Picked up the Llama in 38 Super

[patm41]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/patm41/Llama002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/patm41/Llama001.jpg

I picked this Llama up today from the local shop.. its in 38 Super
I have looked at several web sites in the past week and cannot find
out too much about this "Llama Special" also the sight rib looks
factory and i havent seen in the few pics on the web another one that looks
like it..
Any info you guys could provide would be helpfull..

[agrotom]

I have one just like it! I too don't know much about it other than it came new in the box with no papers. :( It shoots well and is a great firearm. I hope someone can help us out with what these things are. :)

[The Rule Keeper]

The rib is factory all right, but if I had that pistol, I would make sure I remove it. I just do not like the looks of the ribs on a pistol (except on a Python, but that's not a pistol, right?).

Rgds and congrats on your purchase

[patm41]

I was hopeing some one could give a time frame when these were made ..

[peanut]

I love these .Some of them are quite rare and very collectable.

If you could take a couple of pictures of the gun flat on a table (one of each side) I'll get my reference books out tomorrow and see what I can find out about the gun.
Try and get all the gun in focus by arranging the gun so its all parralel with the camera lense and use any light coloured background except never white.Light blue is ideal. Because its black you will need to pre-light the gun with a table lamp or anglepoise as well as use a flash.
If the inscription isn't clear perhaps you could write it down.

[patm41]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/patm41/Llama2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/patm41/Llama1.jpg
Sorry if the pics are not too good . im using the only cam i have..
On the left side.. Llama Gabilondoy Cavitoria (Espana)
Cal. 9m/m (38)

On the rifgr side.. Cal. 38Super Automatic "Llama" Especial
serial Number 454xxx

Stamped "Made in Spain" on the mag and also on the bottom of the spring housing
there is no importers stamp.. and no other markings...

The slide is ribbed other than that looks just like a 1911..

it has a layard mounting on the left bottom of the grip but the ring is missing..

The pistol has some holster wear and the wood grips have a couple small dings in them..

I shot 2 boxes of Win ball ammo thru it and it functions fine .. trigger pull is ok but nothing special..

Thank you for your time to see what you can find out about this pistol...

[peanut]

Hi
thats quite a bit better actually especially as you are using a webcam . I should have enough info
I'll see what I can find out in the morning. Over this side of the pond its time to go to sleepzzzzzzzzzzzzz ;)

[peanut]

Pat sorry to dissapoint you but having gone through 5 huge storage boxes of books I cannot find the gun book I am looking for. All my other books show the very early Llamas and this one of yours is more recent in relative terms.

I will keep looking because I want an answer too . I just love these autos and would love to have one for my collection but it would need importing to a registered firearms dealer in the UK then deactivating and re-proofing and that would cost mmmmmm gosh a lot!

I was hoping that Antaris would have written a book about the Gabilondo autos by now. Lets hope its next on his list

[dooley]

The gun may be a model VIII made during the 70's. It's all stock including the vent rib. I owned one chambered in 45 acp imported by Stoeger's. It came in an IX-A box. There is a gun shop owner who carrys one like yours, also in 38 super. I will call him when he opens on Wednesday and see if he can offer any more information.

[patm41]

thank you .. please see what you guys can come up with.. im getting more courious each day.. I know its not going to be a collectors item but i do like to know some info about it..

Thanks again

Pat

[dooley]

The shop owner checked his log and said it's definitely a model VIII (8). He is uncertain of the time frame they were imported, but probably from the 70's into the 80's. He sold his gun.

[patm41]

dooley : thank you for your time in tracking this info down.. Now at least i have a model to go by ..

i would say Llama's imported durning this time period either were not popular or not many were in the country as I have found very little on the web .. Even my local dealer who has been a very extensive gun collection and has been a collector and dealer for 40 years could not find very much info in his referance books..

Still i would like to find a date of manufacture and importation to be satisfied and will continue to search for info..

Again thank you for your time and effort to help a fellow shooter :)

[Blasterboy]

Pat,
I have a Llama in .38 Super, as well. It is in Commander size and is the Model VIII. Excellent firearm, quality gun and very accurate.
What you guys need to do is invest in a soft cover book by Gene Gangarosa Jr., published by Stoeger Publishing. It is called "Spanish Handguns". There is an entire chapter devoted to Llama handguns...all the "skinny" on Llamas. Good reading..!!!!!

[Blasterboy]

Pat,
More info....Your gun is a Model IX-A or here in the US a Model 9-A. That designation is for the Gov't sized gun...Model VIII or 8 is for the Commander sized piece. From the previous post...it is all in Gene Garagosa's book.......

[patm41]

thanks for the update a Model IX -A

I picked up 4 more boxes of ammo yesterday and since im off 5 days now ill do a little shooting thru it.. and others .. :)

[backwoodzboy]

I too have just purchased a llama and was looking for info and stumbled across this site i found something on your 38 super you might already have this info but in case you don't here it is anyway Llama Model VIII: automatic; .38 super only; 5in barrel; 8.5 overall length; 9rd mag; hand-checkered walnut grips; rear sight adjustable for windage; vent rib; grip safety; blued. imported by Stoeger. introduced in 1952; still in production. used value, 200 to 210 dollars. this was taken from a book that i have titled The Gun Digest Book Of MODERN GUN VALUES ninth edition by jack lewis looks like the copyright date was 1993 MCMXCIII well anyway that is what i have on your llama, this book is 12 years old so somethings may have changed. :)