Brand new Llama Max-1 .45 Auto

Hawkeye3844 · Jun 20, 2020

You all probably know the name Llama, because they made a lot of poor quality firearms, and exported them out of Spain.

Well, I am here to say that the only thing in common the new Llama (Metro Arms Corporation) has in common is just the name.
All of their pistols from high end (MAC, SPS) down to middle and entry level (Bersa, Llama, American Classic II, and Firestorm) are hand fitted. The quality of workmanship is amazing.
I used to have an older American Classic II, and didn't appreciate it. I traded it off, and shoukdn't have.
Well, I've been looking for a 1911 style pistol, and had been looking at getting another American Classic II, but didn't have all the funds to get one, but went with the same manufacturer, and decided on the new Llama Max-1 .45 Auto.
I have to say, there isn't much difference, except for the sights. It´s very tight, and no rattling. It's slide opens and closes very smoothly.
Needless to say, I'm extremely impressed.
I have attached photos so you can see somewhat of what it's like.

Hawk

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ldausmc1369 · Jun 21, 2020

But does it take 1911 MAGA or Llama proprietary mags? Had one 40 years ago and sold it because of the proprietary mag issue... great gun very similar to a Colt...

ldausmc1369 · Jun 21, 2020

Mags...spell ck!

ISCS Yoda · Jun 21, 2020

But the MAGA error was definitely funny!!!!!

new Llama (Metro Arms Corporation) has in common is just the name.
All of their pistols from high end (MAC, SPS) down to middle and entry level (Bersa, Llama, American Classic II, and Firestorm)

Who are these folks and where do they make their guns?

Hawkeye3844 · Jun 21, 2020

The old Spanish corporation Llama went completely out of business in 2016.
Metro Arms Corporation, bought the name only after that.
It's the same company that owns Bersa, MAC, S.P.S.

Hawkeye3844 · Jun 21, 2020

ISCS Yoda said:
But the MAGA error was definitely funny!!!!!

Who are these folks and where do they make their guns?

They are hand fitted in the Philippines, and Bersa out of Argentina is the parent company, with the conglomeration name Metro Arms Corporation.

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Hawkeye3844 · Jun 21, 2020

Here's a good article I found about 1911's.

5 Best 1911 Pistols for the Money in 2019 (on Any Budget)

Hawk

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DWalt · Jun 21, 2020

Hawkeye3844 said:
You all probably know the name Llama, because they made a lot of poor quality firearms, and exported them out of Spain.

That assessment of Llama is a little harsh. I have owned the large frame .45 Auto (ca. early 1980s) and the S&W knockoff .38 Special revolver (ca. late 1960s). Both were fairly decent guns and I never had issues with either. I also once had an older Llama Extra 9mm Largo (I used .38 Super in it), and it's one I wish I had never sold, even though it had been refinished in a somewhat haphazard manner.

Qc Pistolero · Jun 21, 2020

There was certainly some crappy pieces of steel that came out of Spain in the '30 and after but I've seen and shot a few Llamas and Astras and while not on the same level of Colts and S&Ws,they were good guns.
You probably were referring to these other guns manufactured in Spain.Luckily,they don't exist anymore.

seldon14 · Jun 21, 2020

Not sure if it's a trick of the camera, but rear sight dovetail appears to have rust.

Hawkeye3844 · Jun 22, 2020

seldon14 said:
Not sure if it's a trick of the camera, but rear sight dovetail appears to have rust.

I tried to get as close as possible with my phone camera, and it is a trick of the lighting. There isn't any rust on her at all.

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Hawkeye3844 · Jun 22, 2020

DWalt said:
That assessment of Llama is a little harsh. I have owned the large frame .45 Auto (ca. early 1980s) and the S&W knockoff .38 Special revolver (ca. late 1960s). Both were fairly decent guns and I never had issues with either. I also once had an older Llama Extra 9mm Largo (I used .38 Super in it), and it's one I wish I had never sold, even though it had been refinished in a somewhat haphazard manner.

