- Ammo

First Impressions
Popular around 1990/1991, the AMF Ammo is a technical witness to the transition from the classic urethane era to modern ball technology. Visually the ball usually appears in a somber "Gunsmoke" or black, accented by a glowing neon logo (often orange) that underscores the aggressive marketing claims of the day. Inside works the M90 High Torque weight block. This is a further development of the classic three-piece (pancake) construction, in which the weight distribution was modified to create more dynamics than conventional polyester or standard urethane balls. The cover consists of a special blend that AMF marketed as "Gunpowder Urethane." This coverstock was developed to create friction while at the same time storing energy longer than the early urethane generations.
Comparison
Compared directly to its legendary predecessor, the AMF Black Angle, the Ammo shows a noticeably delayed reaction. While the Black Angle (and the Gold Angle as well) was known for reading extremely early and playing a very round, smooth arc, the Ammo uses its "Gunpowder" cover and the M90 core to skid farther through the heads. It offers more snap at the breakpoint than a classic Faball Blue Hammer, which was famous for its extremely even, almost monotone curve. The Ammo tries to close the gap between the total control of urethane and the necessary back-end power (carry), though from today's perspective it naturally comes across as considerably tamer than modern reactive balls.
On the Lanes
By today's standards the AMF Ammo is a specialist for extremely dry lanes or short oil patterns. Its urethane surface prevents the overreaction on dry outside boards (friction) that often makes modern reactive balls unplayable. It is ideal if you want to keep control on burned-up lanes and are looking for a ball that finds the pocket without jumping clear across the deck. In its heyday in the early '90s it was a high-performance ball for fresh lanes; today it serves excellently as a spare ball with a "safety hook" or as a first choice on very dry wood, where the M90 core still lets it do enough work at the pin deck to clear the corners better than a pure plastic ball.