Llama Omni
Llama Gabilondo y Cia · Pistol · Discontinued · 1982
Also known as: Llama Omni I, Llama Omni II, Stoeger Llama Omni
Overview
The Llama Omni is a double-action, short-recoil semi-automatic pistol developed by the Spanish maker Gabilondo y Cia (Llama) as an upscale departure from the company's long line of 1911-pattern handguns. Designed by American engineer Gary Wilhelm in cooperation with Stoeger, Llama's US importer, the all-steel Omni used an unusual dual sear-bar trigger mechanism to deliver both single- and double-action fire, paired with a decocking safety lever and a finger-contoured trigger guard. Chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum and .45 ACP, it was high-polish blued and ambitiously priced, but its complexity, cost, and awkward lines made it a commercial failure during its brief 1982-1986 import run.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1083 g (38.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 187 mm (7.36") |
| Barrel Length | 111 mm (4.37") |
| Height | 135 mm (5.31") |
| Width | 30 mm (1.18") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 12 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 360 m/s (1181 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 481 J (355 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Decocking Lever, Manual Safety, Trigger Safety
- Features: Dual Sear Bar Trigger, All Steel Construction, High Polish Blue, Finger Contoured Trigger Guard, Adjustable Rear Sight
Variants
- Llama Omni I - Caliber Variant
- Llama Omni II - Caliber Variant
Production
Production years: 1982-1986
Short production run; widely regarded as a commercial flop due to cost and complexity
Origin
Country of origin: Spain
Designer: Gary Wilhelm
Discontinued: 1986
Notes
The 9mm Omni used a staggered magazine in which the top rounds sat in a single column before expanding to a double column past the trigger bars. The .45 ACP Omni (Omni I) used a single-stack 7-round magazine. The pistol was very expensive for its day, retailing around $600 when new.
Background
Conceived as Llama's bid for the premium double-action market then dominated by the Smith & Wesson Model 39, the Omni was the brand's first in-house double-action automatic. Its novel twin sear-bar trigger was clever on paper, but the gun's price, complexity, and Llama's budget reputation doomed it within a few years.