AMT SA .380 back-up

[Springfield Bob]

Are AMT pistols still being made? I have an older one that I would like to have checked out before I carry it. Any suggestions on where I could send it?

Thank you,

Bob

 

[Nicksterdemus]

Clean it up and shoot ball ammunition. Probably wasn't shot that much.

 

[WC145]

No, they're not being made anymore.

I would think that any competent gunsmith could give the gun a good check over and function test.

 

[m657]

I had one decades ago I liked and shot fairly regularly. In a weak moment a buddy talked me out it. Haven't seen one for years and years.

 

[kobsw]

Does it look anything like this? I haven't shot it much but it is really unreliable!

I've had FTF, FTE and even unspent rounds ramping right out the ejection port(Ball FMJ) completely skipping over the chamber.

Shoot this gun a lot to make sure it works correctly

 

[Rule 303]

I had a .380acp that was a Jamamatic. Wouldn't shoot two rounds in a row. Got rid of it.
Bought a AMT DAO .380acp. One of the best .380s I've ever owned. Ran, first time, every time.
My Son in Law is a Police Detective in Midland, Tx and he has it now. The AMT DAO was a good gun, the SA were POS.

Rule 303

 

[pawncop]

I had two at different times in the past. As has been posted by others, not very reliable. Issues with the magazines, failure to feed properly, etc, etc, etc.

 

[Springfield Bob]

AMT .380

Thank you all for your opinions. Yes Kobsw it does look like yours. I also have the same gun in .22 cal.

 

[Brian41]

I had the DAO 45acp version. It was small but heavy and pretty hefty recoil with small grip. It worked well though but made a partial trade on a nic Model 27, one of my best deals ever.

 

[mm6mm6]

I picked one up in a deal and flipped it pretty quickly to a co-worker. We took it to the range after he bought it. The thing NEVER jammed and shot great! He was laughing at me pretty good because I sold it to him really cheap. He still kids me about it. Here's a pic before I sold it. It was one of the early ones:

 

[imashooter2]

I have one. It's been utterly reliable. They are heavy for their size and because they are blow back operation, they are not pleasant to shoot. I haven't carried it in many years, moved to a P-11 first and then to a J frame.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I suggest you send it to the city dump. I had one once. The striker spring was so weak it would not consistently discharge, and it was unreliable. The disassembly procedure was extremely awkward. I promptly sold it a gun show with the specific warning that the gun would need some work before being used for self-defense. One of the few guns I've had in my lifetime that have been pure lemons, through and through. I would not have one around under any circumstances. The AMT .380 Backup was a nice concept, but really flawed in execution.

 

[Snowbandit]

I got rid of mine many years ago and have since gone to "j" frame revolvers for CCW. Never had any trouble with it but the single action didn't excite me after finding the safety disengaged once.

I recently came across a set of grips for one if anyone can use them.

 

[gregintenn]

I've owned a couple, and I've never seen one jam.

 

[dld]

amt

Are AMT pistols still being made? I have an older one that I would like to have checked out before I carry it. Any suggestions on where I could send it?

Thank you,

Bob

amt by highstandard

 

[Frizzman]

Had One

My experience with them was what I found with all AMT guns. That was variable reliabilty. Some functioned fairly well with ball ammo. The one I had was pretty unreliable. I didn't like the single action/ striker design in a pocket gun and take down for cleaning/lubing was a pain that involved driving out a roll pin. The magazine was flimsy and I didn't like the heel release magazine catch. I bought a Colt Mustang Pocketlite and the AMT went soon in some trade I don't remember much about. I know, the Colt is also a SA but I found it was at least capable of cock and lock or condition two carry and was a much better weapon to put you life on...considering it is a puny .380. I have a Ruger LCP now and it is far superior for pocket carry than either of the other two pistols. I keep my Colt just because I like it

 

[kobsw]

Mine is not only unreliable but unsafe. If anyone has one unload the magazine, clear the chamber(Just don't pull back the slide actually look to be sure there isn't a round in there.)

Ok, cycle the action to put the gun into battery. Now put it on safe and move the safety lever down so that 3/4's or more of the red dot is visabel. Point the gun in a safe direction and dry fire it.

You may have to give the trigger a couple good pulls but eventually the safety lever starts to move all the way down to the fire position.

I'm not the only one this has happen to since I've checked the internet and found that it's happend to other as well.

I wouldn't carry this gun with a round in the chamber EVER!

Be SAFE.....

 

[mkk41]

I'm actually a big fan and follower of these little gems. I've owned and carried one almost everyday for close to 30yrs , since they first came out. Actually , I've got 3 .380s and one of the somewhat rarer .22LR's. They were a great design and well made. They CAN be made extremely reliable by someone who knows what their doing. The main problem was the stainless steel parts were sand blasted investment castings. Not necessarily a bad thing , but the factory never took the time to polish the feed ramp and slide/frame rails and OD of the barrel and a few other parts that don't slide together well with such a rough surface. Once these surfaces are lapped & mated or polished , it's a slick & reliable little pistol.

PS, It seems the later the guns were made , the rougher they got. The company(s) OMC-TDE-AMT and then IAI seemed to move around a bit and YES , quality control was all the place over too. Covina , North Hollywood , El Monte , Irwindale. The lower the prefix (Axxxx , Bxxxx , Cxxxx)and serial number , the better.

If you decide ya don't want to be bothered and get rid of it , and it's got an A thru D prefix. Let me know.

 

[kobsw]

Yup, it's an A S/N gun. Here's a picture of the left side. The right side pucture is in on the first page.

I'm going to hange onto it for now since I don't believe the gun has been properly broken-in yet.

Also, thanks for the info regarding polishing.