Llama 1911 for $350 - Good buy or piece of junk?

[surprise_i'm_armed]

Today I bopped into Cash America Pawn on Business 121 in Lewisville,
looking over their pistols. Other times they have only had 6 or 8 guns,
most of them kind of junky and uninteresting.

Today they must have had 20 handguns. I was very surprised at the high
number. They had some nice ones in the bunch too: Sigs, Springfield XD,
a Kimber 1911 among others. Most were priced pretty high and even if
they seem like they are attractively priced, for some reason the accessories
never seem to make it to the pawnshop with the gun. No extra mags or the
factory manual.

One of the guns they had was a decent looking Llama 1911, assumed to be
in .45. This was priced at $350.

I do not really know anything about this brand. By the way is Llama the brand,
or the model? Are these any good? I've never seen much talk of these, so I'm
assuming that it's kind of a lower quality 1911.

Please comment on a Llama and whether this one might be a good deal.

Thanks in advance.

SIA

[SYMWAFA]

Haven't heard much good about them, if ever. Spend alittle more and get a 1911 that actually works.

[Excaliber]

Today I bopped into Cash America Pawn on Business 121 in Lewisville,
looking over their pistols. Other times they have only had 6 or 8 guns,
most of them kind of junky and uninteresting.

Today they must have had 20 handguns. I was very surprised at the high
number. They had some nice ones in the bunch too: Sigs, Springfield XD,
a Kimber 1911 among others. Most were priced pretty high and even if
they seem like they are attractively priced, for some reason the accessories
never seem to make it to the pawnshop with the gun. No extra mags or the
factory manual.

One of the guns they had was a decent looking Llama 1911, assumed to be
in .45. This was priced at $350.

I do not really know anything about this brand. By the way is Llama the brand,
or the model? Are these any good? I've never seen much talk of these, so I'm
assuming that it's kind of a lower quality 1911.

Please comment on a Llama and whether this one might be a good deal.

Thanks in advance.

SIA

I had a couple of Llama .45's back in the late '70's - early 80's. They were functional but the fit, finish, and durability were not up to what we consider standard today in guns like the XD, Glock, or Kimber. I remember the finish on the anodized frame on the compact model wore through really easily. I traded them for better pistols as time went on.

I haven't handled one in quite a few years, so I can't comment on examples of later production, but I wouldn't pay $350 today for one like the ones I had.

1911's aren't the kind of thing you want to buy on the cheap because it usually means instead of saving a couple hundred or so you end up wasting the whole $350 and end up with something with very little resale value. Instead I'd suggest saving up for a Kimber, Springfield, or similar gun. You'll be much happier in the long run.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

Thanks for your response. In the back of my mind I know
that a low priced item is that way for a reason.

Since I am not a handy gunsmithing type, I would tend to
gravitate towards a much newer gun anyway.

SIA

[longtooth]

W/ above. Excaliber hit it really.

[smyrna]

The Llama 1911's are not true 1911's. Sure they borrow the 1911 design but not all parts are interchangeable with the original John Moses Browning design. While the Llama is probably not junk, if you are looking for a budget 1911, you can get a brand new Rock Island (Made in the Phillipines) for not much more....

http://www.centerfiresystems.com/1911.aspx

[Excaliber]

The Llama 1911's are not true 1911's. Sure they borrow the 1911 design but not all parts are interchangeable with the original John Moses Browning design. While the Llama is probably not junk, if you are looking for a budget 1911, you can get a brand new Rock Island (Made in the Phillipines) for not much more....

http://www.centerfiresystems.com/1911.aspx

Smyrna makes an important point. Magazines, grips, sights, etc. are not interchangeable with the standard 1911 parts. You have to buy Llama parts which are not always readily available, and the selection is much narrower than with the Browning design.

[mymojo]

I had a Llama. I was under the impression that I hated 1911's. So I sold it.

I now own a Rock Island and a Kimber and realize that I actually prefer 1911's - I just hated that piece o' junk Llama.

If you pay more than $300 your getting taken IMO. And, as someone else already mentioned, you can get a Rock Island for not much more.

[.45mac.40]

Saw a Springfield 1911 GI (basic) priced at $ 450.00... GT distributors, Austin.
Only had thiry bucks on me, so I bought a 5.11 op. belt !
Mac

[surprise_i'm_armed]

Well, that's interesting that Llamas are not true 1911's
and that parts would be a problem.

smyrna: That link you provided was an eyeopener. The
basic RIA 1911 is only $379.99 NIB, while the used Llama 1911
wannabe was $350 at the pawn shop. What was unfortunate
was that both RIA's they had on the site were OOS.

SIA

[TDDude]

I had one of the early ones it was a great trainer for clearing malfunctions.

Since it was a gift from an uncle who found it in a room at the Motel 6 he was managing, I thought it was a pretty good deal.

I sold it a long time ago.

[timdsmith72]

Yeah....I have to echo pretty much what everybody else has said. I had a Llama years ago and I felt the quality was lacking to say the least. I'd pass on this one.

[smyrna]

Well, that's interesting that Llamas are not true 1911's
and that parts would be a problem.

smyrna: That link you provided was an eyeopener. The
basic RIA 1911 is only $379.99 NIB, while the used Llama 1911
wannabe was $350 at the pawn shop. What was unfortunate
was that both RIA's they had on the site were OOS.

SIA

Try bud's gunshop...a little more, but not a bad buy for a budget 1911. $399 delivered + the FFL transfer...
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... /411539079

The days of finding a cherry 1911 in a pawn shop for a decent price are mostly, and sadly over . It is unbelievable what some shops will ask for a Colt that looks like it was dragged down a gravel road, or a mixed parts mongrel. Saw a "Remington Rand" that a guy was asking $850 for. He was convinced it was a WWII relic. He became indignant when I pointed out that what he actually had was a Remington Rand slide on an after market frame.

Then there was the nickel plated FN Belgium High Power that the pawn shop wanted $1200 for 'cause if was "chromed out". I played along and asked to see it. It was a Nazi High Power that some dufas had nickel plated. I showed the young kid the nazi markings and it was obvious that he was "historically challenged".

[surprise_i'm_armed]

smyrna:

Thanks for the links to Bud's RIA listing.

I window shop at http://www.budsgunshop.com often,
but I could never find the RIA listings.

When you use Bud's "Quick Search" function there is a large dropdown box
that lists all the gun mfrs, but there is no "Rock Island Arms" listing.

Can you give me navigation on how to get to Bud's RIA's?

On a different note, Smyrna, Georgia is Glock's US home. Do you carry one?

Thanks.

SIA