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AMT BackUp - One Last Time ;-)
CraigTee
Member Posts: 14 ✭✭
There was a recent discussion on the OMC/AMT BackUp recently.
I just had to share this auction on one:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=132175136
It's worth reading through. [:)]
I hope I'm not violating forum rules by posting a URL for an auction. I have no monetary interest in that auction. It is not mine nor do I even know the gentleman offering it. It's meant to offer a small piece of history on these little guns.
Craig
I just had to share this auction on one:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=132175136
It's worth reading through. [:)]
I hope I'm not violating forum rules by posting a URL for an auction. I have no monetary interest in that auction. It is not mine nor do I even know the gentleman offering it. It's meant to offer a small piece of history on these little guns.
Craig
Comments
I should note that because of its historical association and provenance (its the personal model of the designer, with serial #1, and documentation) this particular gun is the very textbook definition of a C&R.
Most of the value of this gun comes from its historical association (and the auction price proves it).
You don't need an advisory letter from the BATFE for it to be true.
But of course he's too greedy to donate it to a museum...he'd rather have the cash![xx(]
There was a recent discussion on the OMC/AMT BackUp recently.
I just re-read my original post and had to laugh...
it's apparent that I was a bit reduntantly redundant apparently.... [:D]
I just have to wonder what a serial "number one" AMT BackUp will be worth 20 or 30 years down the road?
First of all, OMC was making the BackUp prior to AMT placing their name on the pistol, OMC designed it. Second, AMT is not well known for quality control nor customer service, it has a rather cult following who have either experienced the "good ones" or learned how to make a "bad one" good.
On the flip side... the OMC BackUp WAS the smallest 380 of it's time (still?), solid SS construction, US made, and (if you got a good one) was appreciated by the owner. (Except for: changing mags in a hurry and breakdown)
I still own one of these and have no plans on selling it. However, you also won't see my ID on the bidders list for that "BackUp Number One".
[8D]
Chris... I'm kinda hoping that the son is selling off dad's guns to support the widow.
Take care all!
Craig
The AMT .380 is NOT the smallest .380 available. Kel-Tec and now Ruger make .380's that are smaller, lighter, and they actually function properly, something the AMT isn't known for!!!
Thanks partisan. That's why I put a question mark after the "(still?)" in that post. I'm behind my times on the 380s. [:)]
Ya know... it really makes me kinda sad that your BackUp never worked well for you. When you DO have one that works, they're really sweet little pistols. Oh well... if we ever meet in person, I'll let you shoot mine. They do handle really nice. I LIKE the additional weight the stainless steel gives them, but that's personal preference. I'm also a fan of the old Smith SS semi's and the N Frame sixers. [8D]
Take care!
Craig
(OK now I'm just being mean!).
The Kel Tec and its Ruger clone are the LIGHTEST .380s on the market right now, but actually no longer the smallest (see below). I'm pretty sure the AMT was both the smallest and the lightest when it was introduced.
If you want a small metal freme .380 that actually works, Magnum research has just come out with a gun it calls the "micro eagle" trying to capitalize on the brand name of the famous Israeli Desert Eagle.
The "micro-eagle" is in fact a copy of the recent Czech "Kevin" pistol, and looks like a chopped-down metal frame Kel-Tec, though the internal operation is different. The Czech pistols may not be imported into the USA for legal reasons.
Be VERY careful where you put your support hand when shooting this gun!
Edit: Craig, if you like the Colt Mustang, you might like this new Sig version, build using Colt's old machining. (Sig on top, Colt on bottom):
Be VERY careful where you put your support hand when shooting this gun!
Supporting hand? I don't see a lot of room for the shooting hand! [:D]
Cute little pistol BTS! Hadn't seen one of those b4. Brings back memories of the 70's and "Saturday Night Specials".
Kel Tec seems to enjoy an AMT-like reputation. If you get a good one, you're in... otherwise you hate them. Rugers also seem to be a bit of a hit or miss... but not as bad as the Kel Tecs. I'm a little surprised by the acceptance of the CZ pistols in the USA. Those and the EAA imports seem to have garnered quite a following.
Now... am I the ONLY one who like the feel of steel in a pistol? I'm NOT a fan of the new polymers and never even much cared for the alloy frames. I like the heft of steel and the feeling of longevity of stainless (if cared for). The ONLY thing I don't care for is the polishing effects carrying has on frosted SS. [:(]
Now... here's my FAVORITE AMT BackUp!
(or.... what the BackUp SHOULD have been!) [:D]
(photo shamelessly stolen from an open Colt Mustang auction)
Best Wishes!
Craig
Edit: wow..... I hadn't heard about the Sig. The Mustang's classic lines ARE there... just buried a bit. Sig needs to put out an all SS model that I can slap a set of Mustang grips onto. Don't like those aluminum grips. Thanks again BTS. I'm going to be watching that Sig til the prices come down a bit.
Here's mine:
Bought it new in the 70s, carried it for a LOT of years, and still carry it on occasion. It's never given me any problems and just swallowed anything I've fed it over the years. Can't ask for more than that. Maybe it was the weather in El Monte that made the OMCs a better product... the AMTs were made in Covina and Irwindale. [:D]
Best wishes all!
Craig
PS Thanks again BTS... that info you shared on the Sig is probably going to end up costing me.... [:)]