40 s&w AMT Back up
- Thread starter Blkhrt13
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ApacheCoTodd
member
I have a .45 that I bought from a fed who bet his life on it for years. Then, I did.
You'll hear a LOT of complaints about these that are not in-valid yet all have remedies found in tuning, load selection and firing technique. These can be SUPREMELY hard on your trigger finger but don't have to be.
Surprisingly accurate but they take some good bit of firing and work to get the trigger-finger abuse toned down.
Lack of proper sights hasn't mattered to me and in fact, the set-up allows for even less snag than anything else on the market. Unsettlingly accurate with Federal Hydrashocks.
Hammer-fired DAO is eminently safe for charged-carry.
6 rounds of .40 in a palm-sized package is nothing to snort at - IF - the gun is properly sorted.
Factory mags are generally excellent and still available.
The base gun and designs are good but the final fit and assembly left much to be desired and is the source of the majority of complaints.
Once gone through, de-burred, polished and tested for a round you'd trust your life to, they are simply GREAT.
Unfortunately for them, there are now so many lighter units that need not be re-built to be trusted.
Looking at Gordon's post reminded me; holsters are SERIOUSLY problematic. Best to make or have made a custom one.
Todd.
You'll hear a LOT of complaints about these that are not in-valid yet all have remedies found in tuning, load selection and firing technique. These can be SUPREMELY hard on your trigger finger but don't have to be.
Surprisingly accurate but they take some good bit of firing and work to get the trigger-finger abuse toned down.
Lack of proper sights hasn't mattered to me and in fact, the set-up allows for even less snag than anything else on the market. Unsettlingly accurate with Federal Hydrashocks.
Hammer-fired DAO is eminently safe for charged-carry.
6 rounds of .40 in a palm-sized package is nothing to snort at - IF - the gun is properly sorted.
Factory mags are generally excellent and still available.
The base gun and designs are good but the final fit and assembly left much to be desired and is the source of the majority of complaints.
Once gone through, de-burred, polished and tested for a round you'd trust your life to, they are simply GREAT.
Unfortunately for them, there are now so many lighter units that need not be re-built to be trusted.
Looking at Gordon's post reminded me; holsters are SERIOUSLY problematic. Best to make or have made a custom one.
Todd.
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Charlie98
Member
I carried a .380 DAO for some years, once you get past the 37# trigger, and the heel mag catch, it’s still a mediocre pistol. Because I actually practiced with mine, the slide cracked through the ejection port. A trip to AMT got me a new slide, and a trip to the next gun show got me some money towards a better pistol.
Gordon
Member
Heres my .45 and it WORKS well after some smoothing and a few hundred rounds learning. My son has it but he too moved on from it. I think they are best for back up to a 1911 carry piece. With a slight modfacation 1911 Mags work in a pinch . I tried gluing in Hi viz light tubes ect. but went back to the gutter
MillCreek
Member
My .380 and 9 mm DAO Backups have all worked well for me. Good lubrication is your friend, from the standpoint of stopping any galling of the slide on the frame. I am currently using M-Pro 7 LPX.
DeepSouth
Random Guy
I had one years ago and I loved it, other than the terrible trigger. Mine was reliable as best as I remember, my brother liked it enough to buy him one, he was happy with his until someone stole it. I’m also one of the few people that like the gutter sight, at least on a close range gun.
One of the things I’ve never understood is why more of the smaller semi autos don’t round the top of the slide like it has.
One of the things I’ve never understood is why more of the smaller semi autos don’t round the top of the slide like it has.
.455_Hunter
Member
The nice thing about .40 cal guns built on .45 frames, like the AMT or the singlestack S&W 4014/4013/CS40 is that they can become 10mm guns with a little gunsmithing (chamber lengthening, new springs, mag spacers removed, follower change).
Monac
Member
If AMT did not design this gun for anything bigger than 40 S&W or 45 ACP, why would the mag well be long enough for 10mm? Have you seen this done?
ApacheCoTodd
member
They built them in .38 Super from the factory so it wouldn't be a magwell problem.... Recoil now, that's another story.
Todd.
Obturation
Member
A 380 amt backup has been my step dad's only gun since about 1998. He loves it, I can't shoot it well and don't have much desire to, the ergos just aren't there for me. Hope he likes it and uses it.
.455_Hunter
Member
Umm, OAL for 10mm and .45 are essentially the same. And yes, I have seen it done.
Gordon
Member
OMG ! I would not like to fire afull on 10 mm in one! I used Ranger + p 230 grain in mine for a while thinking " damn ,that load should all ways enect" and it did, but the baseball bat to the gun hand was a little much for me .
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Tallball
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2014
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- 7,814
I haven't owned an AMT Backup, but I've handled a few and didn't like them very much. The ergos aren't good for my XXL hands, and they feel way heavier than a similar pistol with a polymer frame (though the difference is probably just a few ounces).
It's slightly larger, but I prefer the Kahr PM40 that I mentioned/showed in the current "Kahr Arms" thread.
It's slightly larger, but I prefer the Kahr PM40 that I mentioned/showed in the current "Kahr Arms" thread.
Monac
Member
Well, I got schooled today. SAAMI specs are 32mm for 10mm OAL, and 32.4mm for 45ACP OAL. Boy, I am always learning that things I thought I knew are not actually so. Thanks, ApacheCo Todd and .455 Hunter!
PS - Just to be complete, SAAMI OAL for 38 Super is 32.51mm.
ApacheCoTodd
member
I have 10s, .38 Supers and a 9x23 and a couple of times a year I will be surprised at how NOT long they are. Somehow, in my mind, if I don't handle any for some time - they seem to grow in length in my memory almost expecting them to be .38 Special length.
Todd.
Monac
Member
I think it is the same for me, but to make it worse, I don't have a 10mm or a 9x23, just a 38 ACP that I never shoot. I would have sworn 10mm was longer than 38 Super, but as you point out, it's shorter than 45 ACP!
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