Arcadia Machine & Tool (AMT)

The Arcadia Machine & Tool (AMT) logo. Although they used several over their years of operation.

Arcadia Machine & Tool, often known simply as "AMT" was an American firearms manufacturer that was in operation from 1976 to 2001. After the company closed its doors, High Standard Manufacturing Company would end up acquiring the rights to a number of AMT's products. They continued to produce a number of those firearms, including several of AMT's famous "AutoMag" series of handguns until they too went out of business in 2018. As a result, the only source for these firearms is the used market.

Arcadia Machine & Tool started out primarily manufacturing pocket pistols such as their "Backup" series of pistols. While they are often lumped in with the other "Ring of Fire" manufacturers (likely because of their close proximity to them), it should be noted that the quality of AMT's firearms are considered far superior to those other manufacturers and were definitely not low quality "throwaway" firearms like those other Saturday Night Specials.

AMT Gun Models

Pistols

AMT Backup - Series of pocket pistols. Came in .380 ACP, 9mm, .38 Super, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP.

AMT AutoMag - First of the AutoMag series. Semi auto, chambered in the original .44 AutoMag Pistol (.44 AMP)

AMT AutoMag II - .22 magnum semi-automatic handgun.

AMT AutoMag III Semi-auto handgun chambered in .30 Carbine caliber.

AMT AutoMag IV - Semi-auto pistol chambered in .45 Winchester Magnum.

AMT AutoMag V - Semi-auto, chambered in .50 Action Express.

AMT Baby AutoMag - A shrunken down AMT AutoMag, chambered in .22 Long Rifle. Exactly 1,000 units were manufactured.

AMT Lightning (Pistol) - A Ruger Mark II pistol clone that led to a lawsuit from Ruger!

AMT On-Duty - An aluminum-framed pistol targeted at law enforcement usage. Came in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP.

AMT Hardballer - 1911 style pistol, chambered in .45 ACP. All stainless version of the Colt Gold Cup, fitted with Micro rear sights. Other variants listed below:

• AMT Combat Government: Developed as a sports pistol but in 1978 AMT marketed the Combat Government, an M1911 clone with fixed sights for police departments. Since 1985, this model has been called the Government with the term "Combat" omitted.

• AMT Longslide: a version with an extended 7 in (178 mm) barrel, introduced in 1980. It has the same qualities as the Hardballer but with slide and barrel lengthened by 2 in (51 mm).

• AMT Skipper: a compact version of the Hardballer introduced in 1980. It features a 4 in (102 mm) barrel. In 1984, the Skipper disappeared from AMT's range.

• AMT Commando: originally offered by AMT, then improved and reintroduced in 2000(?) under the Galena Industries brand. The original AMT Commando was a 5 in (127 mm) barreled version and did not have a loaded chamber indicator nor beavertail grip safety. The improved Commando is a compact model of the 5 in (127 mm) Government with a 4 in (102 mm) barrel but retaining the frame of the Government model. It is chambered in .40 S&W and has an 8-round magazine capacity.

• AMT Accelerator: a Galena-made Longslide chambered for the .400 Corbon cartridge featuring a 7 in (178 mm) barrel and an elongated beavertail.

• AMT Javelina: a Longslide variant chambered in the 10mm Auto caliber with an 8-round capacity magazine.

Rifles

AMT Lightning 25/22 - Ruger 10/22 clone.

AMT 22 Magnum Hunter - A .22 magnum semi-auto rifle.

Assorted Bolt-Action Rifles: Semi-custom offerings from AMT at the time. Appear to have been made to order..?

Ruger Lawsuit

As a result of the popularity and extreme similarity between the Lightning 25/22, as well as the AMT Lightning pistol, Ruger ended up suing Arcadia Machine & Tool. The lawsuit did not appear to be over patent rights, but rather a trademark claim, where Ruger took the position that the extremely similar appearance of the AMT products would confuse the average consumer. Apparently, there was an out of court settlement where AMT agreed to stop producing the AMT Lightning pistol. However, it appears AMT was able to continue making the Lightning 25/22 (rifle).

Resources

Ian's AMT Information Site (amtguns.net) - A great resource that offers information on various AMT firearm models. Including manuals and other useful information.

.