Finally Found A Llama

[BirdsThaWord]

I have been wanting one for a while, but could not find one at an acceptable price, until this morning. It came with 2 mags, an iwb holster and a handful of hollow points.It is a single stack Minimax in 40 S&W. This is the first 1911ish I've owned in 40. I've read about these quite often over the years and am aware that they have a "hit or miss" reputation as far as functionality. I hereby accept the challenge!
As with many of the good deals I find, it was a bit crud covered, and a few areas of brown were showing up hear and there. I field stripped it, removed the grips and tore down the mags. I de-burred the rough feed lips, cleaned the mag tubes, then coated everything with some knock off CLP and let it sit and soak. All of the brown went away, or was lifted away as I cleaned. I also removed the mag catch, cleaned & lubed it, and also ran polishing cloth through the frame (mag release hole).
During the clean up, I certainly saw what people say when they say that the finish is rough. But, my intentions are not to have or make this pig shine, but to run it and get it reliable, if I can.
On an interesting note, I was surprised to find the plunger tube is screwed on, not staked on. Probably nothing new to some of you, but I like it and it seems to be a good idea.
Anyway, she's all cleaned, lubed and ready for the next range day. I'll take some truncated stuff, those hollow points and some fmj round nose to see how she goes. I'm hoping I got a winner as is, but we shall see! 1799817999

[getsome]

That’s a nice find Bird and now that you have degunked and cleaned it good it should be a nice shooter…..Way back in the late 80’s I bought a used Star Firestar .45 ACP mainly because I really wanted a Detonics .45 like Sonny Crockett carried on his ankle for a backup but I was never able to find one and even if I had I couldn’t have afforded one but the Star was a decent pistol and shot pretty good but I found a S&W model 19 revolver I wanted more so the Star went away but I hope your Llama works out for you, let us know how she shoots……..

[BirdsThaWord]

Cool man! I didn’t know ol Crocket carried one. I read that they were used in a lot of movies etc due to how cheap they could be bought for. Switching to that 19 was a nice move... Those things are some accurate shooters. I remember going back and forth with a guy to score one up in Sanford. Weird scenario, as I got there when he was arguing with his “roommate” about some missing money. I didn’t know if I was about to witness a shoot out. I had to go back another day to make the deal. I ended up trading it towards one of my first 1911’s, but wish I still had it. Have a great weekend man!

[getsome]

I know all about how guns come and go and much later you kick yourself in the a$$ for letting one go you can’t replace today…….Miami Vice was one of the first TV shows where handguns were a big part of the plot…..If you watch it now it’s very dated but they were true to the firearms all the actors carried……Crockett originally had a blue Sig but the directors wanted more camera bling so they had him carry the Bren-10 which looked cool but I read that the prop guys had a really hard time making it work with blanks so they changed again and had Crockett carry the then brand new S&W 645 .45 and a bit later in the series he upgraded to a S&W 4506 but his ankle holster back up gun was a Detonics .45 Combat Master which today is the unicorn gun and even back in the day they weren’t cheap……I, like every Miami Vice fan wanted one but to this day I’ve never seen one so if you ever do, sell the ranch and buy it……here is a brief history of the beautiful handmade little Detonics .45 ACP pistol…….

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015/06/24/detonics-story

[jeepster09]

I had a Firestar 40 years ago....it was absolutely the worst gun ever owned! Constant jams, the mag would actually fall out of gun at range. DUMPED it as fast as I could. NO QUALITY.

[getsome]

I had a Firestar 40 years ago....it was absolutely the worst gun ever owned! Constant jams, the mag when actually fall out of gun at range. DUMPED it as fast as I could. NO QUALITY.

You know, come to think of it I think the Firestar I had was also a .40 cal not a .45 and I do remember thinking that it was a most unpleasant gun to shoot which is why I traded it…….

[BirdsThaWord]

I know all about how guns come and go and much later you kick yourself in the a$$ for letting one go you can’t replace today…….Miami Vice was one of the first TV shows where handguns were a big part of the plot…..If you watch it now it’s very dated but they were true to the firearms all the actors carried……Crockett originally had a blue Sig but the directors wanted more camera bling so they had him carry the Bren-10 which looked cool but I read that the prop guys had a really hard time making it work with blanks so they changed again and had Crockett carry the then brand new S&W 645 .45 and a bit later in the series he upgraded to a S&W 4506 but his ankle holster back up gun was a Detonics .45 mini pistol which today is the unicorn gun and even back in the day they weren’t cheap……I, like every Miami Vice fan wanted one but to this day I’ve never seen one so if you ever do, sell the ranch and buy it……here is a brief history of the beautiful handmade little Detonics .45 ACP pistol…….

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015/06/24/detonics-story
Pretty cool you know all that, more so considering a buddy of mine and me have recently found Miami Vice on tap with a new tv service thing he got going. Good to know I’m not the only guy. Watching that show takes me back to a certain time in my life. If I only knew what I know now back then : )
I know what you mean about the Detonics. I’ve seen only a few pop up since I started liking guns, and man they are expensive. I bet that show is one of the reasons!

