Llama M87: Everything You Would Want for IPSC (at the time)

Published on August 18, 2023
Duration: 11:06

The Llama M87 was an early 'out of the box' competition pistol based on the Beretta 92, featuring upgrades like adjustable sights, a refined trigger, and ambidextrous safety for IPSC. Despite its advanced features for the early 1990s, including a high MSRP, it faced commercial failure due to import bans, evolving competition needs, and a lack of 'Major' caliber options.

Quick Summary

The Llama M87 was an early 'out of the box' IPSC competition pistol based on the Beretta 92. It featured adjustable sights, a refined two-stage trigger, and ambidextrous safety. Despite its upgrades, it faced commercial failure due to import bans and lack of 'Major' caliber options.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Llama M87
  2. 01:08Market Context and Pricing
  3. 02:08M87 vs. M82 Comparison
  4. 03:09Caliber and Muzzle Features
  5. 04:15Sights and Trigger Mechanism
  6. 05:34Ergonomics and Safety Systems
  7. 07:04Magazine and Frame Details
  8. 08:36Production History and Import Bans
  9. 09:25Reasons for Commercial Failure

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Llama M87 based on?

The Llama M87 was mechanically based on the Beretta Model 92 pistol. It was developed by Gabilondo y Cia in Spain as an enhanced version of their Llama M82, which had won Spanish military pistol trials.

What features made the Llama M87 suitable for IPSC competition?

The M87 included competition-oriented features like adjustable sights, a refined two-stage trigger with short reset, an extended beavertail, flared magazine well, and an ambidextrous safety allowing 'cocked and locked' carry.

Why did the Llama M87 ultimately fail commercially?

Commercial failure stemmed from its high MSRP, the 1994 US Assault Weapons Ban prohibiting its 15-round magazines, and its lack of 'Major' caliber options like .40 S&W or .45 ACP, which were advantageous in IPSC scoring.

What caliber was the Llama M87 typically chambered in?

While based on the 9mm Parabellum platform, the specific Llama M87 reviewed was chambered in 7.65mm Parabellum. This caliber uses a necked-down 9mm case, offering less power than standard 9mm.

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