Author Topic: AMT Hardballer (Read 4023 times)

BigDaddyB · « **on:** December 13, 2002, 05:04:46 AM »

I've come across several seemingly good deals on lightly used AMT Hardballers? Opinions? Is this a good, reliable weapon to own? I've heard that they have standard 1911 parts, excepting the slide and barrel?

What would be a good price for one of these?

Thanks,

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** December 13, 2002, 07:46:31 AM »

BigDaddy8: As I understand it the AMT Hardballer is no longer made. There were some problems with those pistols that were based on the stainless steel galling or being too soft. Other posters on these forums have had difficulties with those handguns. If you are looking for a 1911 style 45 auto there are a number of better brands availalbe at less cost.

Just my 2 cents worth. This be Mikey.

sundogg1911 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2002, 09:35:43 AM »

I had a Hardballer. Sunk a ton of money in it to get it feed and function reliably. I could have bought a new goldcup for the money that I had into Gunsmithing when I finally gave up and sold it. I also have a friend that has one (He's a Gunsmith) He has a lot of money tied up in His too, but His functions better, but only with FMJ's. It chokes on everything else...Guess that's why they called them Hardballers :shock:

BigDaddyB · « **Reply #3 on:** December 13, 2002, 10:25:41 AM »

Quote from: Mikey

If you are looking for a 1911 style 45 auto there are a number of better brands availalbe at less cost.

Thanks for the honest feedback. What brands do you consider to be better for the money. I already own a Kimber Gold Match II. I just like 1911's and am always looking for a great deal.

Old Syko · « **Reply #4 on:** December 13, 2002, 11:02:51 AM »

Springfield is the way to go. Got 2 of um and they ain't picky about what you feed um. The cheaper one is actually my favorite. A 1911 A1 mil. spec. Play your cards right and you can pick one up for 'bout $400. Then all you gotta do is feed it. Like I said, it ain't picky. It'll eat whatever you serve. Least mine does.

sundogg1911 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 14, 2002, 01:57:53 AM »

I agree with Old Syko, you can't beat a Springfield for the money. Kimber is also a fine choice. I really like my double stacks too (I have a Para-Ordnance, and an Enterprise Arms) The Charles Daly's can be a good deal (If you get a good deal one one) but watch, you may start adding to it with goodies, and end up sinking more money into it that the purchase of a Springfield :shock:

Mikey · « **Reply #6 on:** December 16, 2002, 05:12:10 AM »

BigDaddy - I would listen to the others and get yourself a Springfield. Your Kimber sounds like a real sweetheart - you can get a loaded Springer for less than what your Kimber cost, I believe, and they come with warranties and a very considerate factory custom shop if you want anything else done to it. If I had to do it over again I would get another Springer, loaded.

Just my 2 cents. Mikey.

jamie · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2002, 06:14:18 AM »

Can't agree with the rest. I had a Ultra Compact V10, slide release flew out the side on the 6th shot. No big deal one I had at the house cured it. Called Springfield to let them know about the problem and too see if they would send me a slide release that was in spec. The person one the other end promptly informed that I had no idea what I was talking about. Got rid of that week and will NEVER buy anything from them again.

Mikey · « **Reply #8 on:** December 23, 2002, 07:28:07 AM »

jamie: that's a bummer and certainly doesn't sound like the usual kind of help folks get from Springfield. Most of us have never had a problem with our Springers and I'm sorry to hear that you have, and then had that poor follow-up with the factory.

I wonder if anyone else out there has had this type of a problem with Springfield. Mikey.

jamie · « **Reply #9 on:** December 23, 2002, 11:46:17 PM »

Mikey, I explained it to the person over the phone but wasn't sure if we were in agreement as to what we were talking about since sometimes in conversations over the phone things can get mixed up, when I was done I asked them if they knew what I was talking about to ensure I had gotten my point across and the reply was "I know exactly what I'm talking, but you don't know what you are." Well, as they say, that was it.

Oh, I did own a hardballer and the slide was too soft. It was actually worn to the point that the notch for the slide release lever wouldn't catch anymore.

Roy Derksen · « **Reply #10 on:** February 09, 2003, 04:00:53 AM »

I have an AMT longslide, and It has worked fine. I don't shoot a whole lot of rounds through it, but it is quiet and quite accurate. I also have a colt shorty, and though it is a fine shooter, if you value your hearing don't shoot it without ear protection.

Roy

GREYGHOSTt · « **Reply #11 on:** March 07, 2003, 03:18:23 AM »

Guess i got the odd ball hard baller traded a commander 4 one back in the
mid eighties and didnt look back. It has digested every thing i have
put through it from 185 grn. cast semi wadd cutters to 230 grain wolf! :-D

Original Ken · « **Reply #12 on:** March 07, 2003, 09:15:25 AM »

I have a guy in my club who has an AMT hardballer. In fact I qualified for jacketed loads with it. Shot like a queen. But he has a load of $$$ in it and I don't think there are a lot of AMT parts even in it anymore. I would say his is the exception as other guys in our club got rid of theirs. I like my Colt 1911A which is dated Jan 42!!!! Just clean action and no problems and it eats everything from hardball to peanut logs (which is one of Mikey's favorite foods!!!). Stay in the mainstream and you should be ok. I know several with Springfields and they rave about them. I was surprised to see the post about the attitude at the Springfield factory. I think I would have got that persons name and gone up the "corporate ladder" and had his rung removed myself!!! Hooyah MasterChief for Mikey

TravisM. · « **Reply #13 on:** June 29, 2003, 09:35:16 AM »

I have a Hardballer, and it shoots great with no problems.... It also shoots pretty much everything I put in the mags (except 200grn hollowpoints).

kciH · « **Reply #14 on:** July 03, 2003, 07:16:13 AM »

I've got a longslide version of this pistol. I also shoot a "loaded" Springfield and a Kimber Custom Eclipse II. THe AMT doesn't compare with the others in stock form, but I wouldn't pay more than $3-350 for one either. Mine fed OK when I got it, I was using 200gr cast SWC primarily. You will want to use a light grease on the slide/frame junction as with any stainless 45. When I had the gun comped, they hard chromed over the stanless and the galling issue is now a non-issue. If you buy one of these, throw away the AMT magazine if it still has it. If a .45 won't feed with a Wilson mag and a H&G 68 200gr SWC, sell it to someone else.

kaferhaus · « **Reply #15 on:** August 17, 2003, 05:03:45 AM »

I have several of the early hardballer IIs (adjustable sight models). They fedd fire and function with anything. Both will even feed an empty case!

The problem is many of the used AMTs around have been "fiddled with" by persons who had no business working on a pistol.

I bought both of mine new. One of them has at least 20,000 rounds through it, as I used it as a bullseye gun for almost 8yrs.

The only work I ever did to these pistols besides performing a trigger job, was polish the feed ramp, and throat the barrels.

All Colt 1911 parts interchange except the barrel and slide. Barrels are not a problem you just order an "oversize" from Bar-sto or whoever, they just have to be "fitted" to the AMT slide.