380 backup (cont.)
I watched the evaluation of the 'backup' guns with interest & would like to throw in my .02c.
I have an AMT & as purchased was very picky as to ammo it would feed.
After several trial & error sessions of reforming the mag. lips, it works with everything I've tried to feed it.
In the previous post, partisan said "piece of junk" but was not specific as to his problems. "Junk", "crap", etc. relates a frustration rather than a mechanical evaluation.
On the flip side, if someone rates a gun as "cool", "neat", or "hot" they are relaying an emotional reaction rather than an an evaluation.
I would like to hear of the problems encountered by Partisan & the measures tried to correct them (whether succesful or not).
Jim
I have an AMT & as purchased was very picky as to ammo it would feed.
After several trial & error sessions of reforming the mag. lips, it works with everything I've tried to feed it.
In the previous post, partisan said "piece of junk" but was not specific as to his problems. "Junk", "crap", etc. relates a frustration rather than a mechanical evaluation.
On the flip side, if someone rates a gun as "cool", "neat", or "hot" they are relaying an emotional reaction rather than an an evaluation.
I would like to hear of the problems encountered by Partisan & the measures tried to correct them (whether succesful or not).
Jim
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I gotta go with Jim, I've had three of the AMT's, two .380 backups and one 9mm backup and have never had a problem with any of them. Haven't run "thousands of rounds" through them, though, but probably put a thousand through each one.
They are what they are.
On the other hand, I have owned one Ruger 10/22 rifle that I was unable to put "thousands of rounds" through because it jammed every third or fourth round. I spent over $200 in parts, tried 5 different brand new mags, and shot over 15 different brands of ammo in it. Never would properly feed.
But, I'm not sure that all Ruger 10/22's are junk. Nor all Rugers.
Dan R0 -
Icdrdanr,
You musta had a fluk Ruger. My Ruger 10/22 I bought in March has seen thousands of rounds so far, with only the occasional misfeed. Something like 1 in every several hundred.
Lanark Sixgunner0 -
Good collection on AMT guns here:
http://glossover.co.uk/amt/downloads.asp
With a Ruger, sure, you might find a dud, but you can expect that 98% of them will function fine right out of the box, and if not, Ruger will fix it for you. There are zillions of Rugers out there (particularly the 10/22) and Ruger has established its guns as being largely reliable.
This isn't true about AMT, which for a number of reasons, has largely established itself as a brand to avoid. As one indicator, AMT guns are now being sold by literally the fourth separate manufacturer in roughly 20 years.
The biggest problem is that quality control on the original AMT guns was just terrible. You'd get some guns that would run 100%, but many that would jam on every single shot.
It wasn't just that the proportion of guns that did NOT work was pretty high, but that customer service from AMT was just as bad. It wasn't easy to get a gun that didn't work right to work right (and that's probably still true).
Part of this may be because of break in issues. Supposedly, the AMT guns require lengthy break-ins of 250 rounds or more. But who is going to sit there manually feeding 5+ boxes of pricey ammo through a gun that jams on every single shot?
Other issues concerned the guns themselves. The stainless steel on some of the earlier guns was prone to galling. The earliest (SA) AMT .380s weren't drop-safe, and many of the later DA ones have absolutely terrible heavy trigger pulls.
Lastly, disassembly of the "backup" guns for cleaning or maintenance isn't straightforward and requires driving out a roll pin. Not the end of the world, but more complicated than most automatics, and definitely a turnoff to the casual user.
Right now, AMT is owned by the same outfit that owns High Standard in Texas. They've put the AMT .22 magnum "Automag II" and other AMT pistols back in production, and its possible once again to buy new AMT guns.
I can't comment on the relative quality or reliability of the current versions of these guns, but at least now there is a company that (might) stand behind them and/or supply parts. That's a plus, though given the current proliferation of other small autos (by Kel-Tec and others), why take a chance?
My feeling on the older ones is that *IF* you find one that you've tested and it works 100%, then you're probably OK. But personally, I wouldn't take a chance on an untested one, given the large number of duds out there and difficulty in getting some of them to work.0 -
CUSSEDMGUNS; If you read my last post on this subject you will see what I wrote about the AMT .380. Better yet, just read what BEANTOWNSHOOTA said and pretent that's me. I am quite knowledgeable about handguns, and will still state, "THE AMT.380 IS THE WORST (NOT RELIABLE)GUN I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED!" 0 -
Gotta smile here!
I was recently researching another semi pistol recently, trying to find out how the owners liked them. Don't remember what it was... cudda been the Sigma (but I don't think it was... darned old age!) but it was from a major, well respected player.
Ennywaze,
half the people who owned them swore by them,
the other half swore at them!
I passed it up and started researching other makes/models.
BackUp FAQ:
(Relates only to the original version, designed by OMC)
Is it drop safe?
No. Like most (all?) other 1970 single action, enclosed hammer designs, it's not drop safe.
Do I want to use one in a long distance fire fight?
NO!!! Poor sights, caliber restriction, hard trigger pull, poor accuracy suggest this is not the weapon of choice for this purpose.
So what's it good for?!?
CONCEALABILITY!!!
and
If you have one that works, it'll put a hurt on anything in the same room or the next parking lot space.
If you have one that jams, you get your one shot off and then use it like a rock or club. They are quite heavy for a little gun.
What is the trigger pull rating?
New SAs, about 20 to 30 pounds and smooth as a cheese grater. Smooths to under 10 pounds after some years and lots or rounds.
(Owners of later DAO models cite trigger pulls of around 8 to 9 tons) [:D]
Is AMT well known for great quality control?
No. AMT appears to be a corporation that was in the business of purchasing molds from other sources and then producing as many cheap weapons as possible. They have been tied with many other names over the years. Some internet fables have been repeated often enough to become "fact". There are several variations of AMT's history to be found online these days.
Is the OMC/AMT/IAI/TDE/etc BackUp the best handgun I can buy for around $350?
Absolutely NOT! Lots of better choices out there... TODAY!... but not in the 70's if you wanted a pocket 380.
Here's my point:
Based upon what I read today about the AMT BackUp, would I rush out and pay the $$$ they're asking for them in online sales?
No.
Am I going to crush mine into scrap metal or try to unload it onto an unsuspecting buyer?
No.
Am I going to continue to place my trust in my own tried and proven OMC 380 BackUp?
Yes.
Online discussions on things like this are great. They are a tool for others to use for decision making. Both sides are important, pros and cons.
However, there are two statements that are unjustified in a discussion such as this:
"All AMTs are JUNK"
"All AMTs are GREAT"
Some will continue to swear by them.
Some will continue to swear at them.
beantownshootah made a good point when he suggests that you fire a lot of rounds through a gun prior to trusting your life to it. That advice is not just for AMTs.
"Happiness is a warm gun"
Beatles [8D]
Craig0 -
Emotionable confrontation?????? I don't have emotions tied to any firearm, good or bad! My position on the quality of the AMT .380acp is based on experiance, handgun knowledge, and the desire to keep new shooters from buying a pistol that is not reliable, and MAY fail when needed the most. Ruger, Kel-Tec,Kahr,Seecamp,Rohrback are all good small .380's that have a much better record than the AMT! 0 -
I bought and AMT single action .380 Backup when they first became available. "El Monte".
I shot it a lot and carried it for roughly 20 years.
I liked it.
I will get another.
Doug0 -
One mans trash is another mans treasure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 0
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