AMT Backup 380 failure to fire

[hornadylnl]

I bought an AMT Backup DAO 380 and a Beretta 21A 22lr today for $180 for the pair. They both came with the original boxes and manuals so I got a pretty good deal regardless. I went to fire the AMT and all I get is click. I tried different ammo and it still didn't work. It looked like on one of the rounds, it put the tiniest divot on the primer but couldn't see any dimples in the others.

Here is what I'm guessing the problem is. I believe the hammer strut is bent. The strut in the parts page in the manual has a slight arc to it and the strut is mine has a pretty good arc to it. I noticed that when I pull the trigger, the mags moves a little. On the back side of the mag, you can see a groove all the way down it where the strut spring has rubbed it. It looks like if the strut is bent too much, it won't all the hammer to go all the way forward to strike the firing pin. The gun is in nice shape and the owner said it had between 4-500 rounds through it.

Have any of you guys ever heard of this problem and is what I'm thinking logical? Thanks in advance.

 

[hornadylnl]

I figured it out. I figured I didn't have too much to lose. I tried lightly pushing the hammer forward with the hammer down and the slide forward and it didn't look like the hammer was coming anywhere close to the firing pin, let alone hitting it hard enough to detonate a primer. I pulled the hammer out and bent the hammer strut back to where there was only a slight arc like the picture and put it back together. I had a reloaded 380 round that I pulled the bullet and powder and took it out side to see if it would fire. It popped really nice and there is a nice strong dimple on the primer.

Since AMT's are no longer made, I think I will go ahead and order 2 of the hammer struts to have them for spares. I don't know if this one is weak after having been bent like it was and will snap off.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I think a new strut and a spare is a good idea. I thought I read some where some one was going to make them again.

 

[MidMichBlue]

High Standard now handling AMT?

 

[hornadylnl]

I ordered 2 struts from Brownells. I've also been wanting a Wolff extra power ar15 hammer spring so I got that and I get a free catalog out of the deal. Not too bad.

 

[hornadylnl]

I shot it about 25 rounds today after bending the strut back into shape and then it wouldn't fire again. Primer dimples extremely weak. I don't know if the strut lost its temper or what but it didn't hold shape very long. I sure hope the replacement strut last awhile. I also found out that the reloads I have are just a touch too long. Went to eject that round and the bullet stayed in the chamber. Not good with flake powder!

 

[hornadylnl]

Replaced the hammer strut and fired about 60 rounds through it. Functioned fine and didn't notice any bending in the new strut when looking through the mag well.