Poorman's 1911

[marxdspot]

Hi Friends.

I've got a couple of quality 1911's in my collection, however I'm just too weary to beat them around and scuff 'em up. (I hope you understand...a collector's mentality) So, for a while now I've been keeping an eye out for a poorman's 1911. I know that RIA and High Standard's are out there. Just when I was about to finalize purchasing one, I came across the Firestorm 1911 Goverment Model .45.. I did some research and learned that the Spanish based company, Llama who manufactured the 1911's, had closed down sometime in 2003 for bankruptcy. I also came across some old threads on some 1911 forums that gave it some mixed reviews. To name a few of the negatives, very limited after market parts, rough finished edges, and no customer service. However, some said that the slide is very smooth and it shoots with no hickups.

Has anyone had any first hand experience with the Firestorm 1911 Government Model .45 that can give some insight?

I have a older (much older) friend who owns one, unfired safe queen, that would like to sell it to me for $275. Is it worth it? I almost wanted to jump on it because of the price. My purpose of it is to beat the living s*** out of it and not feel so bad. But, still it's $275 and just don't want to be stuck with a piece of useless scrapmetal.

Any help from you 1911 gurus would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[BaronW]

Personally I'd rather get an RIA or something with a warranty.

[Black Majik]

Guns are no fun if they don't work. .45ACP is too expensive to chamber and rack onto the ground.

I agree with Baron, a used RIA or SA GI at a bare minimum.

[pullnshoot25]

Taurus 1911s are nice if you can get them in this state. Lots of good reviews on them

[marxdspot]

So assume no one has had any experience with these?

[Ninja45]

There is a good reason why you are not getting many replies to your query. It's like asking a roomfull of kids who loves brussel sprouts. You won't see many hands because not too many of them have any experience eating them.

Now, ask them them about RIA or SA GI Model (both bargain but quality 1911), you'd probably get a handful of answers.

Ninja45

[thatsteveguy]

Here's a link to a thread over on the 1911 forum;

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=205292&highlight=Firestorm+1911

[sammy]

You can find Kimber Custom II's for about $700 new a couple months back. That is a gun worthy of shooting such expensive ammo. I would not settle for anything less than a Kimber at todays ammo prices. If a Rock River Arms is all you can afford then by all means but it sounds like the Kimber is not out of your price range.

[CSACANNONEER]

If you want to buy it and use it as a platform for learning how to tune up a 1911, I'd say "go for it." If you are going to use it, as is for a SD firearm or relie on it in any way, You need to ask yourself how much your life is worth. My carry 1911 is a Kimber Pro CDPII that I paid over $1000 for and I've never flinched when I've knicked or scratched it. I bought it to perform when needed not to look good.

[Gunaria]

More than likely you are never ever going to see another 1911 in this State of CA of $275. You are looking at $310 OTD, you can not beat that. Buy it and go shooting.

[DrjonesUSA]

Hi Friends.

I've got a couple of quality 1911's in my collection, however I'm just too weary to beat them around and scuff 'em up. (I hope you understand...a collector's mentality) So, for a while now I've been keeping an eye out for a poorman's 1911. I know that RIA and High Standard's are out there. Just when I was about to finalize purchasing one, I came across the Firestorm 1911 Goverment Model .45.. I did some research and learned that the Spanish based company, Llama who manufactured the 1911's, had closed down sometime in 2003 for bankruptcy. I also came across some old threads on some 1911 forums that gave it some mixed reviews. To name a few of the negatives, very limited after market parts, rough finished edges, and no customer service. However, some said that the slide is very smooth and it shoots with no hickups.

Has anyone had any first hand experience with the Firestorm 1911 Government Model .45 that can give some insight?

I have a older (much older) friend who owns one, unfired safe queen, that would like to sell it to me for $275. Is it worth it? I almost wanted to jump on it because of the price. My purpose of it is to beat the living s*** out of it and not feel so bad. But, still it's $275 and just don't want to be stuck with a piece of useless scrapmetal.

Any help from you 1911 gurus would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

RUN - do not walk - away from Llama's. I have never read a positive thing about them.

Just get a Springfield, Taurus or RIA. Norinco, maybe?

[Black Majik]

While shooting a llama takes all the fun out of shooting, for $300 it definitely is tough to beat. If you wait long enough, I'm sure you can find a RIA or SA GI like I mentioned above for about $100 - $150 more, which would be a better investment.

However, if you are going to go for the llama, shoot a box through it first to ensure the gun actually runs. If it does, go for it. If it jams, pass.

[railroader]

Try doing a search but if I remember right 1911 parts aren't exactly drop in. Personally if you want something that is cheaper I would go with the RIA tactical that already has the bells and whistles. I had the Armscor version, while being kinda of rough internally it shot well and had decent sights. Mark

[brassburnz]

The Llama is not a 1911 clone. Parts are not 100% interchangeable with a Colt 1911. That being said, if you want something that emulates a 1911, the Llama isn't bad.

I'd go looking for a Star 9mm or a Star PD in .45 acp. They aren't 1911 clones either, but at least the 9mm will much cheaper to feed.

I picked up a Rock Island used for under $300. I'm sure if you look hard enough you could find one in CA.

[Astig Boy]

$275 for a Firestorm 1911!? Thats a STEAL!!!...for your friend! HAHA Not a good deal for you.

I hear 1911 parts either do not fit or have a hard time fitting on to Llama/Firestorm 1911s...thats the rumor I hear. Someone correct me if I am wrong.