trigger pull
- Thread starter zane k
- Start date
Walt Sherrill
New member
As noted above, the AMT guns are notorious for their trigger pulls (i.e., being bad) and for a lot of unpleasant recoil. It may be a blessing that your wife CAN'T pull the trigger...
Time to try to sell it or trade it -- selling it might be your best option, for unless you got it for a really low price, most gun shops will not offer much as a trade in.
Time to try to sell it or trade it -- selling it might be your best option, for unless you got it for a really low price, most gun shops will not offer much as a trade in.
g.willikers
New member
If she's going to take it back to the store, and demonstrate how she can't pull the trigger, make sure the gun is unloaded.
A fellow I know, who works in a large gun shop, ran into a similar situation.
An otherwise nice old lady brings her revolver back, points the gun right at him and proceeds to demonstrate how the trigger is way too hard for her to operate.
All he saw were six bullets in the cylinder staring at him as the cylinder rocks back and forth.
He gave her an immediate refund.
Kind of like an old fashioned stick up, come to think.
A fellow I know, who works in a large gun shop, ran into a similar situation.
An otherwise nice old lady brings her revolver back, points the gun right at him and proceeds to demonstrate how the trigger is way too hard for her to operate.
All he saw were six bullets in the cylinder staring at him as the cylinder rocks back and forth.
He gave her an immediate refund.
Kind of like an old fashioned stick up, come to think.
I had an AMT 45 Backup. It did not "suck". It was actually quite reliable, especially after I polished the feed ramp and frame rails. I also replaced the recoil spring with one from Wolf.Several things -
1. The trigger pull should not be lightened - this will impact reliability. Remember, it is not a Ruger LC9 type action that partially cocks the hammer on recoil. So, your finger must do the work of making the hammer go all the way back. Your wife should have checked trigger pull before buying it. This gun is not for everyone and certainly not for inexperienced shooters or those with weak hand strength.
2. The gun is reliable until you put a bunch of rounds through it. Small guns like this need to be cleaned more often when shooting a lot of ammo through them. Yes, a lot of ammo means a box of 50 rounds. It's not an AK-47 or a Glock.
3. The hammer has second strike capability - if it didn't fire the first time, its probably because the cartridge is not full seated. If the cartridge is not fully seated, that's probably because the chamber is dirty.
4. Use only factory magazines with AMT's.
5. Recoil is a bit harsh - it's not a range gun; not meant to fire a box of 50 cartridges in one range visit. They are compact and can handle fairly hot loads - you will feel it!!!
I have seen two pictures of AMT's are just bad and can't be easily fixed. These are the ones where the hammer is not centered properly and rubs against the slide. If that's not the case with yours, with a tiny bit of effort, it can be made to be quite reliable.
1. The trigger pull should not be lightened - this will impact reliability. Remember, it is not a Ruger LC9 type action that partially cocks the hammer on recoil. So, your finger must do the work of making the hammer go all the way back. Your wife should have checked trigger pull before buying it. This gun is not for everyone and certainly not for inexperienced shooters or those with weak hand strength.
2. The gun is reliable until you put a bunch of rounds through it. Small guns like this need to be cleaned more often when shooting a lot of ammo through them. Yes, a lot of ammo means a box of 50 rounds. It's not an AK-47 or a Glock.
3. The hammer has second strike capability - if it didn't fire the first time, its probably because the cartridge is not full seated. If the cartridge is not fully seated, that's probably because the chamber is dirty.
4. Use only factory magazines with AMT's.
5. Recoil is a bit harsh - it's not a range gun; not meant to fire a box of 50 cartridges in one range visit. They are compact and can handle fairly hot loads - you will feel it!!!
I have seen two pictures of AMT's are just bad and can't be easily fixed. These are the ones where the hammer is not centered properly and rubs against the slide. If that's not the case with yours, with a tiny bit of effort, it can be made to be quite reliable.
I see this argument fairly often and in regards to a number of brands, typically of lower cost. The question I invariably end up with is, "Why?" I honestly believe, and in 70+ handguns I feel I have some background, that it is harder to go into a store today and walk out with an unreliable handgun than a reliable one. The sheer number of options from reputable manufacturers is staggering. Unless it's a project gun or you just love tinkering, no one should really have to put up with an unreliable handgun. Now I've also seen issues from every manufacturer, so I know problems occur. But you the consumer should not be the one to have to fix them. That's what warranties should be for and if a company will not honor its warranty or provide good service than I hope that company disappears sooner than later. I remember a thread some time back where the owners of a certain model of Kel-Tec explained the "established" process to make the pistols run reliably after purchase. This is madness to me. There are a number of reliable budget guns and if $50 is the difference between reliability and a lack of reliability, then save some more.
In this particular case though, I don't understand how someone buys a gun that has a trigger too hard for them to pull. There is some onus on the purchaser to make sure the gun works for him/her. If the buyer is completely new to guns and the salesman doesn't have him/her at least make sure the trigger is workable then I can see the shop bearing some blame. But honestly in that case it is worth it to find someone who knows a bit about handguns and can at least give you basic buying advice. If it's a store that doesn't allow dry firing of handguns checked to be clear, then I leave. If I can't function test a weapon at a store I will not buy it.
