The Original Pasadena Auto Mag 180

No video

The Original Pasadena Auto Mag 180

Рет қаралды 541,004

6 жыл бұрын

/ forgottenweapons
Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! shop.bbtv.com/c...
The Auto Mag 180 was basically the result of two guys noticing that nobody made a semiauto .44 Magnum pistol…and that they could probably do it. The men were Max Gera, a young Italian immigrant gunsmith, and his employer, gun shop owner Harry Sanford. Gera put together the core of the gun’s design in late 1969 and 1970 - a short recoil, rotating bolt pistol with an accelerator to aid extraction and a rimless case based on a cut-down .30-06 or .308 case. This would become the .44 AMP cartridge, which aimed to duplicate .44 Magnum ballistics in a rimless case.
When Sanford brought in investors to help fund to commercial production of the gun, Gera sold his share of the endeavor and left - apparently the chaos and drama of a bunch of cutthroat investors was not what he wanted to have in his life (and I can hardly blame him). Sanford and a couple other engineers completed gun pistol design, and set up a manufacturing facility in Pasadena. The first guns came off the line in August of 1971, and by May of 1972 the company was bankrupt. They had been selling the guns for far less than they actually cost to produce, in hopes of driving enough demand to get an economy of scale going in the production…but it didn’t work. Over the next 10 years, five more companies would take on the Auto Mag, each of them losing money and selling out in short order. In total, about 9,000 Auto Mag Model 180 pistol were made, 3,000 in the original Pasadena gun and the remained divided amongst the other companies. Ironically, interest in the gun would peak only after the last company gave up, when Clint Eastwood used one in the 1983 Dirty Harry film “Sudden Impact”.
Sanford passed away in 1996, but the story continues. A new company purchased the rights and the engineering to the gun in 2015, and announced new production at SHOT Show a couple years ago. Time will tell if they can be more successful than those who came before. Perhaps with modern CNC machines they can?
If you enjoy Forgotten Weapons, check out its sister channel, InRangeTV! / inrangetvshow

Пікірлер: 1 000

@sneakeypete 6 жыл бұрын

"With an autoloader you have to make sure that things do move but they don't move too much or else the gun explodes" That's a pretty good way to explain it

@Tadicuslegion78 6 жыл бұрын

sneakeypete the deleted scene from Sudden Impact, a bad guy gets the gun and it blows up when he tries to shoot it

@RealLuckless 6 жыл бұрын

The man truly has a magical way with words.

@rocksandoil2241 6 жыл бұрын

@@RealLuckless really ...still chuckle at his description of a punt gun as a duck annillation canoe cannon...

@ifga16 6 жыл бұрын

A very dangerous weapon. It killed several companies.

@BennyLlama39 5 жыл бұрын

And probably more than a few would-be users.

@raptakula8469 2 жыл бұрын

It is by design, teh engineer didn't liked corporate vultures.

@itsnouse-yourswillbeastill2562 2 жыл бұрын

@@raptakula8469 Aye, teh guns fancy design/look worked as bait as it swooped in for the kill of these opportunistic roadkill peckers.

@W1se0ldg33zer 6 жыл бұрын

"Well this is the .44 magnum Automag. And it holds a 300 grain cartridge. And if properly used, it can remove the fingerprints." ~ Harry Callahan

@g0679 4 жыл бұрын

W1se0ldg33zer My grandma wrote that line.

@UCMGTWOClan 3 жыл бұрын

@@g0679 Real shit???

@UncleHashy 3 жыл бұрын

@@UCMGTWOClan yeah went to college w her

@Fanuc_Operator1990 2 жыл бұрын

Only he says that to a guy with buck shot which is shooting 484 grains of hot steel and produces 1600 ft lbs of muzzle energy. The 44 mag produces 1500 ft lbs of muzzle energy but I mean I still think the 9 .35 inch projectiles from a single shogun shell trump the 44 mag, it's still nine projectiles at a time vs 9. Yes the 44 will def beat most handguns(not 454 Casul!) but not a shotgun.

