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AMT backup 380

chiligunguy
Got a amt backup at gun show at a good Price, trouble is pull the trigger once and all 5 unload.

Anyone ever deal with amt? Is this common with this pistol(380 by the way).

I know some of you will say "why look a gift horse" but my kids shoot most of my guns and I want them to be safe, Plus I preach never shoot a gun that is damaged, and want to set a good example.
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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • Spartacus
    quote:trouble is pull the trigger once and all 5 unload.


    you mean its firing full auto?
    or does the magazine fall out when you shoot?
    tom
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  • Colt Super
    Destroy it or get it to a gunsmith RIGHT NOW.

    If it is going full-auto, you do not want it in your possession one second longer than absolutely necessary.

    The feds take no excuses, and take NFA violations to heart.

    FEDERAL FELONY to have an unregistered full-auto firearm in your possession.

    Their motto: "Ignorance of the law is no excuse>"

    I am not messing with you.

    Oh, and don't post again until it is handled.

    I'm trying to help, here.

    Doug
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  • chiligunguy
    quote:Originally posted by tplumeri
    quote:trouble is pull the trigger once and all 5 unload.


    you mean its firing full auto?
    or does the magazine fall out when you shoot?
    tom


    The mag falls out, and thanks Doug!
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  • rufe-snow
    AMT has been out of business since the 90's. Their guns were made of Stainless Steel investment castings, that were way to "soft". They wear much quicker then if the same parts were made of machined carbon steel. It sounds like your magazine release is worn to the point, of no longer holding when the pistol is fired. It might be a simple fix of just replacing the spring that tensions the magazine release. Or possibly at worst you might have to replace the complete magazine release.

    Since AMT is belly-up, your not going to be able to get any parts off them. Your going to have to buy either used parts or contact that outfit in Texas that is making some of AMT's old guns. They might have some replacement parts for the Backup?
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  • dfletcher
    Is this the old single action 380 or their newer DAO version? Each has their mag release on the heel of the butt, I'd check to ensure the spring is strong and that the mag release positively engages the bottom edge of the mag.

    Just curious, if you load only one round in the mag and shoot with the empty mag in place does the mag still drop out? I'm wondering if a weak spring combined with the heavier mag (because of the bullets) is causing the mag to push back against the mag release lever. In the milisecond of recoil I wonder if the mag leaver is being disengaged during recoil.
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  • rsnyder55
    In the interim, you could always duct tape the mag on.
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  • partisan
    I was one of the original AMT 380 owners. It was like being an original Edsel owner! I have owned hundreds of firearms through out my life, and I can HONESTLY say; the AMT 380 was the biggest piece of crap I have ever owned!!!!! I sent it back to the factory 3 times, and it still was a POC!!!

    I hate to sell this to anyone you care about, but you really need to get rid of this as soon as possible! That's why you got it for a good price. There are plenty of good .380's that are smaller, lighter, and defineately more reliable than the AMT>
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  • 22lrplinker
    Maybe it's because of the smaller caliber, but I have a 30+ year old AMT .22lr Backup and it shoots just fine for the tiny short barreled semi auto that it is.

    It did have an occasional chambering issue when it was new, but a slightly modified profile on the ejector so that it would more easily slip over the ridge on the casing resolved that issue for good, and I've had no problems with it ever since.[:)]

    Greg
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