Posted: 2/25/2009 9:06:02 AM EDT
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Customer want to trade in a AMT Longslide towards a EBR and I was wondering what the skinney is on them. I know that tey had a problem using the same bare material on the slide and frame which caused them to gaul. That's about all I know. Other then the barrel being 7 inches long. What is the value of one in very good condition?
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| I see them selling on gunbroker for aroun$700+ these days, I've been tracking them, as I want one for the collection. Last year I saw some selling for under $500. I'm hoping to find one in the lower price range when the time is right. If I were in your position, I would credit him $350 and that would leave you room for profit, but I'm not a gun dealer. The 5" models I've seen on GB don't move at all in the $500 dollar range. |
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Just about everytime I visit GunBroker.com I look at the AMTs Hardballers and Long Slides. I became interested in them when I found out the then highly advanced T1000 Terminator prefered the AMT LS over all the choices he had in the first gun store he visitied shortly after falling to Earth.
Then I visited http://www.thehighroad.org and searched AMT Harballers. Most, if not all feedback was negative. As I understand these were the first stanless steel 1911s but I don't really know. Several posts also indicated the AMT Hardballer and the LongSlides (not to be confused with their .45 BackUp) were jam-masters. I have never seen an AMT 1911 in person but some sellers on GB have very good and revealing pics. From the good, clear close ups I've seen the slide to frame fit is not very good. Extractor and ejector to slide fit looked bad, same with the grip safety to frame. Take a look at this one...kudos to the sellers excellent pics, http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=123890870 Hope this helps |
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To Answer the OP's question.. GOOD. (providing it's in good or better condition) If for no other reason, they are OOP and very sought after for various reasons. Here was my reason below...
As far back as I can remember I'd always wanted an AMT Longslide 1911, but was always hesitant due AMT's "quality issue" reputation. I knew many people throughout the late 80's and 90's that had both good and bad ones, and after years of learning about what makes the 1911 work, I realized in stock form you had a 50-50 chance of getting a reliable one, but even if you got a lemon, with a little TLC (1911 knowledge) or a competent gunsmith, you can make them just as reliable as you want. Personally though, I saw a lot of issues with the frame assemblies, so I sought out to get an AMT Longslide upper, and fit it to a SA GI stainless lower. There was a fair amount of fitting involved, and I replaced the SA internals with upgraded parts including an adjustable target trigger, speed hammer, sear and disconnector. Had to blend the back of the slide and frame as they did not match, (see below pics) but it turned out nice in the end. Also had some custom grips made, a custom made mid-length solid guide rod, and a fitted bbl bushing. It has been a very reliable and accurate target shooter that gets it's share of looks at the range. That being said, I have seen in person, and have read that the stock AMT Longslide, both in .45 ACP, and 10MM (Javalina) models have been more reliable than the standard 5" Hardballer. The 'majority' of reliabilty issues seems to be related to PROPER LUBRICATION for these particular stainless grades that were used by AMT, and of course some related fitting issues. In most cases these issues can be 'fairly easily' resolved if you are willing to put a little time into it. Just for fun, here is mine with an AMT Longslide topend on an SA GI lower.. 
The slow blending of the back frame and slide (below) was the biggest challenge, but it turned out pretty nice.  
