AMT Hardballer and Hardballer Long Slide

[Hostile Amish]

Has anybody fired, used, or owned the Hardballer? This is a pistol that I would really like to get, but as it is uncommon, I have not fired or handled it yet.

Please respond with comments, advice, etc.

 

[Jim Watson]

The ones I saw, years ago while they were still in production, were pretty crude. A couple of shooters here tinkered with theirs enough to get them to run reliably, but it took a lot of work. One guy shot his extensively with +P and it held up well, so I conclude they were roughly made out of strong materials, likely the 17-4 PH steel of the Automags.

I have seen more good Internet Reports on the longslides than I have the standard models.


Bear in mind that they are long since discontinued and the company out of business. You would have no support except by use of generic 1911 parts and accessories.

 

[mljdeckard]

Does anyone sell a long-slide retrofit kit, Caspian or someone?

 

[hemiram]

I had both, and they were DISASTERS. Both went to AMT (They are gone now), and still they were nothing but problems. Unless you can shoot them first, take a pass. Don't say I didn't warn you.

 

[Japle]

About 25 years ago when I had an FFL I sold several of them. They were OK and accurate enough for the money, but had some problems.
The recoil spring plug broke on one, launching the spring downrange. No damage. I replaced it with a stainless Colt plug.
The sear on another one broke into 3 pieces. I fit a Colt sear which worked fine.

Colt and standard aftermarket parts fit the ones they made then. Don't know about any later ones, but I doubt they'd change their manufacturing tolerances. If you're willing to take chances on parts breaking and the price is right, you might have a good deal. Buyer beware.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I had one in the early 90's. It was a great shooter. The stainless was a bit porous but I liked it a lot as a shooter.

 

[Gunfighter123]

I owned both --- the 5" Hardballer worked great for the 3000+ rds. I shot thru it before I sold it { wish I hadn't}

The 7" Longslide was a POC !!!! The gun would not function as anything but a single shot for the first 200/300 rds. --- then worked OK for the next 500rds. and then got WAY loose after that -- slide/frame /brl./bushing all went to Hell.

 

[bannockburn]

Hostile Amish

Two words come to mind when I hear of someone asking about a AMT Hardballer: Caveat Emptor!

 

[HK G3]

From what I understand, the AMT Javelina is a decent pistol, chambered in 10mm Auto.

The AMT Hardballer and the longslide (of Terminator fame) seem to be hit and miss - quite a few stinkers out there, but also quite a few that work well. As others have stated, AMT no longer exists.

 

[JN01]

My Hardballer was a nice looking piece junk. Stay away.

 

[SpamHandler]

Here are my experiences with the Hardballer. The rear sight retaining pin sheared off after less than 200 rounds, losing the springs in the process. After replacing that, I needed to replace the barrel, (it was cracked) link and pin. Then the extractor failed. The hammer wasn't machined squarely, so it had a narrow bearing surface (it too was replaced), and the disconnector was poorly cast, so an aftermarket part took its' place. With all of the new parts it finally works adequately. If I had to do it again.....I'd say no.