[Crystal River Charlie]

Hello All,
I came across a AMT Backup in 45 acp. Like new condition with factory
box, 2 mags. and paper work. was wondering if any one here has owned one
and what do you all know about it.
Thanks in advance,
C R Charlie

[SouthpawShootr]

Get ready for the flames. These guns, as with most of AMT's product line, were hit and miss with regard to quality and reliability. Sometimes, you run across one that works. When you get one of these (and I have one) you realize that, though it is heavy, it excels in its role as a hideout/CCW piece. When you get one that gives you grief, they're the worst POS on the face of the planet. Reliability is the chief complaint from most people. In my view, this design has alot of potential but AMT either couldn't or wouldn't fully develop it into what it could be.

The gun has an extraordinarily heavy trigger. Most estimates are in the 20lb range largely b/c most hobbyists who have triggerpull gauges don't have one heavy enough for accurate measure. It takes a good amount of strength to rack the slide and chamber a round. It's sensitive to even the thought of limpwristing.

There are complaints about accuracy, but you have to realized that this is more likely due to the heavy triggerpull in concert with the gutter sights. This gun lacks conventional sights, instead having a gutter milled in the slide to act as rudimentary sights. Given the purpose of the gun, I think this sort of sight is apropriate.

AMT is long gone, but supposedly High Standard is making them again, along with parts for the old ones. I haven't seen one of the new ones, though.

If the gun you're looking at is a real good price and you don't mind the possibility that you may have to mess around with it to get it working reliably, get it. They're very, very small for the caliber and flat too. I would guess price on a used one should run in the $175-200 range. Maybe $250 for a really pristine example.

[PotatoJudge]

I'd try very hard to shoot a box or two through the gun before buying it. They've got their place when they work. A set of Wolf spirings should help with reliability if you can manage that for the testing.

[Lashlarue]

My backup was a jamomatic with anything but round nose ammo, even after a ramp polish, had an occasional ftf with round nose.Sold it first chance I got.

[Titan6]

They are ammo specific. Like most of AMT products they have, shall we say, some feeding problems when using most anything other than FMJ. Accuracy, if you know how to shoot one is good. Price is always a factor, how much do they want for it?

[Eagle103]

I liked the concept so much that I bought one in 40 S&W about 10 years ago. It worked OK for a little while but then became so unreliable I traded it in for about a third what I paid for it. There are much better compact pistols available today. Save yourself some money and aggravation and avoid the AMT.

[Crystal River Charlie]

I traded about $150.00 non firearm related items for it.
C R Charlie

[Titan6]

$150 in merchandise for like new? Then you got a very good deal. Get a couple of different kinds of FMJ rounds and take it to the range to see what it will do. Truly you never know until you shoot it. They seem to favor ball ammo.

[mavracer]

sounds like ya got a good deal.mine will feed anything at first it had light strike issue but a little work and its fine now.one thing about it its impossible to flinch or jerk the trigger its just too dang heavy takes all your strength to pull it

[Zen21Tao]

I had a AMT Backup .45. I bought it about 4 years ago when I was looking for a concealable pocket gun. My criteria then was .40 cal or greater, as small as possible and a single stack magazine design if possible. The Back-up fit my needs perfectly. The one I had fired fine without any jams but its accuracy past 10 yards sucked.

I ended up trading it in a couple years ago when Kahr came out with their PM40. I love the Kahr and think it is a much better gun (smaller, more accurate, lighter, etc.) but it also has a much higher price tag.

[Rangegod]

Mine’s somewhere off the Miami coast and about 6000 feet down. If you find it, you’re welcome to it. Total piece of junk!

JAC