Looks like the AMT Backup is back

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rtl

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I hit High Standard's site this morning out of curiosity to see if they've started producing the Backup in .45. Huh...not only .45, but now also .40, .38 Super, 9mm and .400 Corbon. Oh yeah, and .380. Wonder if the quality it now better than hit or miss as I have heard of older models?

http://www.highstandard.com/
 
RTL,

I owned an AMT Backup in .45 acp many, many years ago and eventually traded it for a Glock model 30 in .45. I really liked that gun and wish I still had it now....

Boarhunter
 
The ones that worked were great. Near the end of production they did have quality problems. Hope they got it together. They do deserve a look.
 
I really like the concept of an all steel, DAO in a big caliber and have always wondered about the AMT. I look forward to reading about the testing of this latest release.
 
That's great news! I can't wait for them to hit the market. I've always liked the concept of a pocket-sized 45. And it's got a whole lot more punch than the Colt Cobra I currently have as a pocket gun.

Let's hope their in stores in time for Christmas :D
 
Just got back from the local gun store to inquire if he can get me one these in .45. He hadn't heard High Standard was bringing them back and was quite excited about it. Of course by the time I got there today all of his east coast wholesalers were closed for the day, but he promised he WILL have information on how soon he can get these by the end of the week. Said he wants one for himself, will order one for me and would like 5 or 6 more or the display cabinet. I'll drop another post when I hear back from him on this.
 
What is the over/under (in months) on the Auto Mag 3 showing up in a movie?

And I'm sure it will be the main Bad Guy's gun because it just looks so awesome-badass-villianous.
 
Depends on how fast they get the .45 WM version out, and how fast it gets on the CA Approved handgun list... (makes it easier for smaller rental agencies to get)
 
I still have a .380 and a 9 mm DAO Backup, bought new in the 80's. Both of them have worked like a champ for me. I wish I had not sold my .45 DAO, but I was in a period of consolidating calibers for a while.
 
I spoke at length with the High Standard guy at the SHOT show. One big improvement on the Backup is that the trigger pull has been cut way down. :eek:

IIRC, he said the original pull was about 18 pounds, and it is down to 9 or 10 on the High Standard produced version. That is a major improvement IMO.

Sadly, he said the smaller frame model used on the .380 Backup did not lend itself to a lighter trigger. But all the other caliber choices 9mm and up will have the better trigger.
 
I owned a AMT Backup in .380. Not a very nice gun! It threw brass every which way which is a bad thing if you are a reloaded. You could not keep the spent brass on a 6 ft by 6 ft tarp. The trigger was absolutely terrible. The gun twisted and turned and chewed up my hand with each shot. I sold mine and was glad to see it gone.

As for High Standard in Texas:

My experience with them when I bought a Trophy 22 Target pistol was awful. The gun never feed correctly from the day I got the gun new. I screwed with the gun for 8 years trying to make it feed and finally gave up. It resides in a display box on the wall. Seems they did an nice job on the outside of the gun but the assemblers friend for internal parts fitting was a belt sander (no kidding!). They repeatedly lied to me about the manufacturing status during the 6 months it took to get the gun, eventually refused to answer their phone, and only responded to some unknown threat from my dealer. Others have had similar experiences with them and I am absolutley totally surprised that they are still in business!

LDBennett
 
So I assume you will be buying a .45 Backup ASAP, right? :D

In fairness, I don't think the little .380 was meant to be comfortable to shoot or easy to reload. I must agree with your assessment of the trigger, and the new one is no better on the .380.

I have a .380 Backup with the striker-fired/single action trigger and it is quite accurate for its short barrel and small size. Not pleasant on the hands either, and I never have bothered about the brass.
 
When these first came out they were pretty much the only game in town for compact autos. That's not really the case anymore. So they better have good quality and price point out the gate IMO.

That being said they do have some quality's that I like.
Made in the USA. All steel. I hope they do well.
 
The High Standard guy told me they were bringing back the Automag IV (in .45WinMag only) when I spoke to him. It is also listed as "TBD" in the price list he gave me. You might have to wait a while, but it seems like they will eventually make it available. I think the Automag V will also make it back eventually too, since it is built on the same frame IIRC.

edited to add: The Backup is coming out in .400 CorBon, not .440CorBon. Even if they make it, you won't catch me shooting it!
 
I had one in .380 which was not reliable and one in .45acp that was. The .45 had a really heavy trigger pull, that combined with the short bbl, heavy recoil and gutter sights, made for a real tack driver. NOT! It was a belly gun for sure but I think the .45 does okay in a short bbl. I too would like to see more small .45s. I think the Kahr is going to be a winner.
 
Texas Colt said:
So did the HS guy at the SHOT show say when the new Backups would be available???
Click to expand...

He didn't say, but my impression was that they would be out right away. He had a number of them right there at the booth. He didn't have some of the Automags listed on the price sheet and spoke of them in a different "tense" if that makes any sense.
 
I have a late 70's vintage backup in .380 which has always performed flawlessly. The sights suck, but it's not really designed for 25 yard bullseye anyhow. Seems the backups have had a poor reputation with a lot of folks . . . guess I got the one in 100 that's made right.

Have always wished it could grow up to be a 9x19 though . . . glad to hear I may get a chance to buy just that again.
 
I asked High Standard by email and they stated they expect to submit the Auto-Mag III for the CA handgun saftey tests in 2007. Should tell you something...
 
I considered an AMT Backup .45 for CC, but ended up buying a Taurus PT145, as I think Taurus has a better record of reliability. Now that High Standard is selling the Backup .45, I might buy one.

Lou
 
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