Talk:AMT
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There's also a firearms company called AMT (I'm not sure what it stands for) that was bought by Galena Industries (which went out of business shortly after AMT did). I can't find any information online about AMT or Galena (quick Google search); are there any gun enthusiasts here that know more? The lack of concise info on the Internet would make this a useful article on Wikipedia, IMO. --Schultz.Ryan 02:27, 19 Mar 2005 (UTC)
Well AMT Stands for Arcadia Machine Tools. They produced handguns, mainly stainless, in the early 1980's. They produced the AMT Backup series. A small stainless handgun in a variety of calibers. .45, .380, yes, .22LR (rare) and others. They also produced an automag, which I never saw. I have a .22LR AMT Backup. However the clip broke and now it is impossible to find a replacement.
AMT/Galena Industries
[edit]Around 2000 Galena Industries bought the name AMT and is was manufacturing the AMT hardballer, which has been tested to shoot sub one inch groups at 50 yards consistently and the reliability has been improved under Galena.
An excerpt from Patrick Sweeney's Book of 1911s:
"THe orginal AMT pistols were famous for two things: neing the first 1911 pistols made entirely of stainless steel and a spotty record of reliability:.
the newer Hardballers, if you can find them, are made in Sturgis, SD. THey have serial number GGAxxxxx, have standard Government Issue look with the exception of a adjustable target rear sight, smooth recoil spring plug, and a competition thumb safety.
AMT primarily used a process called 'Investment Casting' to produce their firearms (which were primarily stainless steel). This process produces an almost finished product much more cheaply than the more traditional methods of machining the parts from forgings or plate. It is the same process Ruger uses to produce the frames on their aluminum frame semi-auto pistols. They were able to produce the lowest cost 'stainless' pistols on the market this way.
They also made the *AMT 'BACKUP' series of double action only pistols until Nov. 2001.
These cannot be carried 'cocked' - or in other words, with the hammer spring compressed and hammer retracted. The BACKUP series of pistols rely on a trigger attached to a bar that engages the hammer, by pulling on the trigger. The hammer is retracted back while simultaneously compressing the hammer spring. It continues until it reaches the end of its travel. The hammer is then released forward, striking the firing pin assembly.
It takes 8 lbs. for the .380 ACP and 17 lbs. of pull for the .45 ACP model to fire, both have extremely long trigger pulls. There is not any 'safety' as the long, heavy pull of the trigger is sufficient enough to keep the pistol from "accidentally" firing. The hammer is completely recessed (shrouded) in the pistol and all but impossible to strike by an outside force.
The pistols were reliable and operated as designed. Some models had to use a specified type of ammunition. The .45 ACP BACKUP for instance was designed for hardball ammunition only. People sometimes ignored this important bit of information provided in the manuals and then blamed the malfunctioning on the pistols.
They were basic and workmanship like appearance, no fancy polishing or machining, they weren't made for looking at, they were made for saving lives.
*AMT was an abbreviation of Arcadia Machine & Tool, Inc., located at 6226 Santos Diaz St., Irwindale, CA 91702
216.67.92.218 (talk) 12:28, 18 January 2008 (UTC)Sourdough Sam