in 38Super auto barrel added later.If the barrel has a ball with P proof mark it's the Spanish proof.
    Later Llamas were closer 1911 copies with slides marked 38 Super.
    I've fired +P+ 9mm in my Llama with a 1911-9mm barrel but it wont feed anything worth a hoot using any barrel or magazine.
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