@misolgit69 2 жыл бұрын

@@Fanuc_Operator1990 don't forget Harry was using it to take on 'bullet proof cars' not exactly a task for buckshot

@zadtheinhaler 6 жыл бұрын

"This isn't a Glock 19..this has some character" That is some British-level dry humour, Ian, well done!

@Tweet737 5 жыл бұрын

HAH! Well put!

@hugebartlett1884 5 жыл бұрын

An absolute ace remark, so British sounding, subtle sarcasm.

@tikkidaddy 5 жыл бұрын

Glock works...this doesn't. Its very rare that one gets trophy and faithful in the same package.😃 besides, its California, the gun just has to look like it works😃Trophy...

@rokkinjohann 5 жыл бұрын

Ian, when I grow up I wanna be funny like you while handling beautiful, awe inspiring, powerful or quirky arms.

@ashfox7498 4 жыл бұрын

....why does everyone bully glock?

@StefsEngineering 6 жыл бұрын

"Hold my beer" Potentionally the perfect basis for awesome innovations and inventions.

@beavisbutt-headson3223 6 жыл бұрын

"There's gotta be a way to prove that gravity affects objects of different mass equally!" - "Hold my beer! Now, also hold this empty beer and drop 'em both at the same time!"

@Clay3613 6 жыл бұрын

Useless and unsafe inventions too.

@shawnr771 6 жыл бұрын

That would be alcohol abuse.

@StefsEngineering 6 жыл бұрын

Definately! in most cases useless and unsafe but fun for the specators just outside of the danger zone

@michaelmoorrees3585 6 жыл бұрын

I grew up in Pasadena (CA), and I just looked up AMT's latest address, on Santos Diaz St, in Irwindale (CA). All location, per Wikipedia (other than South Dakota), are in the San Gabriel Valley (Area Code: 626). If that last address its true, then its just across the street from the Miller-Coors Brewery. So it truly is "hold my beer" !

@Estinus 6 жыл бұрын

That is the most impractical thing I've ever absolutely needed.

@Tkcb2799 5 жыл бұрын

Cameron Phillips Deagle: *Hold my beer*

@steelgila 5 жыл бұрын

You stole the words from my very lips!

@patrick-xu1go 5 жыл бұрын

Tell that to the Mauser C96

@martinstiastny7679 5 жыл бұрын

Well, if you live in a big city, then yes. If you live in a rural area where you can keep it on the truck seat next to you, then it's perfect. Handgun hunting is lots of fun with limitations.

@dak4465 5 жыл бұрын

Hahaha

@drmaudio 6 жыл бұрын

"We loose money one every one, but we'll make it up in volume." Always a sound strategy.

@davidhanson4909 6 жыл бұрын

Worked for X-boxes. But I guess Microsoft has a bit of a deeper revenue stream than a Pasadena gun shop.

@swampwyag676 6 жыл бұрын

The moviepass strategy

@diamondflaw 5 жыл бұрын

David Hanson, similar naming convention to X-box too...

@kellymouton7242 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Change-Bank!

@Mirokuofnite 3 жыл бұрын

Sony and Microsoft do that for their consoles. But they make up the difference in the early console years with game sales. This would work for a gun if you made up the difference on ammo sales. Except as far as I know there is no exclusive ammo deals, and setup for a exclusive round is expensive. If the demand isn't there you sink much faster.

@michealnorth1473 6 жыл бұрын

Necessity is the mother of invention. "Hold ma beer" is the father...

@oli36999 5 жыл бұрын

I'd prefer to think, "get me a coffee." Is the better non dangerous version of that. XD

@potatojerry2511 4 жыл бұрын

My friend always tell me that without competition and competitiveness things will never be improved or invented. I'll just tell her to hold my beer.

@noahtackett6264 4 жыл бұрын

Yep. Look at the Barrett M82 for another example

@ZGryphon 3 жыл бұрын

"If necessity is the mother of invention, desperation is the drunk uncle." - Vince Houghton, _Nuking the Moon_

@pete3176 6 жыл бұрын

"Hold my beer" while i build a hand cannon.