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Quoted:
To Answer the OP's question.. GOOD. (providing it's in good or better condition) If for no other reason, they are OOP and very sought after for various reasons. Here was my reason below... As far back as I can remember I'd always wanted an AMT Longslide 1911, but was always hesitant due AMT's "quality issue" reputation. I knew many people throughout the late 80's and 90's that had both good and bad ones, and after years of learning about what makes the 1911 work, I realized in stock form you had a 50-50 chance of getting a reliable one, but even if you got a lemon, with a little TLC (1911 knowledge) or a competent gunsmith, you can make them just as reliable as you want. Personally though, I saw a lot of issues with the frame assemblies, so I sought out to get an AMT Longslide upper, and fit it to a SA GI stainless lower. There was a fair amount of fitting involved, and I replaced the SA internals with upgraded parts including an adjustable target trigger, speed hammer, sear and disconnector. Had to blend the back of the slide and frame as they did not match, (see below pics) but it turned out nice in the end. Also had some custom grips made, a custom made mid-length solid guide rod, and a fitted bbl bushing. It has been a very reliable and accurate target shooter that gets it's share of looks at the range. That being said, I have seen in person, and have read that the stock AMT Longslide, both in .45 ACP, and 10MM (Javalina) models have been more reliable than the standard 5" Hardballer. The 'majority' of reliabilty issues seems to be related to PROPER LUBRICATION for these particular stainless grades that were used by AMT, and of course some related fitting issues. In most cases these issues can be 'fairly easily' resolved if you are willing to put a little time into it. Just for fun, here is mine with an AMT Longslide topend on an SA GI lower.. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/viper1357/Guns%20stuff/SA%20AMT%20LS%20Project/1amt_sa_ls140.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/viper1357/Guns%20stuff/SA%20AMT%20LS%20Project/2_saamt_wrkarea149.jpg The slow blending of the back frame and slide (below) was the biggest challenge, but it turned out pretty nice. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/viper1357/Guns%20stuff/SA%20AMT%20LS%20Project/3_saamt_1frmsld142.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/viper1357/Guns%20stuff/SA%20AMT%20LS%20Project/4_saamt_2frmsld146.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/viper1357/Guns%20stuff/SA%20AMT%20LS%20Project/7b_saamt_cmplt164.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/viper1357/Guns%20stuff/SA%20AMT%20LS%20Project/7c_saamt_cmplt168.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/viper1357/Guns%20stuff/SA%20AMT%20LS%20Project/7e_saamt_cmplt173.jpg Looks real nice..Reminds me of ( Crocodile Dundee ) Thats not a slide...THIS IS A SLIDE...lol But yes it does look good..hows it shoot as of accuracy? |
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I have one I bought a few years ago. Looked like it wasn't shot much. I had to have a smith buddy do a little TLC to it. New ejector, extractor, and some polishing later, it still had issues.
A friend in my gunclub who is an action pistol shooter recommended some handloading techniques. Basically, I load 230 gr. hardball out as far as the mag will allow. No more problems, runs like a champ. I also like the looks I get at the range when I shoot it. Nothing looks like a 7" Longslide! Andew |
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I have one in 10mm It is the last pistol I would ever consider parting with.. Use a good quality lube on the rails to prevent galling and they are good to go .. I shoot full house loads like the cartridge was designed for. I have no function problems. Mine runs great. I shoot this pistol better then any short barrel guns. Recoil is very manageable. Target acquisition is fast.
Accuracy is very good with the proper loads. |
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Quoted:
As far back as I can remember I'd always wanted an AMT Longslide 1911, but was always hesitant due AMT's "quality issue" reputation. I knew many people throughout the late 80's and 90's that had both good and bad ones, and after years of learning about what makes the 1911 work, I realized in stock form you had a 50-50 chance of getting a reliable one, but even if you got a lemon, with a little TLC (1911 knowledge) or a competent gunsmith, you can make them just as reliable as you want. Personally though, I saw a lot of issues with the frame assemblies, so I sought out to get an AMT Longslide upper, and fit it to a SA GI stainless lower. The 'majority' of reliabilty issues seems to be related to PROPER LUBRICATION for these particular stainless grades that were used by AMT, and of course some related fitting issues. In most cases these issues can be 'fairly easily' resolved if you are willing to put a little time into it. [/span] So they have a quality issue reputation, you knew people with bad ones, you admit theres a 50/50 chance of getting a reliable one, the frames have issues, the guns have fitting issues. All that aside, you attribute the major cause of reliability problems being caused by the grade of stainless steel they used needing "proper" lubrication. That translates into special lubricants designed specifically to [span style='font-style: italic;']reduce[/span] galling, which AMTs are famous for. Thats not "proper" lubrication, that's special lubrication. So, my original statement stands. AMT cranked out shitty guns. If you want to roll the dice and spend extra money trying to get them to run, then more power to you. You mention 1911 knowledge (thanks, I have that) or a competent gunsmith to "make them as reliable as you want." Well, I like my guns to be reliable as a piece of man made machinery can be. The problem is I don't need to waste my time polishing a turd and many custom gunsmiths wont even touch an AMT. I appreciate your desire for a long slide gun. You're not running an AMT factory gun. You built a gun using an AMT slide. You could have just as easily obtained a Caspian or Baer slide for that matter. |
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Quoted:
I have one I bought a few years ago. Looked like it wasn't shot much. I had to have a smith buddy do a little TLC to it. New ejector, extractor, and some polishing later, it still had issues. A friend in my gunclub who is an action pistol shooter recommended some handloading techniques. Basically, I load 230 gr. hardball out as far as the mag will allow. No more problems, runs like a champ. It's not running like a champ, it's running by the skin of it's teeth. You have a pistol that only works with your handloads. |
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Yeah... umm... proper reading, comprehension, and quoting could be better, but I get your point... I can tell you are really versed in gun manufacturing, smithing, etc.. so I won't question you're finite knowledge.
