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.
The name Hardballer derives from this pistol's reluctance to feed anything but round-nose hardball ammunition (full metal jacket bullets). Modification to the feeding ramp will alleviate this problem.
The Hardballer series of pistols all share a stainless steel finish, wrap-around rubber grips, matte serrated slide ribs, a lengthened grip safety, 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 also 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.
