AMT Hardballer
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AMT Hardballer
| AMT Hardballer | |
|---|---|
 AMT Hardballer .45 ACP |
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| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin |  United States |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Arcadia Machine & Tool, Galena Industries |
| Produced | 1977 |
| Variants | Accelerator, Commando, Government, Javelina, Longslide, Skipper |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 38 oz (1,077 g) 46.06 oz (1,306 g) (Longslide) |
| Length | 8.5 in (216 mm) 10.5 in (267 mm) (Longslide) |
| Barrel length | 4 in (102 mm) (Commando, Skipper) 5 in (127 mm) (Hardballer, Government) 7 in (178 mm) (Accelerator, Longslide, Javelina) |
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| Cartridge | .45 ACP 10mm Auto (Javelina) .40 S&W (Commando) .400 Corbon (Accelerator) |
| Action | Short recoil operated, locked breech |
| Feed system | 7-round box magazine 8-round magazine (Commando) |
| Sights | Fully adjustable Millett rear sight; front blade Fixed sights on Government models |
The AMT Hardballer is a clone of the .45 ACP Colt M1911, although some components of the action are not interchangeable with other M1911s. It was made by Arcadia Machine & Tool, commonly known as AMT, from 1977. The Hardballer was the first entirely stainless steel 1911 pattern pistol. Other features included adjustable rear sights and a lengthened grip safety.[1]
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Contents
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Overview
The Hardballer derives its name from round-nose hardball ammunition (solid lead bullet with driving bands or non-jacketed lead bullets).
The Hardballer series of pistols all share a brushed stainless steel finish, wrap-around rubber grips, loaded chamber indicator and a wide target style trigger with adjustable trigger stop. The later Galena-made pistols have an elongated "beavertail" grip safety and a beveled magazine well.
Galling of the stainless steel was a common issue, as lubrication technology at the time of original manufacture of the Hardballers was not suitable enough to prevent it. Galling occurred due to the alloy used, as well as the fact that the same hardness of alloy was used for the frame and the slide. Usually, different alloys and hardening are used to prevent galling. Modern stainless guns are much less susceptible to galling. Galling is a condition whereby excessive friction between high spots results in localized welding with subsequent splitting and a further roughening of rubbing surfaces of one or both of two mating parts. Early stainless steel alloys suffered from this due to the breakdown of lubricants. Galling can be prevented by electrolytic nickel plating of the surface. Typically either electrolytic nickel plating the frame rails or slide rails will take care of the problem in virtually all cases.
Variants
- AMT Combat Government: The Hardballer was developed as a sports pistol but in 1978 AMT marketed the Combat Government, a Hardballer with fixed sights for police departments. Since 1985, this model has been called the Government with the term "Combat" omitted. As of 2009, the models value is $450 USD(Fixed Sights), $495 USD(Adjustable Sights)
- AMT Hardballer 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).As of 2009, the models value is $650 USD
- 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. As of 2009, the value is $450 USD
- AMT Commando: Originally offered by AMT then improved and reintroduced in 2000 (this date in question) 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. As of 2009, the value is $450 USD
- AMT Accelerator: Basically a Galena-made Longslide chambered for the powerful .400 Corbon cartridge featuring a 7 in (178 mm) barrel and an elongated beavertail. As of 2009, value is $550 USD
- AMT Javelina: An AMT Longslide chambered in the 10mm Auto caliber with an 8-round capacity magazine.
(Above prices are for New in Box condition)
Popular culture
- The movie The Terminator featured a Hardballer Longslide with a SureFire-made mock laser projector on the movie poster and featured the weapon prominently in the film.
- Most notably, dual-wielded AMT Hardballers with suppressors (dubbed "Silverballers") are the signature weapons of Agent 47 from the Hitman video game series.
- A Hardballer was featured prominently in the film My Name Is Bruce, though Bruce Campbell refers to it as a ".31 Longbow.".
References
- ^ Hartink, A.E. (2002). The Complete Encyclopedia of Pistols and Revolvers. Edison, New Jersey: Chartwell Books, Inc. pp. 87–88. ISBN 978-0-7858-1519-8.
Kuchera, Ben (2010-03-10). "True story: the making of the Terminator's laser-sighted .45 pistol". Ars Technica. <http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2010/03/just-what-you-see-the-story-behind-the-45-long-slide-laser-siting.ars.>
External links
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