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Strange AMT
11/10/2010 8:42:37 PM
So I needed a "Jeep Gun", you know, something that goes in the console of your Jeep that goes bang that you aren't too bent out of shape about if and when someone steals it. So I got to talking to my uncle and doing some horse trading on a couple guns and in the deal I wound up with an AMT Backup in .380 on the cheap.
Thing is, when I got it home and examined it REAL close.. I got puzzled.
It's got a bead blasted type finish, not the shiny stainless I remember from the .38 super backup I had a few years back, and ALL it says is "AMT HOUSTON, TX USA". Not made in California like all the other AMT's I've seen. No caliber, no logo, nada. Also it is serial number 00002X. Like, less than thirty.
So what's the deal with this thing? From what I gather, High Standard owns them now, but the photos of the ones on their website look fully polished and the .380 version says "inactive".
So do I have a strange collector's piece (for the two or three people that might collect an AMT :) ), a rarity, or just a paperweight?
Can post pics later, gun is in the Jeep and it's outside, and it's cold :)
Thing is, when I got it home and examined it REAL close.. I got puzzled.
It's got a bead blasted type finish, not the shiny stainless I remember from the .38 super backup I had a few years back, and ALL it says is "AMT HOUSTON, TX USA". Not made in California like all the other AMT's I've seen. No caliber, no logo, nada. Also it is serial number 00002X. Like, less than thirty.
So what's the deal with this thing? From what I gather, High Standard owns them now, but the photos of the ones on their website look fully polished and the .380 version says "inactive".
So do I have a strange collector's piece (for the two or three people that might collect an AMT :) ), a rarity, or just a paperweight?
Can post pics later, gun is in the Jeep and it's outside, and it's cold :)
11/11/2010 9:32:11 AM
Call High Standard, give them the serial number and see if they made the gun.
Hell, they may want to buy it back from you,,,,,
Hell, they may want to buy it back from you,,,,,
11/28/2010 6:45:37 PM
I sent them an email.. no response. Did they fold up already?
11/28/2010 7:03:39 PM
Originally Posted By heyitsshane:
I sent them an email.. no response. Did they fold up already?
I sent them an email.. no response. Did they fold up already?
I don't think so. I got a product catalog from them just a couple of months ago... maybe they don't check their e-mail on Sunday.
11/28/2010 7:15:58 PM
Sounds different. All the ones I've seen have always been CA made.
Can you post pics?
Can you post pics?
11/29/2010 10:41:16 AM
I wouldn't consider it a paperweight yet, at least until you shot it to see if it works or not.
CD
CD
11/29/2010 11:43:40 AM
Originally Posted By heyitsshane:
So do I have a strange collector's piece (for the two or three people that might collect an AMT :) )
So do I have a strange collector's piece (for the two or three people that might collect an AMT :) )
I almost lost coffee on that one.
11/30/2010 6:30:06 PM
I shot it, and it works.. doesn't like to load the last round but it's a weak mag spring, I popped one in there from a makarov and it seems to have enough push now.
I'll post pics soon.. it's a rainy night in GA and I don't want to trudge out in the mud to go retrieve it.
After comparing it to my NAA Guardian, I've determined it must be made of lead or bricks or something.. it is one heavy SOB.
I'll post pics soon.. it's a rainy night in GA and I don't want to trudge out in the mud to go retrieve it.
After comparing it to my NAA Guardian, I've determined it must be made of lead or bricks or something.. it is one heavy SOB.
12/2/2010 6:24:55 PM
That is A strange Gun. In for pics.
12/2/2010 6:37:28 PM
Originally Posted By heyitsshane:
So I needed a "Jeep Gun", you know, something that goes in the console of your Jeep that goes bang that you aren't too bent out of shape about if and when someone steals it. So I got to talking to my uncle and doing some horse trading on a couple guns and in the deal I wound up with an AMT Backup in .380 on the cheap.
Thing is, when I got it home and examined it REAL close.. I got puzzled.
It's got a bead blasted type finish, not the shiny stainless I remember from the .38 super backup I had a few years back, and ALL it says is "AMT HOUSTON, TX USA". Not made in California like all the other AMT's I've seen. No caliber, no logo, nada. Also it is serial number 00002X. Like, less than thirty.
So what's the deal with this thing? From what I gather, High Standard owns them now, but the photos of the ones on their website look fully polished and the .380 version says "inactive".
So do I have a strange collector's piece (for the two or three people that might collect an AMT :) ), a rarity, or just a paperweight?
Can post pics later, gun is in the Jeep and it's outside, and it's cold :)
So I needed a "Jeep Gun", you know, something that goes in the console of your Jeep that goes bang that you aren't too bent out of shape about if and when someone steals it. So I got to talking to my uncle and doing some horse trading on a couple guns and in the deal I wound up with an AMT Backup in .380 on the cheap.
Thing is, when I got it home and examined it REAL close.. I got puzzled.
It's got a bead blasted type finish, not the shiny stainless I remember from the .38 super backup I had a few years back, and ALL it says is "AMT HOUSTON, TX USA". Not made in California like all the other AMT's I've seen. No caliber, no logo, nada. Also it is serial number 00002X. Like, less than thirty.
So what's the deal with this thing? From what I gather, High Standard owns them now, but the photos of the ones on their website look fully polished and the .380 version says "inactive".
So do I have a strange collector's piece (for the two or three people that might collect an AMT :) ), a rarity, or just a paperweight?
Can post pics later, gun is in the Jeep and it's outside, and it's cold :)
Single action with a grip safety, or DAO ?
12/2/2010 8:39:17 PM
DAO. And my damn phone won't upload pics. Will try tomorrow when I have more patience. :)
12/3/2010 6:35:02 AM
Any Ideas?
