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AMT 380 Backup

RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
edited February 2002 in Ask the Experts
I'm thinking of buying one of these Used for a pocket pistol. Anybody have any feed back on Reliability, what Price one should go for 95%.
Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
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Comments

  • Der GebirgsjagerDer Gebirgsjager Member Posts: 1,673 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Is this a single or double semi-auto? Unfortunately AMT used the "Backup" name on what could be viewed a three distinct models. The early ones, circa 1970s, were SA with wood grips. A little later they went to plastic grips. These were O.K. if they were O.K. What does that mean? We used to sell them like hotcakes. For the most part customers were satisfied, but then we got a couple back that the new owners complained, "Not only can't I get it to fire, I can't even get a shell into it." It turned out that the factory was turning out so many so quickly they had worn out their chambering reamer and the chambers were undersized. These were returned to the factory and the replacements were O.K. Just O.K.--not sterling performers. They were prone to the occassional jam, and took some polishing to achieve reliability. The very early production were better, and the later plastic grip version was better. Inbetween there was a slip in quality control. Still later the name was used on a Double Action Only creation that I have seen contributors to this forum praise highly. Personally I dislike them intensely as they have a terrible trigger pull. These seem reliable enough if you don't tinker with them. The originals were cute; the later guns don't even have that going for them. I would far and away prefer to be armed with a .38 Sp. snubbie. In any event, a fair price for either version in 95% is $175-200.
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  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This is the only description I have of it.AMT Back Up 380acp Cal. SN# b143xx. Stainless Steel with one Mag. clean gun, but with handling marks 85%. not broken or damaged.
    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
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  • RSLINTIIRSLINTII Member Posts: 227 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Der is accurate. The double action only is the best. I have had both. They are inexpensive to their intended use. Check feeding and bullet type. Use the "search" for more info. Best, Robert
    "Endurance"
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  • gunrunner68gunrunner68 Member Posts: 582 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have one of each. Both shoot every time you pull the trigger. The single action looks like better fit and finish. I dont think the company is around anymore. the web site I have for them does not work. For the money they are alright. Just my .02
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  • LowriderLowrider Member Posts: 6,587
    edited November -1
    AMT sold out to Galena Industries and moved from Arcata, Ca. to Sturgis, SD. They are now out of business.I have an AMT .45 cal. Backup that has had feeding problems since the day I bought it new. I procrastinated on sending it back to the factory and now it's too late. Two different gunsmiths have not been able to fix it.I would think twice about buying a pistol from a company that is no longer in business. Sooner or later parts will become non-existent and when your gun breaks it'll just be a throw-away.
    Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.
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  • fergusonmorse392fergusonmorse392 Member Posts: 432 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    if your realy going to carry it or use it as a back up, please please spend the extra money on some thing that you will bet your life on! it must feed & fire every time !!!!!there are many outstanding one out there, SIG, WALTHER, REVOLVERS, & SO FORTH.
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  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I live in Florida. It's hard to conceal my Ruger P-85 or my SP101 3". So I'm looking for something cheap to put in my front pants pocket. I think i decided on a 5 shot 22mag derringer. $245.00 new. You can put the hammer on a notch between the rounds so it doesn't sit on a round. It has a strong spring and fairly large hammer.
    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
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  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I know two officers who had an AMT backup different model and caliber, and both of them went to those little Kel-Tec P32 as a kind of Third backup to their main sidearm. For the money and use of the pistol (point blank range) the Kel-Tec with belt clip was a little more reasonable on price, weight, and size.
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