Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns AMT 1911's... Any good? OK, Great? Decent? Crapola? Value?

I have an offer from a fellow to make an AMT 1911 45ACP part of a trade for a nice (Savage Fox model B 20 ga SxS) shotgun.

I have not seen very many AMT 45's on tables and such for some time. I shot one that belonged to a freind in an IPSC match long ago and it ran well then but that was my last time handling one of these.

Other AMT guns I have had or handled including AMT Auto Mag ll and AMT 'backup' 380's have been less than stellar but perhaps thier 1911's were OK?

I am assuming that thier parts interchange with other 1911's, are/were they well made? Reliable?

Real world value? the guy wants $500.00 in trade value for his, I am initially thinking this a tad high but maybe not, what say you all?

$450 seems about average price from what I can find.

$500 is a bit high. The only really desirable AMT 1911 is the long-slide model, and that only because Arnold carried one in the original "Terminator." The AMT's were neat back when nobody was making a stainless 1911 but those I've seen have been pretty crudely finished on the inside compared to what you can get in a 1911 for $500 today.

It's a full stainless, made in USA 45 Auto, right? You might get a Rock Island cheaper, but that's about it. AMT's went through several changes of ownership and had reputations for spotty quality. I think they were okay though. I once owned a Javelina, which was their 1911 in 10mm. I think it's worth $500.

I just received a picture and it does not say Hardballer on it, just Stainless Steel, and was made when AMT was in Covina California rather than Irwindale or one of their other locations.

I would never get one unless it was a sweet deal. They have a bad rep.

And in your mind a 'sweet deal' would be.....

probably <350. I can get a reliable RIA for 400, and since I might have to fight the AMT, I'd be hesitant.

Gotcha, thanks for the input/intel.

Others?

Sweet would be around $325 to $350.

Too many better quality used45's can be found for around $400 if you look.

Amt is crap.A true jam-a-matic.

Some of the older ones were okay, but the rough finish on them turns me off. Either it's matte-finished, and rougher than a corncob, or it's polished (which scratches REAL easy).

I worked in a gunshop/indoor range for some years, and those pistols seemed to either work well, or not at all, and all of them looked like crap.

Of course, looks don't matter much if it works, ask any Glock fan!

The AMT was the first 1911 I owned. and the first and last one I had to beat apart with a hammer, when it jammed badly. Also the first one I sold. Lucky the next one was a Colt, and my fondness for the design progressed from there.

The AMT's just weren't any good. Nowadays I probably know enough to get one running, but if I bought one it would have to be cheap, as I'd assume it was someone else's problem. $325-350 is all I would do.

AMT was the first 1911 manufacturer that used stainless in a 1911 design. Unfortunately the stainless they chose was not the best in the world. One of the gunsmiths I used in Dallas showed me an early Hardballer that was completely worn out in less than 1000 rounds.

That said I did have a Automag II .22 Magnum that was very accurate and 99.9% reliable and still own a Backup in .38 Super that is 100% reliable with ammo it likes. I am not sure if AMT or High Standard made the gun though. If it was a HS it was an early one...

Bob

Never could abide by them the stainless they used was very prone to galling and all I ever shot were jam-o-matics.

Owner says he has shot it a bunch with no problems, including a pile of SWC handloads so I guess this is a good one.

It will be sent to me unless someone here wants it....

You are more than welcome to it AFAIAC! If given one I would immediately sell it for whatever I could get in a fire sale!!!!

Laffin here.

I might shoot this one a bit and see how it runs. Seller is a memvber here and stands behind the gun being a reliable dependable shooter. Some good grease will probably help it some. It has adjustable sights and adjustable trigger, maybe it got out of the factory in better order than some. I did get it pretty cheaply so not likely to get hurt on the deal. Even if kept as a spare/backup/plinker etc.

The early AMT 1911's were more or less junk compared to today's stuff.

Lots of misplaced holes on some frames as well.

MM

And too similar slide and frame stainless steels so they were gall monsters. The odds are good buying an AMT replaces the worst gun you own as the new worst gun you own.