12/4/2010 2:09:29 PM
I like it!
12/4/2010 2:53:31 PM
I do like your jeep consule pistol's serial number. Don't remember them being in Houston however.
CD
CD
12/4/2010 9:49:11 PM
Yeah I can't find any mention of it online. It shoots OK, just has that 100lb+ trigger pull all fine AMT's are known for :)
12/26/2010 5:47:18 PM
Originally Posted By heyitsshane:
Yeah I can't find any mention of it online. It shoots OK, just has that 100lb+ trigger pull all fine AMT's are known for :)
Yeah I can't find any mention of it online. It shoots OK, just has that 100lb+ trigger pull all fine AMT's are known for :)
Think he's trying to say that you need to blurr the SN out..
12/28/2010 9:20:05 PM
The AMT BACKUP was first known as the OMC Backup. This early variant was produced in .380 ACP caliber in El Monte California. OMC produced a short run of these pistols before the molds were purchased by Arcadia Machine & Tool, who took over production.
The original AMT Backup was produced with a Single Action trigger mechanism, while the later Backup II used a Double Action Only mechanism. These pistols were manufactured by AMT and later Galena Industries (until Nov. 2001).
The AMT Backup is a small semiautomatic pistol available in a wide range of calibers: .22LR, .380 ACP, .38 Super, 9x19mm, .357 Sig, .40 S&W, .400 Corbon and .45 ACP have all been offered. This pistol was designed to be carried as a backup gun by law enforcement and security professionals or anyone desiring a small concealable weapon. Its marketing slogan was "the smallest, most powerful" backup weapon available.
The AMT Backup line of handguns is now being marketed by High Standard Manufacturing
The original AMT Backup was produced with a Single Action trigger mechanism, while the later Backup II used a Double Action Only mechanism. These pistols were manufactured by AMT and later Galena Industries (until Nov. 2001).
The AMT Backup is a small semiautomatic pistol available in a wide range of calibers: .22LR, .380 ACP, .38 Super, 9x19mm, .357 Sig, .40 S&W, .400 Corbon and .45 ACP have all been offered. This pistol was designed to be carried as a backup gun by law enforcement and security professionals or anyone desiring a small concealable weapon. Its marketing slogan was "the smallest, most powerful" backup weapon available.
The AMT Backup line of handguns is now being marketed by High Standard Manufacturing
1/4/2011 5:27:33 PM
That's pretty cool looking, very minimalist.
1/24/2011 12:12:24 PM
Originally Posted By ms329:
The AMT BACKUP was first known as the OMC Backup. This early variant was produced in .380 ACP caliber in El Monte California. OMC produced a short run of these pistols before the molds were purchased by Arcadia Machine & Tool, who took over production.
The original AMT Backup was produced with a Single Action trigger mechanism, while the later Backup II used a Double Action Only mechanism. These pistols were manufactured by AMT and later Galena Industries (until Nov. 2001).
The AMT Backup is a small semiautomatic pistol available in a wide range of calibers: .22LR, .380 ACP, .38 Super, 9x19mm, .357 Sig, .40 S&W, .400 Corbon and .45 ACP have all been offered. This pistol was designed to be carried as a backup gun by law enforcement and security professionals or anyone desiring a small concealable weapon. Its marketing slogan was "the smallest, most powerful" backup weapon available.
The AMT Backup line of handguns is now being marketed by High Standard Manufacturing
The AMT BACKUP was first known as the OMC Backup. This early variant was produced in .380 ACP caliber in El Monte California. OMC produced a short run of these pistols before the molds were purchased by Arcadia Machine & Tool, who took over production.
The original AMT Backup was produced with a Single Action trigger mechanism, while the later Backup II used a Double Action Only mechanism. These pistols were manufactured by AMT and later Galena Industries (until Nov. 2001).
The AMT Backup is a small semiautomatic pistol available in a wide range of calibers: .22LR, .380 ACP, .38 Super, 9x19mm, .357 Sig, .40 S&W, .400 Corbon and .45 ACP have all been offered. This pistol was designed to be carried as a backup gun by law enforcement and security professionals or anyone desiring a small concealable weapon. Its marketing slogan was "the smallest, most powerful" backup weapon available.
The AMT Backup line of handguns is now being marketed by High Standard Manufacturing
Nailed it
1/26/2011 5:18:01 PM
I'm a bit concerned about the lack of concern should it be stolen. If you own it, "you" are responsible for keeping it out of unauthorized hands. "IF" and that a mighty big "IF", you leave a firearm unattended in a vehicle, you should take every possible action to prevent it unauthorized use.
2/13/2011 11:38:36 PM
That started out as an AMT DAO Backup made back in the early 90's.
Evidently High Standard has resurrected them .
I had one back in that time frame, although the slide markings were different. It uses the same recoil spring as the standard single action model AMT Backup.
Mine shot well, but turned out it was little bit too heavy for pants pocket carry, and clunky for that too. Okay for IWB carry, and disassembly is a royal pain in the buttocks.
All the new lightweight polymer 380s have outclassed those pistols, but if yours works well, that's all you can ask.
Evidently High Standard has resurrected them .
I had one back in that time frame, although the slide markings were different. It uses the same recoil spring as the standard single action model AMT Backup.
Mine shot well, but turned out it was little bit too heavy for pants pocket carry, and clunky for that too. Okay for IWB carry, and disassembly is a royal pain in the buttocks.
All the new lightweight polymer 380s have outclassed those pistols, but if yours works well, that's all you can ask.
2/14/2011 8:18:05 PM
My local gun dealer collects AMT's, he feels they are good guns for the money and he can usually pick up a couple at each gun show.
