The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: Ksail101 on June 14, 2008, 10:55:39 AM

Title: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: Ksail101 on June 14, 2008, 10:55:39 AM
I have been tryin to search and find out more about this gun. In no way am I thinking about buying one, but what I dont understand is how come it isnt more popular.

Does anyone here have one or shot one?

What is the price for one, and is ammo different, cause I would think that a revoler round wouldn't really cycle in an Semi-Auto.

It seems like a good concept and I know they made some different barrel sizes (actually I might have that wrong) But for a self-defense gun that would be slim and probably more comfortable in a sholder rig than a revolver, why is not carried more, I guess this goes up to my first question on popularity. But as for a bedside gun to get you to your rifle I wouldnt have any concerns of lack of power.

I would think that hand gun huning would be good too with it.

I would love to hear what you all think cause this is a gun that I havent seen on a forum talked about. I guess it will get us out of the relm of Glock and 1911's (my favorites) for a min.
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: 2HOW on June 14, 2008, 11:05:13 AM
.44 auto mag by AMT I believe  http://www.the-dirtiest.com/automag.htm
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: CJS3 on June 14, 2008, 11:05:47 AM
What I heard was that the recoil and pressure from the 44AM ammo, literally shook the pistol to pieces. It was only made for a short time, and the ammo was never widely available. By the time it had appeared in the Dirty Harry movie (2nd or 3rd, I don't remember which), production had already ended.
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: Pathfinder on June 14, 2008, 11:21:09 AM
.44 mag? And in auto?

Bet MB has one . . . .     ;D
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: CurrieS103 on June 14, 2008, 12:01:04 PM
Here's a video on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57yo3KSjUxM
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: Mojave Desert on June 14, 2008, 12:31:53 PM
The host on the previous video post incorrectly identifies the Auto Mag as a gas action.  It's actually a long recoil action.  Watch it in slo-mo here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYFGcBmB_wk&feature=related
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: tombogan03884 on June 14, 2008, 02:23:16 PM
The video pretty much explains why no one carries the Auto Mag, (except Mack Bolan  ;D ) It's a CANNON.
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: Ksail101 on June 14, 2008, 02:54:53 PM
I really think though that if I could get one that is reliable, and enough ammo, that if the end of the world was coming, the .44 auto mag and Serbu super shorty would be a couple firearms that I would want hanging off my MOLLE gear somehow.  ;D
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: tombogan03884 on June 14, 2008, 04:47:51 PM
I really think though that if I could get one that is reliable, and enough ammo, that if the end of the world was coming, the .44 auto mag and Serbu super shorty would be a couple firearms that I would want hanging off my MOLLE gear somehow.  ;D

 You could shoot through small countries   ;D
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: CurrieS103 on June 14, 2008, 07:47:29 PM
And a couple neighboring ones!   ;D
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: m25operator on June 14, 2008, 08:26:37 PM
Here's a link to the History. 

http://www.nfa.ca/content/view/103/197/

Next as to the 1st video, Michael, was that Mickey Fowler??  Sure looks like him, and he does handle the pistol well, just not the cocking part.

Ksail, look up the LAR Grizzly .45 winchester magnum, it does work and can be carried, too much power for street use. Out in the woods or the wilds, it would be very good. Now I have some experience with this caliber and the 1911 grip really does not help with this much recoil. I have also shot a .308  Winchester conversion from Pachmeyer on a 1911 frame, same deal, you will not shoot these very much at one time. My ex boss had a grizzly and took me to the range basically so I could shoot a 100 rounds through it with factory 230 grain ammo, so he could download the empties. My wrists ached for 2 weeks.
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: atmiller on June 14, 2008, 09:24:53 PM
The video pretty much explains why no one carries the Auto Mag, (except Mack Bolan  ;D ) It's a CANNON.

I remember reading that series when I was a kid.  Mack Bolan was a bad ass!   


Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: tombogan03884 on June 15, 2008, 12:24:50 AM
I remember reading that series when I was a kid.  Mack Bolan was a bad ass!  

The best ones in my opinion were the Stoney man ones, more Commies to kill in the world than "Wiseguys"
     (http://www.mazeguy.net/happy/applause.gif)
                    (http://www.mazeguy.net/sports/redflag.gif)
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: ellis4538 on June 15, 2008, 05:51:59 AM
Part of the problem with the AutoMag was galling with parts made of stainless.  People had trouble finding a lube that would prevent/minimize this.  I believe (don't quote me) later production models used different types of stainless to get around this.  I also seem to remember that finances were problematical also.  The AutoMag has a cult following and I seem to remember Club de AutoMag as the name of the group - too early for web forum but maybe there is one now.

FWIW

Richard
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: Rastus on June 15, 2008, 06:15:16 AM
I thought High Standard was gone....but they're not.  Why did I think that?