Because, for a long time there wasn't any semi-auto 45acp that came close to the small size of the AMT 45 Backup. Heavy, perhaps. But it was very small and concealable. Presently, there are other options and this is why I no longer own one. But there was a time when there simply was nothing smaller than the AMT 45 backup if you wanted to carry something in 45acp.
considered others?
First: Have a look at "cornered cat" 's website. Just google "cornered cat" She's a moderator on here and has an entertaining, knowledgable website that may (or may not) be designed for a woman, but is lots of fun and illustrated enough for a man
which definitely covers the "which pistol" question that plagues us.
Second, now the industry is currently in the CRAZE for smaller concealed pistols. Back in AMT's prime, steel was still the big thing. Now polymer, aluminum or a mix of those with steel is in and although many still don't like it, its lighter, cheaper, has held up to use depending on the firearm, and is 1 less thing to rust or worry about. Doesn't look pretty though
Now there are single action, striker fired, pre-cocked double action, as well as true double action only on the pocket pistol market to be had. Also most are lighter than all steel AMT's.
Just a few small guns that come to mind
Single action: Colt 938, Kimber Solo
Striker: Ruger LC9s, M&PShield (a little larger than pocket pistol), XDS
Pre-cocked Double action - tends to be lighter than true double action - Kahr CM40 or CM9, Ruger LC9. S&W Bodyguard 380, Ruger LCP
Double Action - Ruger LCR (a revolver famous for it's lighter pull) in 38 special or 357.
I'm sure there are others. For an all steel 40 cal pocket pistol, Kahr MK 40 however it would be more expensive than the polymer Kahr 40 calibers.
If your mind is set on double action - or something very similar (pre-cocked double action) I have and recommend trying the trigger pull on a Kahr CM series pistol. They do make a 40 caliber version. I have the 9mm and its a very smooth pull, and since it's pre-cocked the pull is notably lighter than a snubby revolver. Aftermarket striker springs can be had to make it an even lighter trigger pull but I opted out. Make sure she can forcefully retract the slide since you'll need to do that to load it. Usually it's a training issue if folks find it difficult. I've brought a snap cap the gun store and asked if I could try the trigger pull just once on a firearm I wanted to handle. They get less antsy that way.
First: Have a look at "cornered cat" 's website. Just google "cornered cat" She's a moderator on here and has an entertaining, knowledgable website that may (or may not) be designed for a woman, but is lots of fun and illustrated enough for a man
which definitely covers the "which pistol" question that plagues us.Second, now the industry is currently in the CRAZE for smaller concealed pistols. Back in AMT's prime, steel was still the big thing. Now polymer, aluminum or a mix of those with steel is in and although many still don't like it, its lighter, cheaper, has held up to use depending on the firearm, and is 1 less thing to rust or worry about. Doesn't look pretty though
Now there are single action, striker fired, pre-cocked double action, as well as true double action only on the pocket pistol market to be had. Also most are lighter than all steel AMT's.
Just a few small guns that come to mind
Single action: Colt 938, Kimber Solo
Striker: Ruger LC9s, M&PShield (a little larger than pocket pistol), XDS
Pre-cocked Double action - tends to be lighter than true double action - Kahr CM40 or CM9, Ruger LC9. S&W Bodyguard 380, Ruger LCP
Double Action - Ruger LCR (a revolver famous for it's lighter pull) in 38 special or 357.
I'm sure there are others. For an all steel 40 cal pocket pistol, Kahr MK 40 however it would be more expensive than the polymer Kahr 40 calibers.
If your mind is set on double action - or something very similar (pre-cocked double action) I have and recommend trying the trigger pull on a Kahr CM series pistol. They do make a 40 caliber version. I have the 9mm and its a very smooth pull, and since it's pre-cocked the pull is notably lighter than a snubby revolver. Aftermarket striker springs can be had to make it an even lighter trigger pull but I opted out. Make sure she can forcefully retract the slide since you'll need to do that to load it. Usually it's a training issue if folks find it difficult. I've brought a snap cap the gun store and asked if I could try the trigger pull just once on a firearm I wanted to handle. They get less antsy that way.
g.willikers
New member
It's hard to imagine that anyone who works in a gun store, and is supposed to be knowledgeable about firearms, would object to dry firing just about anything, much other than some rimfires or cap and ball shootin' irons.
Of course, when encountering them, and trying to convince them dry firing does no harm, as witnessed by the thousands of time we do it for practice, it usually falls on deaf ears.
Might want to reconsider rewarding ignorance by continuing with the attempt to do business in such a place.
No telling what other misinformation lies within.
Of course, when encountering them, and trying to convince them dry firing does no harm, as witnessed by the thousands of time we do it for practice, it usually falls on deaf ears.
Might want to reconsider rewarding ignorance by continuing with the attempt to do business in such a place.
No telling what other misinformation lies within.
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