I've owned several Llamas. All were shot extensively. No more issues than anything else I could have bought. I'm guess I'm an exception. Of course, I clean and maintain all my weapons after each session. I tend to believe that back in the day the folks who bought the tier 2 manufacturers tended to be the same folks who wouldn't maintain them; hence the reputation.
Anybody know anything about Llamas?
- Thread starter CajunBass
- Start date
ACORN
Member
And they’ll spit at you.
Skeptic 9c
Member
To quote "Gun Tests Magazine" back in the 1980s "Como se Llama? Si! El junko!"
Geoff
Who notes when it's real, real quiet in the gun room you can hear the Llamas rust.
You can get mags....
You can get mags. They had a series of about a dozen pistols. I came by one and was able to determine it's type if you can find an article on the model scheme, it's not too hard to come up with they type.
An option to parts would be to guy a junker gun for parts. If you do an online search I'll be you can find the parts from someone who deal in old parts.
They aren't uncommon, so the price shouldn't be exorbitant. They were good guns, not 3rd rate.
One thing I like about the .380 I've got is that it's a 1911 design, which is the only pistol I have in that configuration and it helps me learn as most of my guns are 'pop a pin' or 'lower the lever' which are all basically the same. I had to watch a youtube video to get it back together..
You can get mags. They had a series of about a dozen pistols. I came by one and was able to determine it's type if you can find an article on the model scheme, it's not too hard to come up with they type.
An option to parts would be to guy a junker gun for parts. If you do an online search I'll be you can find the parts from someone who deal in old parts.
They aren't uncommon, so the price shouldn't be exorbitant. They were good guns, not 3rd rate.
One thing I like about the .380 I've got is that it's a 1911 design, which is the only pistol I have in that configuration and it helps me learn as most of my guns are 'pop a pin' or 'lower the lever' which are all basically the same. I had to watch a youtube video to get it back together..
No, not the critter. I used to live by someone who raised them, and I know enough about them to not want to know more.
The pistols. Specifically, the 22 semi-auto's. Back when I was a youngster, I used to drool over them in a dog eared old Shooters Bible I had. I not only thought they looked neat, they were reasonably enough priced that I could actually think I might be able to save up enough money to get one. Everything else was in the "If you have to ask, you can't afford it" class back then.
But I never saw one in the real world. And I mean never. Up until last week, one turned up at the LGS. I didn't need, or really want another 22, but in this case nostalgia kicked in, and it was still pretty reasonably priced. Still looked pretty good too.
I can't even find a model name. It's just marked as a "Llama 22." I think it's from the early 80's, but that's not much more than a swag. It does look just like I remember them from that Shooters Bible, mid/late 70's maybe.
I know you can't find parts or magazines for them. I guess if it breaks and a local smith can't make a part, I've got a paperweight. No big deal really. Same thing with spare magazines. No big deal either.
I have what appears to be the exact same model with no magazine. Does it use the 8 or 10 round magazine?
I'm thinking the 8 rounds. I only paid $20 for it several years ago and it is in mint condition so guess I could afford to shell out the $50+ for a magazine.
ggibson511960
Member
Thanks a million for the reference. Ordered the replacement plunger tube immediately. Can't wait to get the little cutie back in service.
AJ
US Veteran
Have had four all told. A .22, a .380, a 9MM and a .45 ACP. Not the quality of a Colt as far as autos go, but will get the job done.Would not use them as target guns.The ones I had worked each and every time I pulled the trigger.
austintexas
Member
I have several Llamas, I bought my first on at the Wheel us AFB, Tripoli, Lybia in 1962 when King Idrus was in power. IT was a .22, The only problem I had was after 3 or 4 bricks of .22s they tended to spit back. In the last few years as my wish list of S&Ws got filled in I discovered Small European Semiautomatics. I picked up some Stars in .25,.32,.380,9mm and 9 largo. I then started on Llamas, Got .22 short, .22 long, .32 and a .380. I also picked up some Astras .22,.380,9mm and 9 Largo. picked up an old model Beretta with a grip safety, I don"t remember if it was .22 or .25. I think they are nice guns and when I can't fix my S&W itch at a gun show I'll pick up another small European pistol.
