Llama & Astra
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Microgunner
New member
Both brands are of dubious quality.
Llama and Astra
Are Spanish gunmakers who have been around for a while. The are considered to be a lesser quality than the more recognised names made in Europe and the USA. Over the years quality has been spotty. Some of the guns are fairly good, while others have been poor. There is no way of telling, as this exists across the entire lines of their products.
One individual gun may be fine, and another of the same model may be...unsatisfactory. Older guns have had issues with the quality of the steel used.
I owned two Llamas back in the 80s, one revolver and one .45 auto. Neither one was fully reliable!
If you are lucky, you will get what you pay for. But the odds are not in your favor.
Are Spanish gunmakers who have been around for a while. The are considered to be a lesser quality than the more recognised names made in Europe and the USA. Over the years quality has been spotty. Some of the guns are fairly good, while others have been poor. There is no way of telling, as this exists across the entire lines of their products.
One individual gun may be fine, and another of the same model may be...unsatisfactory. Older guns have had issues with the quality of the steel used.
I owned two Llamas back in the 80s, one revolver and one .45 auto. Neither one was fully reliable!
If you are lucky, you will get what you pay for. But the odds are not in your favor.
doncameron
New member
I have a Llama .380, had it for many years, it's one of my everyday carry guns.
Never had a .22, buy it and try it, you can always resale.
Never had a .22, buy it and try it, you can always resale.
I knew of one indoor shooting range, that banned the use of Llama pistols. Star and Astra might be of better quality. Some of the Astras were milspec for Spain, and used by their military, for what that is worth. Stars have an OK rep. Like the Firestar series of pistols were hot for CCW 10-15 years ago. I had an Astra constable .380 once. Comparable to the Walthers but not as nicely fit and finished. Had a Star 9MM that was a version of their mil. issue. Not a bad gun, I think it resembled a Sig to some extent. I no longer have any Spanish guns. But other European economy gun makers have turned out some doubtful guns, as well as Americans.
Astra pistols are highly regarded by knowledgable firearms experts and collectors, as also by military and police organizations of numerous countries.
In many ways, Astra pistols had features superior to "highly regarded" models of competitors.
I love it when folks engage in propagating (incorrect) information regarding the fine Spanish pistols of Astra and Star. It keeps the prices down for those who are really in the know.
Dr. Antaris' books on Star Pistols and a separate volume on Astra pistols go a long way to correcting the misconceptions (including allegations of "soft" steel).
Personally, I find Astra's Model 5000, better known as the Astra Constable, better in every practcal way than the Walther/Manurhin PP/PPK.
If you can find a better rust blue on a pistol, than that which can be found on the Astra 900 (late 1920's vintage), then name it!
In many ways, Astra pistols had features superior to "highly regarded" models of competitors.
I love it when folks engage in propagating (incorrect) information regarding the fine Spanish pistols of Astra and Star. It keeps the prices down for those who are really in the know.
Dr. Antaris' books on Star Pistols and a separate volume on Astra pistols go a long way to correcting the misconceptions (including allegations of "soft" steel).
Personally, I find Astra's Model 5000, better known as the Astra Constable, better in every practcal way than the Walther/Manurhin PP/PPK.
If you can find a better rust blue on a pistol, than that which can be found on the Astra 900 (late 1920's vintage), then name it!
luvsasmith
New member
Llama's
I had decent luck with one. In fact it was a little 380 that only failed to function with one of the two mags I had for it. It turned into a Mossberg 12 gauge at a gun show though.
I had decent luck with one. In fact it was a little 380 that only failed to function with one of the two mags I had for it. It turned into a Mossberg 12 gauge at a gun show though.
UtahHunting
New member
The only experience I had with a Llama was a .45 ACP 1911 I picked up for $300. There were two problems with the gun. First were it wasn't a true mil-spec gun, therefore all the parts were not interchangable. The grips were one of these items. The second issue (and the biggest) was it would not feed the last round out of the magazine. I tried 4 different brands of magazines including a wilson (supposed to be the best) and it would not feed that last round. I ended up selling the gun at a huge loss and haven't looked back.
Microgunner
New member
Yes, at least one model that I know of. The Colt Jr. I believe.
The Colt .25 autos that were made by Astra can often be found in excellent condition and bring huge prices just because they say Colt on them. Probably a little better handling than the original Colt .25 due to grip shape and size. My Astra Constable was a competant gun, nothing wrong with the design or function. The trigger pull in DA could have been better. But it still did not have as nice a fit and finish as say, a Walther .380 on which the Astra was sort of based, or designed to compete with. But the price at the time reflected that. Now Constables sell for alot more than I want to pay. The Spanish guns as a group ruined their reputation due to the fact that alot of Spanish guns were imported that were crude, soft steel, and largely handmade looking instead of fully machined. That is undeniable. They had a cottage industry of makers that subcontracted parts out and so you had some guy in a village making parts in a vise with files and hammers, versus a centralised maker with up to date machinery. Look at some of the Ruby pistols as well as the old Smith and Wesson copies. Once you spend years creating a bad reputation, it is hard to shake it off with just one good product.
OldMarksman
Staff
The Astra 400s I've seen were well finished and functioned perfectly with the right ammo.
OldMarksman
Staff
Delete
Astra and LLama shouldn't be grouped together, IMO. LLamas seem to have wild swings between good and bad while Astras are generally well made guns. Star, also, are good ones. There's a few levels of quality in between the Star & Astra (reliable & strong) and LLamas (maybe good, maybe bad.)
I have a Star MOD 30MI and my Dad has an old Astra 300, I believe it is, and they're fantastic pistols. The Star, especially, is built to last forever. It's a great hi-cap 9MM, really accurate and totally jamless. Takes about 30 seconds to break down, too.
I have a Star MOD 30MI and my Dad has an old Astra 300, I believe it is, and they're fantastic pistols. The Star, especially, is built to last forever. It's a great hi-cap 9MM, really accurate and totally jamless. Takes about 30 seconds to break down, too.
Microgunner
New member
I purchased an Astra A70 new years ago, I guess because it looked like a SIG and after no more than 300 or 400 rnds it turned into a rattletrap. The take down lever broke and the slide to frame fit became very wobbly. It was junk. Never bought another Astra product and probably never will.