New Member, new baby!

[fatrichie]

Hi all, I am new to the forum and new to the 1911 design 45's. I just today purchased a Firestorm 45 Compact!

http://home.comcast.net/~rfadney/FS45800X600.jpg

I have looked around and talked to a few folks who have been very happy with the Firestorm pistols. I was looking for a used or inexpensive new 45, due to budget constraints. But I have already been the Jennings route with a 9mm and didn't want to be that disappointed again!!

I have read the posts here and when I saw this one today I thought I would go ahead and get one, I probably paid too much ($299.00), but in my area the 1911 style 45's are very few and far between (unlless it's a Kimber or Colt you can afford).

I have read your posts on polishing the ramp, tweeking the magazine and cleaning the new Llama's. I would like to know the details on what to look for and how to do these things. Also, I don't reload (yet) and would like to know what everyone thinks of the available factory load ammo's out there.

Any one have any ideas or pointers for a newbie??

Thanks, Fatrichie

[chitoryu2454]

your firestorm looks very similar to my llama minimax45.
i would start out with standard 230gr fmj...winchester, umc or cci.
should you have any problems, look for the easiest and most non-invasive fixes...if you have no problems...enjoy and then play around with different typs of ammo.

[Bear]

Congratulations on your new gun! I have tried quite a few loads in my Llama and here's what I like:

Target: Winchester WinClean 230 gr. BEB

Plinking: Magtech 230 gr. FMJ (Usually pretty inexpensive)

Personal Defense: I tried a few different loads including Federal HydraShock, Winchester SXT, Speer Gold Dot, and Remington Golden Sabres. My Llama cycled all of them but shot best with Golden Sabres.

Enjoy safe shooting!

Bear

[fatrichie]

WOW!

I fired a couple boxes this past weekend and I must say it was a blast. The Firestorm 45 is a real fun shooter. I really had a good time time shooting it. The balance was good, I shot a six inch group at 15 yards the first time out, I'm happy! Being new to a 45 auto I didn't know what to expect. BUT.........what a kick in the bottom it is to shoot!

I also broke it down to clean it prior to shooting. It had lots of oil in it that was pretty hard to clean out. Does anyone have a suggestion if lubrication helps performance in a 1911??

Thanks for all the great advice everyone, it helped a lot!

Fatrichie

[Rob6852]

Another new member here!

Bought my Llama Minimax 45 bout a month ago.
Since then I have polished the frame feedramp and fieldstripped it and
gave it a good cleaning. This gun feels good in the hand and once the
weather down here clears up im going to the range and going to see
how well it shoots.
Now here's a pic...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v727/rob6852/RobsLlama.jpg

Not the best pic in the world but for now it will do.
Got a box of WWB 230gr. FMJ /100 round for the range.
I'll post how it goes!
Take care all.

[medic15al]

There is just something about them that feels good in the hand, reliable, a finish not to worry about shooter. I'm thinking of one as a truck gun myself.

[fatrichie]

I emailed Wilson tonite to inquire about compatability between our Llamas/Firestorms and their parts, I will report back as soon as I hear anything.

Fatty

[rob.powers]

Hi All

What 1911 brand did you start with?

What 1911 brand did you wish you started with?

Why?

I have yet to own a 1911, and the only auto pistol I have is a ruger 22.

What is the best way to start for a guy who doesn't want to spend $ 800-1000 just to start?

The Llama/Firestorm looks good to me but the threads indicate they don't really interchange with other colt 1911s. Is it possible to pick up a used Springfield or Colt for about the same price?

Thanks

Rob

[fatrichie]

Hi All

What 1911 brand did you start with?

What 1911 brand did you wish you started with?

Why?

I have yet to own a 1911, and the only auto pistol I have is a ruger 22.

What is the best way to start for a guy who doesn't want to spend $ 800-1000 just to start?

The Llama/Firestorm looks good to me but the threads indicate they don't really interchange with other colt 1911s. Is it possible to pick up a used Springfield or Colt for about the same price?

Thanks

Rob


I don't kmow about anyone else, but my firestorm has been completely compatible with all the Colt, and aftermarket goodies I've tried.

[Hawkmoon]

I also broke it down to clean it prior to shooting. It had lots of oil in it that was pretty hard to clean out. Does anyone have a suggestion if lubrication helps performance in a 1911??
In a 1911?

A 1911 is a machine, made of metal. Metal does not last long scraping against other metal. Any machine with moving parts lives longer with lubrication. A 1911 pistol is no exception.

[eddie3911]

My firestorm work's even better with all 1911 parts etc,all internal parts, thumb safety,slide+ slide release and grip safety are all springfield armory!!!
the trigger is a black light weight Mc.Cormick.And YES!!! they all dropped right in w/no fitting.

[Tom]

So in other words, you have a Springfield Armory pistol with a Firestorm frame and slide. :D

[eddie3911]

hey what's up? actually just the frame is a firestorm'', the barrel is a factory colt 45 auto, It's not that I dont like the factory blued slide, every time I use it at the range,the spent ejected shells end up a bit chewed up! kind of dented.with the factory barrell, they end up much worse.I decided to try on a spare springfield slide with the same colt barrel and after firing it,I felt less recoil,Its way more accurate and it ejects all the shells nice and rounded.The factory firestorm barrel was a little to small to fit in the s.a. slide and would not be able to fire.To take care of that, I welded it a little from under the locking lugs and also on top to where it's an oversize,then with a file I removed little material at a time till it fit nicely,It also function real good just like the colt barrel.So to answer your question, yes, you can say its a s.a. with a firestorm body "it looks real nice and it can fool alot of people to believe its a full blooded springfield ,but anybody who know's there 1911's like I do,the dead give away would be the grips,they are different from standard colt & clone 1911's

[mitchjoe]

fatrichie:

Hmm, must have missed this model. Your FireStorm Compact looks similar in size to a Commander (full-size frame with shorter slide/ barrel). From the pic's I'd guess 4", but it does have a barrel bushing (even better as most of the shorter model's these days use a bull-type barrel & some kind of FLGR). Looks to be blued also? Pretty neat.

mitchjoe

[michael t]

Keep well oil or greased and shoot the ##### out of it. Their better pistols than people belive. I just sorry that Llama is no more. I hope someone pickes them up and trys again.. I really like my Llama Sub compact after I debuged. Had same problems as Para Warthog. Took new mag springs to clear up. I have also stripped mine down and polished about every thing. Iam over 1500 rounds now and trust enough to carry when I want a 45. My Colts now stay home. I also had a factory rebuilt Para Ord P-10 I traded it and Keep the Llama .