@576103 6 жыл бұрын

I find the .44 Auto Mag surprisingly comfortable to shoot. I have one that came with two barrels (.44 and .357) and they interchange almost instantly. It kicks about the same, or perhaps a bit less than a .44 Magnum revolver. It is shockingly accurate. It DEMANDS a very firm grip; holding it loosely will result in failure to feed jams. Hold it like you mean it and it runs just fine. The magazine spring is stiff and it’s very hard to conventionally load seven rounds, but using a mag loading tool (which locks the follower down at the bottom), seven rounds drop in easily. It is no more or less reliable with more or less rounds in the magazine. The key is to hold on tight. Showing up at the range with an Auto Mag draws a crowd instantly, and if you are generous you will have a line of people waiting to take a turn firing it! Originally brass was made by cutting down and reaming .308 brass, but now Starline sells new factory brass, and loaded ammo is made by SBR using Hornady 180 or 240 gr XTP hollow points. It can be purchased direct from SBR or from Midway. The new Auto Mag has some design improvements to the bolt and magazine. There have been delays in production but supposedly guns should start being delivered to preorder customers before the end of the year.

@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017 2 жыл бұрын

Can you explain how the accelerator works? I was confused by Ian's explanation. Does it kick the bolt apart from the barrel by hitting a spot on the frame as both move together?

@576103 2 жыл бұрын

@@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017 Yes exactly. The accelerator is basically like a vertical see-saw located in the front of the upper receiver. When the gun fires, the bolt and barrel/receiver unit travel rearwards together for about 1/4 inch. The bolt is hollow with a cam slot cut through it and there is a horizontal pin affixed to the frame transversely which passes through the bolt. The slot is mostly straight but has a twist at the very end. So when the assemblies first start moving rearward, the pin in the angled slot causes the bolt to rotate and unlock. Genius. Just after the bolt unlocks, a protrusion on the bottom of the upper receiver hits a ledge in the lower receiver, stopping it cold. At the same time, the bottom of the accelerator hits this same ledge and it rotates. The top of it slaps the face of the unlocked bolt (which was already moving backwards under recoil) and, like the name suggests, it literally accelerates it rearward, flinging the bolt back and facilitating extraction/ejection. Then the dual recoil springs send the bolt forward where it strips a round from the magazine and chambers it. At the very forward point of bolt travel, the cam rotates it to the right and the lugs engage and lock it shut, like an AR-15. Here is an excellent slow-mo video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/e792esZz0qjDp58.html You will have to watch it several times to take it all in. You can see the slot in the bolt when it is fully open and you can see the bolt rotate as it unlocks and locks, and also see the upper receiver moving back and forth on the frame.

@hurricane567 6 жыл бұрын

For the final shootout of Sudden Impact, there was a diver on standby in case Clint or someone fell off the pier into the ocean. The diver was in the water quite a bit, but not after people! Clint's Automag was loaded with blanks that wouldn't cycle properly and they'd have to stop shooting when it jammed. Clint would get mad and throw the Automag off the pier.

@fjakavazda1298 5 жыл бұрын

Your profile picture looks like a vodafone logo.

@lennyjay8390 5 жыл бұрын

What a child lol

@joesans7341 5 жыл бұрын

Lenny Jay don’t smack talk my boy Clint

@fuzzydunlop7928 5 жыл бұрын

@@joesans7341 Don't stick up for a gun bully. The gun has 'issues' it doesn't need his shit.

@dominicksmeech2994 5 жыл бұрын

No kidding, its a gun, if it doesn't work then work with it. The solution to a failure to fire is not to use the gun as the projectile.

@thatsmeatman7023 3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely love the aesthetic, bring me back to booting up TBOGT. Such a badass pistol

@TheSultan1470 2 жыл бұрын

Hahhahahha, exactly! Bling gun

@kaitokatsuki6862 6 жыл бұрын

The way this thing locks open reminds me of the Mars automatic, but slightly less terrifying.

@worldtraveler930 6 жыл бұрын

I was just about to text the same thing.