Anyway...slinked over to Yahoo and did a search to find:
http://www.highstandard.com/

Does anyone here have any feedback on the quality of these new "Automags"?  It will be a good carry with my new supressed Ruger M77 in 44 Mag....kind of a 1-2 punch on hogs.
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: Hazcat on June 15, 2008, 06:49:37 AM
Here's the automag I would like to have.

http://www.kitsune.addr.com/Firearms/Auto-Pistols/AMT_Automag_III.htm
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: Solus on June 15, 2008, 07:29:55 AM
The video pretty much explains why no one carries the Auto Mag, (except Mack Bolan  ;D ) It's a CANNON.

Not that it matters much, but I don't recall Mack Bolan carrying an Automag.  He did carry a Desert Eagle in .44 Mag. along with his silenced Berreta.

Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: Ksail101 on June 15, 2008, 09:55:09 AM
Here's the automag I would like to have.

+1 for me Haz. .30 Caliber rifle round in a handgun would be awesome. I saw a 10" barrel on a LAR Grizzly .45 Win Mag. I wonder if there would be as way to get a 10" barrel on that auto mag. Maybe turn one out on a lathe.
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: Hazcat on June 15, 2008, 10:02:48 AM
Ksail,

Ruger made a 30 carbine black hawk with a 7.5 barrel.  I'd take that too and they are a bit less expensive.

http://www.davidsonsinc.com/consumers/subsites/inven_product.asp?dealer_id=62832&item=10595&instock=all&manufact_combo=None&mod_ser_combo=None&category_combo=None&model=None&g_type=None&act_type=&finish_type=None&calib_combo=30+Carbine&sight_class_combo=None&price_range=None&left_handed=&youth=&Offset_rec=0&num_rec=50&item_num=
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: tombogan03884 on June 15, 2008, 12:10:01 PM
Not that it matters much, but I don't recall Mack Bolan carrying an Automag.  He did carry a Desert Eagle in .44 Mag. along with his silenced Berreta.



 Back in the 70's it was an Auto mag, Desert Eagle had not been thought of yet.
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: m25operator on June 15, 2008, 01:53:52 PM
Mack called the auto mag, BIG THUNDER!!
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: Ksail101 on June 15, 2008, 02:24:23 PM

Ruger made a 30 carbine black hawk with a 7.5 barrel.  I'd take that too and they are a bit less expensive.

Dude, 2000 ft\s and 600 ft-lbs-force out of a revolver. Holy!!! Your right Haz, we need one of those.
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: tombogan03884 on June 15, 2008, 03:56:55 PM
Dude, 2000 ft\s and 600 ft-lbs-force out of a revolver. Holy!!! Your right Haz, we need one of those.

M-1 carbines that I've shot did NOT impress me, Better penetration with 9mm pistol than .30 cal Carb.  rifle on steel plates at 25 yards. Great little plinking rifle, but not something I would want to stake my life on. I'll stick with .45 acp and .357 pistols and  7.62 x 39 or bigger in rifles.
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: ellis4538 on June 15, 2008, 06:25:10 PM
I remember a magazine article (think I still have it) about I guy who was making 44 mag semi-autos (called the Mag-matic I believe) before the Auto-Mag came out.  Author of the article gave it a good review - reliable, accurate, fit the average hand well - and was hoping it would fly.  Builder couldn't find any financial backing...what a shame!

Richard

Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: tombogan03884 on June 15, 2008, 08:31:34 PM
What ever happened to Coonan Arms ? They made a 1911 clone in .357
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: Neon Knight Anubis on June 16, 2008, 12:15:45 AM
From what I read the guy making them ran out of money and had to shut down his business. They looked really cool though, a quality magnum caliber 1911 clone sounds like a really fun thing to shoot.
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: tombogan03884 on June 16, 2008, 01:07:55 AM
From what I read the guy making them ran out of money and had to shut down his business. They looked really cool though, a quality magnum caliber 1911 clone sounds like a really fun thing to shoot.

Bummer, sounds like the best of both worlds. I've always said that there is no reason for major caliber rimmed cases to perform any less reliably than .22's in a semi auto.
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: TAB on June 16, 2008, 01:15:29 AM
Out a M1  30 carbine is pretty much equal to a 357 mag...   15 shots of 357 mag will give some one a very bad day.  more so when you can do it in in about 7 seconds.
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: tombogan03884 on June 16, 2008, 01:52:18 AM
Out a M1  30 carbine is pretty much equal to a 357 mag...   15 shots of 357 mag will give some one a very bad day.  more so when you can do it in in about 7 seconds.

