Posted: 9/1/2012 7:26:28 PM EDT
| So I just borrowed this little guy from my dad. It's a .380 that I plan to take my wife shooting with tomorrow. Looks like it's an older gun, wondering what people think of it. Never heard of it myself until today. |
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Back in the 70's in a cop shop we got one in to evaluate. I set up some phone books in the back and took a shot. The first, and only, shot split a rosewood grip panel top to bottom and the slide dug into the magazine follower like a plow into wet dirt. Metal was displaced on the mag follower, and rather that start filing on it we just wrapped the bitch up and sent it back. That was the first generation piece of shit. I don't know what followed later, since no one ordered any more of them. |
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I had the DAO .380 version in the early 90's. Trouble with light primer strikes, but they fixed it. Well, they sent me the parts, and I fixed it. It was a heavy, solid piece. For it's day, it was about as small as you could get in an affordable, off the shelf .380. Appeared to be sintered stainless steel construction. The Backup in .45ACP was a decent gun too. |
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Ah yes, Arcadia Machine Tool. I wouldn't recommend one as a carry gun. If the wife unit wants a .380, get her a SIG P-232. I have no clue what goes on inside her head  
One of her family members is having a family get together and wanted everyone to bring a handgun and do some shooting at their property. I don't own any yet, so I borrowed this. She's never shot a handgun. I've shot this lil guy and my dad's .44 super redhawk before. When I shot this thing before I didn't even look to see what it was. We'll see how she likes it. She said someone is bring a 9mm XD and a .357 S&W 686(?) also. Maybe she can try those out too. |
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I had the DAO .380 version in the early 90's. Trouble with light primer strikes, but they fixed it. Well, they sent me the parts, and I fixed it. It was a heavy, solid piece. For it's day, it was about as small as you could get in an affordable, off the shelf .380. Appeared to be sintered stainless steel construction. The Backup in .45ACP was a decent gun too. That's for sure! The only thing heavier is the trigger pull.... 
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| Yeah...mine is not reliable at all. I really want to like mine and take it to the range every time I go to shoot the other guns. have never been able to get more than 2 or 3 rounds off before it jams. This was even with the factory mags. tried some Pro-mags and it is better, but still jams at least one on every mag full. tried all types of ball ammo and no luck. Polished the heck out of the ramp and still no luck. really too bad, I still want to like it, but just cant. Lots of other options now, so it just sits in the safe. |
| I had one and it never malfunctioned and was as accurate as a trough sighted DAO pocket pistol could be expected to be. It took three hands to disassemble for cleaning and that was what drove me over the edge to get rid of it. That, and learning that the cool Galco wallet holster I carried it in made it an AOW. |
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I had the DAO .380 version in the early 90's. Trouble with light primer strikes, but they fixed it. Well, they sent me the parts, and I fixed it. It was a heavy, solid piece. For it's day, it was about as small as you could get in an affordable, off the shelf .380. Appeared to be cast stainless steel construction. The Backup in .45ACP was a decent gun too. FIFY |
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I have an old stainless Hardballer 1911, fairly high round count. It is very finicky, with lots of galling on the slide channels. The fix is very simple, but difficult to effect –– the galling just needs to be removed from the sliding surfaces. Easy to say, harder to do. I clean mine with a jeweler's loupe scribe and grooves, and use an expensive teflon grease from Brownell's. It seems to help, but ... it needs to be de-galled.
In an emergency I'd probably just throw it at the badguy. |
My dad has a SA one (AMT backup, no II) it is reliable with FMJ (and would probably be good with JHP with a fluff and buff). It is a little scary to carry "cocked and locked" due to how weak the detent on the safety, especially with the cheap ass uncle mikes universal nylon holster he carries it in when hiking (I am pretty sure he carried it condition 3 though  ).
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I have one in .45acp. I've shot a few others in various calibers.
IMO, heavy, reliable and combat accurate. 3rd worst trigger pull known to man (behind Nagant revolver and NAA Guardian autos). Mine retired when Keltec came out with the P3AT... A better backup gun.