@Vapefly0815 6 жыл бұрын

Definitely!

@Estinus 6 жыл бұрын

About 2 miles back with my eyebrows

@TheRogueWolf 6 жыл бұрын

The Automag only makes you think "this gun is gong to kill me". The Mars makes you think "this gun is going to kill me, track down everyone I ever knew and loved and kill them too".

@buffalobearbp7095 6 жыл бұрын

This has been a "Dream Gun" for me, and hundreds of others since 1983. Even if it's far out if reach cost wise. I was fortunate to be able to fire one once, back in 1987. Surprisingly, the recoil impulse was not only manageable, it was a joy to shoot. Thank you Ian, I've been waiting for you to highlight this gun for a long time.

@somedaysoon3784 6 жыл бұрын

Similar story here. Way back in the 80's,I got to shoot one that an acquaintance owned. Lots of fun,but there were those character issues that were mentioned. And ammunition availability was a problem. We shot off the stuff that came with the thing when he bought it,and I lost track of it after that.

@buffalobearbp7095 6 жыл бұрын

@@somedaysoon3784 Too bad you lost track of that one. I haven't seen one in 20 years. One issue it had I remember, it had a tendency to drop the Magazine when fired. It happened to me that day, first shot. I pulled the trigger, the gun jumped up, and the mag sort of stayed right there, floating in mid air for what seemed like a long time. I thought it was hysterical, and I still laugh thinking about it. I've never had any gun do that to me since. TFB Did a short this year at Shot Show with the guy that's putting them back into production. Here's the sad part, after all these years... I still can't afford one LMFAO. Have a great week.

@buffalobearbp7095 6 жыл бұрын

@@waynes.1118 Very true, but at 23 years old, I couldn't find my ass with both hands at that age. Just the "cool factor" of being able to shoot it though, Wow. I'm sure I acted like a "Know-it-All" at that age too. I've personally have never met a 23 year old that doesn't THINK they know everything LMFAO. If memory serves me correctly, there was an article written in one of those gun Magazines (probably Handgunner), many years ago. I had to laugh when I read it because they had actually taken a picture of the gun firing, and captured the mag suspended in mid air. I would be lying if I said I wasn't jealous. They are great shooters, just sadly far more money than I have. Have a great evening.

@user-DATA_BANK 4 жыл бұрын

"Its not meant for depending your life on" Ethan in Resident Evil 7, "hold ma beer"

@fallouttoonlink 3 жыл бұрын

RE8 Ethan= "no, you hold my beer"

@fallouttoonlink 3 жыл бұрын

The AutoMagnum in RE8 is way better than the RE7 version. It can hold more bullets, and with the high capacity mag part, it can hold a total of 28 bullets. Also, in RE8, the AutoMagnum is called the S.T.A.K.E.

@KevinPlayzReal 3 жыл бұрын

*Leon laughs in Desert Eagle*

@robertpatter5509 2 жыл бұрын

He was target shooting. Zombies being the target

@dfpytwa 4 жыл бұрын

Those things are really accurate and silky to shoot. Not a wrist breaker. A buddy of mine found one in his dads stash of goodies he kept hid from his wife after he passed away. I worked with him with my reloading gear and we made several batches of ammo for it different bullet weights and powder loads. It handled nicely with all of them with little deviation of accuracy. You can't say that for many firearms. Usually you have to experiment with a lot of different loads to find the sweet spot but that gun is just sweet.

@heyzoos-cgr9369 6 жыл бұрын

That impression was simply perfect!! "Hold ma beer" - Gun Jesus, Sep 5, 2018. Beautiful.

@eddyguizonde401 6 жыл бұрын

honestly, i was surprised ian never said that until that point. at least half of the guns he talks about boil down to this sentence in one way or another.

@geesuperb2 4 жыл бұрын

When I was a kid, I used to read Don Pendleton's Executioner series. The Auto Mag used to be Mack Bolan's go to weapon. Knowing what we know now he probably would have rethought that.