I shoot .357 MAGNUMs by the box without discomfort, of course I don't have delicate hands. I used to get .060 aluminum and steel disks from the punch press when I worked in sheet metal. 9mm went through, 357 went through, .30 carbine would not completely penetrate aluminum and only dented steel.
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: tommy tornado on August 17, 2008, 09:37:38 PM
I would also stick with a .357 over a .30 carbine.  I believe a company out of Corpus Christi, Tx is making a winmag copy. http://www.wildeyguns.com/wildey.html  I have thought about saving pennies and golden eagles for one.
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: Big Frank on August 18, 2008, 02:31:58 AM
The host on the previous video post incorrectly identifies the Auto Mag as a gas action.  It's actually a long recoil action.  Watch it in slo-mo here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYFGcBmB_wk&feature=related

I've never heard of a long-recoil pistol. The AutoMag was actually a SHORT recoil action since the barrel and bolt unlock after a short distance and the barrel stops. If it was a LONG recoil action the barrel would move back the length of the cartridge like a Browning Auto-5 shotgun.
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: Big Frank on August 18, 2008, 02:40:34 AM
I would also stick with a .357 over a .30 carbine.  I believe a company out of Corpus Christi, Tx is making a winmag copy. http://www.wildeyguns.com/wildey.html  I have thought about saving pennies and golden eagles for one.

The Wildey isn't a copy of anything. Wildey Moore came up with his own design in the early 70's. It's one of the few gas-operated pistols ever made. The .475 Wildey Magnum is awesome. That's what Charles Bronson had in Death Wish III. You can make your own brass out of cut down .284 Winchester brass.
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: tommy tornado on August 24, 2008, 09:25:44 PM
If I were to buy a Wildey, then I would probably go for the .44 auto mag. cartridge over the .475 Wildey Mag.  They are cool looking guns and on the website they have the clip from Death Wish III.
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: Big Frank on August 24, 2008, 10:30:09 PM
If I got the Wildey I'd probably get the .45 Win Mag since factory ammo is available from several places and it's more powerful than the .44 Auto Mag. They say right on the website, "The WILDEY is made for handloaders!" so the .475 and .45 Wildey magnums are going to be roll your own. The .45 Wildey Magnum is a .475 necked down to .45 and will blow away both the .45 Win Mag, .44 Auto Mag and .44 Magnum. The .475 is the most powerful and if I was going to handload I would go for the big gun just like Charles Bronson. I really don't see much use in getting one in the weakest caliber, the .44 Auto Mag, or in the .45 Wildey Magnum.
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: Mojave Desert on August 24, 2008, 11:26:09 PM
I've never heard of a long-recoil pistol. The AutoMag was actually a SHORT recoil action since the barrel and bolt unlock after a short distance and the barrel stops. If it was a LONG recoil action the barrel would move back the length of the cartridge like a Browning Auto-5 shotgun.

I never realized that the Auto-5 barrel and bolt recoiled back 3 inches.  Wow, that is LONG recoil!

How far does the Bofors 40mm recoil back?
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: Big Frank on August 25, 2008, 04:34:15 AM
In a video I saw of a 40mm and I can't tell how far the barrel recoils. I'm not sure if it's long or short recoil system either. It looks it's only a few inches but would have to be over a foot because of the length of the shellsif it's a long recoil system.

The military came up with a "soft recoil" system for artillery too. The barrel springs forward right before it's fired and stopping that forward movement makes it recoil less. That's kind of weird.
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: Mojo23 on August 30, 2008, 04:54:50 PM
I am the owner of a 44 Automag. I bought it in 1975 new. I have fired it about 1000 times. Finding ammo was always a big problem so I reloaded my own. I also have a set of dies to make the cases. You take a 308 Winchester and cut it down and then thin the case.

It would not be a good self defense weapon because mine would jam about every 10 rounds or so but this may have been a factor of me using military blank M-60 rounds as the source of brass. I never did get around to making more cases out of quality brass.

This is truly cannon. I remember going to ranges and breaking out the Automag. There could be 20 others on the range but when this opened up everyone stopped to see where the noise was coming from. Firing at dusk was a trip because the flame would be about 18-24” coming out the barrel.
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: Big Frank on August 30, 2008, 06:01:13 PM
I wish I could have been there. The last one (only one???) I saw was a used one at Williams Gun Sight several years ago. It was really sweet looking but the price was out of my league. Starline Brass makes brand new .44 Auto Mag brass. They have .475 Wildey Mag now too. No need to cut down rifle brass for either one. http://www.starlinebrass.com/
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: Mojo23 on August 30, 2008, 07:10:12 PM
It was really sweet looking but the price was out of my league. Starline Brass makes brand new .44 Auto Mag brass. They have .475 Wildey Mag now too. No need to cut down rifle brass for either one. http://www.starlinebrass.com/

This was expensive back in 1975. I paid $1,200.00 for then when my paycheck was about $1,000 per month. No wife then. Thanx for the tip on the brass.
Title: Re: .44 Auto Mag???
Post by: twyacht on August 30, 2008, 08:53:12 PM
WOW! :o Limp-wristing could get your nose broken!