Llama 9mmP (1911 clone) barrel broken

**Grandbo** · 04-09-2024, 11:36

I have an old Llama XI 9 mm Parabellum (1911 clone), which I bought in 1989. One of the barrel's locking lug legs has now broken.
Before anyone tells me to scrap this old clunker; as a pensioner, I can’t just go and buy another 9mm.
It's my 15-yo granddaughter’s preferred gun for club shoots and she's not impressed that she has to use my .22, like her younger brother.
I tried a gunshop that specialises in old and second hand guns to see if they had a Llama that I could buy and swap out the barrel with. None.

Any recommendations for repair or barrel replacement?

**oafpatroll** · 04-09-2024, 11:55

Bummer, that must irk. Can't think of an easy solution that's also legal as the barrel is a licensed part so even if you could find one it would be subject to an application. Out of my lane here but I imagine that welding up and remachining the lug would be seriously expensive and require heat treating even if it were possible.

**Grandbo** · 04-09-2024, 12:25

I have seen a few barrels advertised on eBay at a decent price. However, the import paperwork and hoops to jump through should make that impractical. As for welding and machining, none of the gunsmiths asked will contemplate that.

**Toxxyc** · 04-09-2024, 15:23

That's because the recoil lug takes the full force of the recoil. They can weld and machine it, but it will break again, and weaken the chamber.

Stupid Q, but if it's a 1911 clone, would a regular 1911-shape barrel not fit? I don't know much about these guns.

I did a quick search and found these, but at R10k excluding the cost of licencing and whatnot, you can buy a new pistol: https://556tactical.co.za/index.php?...product_id=589

**Grandbo** · 04-09-2024, 16:27

The Llama is a 1911 clone, but only loosely so. There are a few design differences. Some parts are interchangeable, but not all.

10k is too rich for my semi-retired budget under my present circumstances. It’s not essential for me to have a 9 as I carry a 45. The 9mm Llama was mainly used for others to be able to join me at a shoot. My 15-yo granddaughter is not yet comfortable with a 45. Also another gun would mean extras, like holsters and magazines, which can add up quickly.

There is no such thing as a stupid question. Your question made me think. I shall try the barrel from my Colt 1911 to see how well it fits. If it does, then it would broaden the scope of alternatives.

**Heath Robinson** · 04-09-2024, 16:38

Electron Beam Welding.
Just not sure who still does it and if they will be prepared to work on licenced items.

**Grandbo** · 04-09-2024, 17:04

Originally Posted by Heath Robinson

Electron Beam Welding.
Just not sure who still does it and if they will be prepared to work on licenced items.

Sounds expensive. I will mention it to the gunsmith who is going to look at the barrel.

**A-R** · 04-09-2024, 21:20

Originally Posted by Grandbo

The Llama is a 1911 clone, but only loosely so. There are a few design differences. Some parts are interchangeable, but not all.

10k is too rich for my semi-retired budget under my present circumstances. It’s not essential for me to have a 9 as I carry a 45. The 9mm Llama was mainly used for others to be able to join me at a shoot. My 15-yo granddaughter is not yet comfortable with a 45. Also another gun would mean extras, like holsters and magazines, which can add up quickly.

There is no such thing as a stupid question. Your question made me think. I shall try the barrel from my Colt 1911 to see how well it fits. If it does, then it would broaden the scope of alternatives.

Indeed, the Llama parts do not readily interchange with a 1911. Also, 1911's in 9mm are not really that prolific, being mainly reserved to IPSC Classic Minor competitors.

The 9mm and 45 barrel bushings will also differ, as will the breech face and barrel hood.

There must be an unwanted, (ab)unused or broken Llama sitting somewhere that could be used for a repair. You will just have to sharpen all your detective skills to track it down. Some of the WhatsApp or Telegram gun groups may just be helpful. Once you have found a suitable parts donor, your friendly 'smith should be able to facilitate the legal process.

Alternatively, a good 'smith should be able to machine a new sleeve with lugs etc, that can be silver soldered on to the existing barrel. Many don't know this, but most Browning HP (9mmP) pistols have a barrel that is made from 2 parts, that are silver soldered together. The cam at the bottom of the barrel sits on a sleeve that goes around the chamber. The silver soldered joint can bee seen from the rear, all around the chamber mouth, and at the front, just behind the locking lugs. This was done to save on steel and machining cost. Machining the barrel from a single billet, would need a much larger chunk of steel, of which 95% would have to be machined off again.

**mac 13** · 04-09-2024, 22:24

Thank you for sharing your knowledge AR .Your posts never fail to deliver. I have handled several variants of the BHP and didn't see that the chamber was sleeved.

**Grandbo** · 05-09-2024, 12:19

Thank you A-R.

I have already tired my usual source of “an unwanted, (ab)unused or broken Llama sitting somewhere that could be used for a repair”, but he is out of unwanted Llamas. Twice I kept my Llama going through having done this, but no more available for thrice.

As for “machining a new sleeve with lugs etc.”, I have a smith, who’s a friend of a friend, lined up but he is busy and I shall just have to wait my turn. I was hoping for a miracle that would allow my granddaughter to use the 9 again sooner.