@christopherdean1326 4 жыл бұрын

I still have 100+ of them on my shelves, also some "Able Team" and Phoenix Force". Great books if you're not looking for "literature". Live Large!

@bulldoguk2086 3 жыл бұрын

IIRC correctly, he also used a Baretta 93R alongside the Automag?

@jackdaniels2000 2 жыл бұрын

@@bulldoguk2086 I think you are correct. I wonder how many people will know what the 93-R is.

@edm2822 2 жыл бұрын

@@christopherdean1326 Able Team and Phoenix Force! A walk down memory lane!

@greghavens7679 6 жыл бұрын

Beautiful gun. I had one for many years. Once I had my load dialed in, I never had any malfunctions with it. I put nearly 3000 rounds through it. The one problem I had was the original magazine floor plate broke with a full mag while firing. Took it to Briley in Houston and they welded the floor plate and it looked great. It truly was a piece of art. Met Harry one year at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas, we had a great chat together. You made a real beauty Harry, miss you brother.

@wilheimbungus377 5 жыл бұрын

Too bad Ubisoft nerfed it already

@user-ut4js6wo7f 5 жыл бұрын

Lol poor kaid

@wilheimbungus377 5 жыл бұрын

Don’t forget my gal Nomad

@kacperbadura1250 5 жыл бұрын

Pocket sniper with surgical sight, tons of dmg and moderate recoil, nerf was bound to happen. The sight on this thing is more clear then russian reflex sight. Still waiting for kaid shotgun/sniper nerf

@d.l.a19 5 жыл бұрын

@@kacperbadura1250 PC has console recoil and console has PC recoil

@kacperbadura1250 5 жыл бұрын

Everybody knows that console is inferior to PC, not my fault you can't handle the recoil on console

@rickgabriel02 5 жыл бұрын

I've had an obsession with the Auto Mag since my grandfather got me reading the Mack Bolan paperbacks written by Don Pendleton. In the early books (during the 70's and 80's) Mack used a .44 Auto Mag and a Beretta Beretta Brigadier, but later on towards the 90's to today he switched to a .44 Desert Eagle and a Beretta 93R.

@Chevypotamus 6 жыл бұрын

If properly used, this can remove the fingerprints.

@bornamovafaghi6075 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Cat

@strider04 5 жыл бұрын

Or the hand

@garlandremingtoniii1338 2 жыл бұрын

You really should do a follow up with this sidearm. The new company has really really come a-long way in the last 4 years. And you should do an interview with the man that put it all together it has poured millions of dollars into forming the new company, And that is, Patrick Henry.

@AshleyPomeroy Жыл бұрын

Just two months later you got your wish! Or part of your wish.

@MRtucnakCZE 6 жыл бұрын

*B I G I R O N* *O N H I S H I P*

@johnmitchell923 6 жыл бұрын

I'd take that out to the west Texas town of El paso

@Estinus 6 жыл бұрын

Tried to match the ranger 😂

@bensmith4563 6 жыл бұрын

I'm too young to know that song

@Estinus 6 жыл бұрын

@@bensmith4563 I only know it from Fallout: New Vegas. It's become kind of a meme lol

@johnmitchell923 6 жыл бұрын

My original comment was a reference to Marty Robbins other great song El paso

@FabianMacGintyONeill 6 жыл бұрын

I do love the way Ian always chuckles lightly before launching into the main point.

@grandpaweber2097 5 жыл бұрын

I had the pleasure of shooting one of the original AutoMags about 12 years ago; a literal last to shoot. It didn't quite feel like a firearm quite so much as a honking big piece of machinery. Many thanks to my gunsmith/collector buddy Todd for the opportunity to handle/shoot this iconic piece of Americana.

