.45 Llama question

[MacViolinist]

Ok. I know these are not great guns, but my dad gave me a Llama he bought 15 years ago as my first gun. I have a Steyr M40 that I use for daily CCW, but the Llama has a lot of sentimental value. It shoots really well and has no problems except for one. After the last round is fired, the slide doesn't lock. It falls into battery with the hamme back and tricks me into thinking that I don't know how to count. Some people have told me it's the mag. Not knowing at the time that there are good ones and bad ones, I went to a pawn shop and picked up 3 for $20 bucks. You know how that went. Since then I have been to the range a few times and tried out the good mags from some buddies. Still, the slide doens't lock after the last round. Anyone have any ideas? I'll probably never carry it, but I would like it to work properly. Thanks in advance.

-drew

 

[CWatson]

Drew,

My Llama has a similair history except my dad bought it back in th early 70s and was my first handgun.It was always reliable with ball ammo and as a kid that was all I could afford.My gun had been stolen and when I got it back it was damaged.After sitting in the safe a few years I got it going again and got a couple extra mags for it .The only ones I could find for it were Triple K and they function fine,except the slide does not lock back on the last round.The followers in the mags are not the same as my factory mag and do not catch the slide stop when empty.Since it is not my personal defencive weapon I do not worry about it.CW

 

[Jim K]

When a 1911 type pistol does not lock back on an empty magazine, it is almost always either the magazine or the slide stop.

Check that the gun is not loaded, then take the slide off the frame. Insert one of the magazines, and look down into the magazine well. You should be able to see if the magazine follower is engaging the slide stop.

If not, you have a choice. You can try other magazines and some may work OK. Or you can replace the slide stop if you can find one.

It may be possible to build up the slide stop with welding, but that is not a DIY job unless you are good with a MIG/TIG welder and know how to protect the rest of the part from excess heat.

Jim

 

[1911Tuner]

Slide Stop

If it won't lock when hand-cycled, part of the lug on the stop may be broken off. Sometimes it's hard to see unless you take it out and look close. If it locks by hand with the magazine in place, it's likely either the
follower shelf is at the wrong angle, or the magazine spring is weak.

Check also to see if the slidestop will move upward smoothly. Remove the recoil spring and align the notch with the stop and push it up slowly. If any
roughness or a "Hitch in the Getalong" is noted, it could be holding the
stop down long enough for the slide to get past it.

Another *sometimes* cause is a weak or fatigued recoil spring OR...
a recoil spring that's too heavy. Not often, but sometimes.

Good luck with that Spanish Camel...

Tuner