Found a treasure - .44 Auto Mag

[CLASSIC12]

So 3 years ago I bought an Auto Mag

.44 Auto Mag pistol model 180

Last week I found and bought some ammo for it

There’s that box of .308 Norma brass with an Auto Mag sticker on it.

Inside some reloads with a label

Powder is Norma and weight seem consistent with what I found.

Two boxes of brand new / very old Factory Norma

And a mixed box of Norma’s and Beals bullets with Norma brass

 

[eveled]

You gonna shoot them? Or strip them to reload them? Glad you found them. The .308 ones are interesting. How about some pictures of the pistol?

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I just checked, Starline Brass is making ready to use brass!

That is a lot easier than trimming down rifle brass! RCBS made a Forming die set that was affordable when these gun first came out, but a new one will set you back big time! The still have the normal reloading die set readily available.

I automatically think of the Dirty Harry Movie (#3?) with the AutoMag. Just WOW!

Ivan

 

[CLASSIC12]

Found a treasure

You gonna shoot them? Or strip them to reload them? Glad you found them. The .308 ones are interesting. How about some pictures of the pistol?

I’ll shoot some for sure. But I’ll keep at least a full box of Norma for collectors value.

The link to the original post with pictures of the pistol was included in the first post (been told it’s bad manners to revive three year old posts).

.44 Auto Mag pistol model 180

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

Great for removing fingerprints...

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQrJ9u-jo_E[/ame]

 

[CLASSIC12]

The day has come. I took the Auto Mag to the range.

I was quite nervous, this thing probably hasn’t shot for years or decades (I believe it’s a very early 70ies, maybe 1971), the ammo is just as old. I field stripped, checked and lubed the gun beforehand, all seemed nice and tight, but you cannot exclude something going wrong, especially with this small scale production and powerful cartridge.

But all went very well, the gun functioned flawlessly, cycled nicely and locked open after the last round. The muzzle blast is very impressive. The trigger is very nice and light. Recoil is important but manageable, and the mass and slide cycle absorb a good part of it.

I would have loved to do a video, but I was alone at the range. Next time. Pics though, all at 25 meters offhand :

The first three shots, two nice ones and one pulled downwards (no idea which of the three shots it was).

Next three, a bit low

Next four shots

And the last three, proper sighting target, focusing seriously, for my best group

The holes are cut super cleanly. The brass ejected way behind me, which is great for recovering it. I only shot those 13 rounds, as I only have 170 rounds, and I don’t have all the equipment needed for reloading yet. But it felt great. Now I’m really in love, no more safe queen, she can sing, and quite loudly.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Wow, Classic12, very nice. Thanks for sharing, but to paraphrase a famous American: "I knew Dirty Harry, I worked with Dirty Harry, Dirty Harry was my friend. You, sir, are no Dirty Harry".

I kid. Nice shooting and a great piece you have.

Regards,

Dave

 

[29aholic]

I always loved the Auto Mag. I have had several built by several different companies. Apparently they are going to start making them again as well as parts for the old guns.

 

[model3sw]

I've had a Pasadena for about 30 years now. Had it out only twice. By the 3rd shot my nerves and muscles were "wincing" in anticipation of the nerve and bone pain to come with the next shot.

Till today it is the hardest hitting, most abrupt recoil, handgun I've ever shot although it sure is fun (once in a blue moon) although, I have not yet tried a 500 magnum.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I have also heard that somebody is going to start production again. Might be fun to have one of those suckers.

 

[KEN L]

A friend of mine had one years ago we used to shoot. I found it to me mild recoiling, compared to a Model 29, but extremely accurate. A very big gun for small hands. They've always been pricey to shoot, unless you reload. That box of converted .308's probably has quite a bit of collector's value, as do the original boxes of Normas.
Several years ago, I acquired a Wildey in .475 Wildey Magnum. I managed to find a box of ammo for it and when I went to shoot it I was afraid of the recoil. It's so big & heavy, but has the gas operated system, so recoil was very manageable and extremely accurate, but again, TOO big for small hands. I ran out of ammo before I could get really good with it!

Not practical or economical for me, so I sold it.

 

[Erich]

Best thread I've read all week!

 

[Muley Gil]

A friend of mine bought one back in the '70s. He had problems with it not feeding correctly. It seems the bolt was going back and forth faster than the magazine spring could push another cartridge into place!

We once went down to his family farm in SW Alabama. One of the creeks had been dammed up by beavers and was overrun with turtles, ruining the catfishing. A couple of days of turtle hunting put the balance back in place. I hit one turtle with the Automag at 50 yards. Weren't nothing but turtle mist.

A few weeks later, the catfishing was back to snuff. Seems the cats had a lot more to feed on, them being bottom feeders.

 

[6518John]

That is a beautiful pistol and wonderful shooting of that hand cannon. I bet after any single one of those torso shots any ner-do-well would be looking for a hospital or undertakers.com.

 

[billwill]

Now that one has some big ZIP to it. Very nice

 

[snubbyfan]

Istoyi, Nihtsi kiyistoi.
That's so nice you got me speaking Blackfoot to myself.
Nihtsi sinni tukyi.

 

[jdlii]

A friend of mine bought one back in the '70s. He had problems with it not feeding correctly. It seems the bolt was going back and forth faster than the magazine spring could push another cartridge into place!

We once went down to his family farm in SW Alabama. One of the creeks had been dammed up by beavers and was overrun with turtles, ruining the catfishing. A couple of days of turtle hunting put the balance back in place. I hit one turtle with the Automag at 50 yards. Weren't nothing but turtle mist.

A few weeks later, the catfishing was back to snuff. Seems the cats had a lot more to feed on, them being bottom feeders.

It should read: "I shot a turtle with a .44 Auto Mag and mist!"

 

[CLASSIC12]

Well it didn’t last long until I got the urge to fire a few more rounds at the range. And I took a couple short videos too.

No sign of excessive pressure here

Vids

I let the gunsmith at the range / gun shop have a go

Firing the .44 Auto Mag 1 - YouTube

And that’s me having the three last shots

Firing the .44 Auto Mag 2 - YouTube

Result

Some screen capture

Strangely the last round did not produce a flash ball.

What a kick shooting that pistol is.

Next outing I’ll take out several big guns : the Auto Mag, the Grizzly, and the wheel guns S&W 29 and 629.

 

[BEEMER1]

The New Auto Mag Company has has a slow start up but I just talked to the owner this morning and mine should ship in 30 days. They are starting with an 8 1/2" model like in the Sudden Impact movie with Dirty Harry.

Here is a link to the New Auto Mag Company: The New AutoMag

Here is a pic of one.

 

[BEEMER1]

Somewhere in Arizona.