AMT Backup .380 auto -- first post as well

[AO84]

Hi. If this question is in the wrong subsection, please accept my apologies -- this is my first post.

I was wondering if anyone has any information about engraving an AMT Backup. These were made in El Monte, CA some time ago. I believe they're all stainless but not sure. I'm planning to do the slide only, but we'll see.

Thanks in advance and thank you for providing such an excellent forum. It has been an awesome resource!

 

[MoldyJim]

I haven't tried engraving one, but I do know they are cast stainless.
( I built the lost wax investment molds for them back in 1979-80 )
Engraving stainless can be difficult, and cast stainless is even tougher to do right.
I don't believe the slide is super hard though.

 

[AO84]

Thanks for the information. I'm nearly done with half the slide and it is indeed hard. Breaking tips every minute even with carbalt...if the rest is even harder than the slide I may just stop after the slide. Will post some pics soon. Thanks again

 

[Dave London]

I engraved the AMT 22 magnum pistol slide , 4 1/2 inch . No problems cut very easily, did not encounter any pits.
Go fo it, keep cutting

 

[papart1]

where's the pics????? please

 

[papart1]

Rust-oleum rust dissolver jelly is the cat's... for stripping.

 

[AO84]

I will try to post some pics today. Thanks for feedback all

 

[Dave London]

Ok photo frame is ceracoated

 

[Dave London]

The other side

 

[AO84]

That looks good, Dave. Thanks for posting. I'm still working on getting pics...have had to run errands all day. Hopefully tomorrow...

 

[AO84]

Here are some pics. The scrolls are flare/double bevel cut...perhaps the reason why the tip broke nearly every pass. Eventually, I'll engrave the other side of the slide, though maybe not as densely? Apologies for the picture quality...my initial pics were over 5mb and to get them to upload, the quality had to be reduced. Thanks for looking

 

[monk]

looks rather nice to my eye

 

[AO84]

Thanks, Monk. Not quite exactly what I had laid out, because of how surprisingly hard the slide turned out to be, but somewhat close. Working on the frame, and will then turn to the other side of the slide. More pics hopefully this week. I have to work on a CZ 75 B interspersed with this project, but hoping to make more progress on this one these next few weeks. Best regards

 

[AO84]

Some more progress pics

 

[AO84]

Few more progress pics

 

[AO84]

 

[sam]

I saw an AMT 380 Backup engraved by Lynton McKenzie for the president of Paraguay around 1980 or so. Magnificent job that I doubt has ever been photographed, and the prep work on the gun turned it into a thing of beauty even without engraving.

 

[AO84]

That's interesting, Sam. Too bad no likely photos -- would love to see. Sounds amazing