Automag returns

[Henry Schmidt]

The AutoMag Returns: The New Kodiak .44 AMP

I always like to see old gun designs put back into production. The original Model 180 AutoMag pistol is going back into production after being discontinued about twenty years ago (please correct me if I am wrong). An Alaskan firm called Auto Mag Company, not in anyway connected with the original now defunct Arcadia Machine & Tool (AMT), will be manufacturing 1350 Automag pistols in 2011.



The AutoMag Returns: The New Kodiak .44 AMP photo
Kodiak .44 AMP

Of the 1350 pistols to be produced, 350 will be collectors "Classic" model that will be made using original Automag frames and 1000 will be the 100% new Kodiak model.

The cost of the pistol will be $5600 for Kodiak model in stainless and $3100 with a parkerized finish. At these prices only hardcore devotees will be buying them. They company has now released pricing for the Classic model.

pix 3776962734 tfb tm tfb The AutoMag Returns: The New Kodiak .44 AMP photo
The original AutoMag in .44 AMP

The Automag Company plans only to offer the pistols chambered in the .44 Auto Mag (AMP) round. Cor-Bon still manufactures this round which sells for just under $40 per box of 20.

Here's the rub: I have a couple of original Automags and I want to shoot them "a little". $1.60 per shot seems silly. I have a few hundred once shot cartridges and want someone to reload them.
Any ideas?
Anyone? anyone?

[id10t]

Quality Cartridge

They should be able to fix ya up... or you could spend the $100 on setting up a simple hand reloader for it...

[scottmandue]

I can't help you but just want to add...

[Henry Schmidt]

Originally Posted by id10t

Quality Cartridge

They should be able to fix ya up... or you could spend the $100 on setting up a simple hand reloader for it...

Called them and left a messgage.

Any thoughts on whether or not prices on ammo might come down now that there are new guns (be it a small number) being made?

[Henry Schmidt]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

REALLY REALLY want

If you really really want one, step up. I have two originals (one AMC and one Hi Standard) and for the right price might consider selling one.

[azasadny]

If you can get me the dies, brass, bullets, primers and powder, I'll reload them for you, no charge for labor!

[Henry Schmidt]

Originally Posted by azasadny

If you can get me the dies, brass, bullets, primers and powder, I'll reload them for you, no charge for labor!

WOW, how can I beat that. Let me look into the cost of dies and the like.
I think I have brass and bullets so the rest is just hunting.


BTW: Isn't the brass just a cut down 308?

[id10t]

Originally Posted by Henry Schmidt

WOW, how can I beat that. Let me look into the cost of dies and the like.
I think I have brass and bullets so the rest is just hunting.


BTW: Isn't the brass just a cut down 308?

Yeah, 44 automag is just 308 cut down...

[ODDJOB UNO]

i would love to try one of these out. whats the largest grain boolit(bullet) you can shoot with them?


how many rds in magazines?

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by ODDJOB UNO

i would love to try one of these out. whats the largest grain boolit(bullet) you can shoot with them?


how many rds in magazines?

Like you need more guns!

[ODDJOB UNO]

joe i was weighing out the weight differential btwn a smith n-frame and 6rds vs automag and rapidfire in a ..............hold on to yer hat..................bear situation.



my other thought is finding a colt delta elite in 10mm.



i pretty much have figured out a .454 casull is not me.


since i have multiple .44's in pistol and lever action, the automag has its interesting advantages.

8rds 9 with one in pipe and 57oz's


vs. 49oz's for a 4" stainless smith and obviously 6rds.



hell they are collectors.



i guess 240gr boolits are the max which IS a distinct DISADVANTAGE for bears.



ying yang

[Henry Schmidt]

[id10t]

Originally Posted by ODDJOB UNO

joe i was weighing out the weight differential btwn a smith n-frame and 6rds vs automag and rapidfire in a ..............hold on to yer hat..................bear situation.



my other thought is finding a colt delta elite in 10mm.



i pretty much have figured out a .454 casull is not me.


since i have multiple .44's in pistol and lever action, the automag has its interesting advantages.

8rds 9 with one in pipe and 57oz's


vs. 49oz's for a 4" stainless smith and obviously 6rds.



hell they are collectors.



i guess 240gr boolits are the max which IS a distinct DISADVANTAGE for bears.



ying yang

I'd look into either a glock or cz97b design in 10mm and use full house loads, or a custom based on one of 'em in 400 cor-bon (45acp necked down to 10mm, like a 357 sig is a 40 necked down to 9mm)

[Henry Schmidt]

A stroll down memory lane:

"When working with this newest and hairiest of the Hand-Howister clan………Rolling your own ammo’s half the fun!"


Auto Mag Pistol Parts - The Only Source for Original Parts

[Jeff Higgins]

Very cool. I've never had the chance to own one, and have absolutely no idea what I would do with one, but it certainly is a nifty gun.

That said, they quickly earned a reputation of not being quited sorted, not ready for prime time, when AMT was making them. The design, if executed properly, was far more expensive to produce than the price point they were looking for. So, they didn't execute it properly, cutting corners in the production of a slightly less than refined design. They needed more development. Maybe the new manufacturer will bring it across the finish line, both in design and manufacturing. A short recoil design, operating at those kinds of breach pressures, has a lot of inherent problems, though. We'll see.

Of course, there is always the infamous question Keith first asked at the unveiling of the old 8mm Remington Magnum - "what the hell good is it?" (Keith was one of the progenitors of the .338 Winchester magnum, along with O'Neil and Haskins - remember the old .333 OKH?, and the .338 did everything better than Remington's new baby). His one question killed that cartridge, and Remington's dreams of selling it.

The same can be asked of the Automag (and Desert Eagle, for that matter). Too big for a carry gun. Impractical for home defense. Good for hunting, but revolvers are far, far better. Revolvers can handle the bullet weights and designs required for hunting that autos simply cannot. 250-300 grain hard cast semi wadcutters out of an Automag? Can't do it, which severely limits its usefulness in the hunting fields.

All of that said, I still want one... just because... And that's good enough for me.

[gsmith660]

I have a Colt Delta Elite in 10mm. I don't shoot it anymore I think it is very collectable now.

[azasadny]

As long as you can get the components, I can load that ammo for you, Henry. I used to live in Fallbrook and you have to help your "neighbors" out, you know!

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

That said, they quickly earned a reputation of not being quite sorted, not ready for prime time, when AMT was making them.

LOL, nothing that AMT ever made was quite sorted.

Myself, well, I lust after a LAR Grizzly Win Mag with a drawer full of conversion kits. But I'm a 1911 snob.

[Jim Bremner]

[fred cook]

Originally Posted by ODDJOB UNO

8rds 9 with one in pipe and 57oz's

i guess 240gr boolits are the max which IS a distinct DISADVANTAGE for bears.

ying yang

Actually, you can get jacketed .44 caliber bullets up to 300 grains and hard cast bullets up to about 320 grains. Either one should be enough to ruin a bruin! Check out the Georgia Arms website. They sell reloaded ammo and components.
They have a very nasty .44mag load that pushes a 200 grain bullet at about 1600 fps! I've shot some of them in my Ruger Redhawk with no problems.

Happy hunting!