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Ah yes, Arcadia Machine Tool. I wouldn't recommend one as a carry gun. If the wife unit wants a .380, get her a SIG P-232. I have no clue what goes on inside her head
One of her family members is having a family get together and wanted everyone to bring a handgun and do some shooting at their property. I don't own any yet, so I borrowed this. She's never shot a handgun. I've shot this lil guy and my dad's .44 super redhawk before. When I shot this thing before I didn't even look to see what it was. We'll see how she likes it. She said someone is bring a 9mm XD and a .357 S&W 686(?) also. Maybe she can try those out too. How do you not own a handgun? |
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I purchased a used .380 version, cheap, 20 years ago.
I found it to be a clunky, heavy, not especilly reliable pocket pistol. There was nothing enjoyable about it. It was something to fire at a threat if I had nothing else to fire at it. In other words, it pretty much performed exactly as one would expect. I don't own it anymore but I'm not suggestting that you shouldn't. |
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Quoted: Supposedly whoever owns high standard is also making new amt pistols No kiddin'... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMT_Backup They have them on their website: http://www.highstandard.com/weapons-a-products/weapons.html#pistols This is pretty cool. I always liked that Auto Mag for some reason, good to see it's back. I wonder if these new versions are good? Perhaps better? I've also always liked High Standard's offerings, but haven't heard much about the new stuff either. The High Standard Target and AMT Auto Mag I've always considered "classics". Maybe it was seeing them in movies and on TV as a kid, I dunno, but some unique styling that I've always liked. Now if they'd come out with a reissue of the High Standard model 10A/10B, that would be tits!! |
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Here's a kid on Youtube doing a brief review of the AMT .380 Backup.
I guess it might not be a bad little gun for emergency protection if it is all our budget will allow. As with nearly all "mouseguns," it is way better than nothing. I'm still a little leery of it from a production quality standpoint. Then again, I have heard people say that cheap Hi Points are reliable as all hell, so who knows. This Kid Has A Nice Range |
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LOL....I picked up a DAO one w/extra mag/holster this morning at the flea market for cheap. I shot it (went bang through a whole mag with ball), cleaned it (PITA), and put it on consignment at my LGS. I'd rather have something else to enhance my collection.
I did not have any trouble hitting at 7 yards with it. I had another one (SA) years ago. A "death grip" helps function with these as they tolerate no limp-wristing at all. |
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Quoted: Here's a kid on Youtube doing a brief review of the AMT .380 Backup. I guess it might not be a bad little gun for emergency protection if it is all our budget will allow. As with nearly all "mouseguns," it is way better than nothing. I'm still a little leery of it from a production quality standpoint. Then again, I have heard people say that cheap Hi Points are reliable as all hell, so who knows. This Kid Has A Nice Range I have a Hi-Point Carbine and it's been a good gun. No FTF/FTE or issues of any sort. Seems like the kind of gun that'll run until something breaks from wear. The reason I say that is because the parts aren't of the finest handmade quality... but pricewise, it's damn hard to complain. As per that Wiki link I posted earlier, it looks the the AMT name went through some different hands... Sometimes that has a lot to do with issues. One company cutting corners due to finances, selling to another company who may or may not be worth a shit, etc. Don't know if that is the case here, just speculating. It would be nice to compare an early, mid, and current model and see how they run from different MFRs. |
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I've owned two. The first one was great. Super-simple, reliable, little tooth-shooter but I traded it to buy a Colt Commander. Later, when I had more cash I bought another AMT and it wouldn't feed two rounds in a row. So, good luck.
