Firestorm .45's?

[Hammerhead6814]

I went to the the rkshow in KC today. One dealer just past the door had a "Firestorm" .45 pistol for sale at $399. Rock Island Armory .45's were going between $400 and $500, and well everything else was overpriced (Sistema 1911 clones were going for over a grand a sample!).

I've never heard of "Firestorm" before. I've been to their website, but I can't find a review on their M1911 clones.

Does anyone own one of these? Are they any good or a cheap attempt at a mil-spec 1911A1?

 

[Dan Crocker]

Cheap piece of garbage. Don't buy it.

 

[Hammerhead6814]

How so Dan?

EDIT: I'm finding mixed reviews and data here. Some guys say these are actually made in Spain by Llama. Others are telling me their being made in Argentina. And still others claim these are made in the same factory as the Rock Island Armory's, the same thing for a different company!

Has there been a magazine that's reviewed these?

 

[jon_in_wv]

Why do people post crap like that and not back it up??? Probably because they can't. The Llama 45s were not very nice nor did they have a very good reputation. The new Firestorm 1911 is made to 1911 specs and is produced in Argentina. I handled one a few days ago and I was very impressed by it.

Check Gunblast for a review.

 

[kyo]

lower end brand name for bersa? Or higher? I am not sure really. I say go fire one. Then buy it. Always check the gun out if you can first. Perfect example is when someone I knew wanted a glovk 27 and after shooting it he got over it

 

[Beagle-zebub]

They're made in the Philipines, not Argentina.

Firestorm used to sell 1911s that were crap, I believe, but those were made by Llama, in Spain. They recently began selling these Filipino ones, which reportedly quite nice.

 

[Hammerhead6814]

Well, from what I can tell if I pick it up and it says "made in Manilla", I'm fine. If it says anything to the extent of "made in Spain" I'm screwing myself.

 

[czhen]

Bersa don't manufacture any 1911 model. Firestorm is added by the importer to hook up with Bersa good reviews

 

[Mxracer239y]

I own one of the NEW Firestorm 1911s made in the Philippines by Metro arms. It is an excellent 1911. I have about 1500 rounds through mine. There are a lot of horror stories about Spanish-made Firestorm pistols, and I have no doubt that those are true. However, one must realize that most (though not all) negativity towards Firestorm is from those who remember the old Spanish-made guns.


http://www.gunblast.com/Firestorm-1911Deluxe.htm

 

[Frog48]

The Firestorms made by Llama left alot to be desired. They may have looked like 1911's, but they were non-standard, so alot of 1911 parts would not fit them. Also, I've heard that reliability can be quite suspect. And to make matters worse, since Llama no longer makes these guns, repairs and spare parts can be an issue.

 

[cjw3cma]

Don't mean to rain on anyone's "personal opinion" posted here, but the majority are just off the cuff and wrong.

Cheap piece of garbage. Don't buy it. - 100% uninformed.
lower end brand name for bersa? - No.
Firestorm is added by the importer to hook up with Bersa good reviews - Wrong.
since Llama no longer makes these guns, repairs and spare parts can be an issue. - very old information.

A few seconds searching FIRESTORM 1911 will yield the needed information -

The guns are manufactured by Metro Arms of the Philippines. The reviews of it say it is a stellar reproduction of the basic 1911 with the added features most desire when they upgrade a basic Colt or clone (fitted beavertail, improved sights / Commander-style hammer / etc.).

These reproduction models are some of the best foreign made firearms available in today's market / out of the box accurate and esthetically pleasing finish. Same gun as the American Classic II.

The Firestorm 1911 DLX is a very fine full sized 1911 that would make a fine first gun or a nice addition to anyone's collection.

 

[jon_in_wv]

made to 1911 specs and is produced in Argentina

Have to throw myself under the bus on this one. I was WRONG. I was under the distinct impression the Firestorm 1911 was made in Argentina but a quick look confirmed the cjw3cma is indeed correct. They are made in the Phillipines. I still think it appears to be a very nicely made 1911. The finish on it was above par for most 1911s on the market and honestly I was much more impressed with it than the Taurus 1911. I would certainly buy one if me and 1911s got along, but we don't.

 

[Olympus]

From what I'm hearing about them, they're comparable to the RIAs.

And yes, there is an awful lot of misinformation being posted here. :banghead:

KC resident here too! I didn't make it to the show this past weekend though. I figured it was the same dealers that come to every other show and they didn't have anything I wanted the last time.

 

[Beagle-zebub]

I find the Firestorm logo hideous, but I think I'd be prefer their pistol to the American Classic one, since Bersa seems like a big enough company that I can rely on them to be around if I need any warranty work done.

 

[Kman]

Same pistol, different roll-mark, both imported by Metro Arms, owned by Firestorm/Bersa.
BTW-it's been in country about 2 years, and they are darn nice for the money.

 

[Beagle-zebub]

The impression that I got was that Metro Arms was the maker, not the importer, and that Bersa was one of the two importers.