AMT 45 backup

[buckshott]

Went to a gun show last weekend. Saw a cute little AMT 45 backup like new in the box with all the papers and spare mag. So I bought it. [I know, I know] It seems like a good little piece for a CCW gun. The trouble is that sometimes it doesn't fire on the first pull of the trigger. I used WWB ammo. The primer has a small dent in it but will fire on the second try. Was wondering weather to try a different ammo or try to get a new firing pin or hammer spring. I hate to give up on it just yet. Anybody have any luck with one of these?

 

[HighVelocity]

I had a chance to fire one a while back. Didn't have any light firing pin strikes but did have a lot of failures to feed.
Since the gun was probably sitting a while it probably just needs so lubrication or a couple of springs replaced.

 

[model 649]

I tkink High velocity has it. Disassemble it and give it a good cleaning, you might have some muck (technical term) in the firing pin channel.
Josh

 

[commygun]

Buckshott,
I had the same problem with my AMT .45 Backup, misfires
and light primer strikes. I sent it back to the factory three
times and they were unable to fix it. I was about ready to
give up on it when, examining the gun closely in frustration,
I noticed the hammer was dragging ever so slightly against
it's channel in the slide. it wasn't much but it was enough
to rob the hammer of some of it's momentum and resulted
in the light primer strikes. 5 minutes work on the side of the hammer with a piece of emery cloth and I haven't had a
misfire (or any other kind of malfunction) since. I don't
know if this is your problem but it was certainly instructive
for me. With a service department like that it's no wonder
AMT went belly up.

 

[isp2605]

Someone may have tried lightening the trigger pull but clipping the spring. The factory triggers were about 20#. Guys would clip a ring or 2 to lighten the pull. That also lightened the hammer fall.

 

[MillCreek]

High Standard down in Texas is resurrecting the AMT DAO Backup series, and is already producing parts. If you need any parts, try them.

 

[DT Guy]

High Standard down in Texas is resurrecting the AMT DAO Backup series, and is already producing parts. If you need any parts, try them.

Well, if they do as well as they've done with the HS target pistols, you may want to just try fixing it yourself.



Larry

 

[Kramer Krazy]

The trouble is that sometimes it doesn't fire on the first pull of the trigger.

I bought one, back in 1996 when they first came out. Recently, mine did the same thing. It turned out, with mine, that the hammer spring had lost it's strength from being compressed for that length of time. I bought a new spring from www.brownells.com .

I think this is it - http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=20630&title=HAMMER+SPRING

The original one was 1/4" shorter than the replacement one. It isn't a real fun spring to replace, either. I had to have a third hand, and eventually, had my wife help me change it. You will also have issues with the grip screws working themselves loose, so you may want to lock-tite those. Oh yeah.....I also replaced the extractor spring, as that also had lost some of its strength.

 

[MICHAEL T]

When you get the primer problem taken care of Try CorBon 160grDPX round for compact 45's They are GREAT! made for our smaller 45's If feeds ok Winchester silver tips are good also.

 

[mainmech48]

I only have experience with the one that I bought back in '94. I have had no functional issues with it which weren't ammo-related. I had some occasional feeding issues with 200 gr. LSWC handloads at bullseye target velocities made for practice with my 1911s. With factory 230 gr. ball (recommended in the manual) or premium PP HP loads of equivalent weight it's flawless.

It also runs 100% with Federal "Personal Protection" 165 gr. HPs, FWIW.

My guess would be that someone did some tinkering trying to get a lighter trigger pull and messed it up. The pull is heavy but, IMO, it is a by-product of the design compromises necessary to make a DAO self-loader of major caliber in such a compact package, partly dictated by physics and partly by geometry.

If thorough cleaning, proper lubrication, and perhaps a new MS don't cure it, I'd consult with an APG 'smith in your area.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Not sure if it is the same in the .45, but in my AMT .22 back-up, there is a roll pin that prevents the firing pin from going back too far. If this pin is broken/missing, the hammer ends up hitting the firing pin at an off-angle, and results in LPS. I replaced that pin and have had no problems since.

 

[roo_ster]

I can't help you, as my AMT DAO .45 BU has never had a problem igniting the cartridge.

I like stoking it with hardball.

 

[Sunray]

"...like new in the box..." Give it a really good bath did you?
Seems to me that AMT's tend to function best with 230 RN ball ammo. Mind you, any factory firearm needs some minor work to get them to work properly. Chamfer the feed ramp, a trigger job, good ammo, sometimes a different mag. However, change ammo first.