jaredshs, AMTs kind of remind me of Rugers. They were very well built with plenty of features. Also like Rugers out-of-the-box, they didn't quite finish the job. Lots of internal machine marks, some galling, and a horrible trigger pull. Once "cleaned up", they are just as good as a Colt.
Every gun has a story so here's my AMT's. I bought this gun at a local gunshow from a private owner NIB and cheap. The owner said he tried to fire it but it wouldn't work. He tried to send it back to the factory only to find AMT had gone out of business. I figured I could repair it and still have minimal investment. When I got it home, I found the hammer was hitting the leaf of the Millett adjustable rear sight and didn't make it to the firing pin. A few clicks on the elevation screw and it worked like a champ.
I installed a new 3-finger spring, honed the sear, dressed up the breach face and adjusted the extractor tension. Now the trigger is light and crisp and it feeds perfectly. Accuracy with the factory barrel wasn't anything to brag about (2.5" @ 25 yds from a rest) so I bought a new Kart match grade s/s barrel and bushing and fitted them. Now it will get sub-inch groups at 25 yds. With exception of the trigger, all parts are compatible with standard 1911s. The factory magazine was garbage so I bought some Wilson 8-rounders.
My AMT Hardballer came with very nice Millett adjustable sights and all the goodies shown in the photo. I have since installed a skeleton hammer and a set of Pachmayer finger groove grips.
AMT got into a nasty law suit with Ruger. Seems they made a clone of Ruger's MK II pistol and 10/22 rifle. Ruger sued them for patent infringements. Soon after, AMT went out of business. AMTs show up once in a while and typically sell for $750ish. The long slide version will bring about $1000.