SWCC892
PS. IN Africa The Llamas cost .22-$18.00, .32-$21.00 and the .380-$23.00
SWCC892
PS. IN Africa The Llamas cost .22-$18.00, .32-$21.00 and the .380-$23.00
Skeptic 9c
Member
The problem with Spanish pistols of that era, the magazines were not necessarily interchangeable. Cross reference the "Ruby" pistols of WW1.
Geoff
Who notes production was done in small shops of variable quality.
daddy bear
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My second "off duty" weapon was a Llama .380. My first was a Centennial air weight that kicked like a mule loaded with the issue .38 HD ammo. I was young and dumb and didn't know that said ammo was not appropriate in the air weight. I traded it for a ..38 Outdoorsman. Now I still needed a small sidearm.
Gibson's Discount stores in Abilene, TX ran a special on the Llamas for $38.88. I called and they reserved one for me. It would be two or three days until I could drive over there to pick it up. I went into the store in uniform (TXDPS) and told the clerk that they were holding a pistol for me. He retrieved the gun and a asked if I knew The price? I told him what the add said.
He replied that the add was wrong. That my price as a LEO was $32.88. I carried the little pistol for a few years. When I was promoted to sergeant, one of my troops kept pestering me to sell or trade him the Llama. I finally told him that I would trade for a nice Chief's Special. A few days later he came to the office with a NIB Chief. Deal done.
Jack
Gibson's Discount stores in Abilene, TX ran a special on the Llamas for $38.88. I called and they reserved one for me. It would be two or three days until I could drive over there to pick it up. I went into the store in uniform (TXDPS) and told the clerk that they were holding a pistol for me. He retrieved the gun and a asked if I knew The price? I told him what the add said.
He replied that the add was wrong. That my price as a LEO was $32.88. I carried the little pistol for a few years. When I was promoted to sergeant, one of my troops kept pestering me to sell or trade him the Llama. I finally told him that I would trade for a nice Chief's Special. A few days later he came to the office with a NIB Chief. Deal done.
Jack
Avoid the Llama pistols that were manufacture in Mexico. You can easily spot them, because instead of having the Llama logo (a Torch) they have the Animal (peruvian Llama).
These were made with a frame manufacture with a cheap alloy, and are very problematic.
Tha original Llamas made in Spain will work if you keep them clean and oiled. I heard from a friend in the Basque Police (north Spain), that there is a union of armorers that still made parts for Llama, Star and Astra.
I prefer Star and Astra over Llama any time. But I remeber a particular Llama Pistol in 22 Lr that could make groups the size of a penny at 15 yards.
These were made with a frame manufacture with a cheap alloy, and are very problematic.
Tha original Llamas made in Spain will work if you keep them clean and oiled. I heard from a friend in the Basque Police (north Spain), that there is a union of armorers that still made parts for Llama, Star and Astra.
I prefer Star and Astra over Llama any time. But I remeber a particular Llama Pistol in 22 Lr that could make groups the size of a penny at 15 yards.
Llamas have had their ups and downs in quality. When I was a
kid in mail order days I ordered a 22 in my dads name to give
him for Father's Day. It was really a plot to get it so I could shoot
it. The old man sent it back. These 1950s era Llamas were decent
guns. In late 60s they were selling 45s cheap and they were junk
A Colt 1911 was $100 at the time. I had several used ones in
32auto and a Llama revolver K22 look alike, have no idea of the
time it was made. Then in 80s the Llama 45s were back and they
were a lot better put together than 60s production. The early guns were dependable but the newer guns are not ones to trust
your life to, 2 rate at best. In 80s Spanish govt did some kind of
consolidation of gun companies and they started making several
brands off shore.
kid in mail order days I ordered a 22 in my dads name to give
him for Father's Day. It was really a plot to get it so I could shoot
it. The old man sent it back. These 1950s era Llamas were decent
guns. In late 60s they were selling 45s cheap and they were junk
A Colt 1911 was $100 at the time. I had several used ones in
32auto and a Llama revolver K22 look alike, have no idea of the
time it was made. Then in 80s the Llama 45s were back and they
were a lot better put together than 60s production. The early guns were dependable but the newer guns are not ones to trust
your life to, 2 rate at best. In 80s Spanish govt did some kind of
consolidation of gun companies and they started making several
brands off shore.
Cocked & Locked
Member
Sweet little LLama .32 auto. My oldest son has it now but I still get to shoot it some. Functions fine.
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