@aaronbuckmaster7063 4 жыл бұрын

I have a never fired 44 Automag B Series with the original case, lubricant and tools in their original folded plastic holding case. I have the reloading dies, Case forming dies, original packages of Norma Cases and I believe RWS cases as well. I do have a 6 inch AMT Automag III that I used to fire occasionally, chambered in 30 Carbine. It is in excellent condition, and surprisingly extremely accurate as well. Being an avid “can’t leave things alone.” Wildcat developer much like Elmer and others including my personal family mentors, I couldn’t leave it alone. After disassembling and thoroughly cleaning it, I discovered the riflings were cut in a 12 to 1 pitch (twist rate). Knowing the M1 Carbine had a 16 to 1 pitch, and understanding powder burn / pressure rates, I started reading and thinking. With a 6” barrel giving a 180* turn to the projectile, and the use of slower a bent powder, I looked for the shortest 125 gr .30 cal. bulletin I could find. After determining the OAL from the ogive in the chamber, I found the magazine more than accommodated the OAL of the cartridge. My educated guess of the powder and charge was perfect. From a supported position, I found that handgun with those cartridges produced 100 yard groups just under 1 1/2 inches. I couldn’t believe it. After practicing a bit, I was able to regularly hit the 200 yard 1’X1’ steel off hand. I haven’t shot that pistol in more than 20 years now, just checking it and wiping it down every year. It’s amazing how fast the years go by and how much the prices have increased in value. The last and only time I saw a 44 Automag like mine for sale was more than 15 years ago. It was only the pistol with one magazine and well used. It sold for $4,600. I wonder what mine would sell for today with everything. Oh well, I’ll never find out.

@harryconnors1935 6 жыл бұрын

My Auto Mag is one of the early guns like this one but has a two digit serial number. I shoot using 240 gain slugs but I have always loaded seven rounds in the magazine. It always shoots and is extremely accurate. I have owned for over 40 years. Harry

@ADRay1999 6 жыл бұрын

Another gun made famous by Dirty Harry

@toadman506 6 жыл бұрын

No, it was made FAMOUS by Don Pendleton in the 70's in the "Executioner" Series of Novels, Production stopped in 82 even by AMT at that point, and Sudden Impact didnt come out until 1983.

@MrWIbackpacker 6 жыл бұрын

No, it was made famous by Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop 2. 10 people read comics.

@matthewb391 6 жыл бұрын

And Burt Reynolds.

@DawnOfTheDead991 6 жыл бұрын

Just at the end of one of his movies when he lost the S & W

@blacksuite1 6 жыл бұрын

I thought it was death wish 3

@AndyCinDallas 3 жыл бұрын

The first 5 of this new production design have been sent to their new owners just before Thanksgiving 2020; I should get mine soon, I hope. I have one of these from the TDE days - absolutely a blast to shoot. Loaded ammo is available (SBR Ammunition), brass (Starline) and of course is a pleasure to handload as most enthusiasts will attest.

@iamnadexey 6 жыл бұрын

"This thing isn't a Glock 19, it actually has some character" I dont think Ian is much of a glock fan

@deadspazz 5 жыл бұрын

Neither am I.

@painmagnet1 4 жыл бұрын

There is a huge difference of perspective in the firearms community. Some love the gun itself, some just for what it does. The Glock is a hammer when the carpenter needs one. It's not art and it's not fancy but yes it works. I only have one Glock in a rather large collection but it's the one gun I actually carry.

@mistakenotou7681 4 жыл бұрын

It was kinda sarcastic ( lack of reliability = character)

@judethenekogamer3651 3 жыл бұрын

@@painmagnet1 its grown on me but i hate trigger safetys

@boxlid214 3 жыл бұрын

If you get a glock, at least get the 20, 29, or the newer long slide version of the 20. 10mm glocks are fun to shoot.

@k_enn 4 жыл бұрын

I had an opportunity in the mid 1980s to buy an Auto Mag in .357. When I found out you had to make and load your own cases (and at the time I did not know how to or have the equipment to reload), I passed on the purchase. Looking back, I wish I had gotten it.

@crominion6045 6 жыл бұрын

Mack Bolan's "Big Thunder." 👍 One of my dad's friends had one of these back in the '80s. I got to handle it but sadly never got to shoot it. An impressive piece for sure, despite its flaws.

@guysmith1134 5 жыл бұрын

I thought that was the one he carried.