Both were DAO newer version. |
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I have an older one. It has been surprisingly accurate and reliable. It came with a leather wallet holster which I really like. It looks like a leather wallet in your pocket, and you can draw and fire with it still inside the holster. I carry it from time to time. |
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Quoted: I've owned two. The first one was great. Super-simple, reliable, little tooth-shooter but I traded it to buy a Colt Commander. Later, when I had more. Ash I bought another AMT and it wouldn't feed two rounds in a row. So, good luck. See? Makes me wonder if one of those was produced by Galena Industries, and if so, which? |
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Quoted: I have an older one. It has been surprisingly accurate and reliable. It came with a leather wallet holster which I really like. It looks like a leather wallet in your pocket, and you can draw and fire with it still inside the holster. I carry it from time to time.  I'll just keep speculating. |
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Here's a kid on Youtube doing a brief review of the AMT .380 Backup. I guess it might not be a bad little gun for emergency protection if it is all our budget will allow. As with nearly all "mouseguns," it is way better than nothing. I'm still a little leery of it from a production quality standpoint. Then again, I have heard people say that cheap Hi Points are reliable as all hell, so who knows. This Kid Has A Nice Range I have a Hi-Point Carbine and it's been a good gun. No FTF/FTE or issues of any sort. Seems like the kind of gun that'll run until something breaks from wear. The reason I say that is because the parts aren't of the finest handmade quality... but pricewise, it's damn hard to complain. As per that Wiki link I posted earlier, it looks the the AMT name went through some different hands... Sometimes that has a lot to do with issues. One company cutting corners due to finances, selling to another company who may or may not be worth a shit, etc. Don't know if that is the case here, just speculating. It would be nice to compare an early, mid, and current model and see how they run from different MFRs. That is an excellent point, and the same thing happened with the Walther PPK/S. - Original German made PPK/S pistols imported by Interarms = superb quality. - Early, domestically made PPK/S pistols made by Interarms in the U.S. under license from Walther = pretty good. - Late, domestically made PPK/S pistols made by Interarms in the U.S. under license from Walther, especially in the final year of production = absolute dogshit, quality went to HELL, buyer beware! (I think the factory workers knew they were getting the axe in a matter of months, and stopped giving a shit). - Smith and Wesson PPK/S pistols made in the U.S. under license from Walther = huge fuck up with the safety system, had to recall an enormous number of them, quality of steel used in the frame will scratch if you look at it too hard, way inferior to the high grade steel the Germans used to use. It isn't always the brand name on the slide - many times, it's "when" it was made that is more important. |
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My dad has a SA one (AMT backup, no II) it is reliable with FMJ (and would probably be good with JHP with a fluff and buff). It is a little scary to carry "cocked and locked" due to how weak the detent on the safety, especially with the cheap ass uncle mikes universal nylon holster he carries it in when hiking (I am pretty sure he carried it condition 3 though ).This... mine had one as well. You could pull the trigger right through the safety. Piece of garbage, in my opinion. |
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I have an older one. It has been surprisingly accurate and reliable. It came with a leather wallet holster which I really like. It looks like a leather wallet in your pocket, and you can draw and fire with it still inside the holster. I carry it from time to time. If I am not mistaken those holsters are now verboten if they cover the slide... Creating an AOW scenario. Just food for thought. I always thought those holster were pretty kewl.