In any case, and regardless of negative opinions, quality reputation, whatever, the AMT Longslide is OOP and has a decent resale value based on realistic demand for it. Whatever the reason, many shooters or just collectors want them. That is a fact. If it is in good to excellent condition, it will sell for a decent price. And for the record, many well known, 'quality reputation' gun manufacturers, (1911's especially) have put out their share of "turds" in need of polishing, tuning, etc.. over the last few decades. I've had more than my share of those as well. Ironically one was even a custom "Caspian" build from a well known quality custom builder. (no names, sorry) He eventually made it right, but it was still a turd when I first got it.. And for the price it cost me, it should have been the best it could have been, and I 'chose' not to fix it myself. Nobody said AMT was a great company putting out stellar guns.. Get over it already... 
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Quoted:
Yeah... umm... proper reading, comprehension, and quoting could be better, but I get your point... I can tell you are really versed in gun manufacturing, smithing, etc.. so I won't question you're finite knowledge. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that you're an English major. 
In any case, and regardless of negative opinions, quality reputation, whatever, the AMT Longslide is OOP and has a decent resale value based on realistic demand for it. Whatever the reason, many shooters or just collectors want them. That is a fact. If it is in good to excellent condition, it will sell for a decent price. Doesn't mean that they're good. If they were, they'd be commanding better than a "decent" price for a great condition gun. And for the record, many well known, 'quality reputation' gun manufacturers, (1911's especially) have put out their share of "turds" in need of polishing, tuning, etc.. over the last few decades. I've had more than my share of those as well. Ironically one was even a custom "Caspian" build from a well known quality custom builder. (no names, sorry) He eventually made it right, but it was still a turd when I first got it.. And for the price it cost me, it should have been the best it could have been, and I 'chose' not to fix it myself. Nobody said AMT was a great company putting out stellar guns.. Get over it already... Then edit your post , as this statement is misleading:
Quoted:
To Answer the OP's question.. [span style='color: green;']GOOD. <snip> |
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Nope.. Never spent a day in college, and actually barely graduated from HS. I was wasting time lifting weights and working on guns. Hung out with the Coonan Arms (.357 mag semi auto pistol) boys, (all gunsmiths) and the guys down a few miles away at IMI who were engineering, marketing and importing the first Desert Eagle pistols.
Of course Coonan Arms went under just like AMT, and several other gun manufacturers over the years, and the Coonans were great guns that still hold great value to collectors. They had similar stainless issues and required "special lubrication." Nowadays I'm just a guy who's been in the industrial manufacturing industry for just over 30 years now, and nothing more. Yeah, I also mispell words from time to time.. Still hang out with some local and national gun makers, smiths, and accessory engineers and manufacturers from time to time each year as time allows. Working on two projects now with small time manufacturer making replacement magazines for Coonan Arms pistols, and also on a project with another guy who has re-engineered the italian SGS compensators for Beretta 92's.. Just can't get used to gun bashing without any real first hand knowledge. 
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