[BirdsThaWord]

I had a Firestar 40 years ago....it was absolutely the worst gun ever owned! Constant jams, the mag when actually fall out of gun at range. DUMPED it as fast as I could. NO QUALITY.
Yours sounds like many of the stories I’ve read about them. That is one of the reasons why I wanted one. The challenge of trying to overcome that stuff. Maybe I’m a fool to do so, but at least there’s not a huge financial loss if it turns out to be beyond my capabilities.

[kenemoore]

The down side to the LLama is parts. They are not GI spec and many 1911 parts will not work on them.

[BirdsThaWord]

The down side to the LLama is parts. They are not GI spec and many 1911 parts will not work on them.
Yes, I also gathered that from researching them. Not sure why they would have reinvented the wheel on a few of the parts, but if they hadn’t they may still be around. I’ve seen a bunch of parts on ebay, numrich’s, etc. My concern is more about it being in 40 s&w as most I’ve seen are not. Was hoping to hit the range with it today, but life got in the way. Cheers!

[jeepster09]

Yours sounds like many of the stories I’ve read about them. That is one of the reasons why I wanted one. The challenge of trying to overcome that stuff. Maybe I’m a fool to do so, but at least there’s not a huge financial loss if it turns out to be beyond my capabilities.

Perhaps you can buy some old Yugo's too.....especially if you are looking for a challenge! :smash:

[BirdsThaWord]

Aaaaaaaaaaand......NO THANKS! You have to buy 2 of those. 1 to drive and one for parts.

[BirdsThaWord]

Range report: I put approx 75 rounds through it. Shoots very low left. I shot another mini 1911 after just to make sure it wasn’t my lil flintch. About 6” low at 10 yards. Also, about 3” to the left. One mag looks more worn than the other. When I bought it, I figured the newer looking mag was purchased due to the worn looking mag having issues. I was correct on that assumption. So... more than a few failures to return to battery. I thought it racked way to easy, so yep, it needs a recoil spring. I also had one partial return to battery, but most of the issues were the failure to return to battery. Looking at this now...a recoil spring, new mag or new mag spring, getting adjustable sights, etc. etc. I now realize it isn’t for me. Between finding the parts, hoping they improve it, the labor, time involved in a fuff & buff, I guess I’m not willing to do all of that after all. You live and you learn.

[Bawanna]

Doesn't sound that bad to me, I think your giving up way too easy.

[BirdsThaWord]

Doesn't sound that bad to me, I think your giving up way too easy.
Normally, I would agree with you. I think I would be more up to it if I considered this one a keeper. My hands hurt so much finishing the polish job on that last one that it has me questioning myself on this one. It seemed like a good idea when I bought it. I’ve taken on other budget or known lemon gun projects in the past (GSG Firefly, AMT Back Up, Bersa Thunder 9, High Point, Para LDA 9) and made them run well when they were problematic, but I just don’t have it in me for this one. On top of all of that, it’s now the only 40 I own. With only a couple of boxes of that stuff left, and no other gun to shoot it out of, might as well focus on my 2 favorite calibers (9 & 45) as I still have plenty in stock to feed them. Thanks for the positive push though!

[Bawanna]

If it was anything but 40 I'd take up where you left off and try to make it run. For the same reasons you mention. I still have my K40 and a small amount of ammo to feed it but it don't get to ride with me very often, hardly ever now days. That Para LDA 9 just don't fit in with that list of guns you saved. I have 3 LDA's (all 45's) and never had issues with any of them. Don't shoot them much now days but they are ready whenever I am.

[BirdsThaWord]

If it was anything but 40 I'd take up where you left off and try to make it run. For the same reasons you mention. I still have my K40 and a small amount of ammo to feed it but it don't get to ride with me very often, hardly ever now days. That Para LDA 9 just don't fit in with that list of guns you saved. I have 3 LDA's (all 45's) and never had issues with any of them. Don't shoot them much now days but they are ready whenever I am.
Yes, the 40’s don’t seem to get much attention these days. I know a lot of police still like that round though.
The only reason I added the Para to that list is because it did not run when I got it. It’s slide looked like it got into bubba’s hands at some point, and with that soft finish they put on them, it looked rough. The problem (seller did not let me know) was it wouldn’t feed well and wouldn’t feed defense rounds at all. So, I think it was the second gun I ever polished and the second gun I ever worked on the guts. I very regret getting rid of that one. It too looked like chrome when I was done with it. With those beautiful (brown, not black) wood grips it looked super sharp too. When I finished it, it would also feed defense rounds pretty well, but not 100%. Back then it was going to be my main carry gun, but I couldn’t due to the the occasional mis-feed. It ran perfect with round nose though and, as you know, the trigger is pretty dang good for a double action. If I could afford more than 2 guns at a time back then I may have it still, but needed the money for it’s replacement. If I knew then what I know now!!! Those things command a few dollars more these days than back then. Congrats on owning 3 of them!!!

[getsome]

Man don’t I know that statement, “If I knew then what I know now” when it comes to trading guns I woulda kept those two 2 1/2” Smith model 19’s, one blue, one nickel and the Smith model 57 .41 mag I somehow foolishly traded for something I thought was better at the time………All I can say is What was I thinkin’……..Like most mistakes I’ve made in this life it reminds me of a country song………..

https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=fTqra4YSsaM

[BirdsThaWord]

So true! So long as we learn from our mistakes. Sounds like you’ve had some nice revolvers!