What do you know about a 380 cal, 9mm kutrz, back up?

Question

I just inherited a 380 caliber, 9mm kurtz Back up. I can't find any manufacturer info other than the letters OMC, then El Monte, CA.

Any info would be helpful.

Answer 1

It's an AMT Back Up

Fairly popular gun in it's day

Some were good some not so much

But a huge chunk of steel for a 380

I enjoyed mine and never had a malfunction

You will have to research more to see which ones had issues

Answer 2

Vangion is correct as far as he went.  The company making the Backup also operated under the names Arcadia Machine Tools, Irwindale Machine Tools, and Irwindale Arms.  And they are rather chunky little pistols.

The big problem with them was that quality control was sometimes rather spotty.  Some folks, like Vangion swear by their pistols reliability.  Others have told me that the pistols were reliable only with FMJ ammunition, and others have damned them as thoroughly unreliable hunks of junk.

The only way you can find which variety you have is to shoot it extensively with a variety of ammunition.  You might have a real gem on your hands, or you might have a rather small blunt instrument.

I don't think these pistols have been manufactured since the late 1980's or early 1990's.  I hope you inherited a good one.

Doc

Answer 3

I realize that you inherited this handgun and I don't want to post bad things about it.  This is basically a low end .380 ACP handgun.  It's nothing special and they're not very expensive.  The term 9mm Kurtz means 9mm short in German.  

All I can mention is they shoot, that's about it.  You might get $100 if it's in good condition.  

Answer 4

OMC is Ordnance Manufacturing Company out of El Monte CA.

The gun is 50/50 on reliability and retails for about $250 new and $100 used.

In the world of guns, you typically get what you pay for. At those prices, it's a plinker that I wouldn't bet my life on. Haven't checked on recent data, but I'm pretty sure it's defunct now due to CA's ban on Saturday Night Specials (cheap, low caliber guns).