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Quoted: That is an excellent point, and the same thing happened with the Walther PPK/S. It isn't always the brand name on the slide - many times, it's "when" it was made that is more important. Yep, it happens often. I bring it up because it would suck to avoid a reissued gun by a new MFR, based on the reputation of that gun coming from an entirely different MFR. That stuff matters. Now if it's just a poor design, then it doesn't matter I guess, but that doesn't appear to be the case here. |
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Quoted: Quoted: I have an older one. It has been surprisingly accurate and reliable. It came with a leather wallet holster which I really like. It looks like a leather wallet in your pocket, and you can draw and fire with it still inside the holster. I carry it from time to time. If I am not mistaken those holsters are now verboten if they cover the slide... Creating an AOW scenario. Just food for thought. I always thought those holster were pretty kewl. Wow, thanks for the heads up. I never heard of this. What a load of nonsense. Well, so much for that. |
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Ah yes, Arcadia Machine Tool. I wouldn't recommend one as a carry gun. If the wife unit wants a .380, get her a SIG P-232. I have no clue what goes on inside her head
One of her family members is having a family get together and wanted everyone to bring a handgun and do some shooting at their property. I don't own any yet, so I borrowed this. She's never shot a handgun. I've shot this lil guy and my dad's .44 super redhawk before. When I shot this thing before I didn't even look to see what it was. We'll see how she likes it. She said someone is bring a 9mm XD and a .357 S&W 686(?) also. Maybe she can try those out too. The AMT ,like many of the other 380s are quite dificult to shoot. small grip,short sight radius,marginal sights and trigger. Buy some mild 38 loads like wadcutters or Rem 130MC (metal case) and have her shoot the other persons 686. Watch out for some wiseass who shows with full house 357 loads and starts doing the "here,shoot this" routine The 686 is a near perfect gun for a low experience handgun shooter. medium sized grip for all but the tinyiest of hands, great sights'great trigger and is heavy enough so any mild 38 load is a pussycat. I use mine for my pistol classes and most everyone finds it easy to shoot and lots of fun |
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I have an older one. It has been surprisingly accurate and reliable. It came with a leather wallet holster which I really like. It looks like a leather wallet in your pocket, and you can draw and fire with it still inside the holster. I carry it from time to time. Do some research on that,I believe the BATFE considers wallet holsters that can be shot through Destructive Devises and subject to all sorts of restrictive rules and regulations. Hide your dog! I had a 380 backup years ago but it would eat magazines. They would work for a while but when the plastic follower started to get chewed they would not run correctly. |
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Ah yes, Arcadia Machine Tool. I wouldn't recommend one as a carry gun. If the wife unit wants a .380, get her a SIG P-232. I have no clue what goes on inside her head
One of her family members is having a family get together and wanted everyone to bring a handgun and do some shooting at their property. I don't own any yet, so I borrowed this. She's never shot a handgun. I've shot this lil guy and my dad's .44 super redhawk before. When I shot this thing before I didn't even look to see what it was. We'll see how she likes it. She said someone is bring a 9mm XD and a .357 S&W 686(?) also. Maybe she can try those out too. How do you not own a handgun? Simple. I never gave anyone cash in return for a pistol 
The wife and I are only 25. We had other priorities than buying guns when we started our relationship. Now we're at a point where we can spend disposable income on guns if we want. Until a couple years ago the only guns I had were a break action 410 and a ruger 10/22. My father bought those for me when i was young. Well I bought a couple boxes of tula for the AMT, had a bunch of light strikes so we didnt shoot it much. My wife got to shoot a XD9 and she loved it. I shot the XD, a EAA Witness Match .45, and .44 mag super Redhawk. I liked the XD but the witness was more fun IMO. I shot the XD better though. I actually shot my father in laws .44 best, but it had a red dot on it and I've shot my fathers super redhawk before. |
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I had an AMT Backup. It was a bear to take apart and the magazine was fluted for ball ammo only. The top two rounds could be hollowpoints
but after that it had to be ball. I sold it. There are a lot of better 380 pocket pistols and even some 9's small enough to match old 380's |
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Is that the single action w gtip safety ???
I bought one way back when . Started out ok but eventually I out grew it . I never did get to fully field strip mine . Finally just started hosing it w brake cleaner and wd 40 . the trigger spring finally went . I fixed it but sold shortly thereafter . I DO NOT miss it |
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I've owned two. The first one was great. Super-simple, reliable, little tooth-shooter but I traded it to buy a Colt Commander. Later, when I had more. Ash I bought another AMT and it wouldn't feed two rounds in a row. So, good luck. See? Makes me wonder if one of those was produced by Galena Industries, and if so, which? The one my friend had was made by Galena(safety was very unreliable as I mentioned, but the gun shot well) and the AMT Government Model 1911 I had was a Galena-I never had a problem with that one. As for other owners, no idea. |