Llama firearms: Valuable? (pistol, cheap, purchase, carbine)

[iknowftbll]

I own a Llama 1911 .45 ACP pistol that I bought for about $300 back in 2003. I knew then that it was a cheap gun, but over the time I've owned it I have always been pleased with the quality and the accuracy, especially considering the price.

Now I have considered selling this gun because I recently purchased a Springfield 1911. Today I was at Gander Mountain and the guy said to bring in my Llama and they would appraise it. He also advised me not to sell it because the value of these has risen since the company folded. I plan to have it appraised as he suggested, but I am reconsidering selling it now.

Can anyone who is familiar with Llama comment on this? I would like to know more.

[TexasRedneck]

Speaking personally, I won't own a Llama - others might feel differently......but I never found them to be of quality - and out of business or not, cheap is still cheap.

[M3 Mitch]

I didn't know Llama folded, but, agree with Tex, they never struck me as all that well made. Usually cheap but out of print guns, cars, etc. don't develop much collector value. While I do know a guy around here who has and still drives a Yugo, they don't have the following that early Mustangs do for example. Or Belgian Brownings.

[Saxmaniac]

I've had two. Both were in the early 90s. One was kept stock and the other hotrodded a bit. They both shot well. I liked the Norinco I had better. They all went bang every time the trigger was pulled.

That being said, these inexpensive pistols....Llama, Norinco, etc are shooters not collectors.

[GOBBARK]

Go to Gun Broker.com to get a rough idea of it's actual value in the same condition as yours. Forget about book price. Gun Broker is more accurate. It's WHAT they are actually selling for that counts.

[Wartrace]

I bought a high capacity Llama 1911 in the 90's, its a good shooter and goes bang every time with any ammo. I don't see the gun appreciating a whole heck of a lot more than they already have.

[iknowftbll]

Thanks, all, for the replies. After a little more research, I have concluded that the gentleman who told me that Llama's were valuable was probably mistaken. Or perhaps he had knowledge of a very rare model that was indeed actually worth some cash but didn't realize that it was an exception.

With this said, the Llama 1911 I have is a decent firearm, and a good value at the initial purchase price. My brother has expressed interest in buying it from me now, and I am considering selling it. If I decide to keep it, I am confident that I will get many more years of enjoyable shooting from it. That's worth something.

[chucksnee]

In the end, it's what someone is willing to pay for it....as with everything else.

As long as you like it, it shoots straight and shoots every time....I'd keep it....

Just like I'll have my Hi-Point, people hate them, they will not go up in price, but I can guarantee you that every time I pull the trigger, it WILL go boom....

[BoxCar Willie]

Originally Posted by chucksnee

In the end, it's what someone is willing to pay for it....as with everything else.

As long as you like it, it shoots straight and shoots every time....I'd keep it....

Just like I'll have my Hi-Point, people hate them, they will not go up in price, but I can guarantee you that every time I pull the trigger, it WILL go boom....

YUP!! I have a Llama Martial .38 cal, 4 " barrel. Nice gun ,and dead on target I was told never to use +P ammo in it, but that's OK regular ammo is great. Funny thing whoever had it before me had changed the grips to S&W ones but they look good, and it handles well

[lower]

LLamas were all made of soft steel, no real heat treating, remarkably un-durable, not much value at all. The High point carbines are excellent, but their pistols are real clunky-handling and looking, too.