.44 Auto Mag pistol model 180

[CLASSIC12]

I've been dreaming of an Auto Mag for 30 years (Sudden Impact) but never wanted to shell out 4-5 grand. Got this one for 2200 at an auction.

A word of advice in the manual

Got to find reloading dies and components now.

 

[damienph]

Glad that you are planning on shooting it. Nice!!

 

[6518John]

Bet that baby will create some echos in the Alps!

 

[holo]

Wow that is sweet

 

[JohnRippert]

I'm having Mack Bolan flashbacks.

Nice acquisition.

 

[Rintimtin]

Im watching "Sudden Impact" right now.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Awesome!

That is the ONLY pistol I like with a vented rib.

 

[6string]

Hi there,
I'd say you got a good deal. A couple years ago there was something of an Automag feeding frenzy as Harry Sanford's son cleared house and sold a lot of one of a kind guns, parts, partially tooled frames, memorabilia, etc. It was a treasure trove that can't be duplicated, at least for Automags. As a result, it seems this niche has come of age.
Glad to hear you're going to handload for it. I would suggest you look out for articles and data by Kent Lomont. He probably has done more reloading and testing on automags than anyone. There was an old issue of Handloader Digest (can't remember the year,but it was 1970s) that went into extensive detail. Kent would often test accuracy out to 100 yards and well beyond.
I believe RCBS and/ or Huntington do special order reloading and case forming die sets. Forming your own cases from military surplus 7.62 or 30-06 will probably make for the strongest and most cost effective case, once you get past the cost of the forming dies.
Congratulations,
Jim

 

[CLASSIC12]

Im watching "Sudden Impact" right now.

That is nice.

 

[CLASSIC12]

Awesome!

That is the ONLY pistol I like with a vented rib.

If we're talking semi auto pistols, not many I guess. Thinking of the Wildey.

Revolvers ok ?

 

[petepeterson]

I love the pic with the "bolt" open. What an awesome piece. Congrats.

 

[CLASSIC12]

Hi there,
I'd say you got a good deal. A couple years ago there was something of an Automag feeding frenzy as Harry Sanford's son cleared house and sold a lot of one of a kind guns, parts, partially tooled frames, memorabilia, etc. It was a treasure trove that can't be duplicated, at least for Automags. As a result, it seems this niche has come of age.
Glad to hear you're going to handload for it. I would suggest you look out for articles and data by Kent Lomont. He probably has done more reloading and testing on automags than anyone. There was an old issue of Handloader Digest (can't remember the year,but it was 1970s) that went into extensive detail. Kent would often test accuracy out to 100 yards and well beyond.
I believe RCBS and/ or Huntington do special order reloading and case forming die sets. Forming your own cases from military surplus 7.62 or 30-06 will probably make for the strongest and most cost effective case, once you get past the cost of the forming dies.
Congratulations,
Jim

Hi Jim. Thanks for all the infos. I remember seeing the sale / website by Harry Sanford's son. But living in Switzerland makes things complicated.

I did not know abt. Kent Lomont, discovering now, seems to be quite a charachter, shame he passed prematurely.

As for reloading, I have a lot of experience with .44 Mag, and was considering going a simple and proven route. Starline brass, RCBS reloading dies, 2400 / H110 powder and 240 grains jacketed bullets. And Switzerland not being part of NATO does not use 7.62 X 51.

Found this on the internet too:

 

[Watchdog]

That's great. I can't remember the last time I even saw one of those. Looks to be in really nice shape, too. Congrats.

 

[koz5614]

Burt Reynolds used one in Malone:



The holster is a Bianchi #16 made specifically for the Auto Mag. It's a cavalry flap holster, and apparently is pretty tough to find.

 

[tbgunner88]

That's a neat pistol, how many rounds does the magazine hold?

 

[SpartanDCI]

Wow, early North Hollywood TDE finished Pasadena made gun I think.

You might check over on the AUTOMAG board, since I think there is a value difference for how the barrel is marked, as in North Hollywood vs N Hollywood or something like that.

I had a 44 Automag and loved it, but I lived in my garage reloading for it. Spent many long hours talking to Kent Lomont on the phone getting loading data and hints. Miss that guy a bunch since I always came away learning so much, whether it was S&W Magnums, Automags, machineguns or what pickup truck to get that can haul a lot of gear when camping in the mountains!

If your case came with the foam, get rid of the foam - it will eat the finish on your pistol. Brian Maynard makes new barrels for the Automag, but you would have to get permits but he also sells a modified safety that works better than the factory model. I recommend it.
Check at the bottom of the page on the link:
Maynard Arms Company

Also, get these two issues of Gun Digest: 1977 and 1978 - they will have both of Kent Lomont's articles on the Automag and there is more info there than anywhere else. You can also use 30/06 brass.

The 44 auto mag is based on the 30-06 or 308 case. Cut to 1.298" case length, inside neck ream to hold .429 bullet and you are good to go. RCBS used to make conversion dies sets, but it is all covered in the Gun Digest Articles in great detail.

 

[CLASSIC12]

Burt Reynolds used one in Malone:



The holster is a Bianchi #16 made specifically for the Auto Mag. It's a cavalry flap holster, and apparently is pretty tough to find.

Beautiful gun and rig, thanks for posting.

 

[CLASSIC12]

That's a neat pistol, how many rounds does the magazine hold?

I believe 7 IIRC (don't have any cartridges yet )

 

[CLASSIC12]

Wow, early North Hollywood TDE finished Pasadena made gun I think.

You might check over on the AUTOMAG board, since I think there is a value difference for how the barrel is marked, as in North Hollywood vs N Hollywood or something like that.

I had a 44 Automag and loved it, but I lived in my garage reloading for it. Spent many long hours talking to Kent Lomont on the phone getting loading data and hints. Miss that guy a bunch since I always came away learning so much, whether it was S&W Magnums, Automags, machineguns or what pickup truck to get that can haul a lot of gear when camping in the mountains!

If your case came with the foam, get rid of the foam - it will eat the finish on your pistol. Brian Maynard makes new barrels for the Automag, but you would have to get permits but he also sells a modified safety that works better than the factory model. I recommend it.
Check at the bottom of the page on the link:
Maynard Arms Company

Also, get these two issues of Gun Digest: 1977 and 1978 - they will have both of Kent Lomont's articles on the Automag and there is more info there than anywhere else. You can also use 30/06 brass.

The 44 auto mag is based on the 30-06 or 308 case. Cut to 1.298" case length, inside neck ream to hold .429 bullet and you are good to go. RCBS used to make conversion dies sets, but it is all covered in the Gun Digest Articles in great detail.

It is a North Hollywood indeed

Thanks for all the great infos and advice, will look all this up.

The foam is long gone, crappy smelly stuff indeed.

As for reloading, as described in post #12 I will try to find Starline brass, will save me some steps in the process.

 

[Davinman]

that sure is one sweet weapon, wish it was mine,lol. kudos to you on a fine purchase!