LLAMA .38 super or Beretta 84fs .380 ACP?

[shadowring]

Since my last post I have yet to fill up my npb handgun license, so ended up searching for a little more potent caliber than a .32 acp.
I came across two candidates :

1. LLAMA .38 Super semi automatic pistol, with two magazines. Colour is black and 1911 clone.
I think its in great condition. (will follow up with a pic shortly) **UPDATE** Not so great. Something about not paying attention inside the gun shop.
When I brought it home, found out a couple of problems.
compared with llama from my previous posthttp://indiansforguns.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=16971

here it is side by side with the .32 acp llama.



Noticed the grip has been replaced with a colt's.



.32 definitely feels dimunitive in the hand.







Conclusion: I don't think I will take it. scarce ammo, crappy condition, lots of maintenance needed.

2. Beretta 84fs Cheetah .380 ACP, only one magazine, in nickel finish.
Again excellent condition.

Which one would be a better buy in terms of quality and build and not on the price?
Ammo availability?
Frame quality?
Reliability?
Stopping power?

Please help me out here guys.

[dr.jayakumar]

none of the bigger calibers(ammo) are available easily.
so go far some 32.
regards

[shadowring]

Thats a pity! They feel so comfortable in hand. I guess transcending .32 is not feasible. oh well, thanks for your
advice dr.J. Great piece of history you have there with your beretta. Hope you will find a great replacement for it.

[mundaire]

.38 Super ammo is extremely hard to find, IIRC one member used to own a 1911 in that calibre and the best he ever managed was some .38 ACP ammo (the .38 Super is basically a +P loaded .38 ACP) as a substitute and on top of that some of that ammo was a bit suspect (possibly poorly reloaded).

Till recently .380 ACP ammo was available, but it seems to have suddenly disappeared and till such time as some dealer imports a large fresh batch you will face problems finding ammo.

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[shadowring]

Thats what I am afraid of. It felt really good in the hand though. I guess beggars can't be choosers.
Thanks mundaire and doc J your inputs are greatly appreciated.

[xl_target]

As a gun, the Beretta is far superior to the Llama.
However, if you can't find ammo, then it's just a paper weight.

[shadowring]

I guess in India, it hardly matters what metal the frame is made of, steel or alloy because it would be unlikely that one would even get to fire more than 1000 rounds in one's lifetime especially with a quota of 50 bullets per annum. I asked around a bit for the .380acp ammo and was offered JHP for 450/- a pop. ( No more plinking with this baby! One shot one kill situation)'
By the way great job on the magazine cover xl_target , some one's gotta represent.

[kingkong5465]

Even I am looking forward to buy a pistol. Licence ready. If you are not buying I am interested. Can you give me the contact of the gunshop for enquiery?