AMT Target

[56tchr]

Hello, I have a .22 semi auto rifle patterned after the Ruger 10-22 . My rifle is marked

AMT Target Model
.22 long rifle and

Stainless
Made in USA
Irwindale, Calif

The rifle is all stainless. Barrel is screwed in not pinched. I have never seen another. Any information would be helpful. Thanks, Dave gman@goldrush.com

[duckfart]

nice gun.

[M1NM]

Arcadia Machine Tool was in the business of making guns for a few years. First in Arcadia (mostly development there). Then to Covina and finally Irwindale. I had one of their early 380s. It always jammed right out of the box. I took it to them to get some warranty work done. The receptionist just took a new one out of her drawer and exchanged it on the spot. No paperwork or hassle - not even sure if that was legal at the time.

[clbshooter]

This is interesting. I have a AMT pistol in .30 cal. carbine and it is in stainless as well. They are no longer in business I think they were the last pistol maker in Ca.

[jyo]

Back when I managed a gunstore (mid-90s), AMT was active and trying to promote their new 10-22 clone in stainless. They shipped our store a sample target rifle to test---took it to the range and the first time I pulled the trigger, it fired a three-round burst!! The trigger was set just too fine. We sent it back to the factory to be fixed---I never saw another one or that rifle back…
I'd say they are pretty rare...

[freonr22]

Arcadia Machine Tool was in the business of making guns for a few years. First in Arcadia (mostly development there). Then to Covina and finally Irwindale. I had one of their early 380s. It always jammed right out of the box. I took it to them to get some warranty work done. The receptionist just took a new one out of her drawer and exchanged it on the spot. No paperwork or hassle - not even sure if that was legal at the time.

Have a long slide marked el Monte. How does that fit in?

[morrcarr67]

This is interesting. I have a AMT pistol in .30 cal. carbine and it is in stainless as well. They are no longer in business I think they were the last pistol maker in Ca.

Nope. There are still 3 or 4 pistol manufactures in CA

[morrcarr67]

Have a long slide marked el Monte. How does that fit in?

I don't know what order they go in but AMT/IAI made guns in the following locations:

Irwindale
Covina
El Monte
Pasadena
North Hollywood

[SanPedroShooter]

I have an AMT in .380 I still carry it

Its heavy, awkward and supposedly unsafe by todays standards, but a pocket auto was a big deal in the early 90's

Only cops could carry back then, and a lot of CA cops had AMT 'backup' as backup.

Mine is marked irwindale, and runs like a top. Just don't limp wrist it. If you ever want to sell your .22 let me know.

[SanPedroShooter]

AMT got sued a couple times, (by ruger, can you guess why?) went bankrupt, had to move a number of times to escape creditors etc...

I would love to have one their .30 carbine long slides. I think they made a 10mm too

I had no idea they made rifles. I suspect that one is pretty rare. They lost their suit to Ruger I think and had to pull models of the shelves.

[ronrichards64]

AMT made the 22 mag , 22 Auto mag pistol . I sold mine with no regrets. They were sued my Ruger for copying the 22 MK11 called the Lighting. These adds are in the Gun mags of the 80s. Brownnell,s sold just the receiver in the 90s for the Rifle. I have the Auto mag story in a 80s Gun Digest . My friend had the 44 AMP the beast from the movie sudden impact with Clint Eastwood.

[jyo]

I also had an 44 Auto-Mag pistol way back when---shot well with Norma factory ammo---less well with the "Mexican" factory ammo. You could make ammo yourself from .308 brass, but fairly tedious process...

[RAMCHARGER]

I still have that same AMT 10/22 clone but it's in Vegas now waiting to be given to my nephew when he grows up in 18 years or so. I bought in i the mid 1980s. I lived in Azusa at the time, walking distance from the Irwindale address. Went there several times to upgrade it (bull barrel, folding stocks and other goodies). Wonderful rifle. My 10/22 feels third world compared to it and it was more reliable. Thats 25+ years or heavy abuse and the only failed part was the occasional cheap scope . At that time Rifles were cash and carry.

[joefrank64k]

OP, I'll take it!



I've got an Irwindale AMT Backup in .45acp. Love the thing! It's not that unpleasant to shoot, and goes through 230gr ball and Hornady Critical Defense like nobody's business. IIRC, it's still the smallest DA .45acp semi-auto around.