My New(to me) Llama 1911 w/ Pics

[darkeye]

I inherited this pistol from my Dad. He's not really sure when he purchased it, somewhere around the 60's I think... It has the following markings:

Right Side (if looking from hammer):

"LLAMA" ESPECIAL - On right side of slide
4672xx (Serial # above right side of trigger)

Left Side:

"LLAMA" GABILANDO Y CiaVITORIA(ESPANA)
CAL.45 - ON LEFT SIDE OF SLIDE

Above the left side of trigger:
A circle with a P in it with what looks like a feather plume or flames coming out of the top of the circle, then a box with an X and more feathers or flames coming out of the top of the box, followed by N*1

Anybody have any links on Llama history? I'd really like to find out the value of this gun - if it's valuable, I'll keep it as is, if only $200-300 I'll probably cusomize it.

Here's some pics...
http://www.theburgesshouse.com/images/Llama-1911-01.jpg
http://www.theburgesshouse.com/images/Llama-1911-02.jpg
http://www.theburgesshouse.com/images/Llama-1911-03.jpg
http://www.theburgesshouse.com/images/Llama-1911-04.jpg

Thanks for any help you may give!!!

[michael t]

It does not, I belive have a great value . But old Llamas are not really that compatable with 1911 so most parts would require lots of fitting. I'd leave as is and shoot it. I had a 38 super that looked like that in late 60's was a good pistol. Sold it in early 70's and ended up being used in a bank job in Seattle. about 74-75 Brought the FBI to my door in Colo. Sprs. only paper work was that little yellow sheet of paper when I bought the gun in Ga. and they found me years later in Colo.

[chitoryu2454]

give it some tlc. i think the first thing i'ld do is cleanit up and give it a new finish.... blue or park'd or whatever suits you. and then............................. i would shoot it, shoot it shoot it, til something went wrong. if nothing goes wrong , all the better but if something ever goes wrong, take it as a positive. it could be an ideal oppertunity to do a little basement gunsmithing and get some experience. get a set of dial calipers or a micrometer. check out the parts ....do some research and find out how big a chore it might be to fix whatever is wrong.
but above all shoot it and enjoy it.

[Hawkmoon]

Llamas, and especially old Llamas, don't have a great reputation for reliability or durability. Yours must be really old, because it's the only Llama I've ever seen that doesn't have an external extractor.

$200 to $300 is probably a generous estimate of its value. You could log onto Guns America (www.gunsamerica.com) and see if anything similar is up for sale, and perhaps find an approximate value that way.

As noted, the Llamas are not 100% 1911 compatible. The Bersa-Llama web site has a list of parts that will for the new ones. but who knows if they'll fit the older ones. Rather than thinking about customizing it, especially since it has that nice old holster and such, I think I'd just clean it up, oil it up, shoot it occasionally, and hang onto it the way it is for family memories. It came from your father and he won't be around forever (you did say "inherited," but you speak of him in the present tense so I assume he is still alive). Buy a new Springfield, Auto Ordnance or RIA for customizing.

[darkeye]

Good thoughts... thank you - Yes, my Dad is still around - he's 75 this year - he taught me to shoot with this gun when I was 7. I just don't want to have this pistol sit around is never be used - I'd even consider using it as a carry piece once I've shot it enough to be comfortable with it - I do need to get the thumb safety worked on - it's a bit stiff... I've cleaned the crap out of it - oiled it up, and the pictures above are after cleaning - I do need to re-blue it - but I'm thinking about parkerize (sp?) it - anyone know the cost for this?

Thanks again!

[Jeffrey]

I believe that is the first 1911 I have seen with a ribbed barrel. Interesting gun. Thanks for the pictures. :)

[John]

I believe that is the first 1911 I have seen with a ribbed barrel. Interesting gun.

It's a ribbed slide Jeff, not a ribbed barrel. :)

It would be hard to have a ribbed barrel in a 1911, or any other pistol. But, this would be the first thing I would remove from it, if it was mine. The rest of the gun looks very much like a 1911, but that thing on the top, is not what I would call "nice". Oh well, I am an old-fashioned guy, at least as far as 1911s are concerned.

[Jeffrey]

It's a ribbed slide Jeff, not a ribbed barrel. :)

It would be hard to have a ribbed barrel in a 1911, or any other pistol. But, this would be the first thing I would remove from it, if it was mine. The rest of the gun looks very much like a 1911, but that thing on the top, is not what I would call "nice". Oh well, I am an old-fashioned guy, at least as far as 1911s are concerned.

Thanks for the correction El Commandante. :) That's the revolver speak in me. I'll get it right someday. :D

[chitoryu2454]

if you are ambitious and comfortable with learning new things, there are several options open to you.
i would suggest some research the subject online. here are a couple of links to get you started:
http://www.shootersolutions.com/allproducts.html
http://www.lauerweaponry.com/
http://www.brownells.com

[Hawkmoon]

Oh well, I am an old-fashioned guy, at least as far as 1911s are concerned.
Wait ... are you the same El Comandante who is always chiding me because I prefer the standard military thumb safety and don't like beavertail grip safeties?

You're not old-fashioned, Boss, you're only "medium-fashioned."

[John]

Or "middle-age-fashioned" maybe!!!???

[.22shorty]

My friend had one of those years ago and just for shits and giggles I through a springfield armory slide I had laying around. I couldn't believe it fit and functioned flawlessly. Who'd A thunk it!

[Big Foot]

Darkeye, your d.o.b. on your IX-A is 1968. Personally, I like the ventilated rib placed atop the slide & carrying the front & rear sights. Don't see that every day...

[wlambert]

John,

I'm probably a lot older than you, but I like the ventilated rib. Brownells used to sell a kit, and I almost put one on a Ruger Black Hawk. That would have been interesting. Cow Boy gun with rib? :D Several times I have been tempted to purchase a Remington 600 Magnum when I have seen them around. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I have a Llama Martial that I purchased back in the 70's. It is very similar to a K-22. It also has the ventilated rib. Someone at Llama must have liked ribs.

wlambert

[Ima_centurion]

Darkeye-
Just wanted to say you have an interesting gun. Some have commented about removing the ribbing. Personally I think it makes the gun a little more interesting. With all the 1911s around, the only way we have a distinction is in the work, parts and personal touches to set them apart. Some are manufactured different too, like the SIGS (which I like). So, dont be too quick to take that off if it appeals to you.