Yeah, it's a catch 22. If I say they were good pistols, then someone will come along and call them horse excrement, or the such.
Sorry if I offended you.
Llama brought those criticisms upon themselves, though.
I had an early 90's Model IX, and it was beautiful, and worked very well.
By the time they brought their QC back up to par, it was too late for them, unfortunately.
I thought they turned out a decent product.
At that time, as well, they did have a lot of proprietary items on the firearms, and that helped drive another nail in their coffin as well.
Oh well!
But, I can say this, the new pistols that are under the new owners, and Llama name are way better than even the good Llama firearms of old.

Hawk

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Qmark · Jun 22, 2020

Just curious if you might know. Is the current Lama 1911’s built the same as their 1970’s production. Is it closer to the currently manufactured 1911’s from Turkey and the Philippines with most parts being interchangeable with Colt or US GI??

I had a Lama 38 Super in the early 70’s. Wish I never let it go. Cost me 90 and change out the door new in the box. There were no parts including the mag and grips that were interchangeable with the then abundant GI parts.

Hawkeye3844 · Jun 22, 2020

Qmark said:
Just curious if you might know. Is the current Lama 1911’s built the same as their 1970’s production. Is it closer to the currently manufactured 1911’s from Turkey and the Philippines with most parts being interchangeable with Colt or US GI??

I had a Lama 38 Super in the early 70’s. Wish I never let it go. Cost me 90 and change out the door new in the box. There were no parts including the mag and grips that were interchangeable with the then abundant GI parts.

The new Llama's are being made by the Metro Arms Corporation out of the Philippines. The new ones are milspec, which means their parts will interchange with Colt, etc...not proprietary out of Spain.

Hawk

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mcb66 · Jun 22, 2020

I have one in .38 Super. It is an excellent piece. 0 complaints. Runs like it should, high quality machine work, and finished out very nicely. Would purchase another without reservation.

Hawkeye3844 · Jun 22, 2020

mcb66 said:
I have one in .38 Super. It is an excellent piece. 0 complaints. Runs like it should, high quality machine work, and finished out very nicely. Would purchase another without reservation.

You have the new Llama?
I thought about getting the .38 Super, and I like the ballistics, but here, there isn't a lot of ammo around for it. Now, the .45 acp is a different story. Plenty of it, and inexpensive. I went with practicality.

Hawk

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Gene L · Jun 22, 2020

Most modern 1911s are very good pistols, thanks to modern production methods. RIA makes a very good affordable 1911 and so does just about everyone else. Thank you, Philippines! The OP's photos are rough in my computer, and probably the pistols look better in the flesh....uh, steel.

I carried a Llama 1911 for about a week back in the 80s because it didn't look like a cop gun and I couldn't afford a Colt, which were the only choices available back then. It had a rib, looked like a Colt, sort of, but jammed at qualification. Thankfully, it was not my gun so I returned it to the owner and shed no tears to see it go.

If I was the Head Guy at Metro Arms, I'd change the name of the baby. There's a lot of negativity, either real or imagined, with the name Llama.

walter o · Jun 22, 2020

Is the slide stop/thumb safety housing made of plastic like the original Lamas I loved the mini-max i had but let it go because the plastic part broke and could not find a replacement

Hawkeye3844 · Jun 22, 2020

walter o said:
Is the slide stop/thumb safety housing made of plastic like the original Lamas I loved the mini-max i had but let it go because the plastic part broke and could not find a replacement

everything's made of metal on the new ones.

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Hawkeye3844 · Jun 22, 2020

Gene L said:
Most modern 1911s are very good pistols, thanks to modern production methods. RIA makes a very good affordable 1911 and so does just about everyone else. Thank you, Philippines! The OP's photos are rough in my computer, and probably the pistols look better in the flesh....uh, steel.

I carried a Llama 1911 for about a week back in the 80s because it didn't look like a cop gun and I couldn't afford a Colt, which were the only choices available back then. It had a rib, looked like a Colt, sort of, but jammed at qualification. Thankfully, it was not my gun so I returned it to the owner and shed no tears to see it go.

If I was the Head Guy at Metro Arms, I'd change the name of the baby. There's a lot of negativity, either real or imagined, with the name Llama.

I have to agree with you. They should maybe think about using American Classic GI 1911 .
Yes, people do get very heated when they hear the name Llama. But, too, I think it's the gun snobs who helped create that as well.

Hawk

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Brand new Llama Max-1 .45 Auto

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