Llama MiniMax SubCompact

[rinavy]

I bought a Llama MiniMax SubCompact from an on-line auction, seller photos showed missing grip screw, when I picked up the pistol three day return period had elapsed due to combination of shipper delays & manditory waiting period, anyway, when I got it home I discovered in addition to missing grip screw, another grip screw was non-original replacement (no biggie), pistol had been dropped or fell and damaged front(white insert missing) & rear(right corner bent) sights, ding in slide near muzzle, someone had broken off the tabs on the grips which extend to the rear, it was also filthy(clean all "new" firearms anyway), thumb safety ground, filed or broken so that slide can be pulled back with safety in "up" position plus I can pull it right off no matter what position it is in(don't think that should be possible), if I'm not careful when thumb safety pushed down the spring which presses against it and slide stop will fall out. Seller got nasty(You bought "used" pistol at good price! $180.00 did seem like good deal at the time) when I complained of problems mentioned above, he didn't respond until I questioned history of pistol(was it used in crime? was damage incurred when "Hands up, drop your weapon" command from LEO?), now can't get response from Bersa Firearms USA(told they were handling Llama parts/warranty etc. now) requesting price and availability of replacement parts needed to make pistol right. I haven't and won't fire this pistol until safety at least is replaced and made functional but can't do anything without parts. Can anyone here help or offer suggestions for fixing/obtaining parts? :banghead:

 

[Jim K]

I don't want to "rub it in", but others reading this should take it as an object lesson in the "bargains" of on-line shopping. I have never bought any gun sight unseen (except from DCM/CMP) and don't plan to. I know that not all areas are as flush with gun shows as this one, but good dealers are all around. Some folks become irrational at even the thought of actually buying from a dealer, raving about the bargains to be had on the internet, especially if one has a C&R license.

But the type of situation experienced by RINavy is far too common and far too vexing to put up with for the sake of saving a few dollars. And all too often, as RINavy found, the "savings" evaporate, not only in shipping costs and dealer fees but in fixing a gun that was advertised as good or even NIB.

Jim

 

[Dale Taylor]

Listen to Mr. Keenan. I've been burned twice on Gunsamerica. I only learn slowly. Only deal face to face. Twice I returned the gun and the seller also kept money.

 

[helpwanted]

When will I ever learn? I've been three times in the last year. Twice on auctionarms and once on gunbroker. I paid a fair penny for ratty pieces. Then again, I've been burned a number of times by local dealers also - too many to count in fact. I now pay more and go to large retail stores where the guy behind the counter doesn't know enough to rip you off.

 

[helpwanted]

I should add: the gun dealers around here in SE Michigan (you know who you are... shame on you) are worse than used car salesmen.

 

[rinavy]

Llama Mini Max Sub Compact

Update: Spent $50.00 for parts, $20.00 for gunsmith to install rear sight & thumb safety (he also told me how to fix front sight) took the pistol to the range finally last month and since then have put 300 rounds of 230gr RNL through it without any failures of any kind. Surprised how comfortable it is to shoot, had expected recoil to be much worse than it turned out to be, it is very loud but that could actually be a plus in certain situations, only complaint is that I can only get 9 rounds into the supposedly 10 round magazine and that's not really much to complain about. So after all the problems I now have a very compact, powerful, reliable defense handgun that cost less than $300.00.

 

[Jim K]

You lucked out. Llamas don't have a great reputation, but if yours works well, you are still ahead money-wise.

Good luck.

Jim