Quote Originally Posted by psychos2 View Post
I believe it is more the ammo than the gun. It says something in the owners manual about using the correct ammo. Cheap out on the ammo and what do you expect. And I believe It says not to use reloads also . Another reason for guns jamming is not keeping them clean. And I did a search for the AMT Back-Up in .380 caliber And the forums talk about how much the jam. shawn

PSYCHOS2--- You are absolutely correct on two(2) points: Using only store bought "over-the-counter" factory ammo is key (no "reloads" of any kind), and the other point is to always keep your firearm clean.

You mentioned you saw in a blog/forum about the AMT .380 Back-Up jamming. Yes, the "feed-ramp" leading into the chamber as a new round is fed from the magazine is very finicky, and will catch the edge of a poorly crimped casing on a bullet. In addition, the AMT .380 Back-Up doesn't like long pointy bullets like the Winchester Silver-Tip, as they can get kinked on the feed-ramp due to the long pointy nose of the bullet.

There are three(3) cures to prevent the AMT .380 Back-Up from ever jamming, they are:

1. Have the feed-ramp professionally "polished" by a certified gunsmith.

2. Use only factory bullets that have a more "rounded blunt style" nose, as they feed a lot easier and don't have edges to catch on anything. Examples are: Black Talon, Hydra-Shock, Blue Glaser Safety.

3. Keep the AMT .380 Back-Up cleaned and well-oiled at all times, and test rack the slide many times while feeding bullets to insure proper function of the feed-ramp, magazine spring and slide action recoil. WD-40 is amazing stuff!!!

I have had my AMT .380 Back-Up feed-ramp "polished" by a professional gunsmith; I use only factory Black Talon ammo with one always in the chamber; and I clean/oil it with WD-40 and perform "test-rack" function daily while I drink my morning coffee. I clean it daily to catch any possible "little fuzzy's or pocket lint", since it is carried in my rear pants pocket.

Further, I take it to a gun range at least monthly to test fire it. While at the gun range; I also pretend & practice being robbed, so when I draw my weapon from my back pocket, I simultaneously flick the safe lever to "fire" as I'm pulling it out of my back pocket and immediately fire multiple live rounds down range. I have live-fired this scenario & practiced it so many times, that it is now common habit with me. I am fully confident if I am ever held-up by an armed robber, that there will be a very dead perp with several well placed rounds of wicked Black Talon in his chest. I sincerely hope that day never comes; however, I am well rehearsed for it should it happen. My AMT .380 Back-Up has never, ever, jammed in function-test or live-fire; but then again, I take very good care of my guns because my life literally depends upon it.

The other handgun's I own are:

Two(2) LAR Grizzly in .50AE caliber (1 is all-blue & 1 is two-tone chrome/blue).

Two(2) LAR Grizzly in .45 Win-Mag caliber; 1 is all-blue & 1 is a rare one-of-one State of Colorado Governor's Presentation handgun w/14K gold engraving & white pearl grips, mint, never fired, in original Cherry-wood case with beveled glass lid valued at over $3,500 per Gun Digest Bible.

One(1) C.O.P. 4-bbl derranger in .357 Magnum caliber.

One(1) S&W, Model 59 in 9mm caliber.

One(1) AMT Back-Up in .380 caliber (daily carry).

Next Gun: Para-Ordnance "Wart Hog" Sub-compact in .45 ACP and/or Para-Ordnance P-14 LDA "Limited" in .45 ACP.

WISDOM--- Regarding "home protection": The key to safeguarding yourself and your family in your own home is to have a very good Home Alarm System which will give you an "early warning" of intrusion (dogs work well also, providing the intruder doesn't throw him a steak to chew-on). It is the "early warning" sound of the alarm which will allow you to wake-up from your deep sleep and give you enough time to grab some sort of protection (Firearm, Kimber-Guardian Angel, Baseball Bat, dial 911, etc).

In reading the scenario you described; I think a good Home Alarm System would have prevented (or at least slowed) the perp from entering undetected with a knife to begin stabbing while someone is fast asleep. A gun would not have helped in this situation; too little, too late (you're hand-to-hand at this point). You've got to have some sort of advance early warning in order to respond properly. Hell; empty soup cans tied to a string works well, as long as your "ear" is trained to listen for that particular sound. Bottom Line--- Sure get a handgun if you like (Check out the "Para-Ordnance" brand, I like .45 ACP); but by all means, please also consider a quality Home Alarm System in order to give you some sort of an early advance warning to take action. If you have no warning, then you have no response. Riff Raff