@user-kk1hg8sn7i 6 жыл бұрын

There's clearly a slight mistake in your explanation of its operation: the bolt must first rotate and unlock from being cammed by the crosspin, then it travels with the barrel for some more, and only then does the bottom of the accelerator contact the frame, slowing the barrel down and transfering its energy to the bolt for it to move back. Because the accelerator won't be able to do that while the bolt is still locked. The Automag doesn't seem to have a traditional bolt body, at least not near the front of the actual bolt for the accelerator to engage with, so the accelerator must come into action at a later stage of the firing cycle and engage the bolt assembly while it is already unlocked from the barrel on the actual bolt's locking lug.

@aaronhumphrey2009 4 жыл бұрын

I don't like the sliding barrel/ accelerator cam design at all. Better to use a fixed barrel/gas piston design, using a standard magnum cartridge. Less recoil, more accuracy, ' tunable ' gas ports, and way cheaper cartridges.

@user-kk1hg8sn7i 4 жыл бұрын

@@aaronhumphrey2009 that's what Wildey Automag did.

@lucianene7741 4 жыл бұрын

That is correct Sir, well observed. Usually bolt accelerators are present in machine guns and they impinge on the bolt carrier, not on the bolt itself. This pistol doesn't have a bolt carrier.

@claytonblanchard4451 4 жыл бұрын

I paid $450 for one in 1975 and sold it for $650 in 1982. At the time there was nowhere to buy brass or ammo, I got tired of making my brass. RCBS offered a die set but, it was a labor intensive process. The pistol was well made and very fun to shoot. It was easier to control than you would think. I could bounce a can for seven shots, just keep a stiff wrist and let your forearm ride up and the sights will return to the target. I couldn't shoot it as much as I would have liked because of a lack of ammo availability. Mine never had a problem firing from a full mag. Thanks for another great video.

@SgtKOnyx 6 жыл бұрын

Great way to describe the Glock. "No character"

@ethanbaker6264 3 жыл бұрын

@F P a Glock doesn't have any character whatsoever. It's extraordinarily bland. They're great guns, they're ridiculously reliable but they're not exactly exciting. I carry a Glock with some legitimate modifications, with an aperture sight and a conversion to a different cartridge. The sights are cool the cartridge is cool the color looks good but even with all that it's still a bland pistol.

@moffjerjerrod1579 3 жыл бұрын

But it works

@QSfcom 5 жыл бұрын

I fell in love with the 44 Automag the day I first saw Clint Eastwood use one in Sudden Impact . It's been a dream gun of mine ever since .

@kyleclark4449 6 жыл бұрын

Holy crap, I remember the. 308 case thing from Beverly Hills Cop II! And I thought that was all made up

@dark2023-1lovesoni 5 жыл бұрын

I've never seen the movie, please explain

@AndyCinDallas 5 жыл бұрын

The .44 AMP was a prominent round used by the Alphabet Bandits in Beverly Hills Cop II, but, according to Axel Foley, the cartridge needed to be custom made from a .308 rifle case, so tracing the casings back to the Beverly Hills Shooting Club led to their downfall.

@AndyCinDallas 4 жыл бұрын

@GYPSY KING FURY - no worries, I currently make my .44 AMP brass from .308 cases myself ;)

@chuckhotze9141 5 жыл бұрын

Well Ian ~ As usual, you're attention to detail in each gun's history is spot-on. The exact cost of AM-180 Model Pistols from Pasadena factory in 1972 was $247.50 each. My father and I ordered...waited for months and eventually got our consecutive serial numbered pair (A0255X and A0255X) of them through Oshman's Sporting Goods (where I managed the gun department). Harry Sanford's secretary....Miss Love....sent a note explaining that the SECOND magazine was not available but would be forthcoming when available. Needless to say, your comments about them going quickly into bankruptcy was accurate. We're still waiting patiently for those two missing Magazines :~) Ammo was first available through CDM Head-stamped subsidiary of Remington in Mexico as I recall. Glad we ordered that back then too. Norma and Super-Vel came later. Safari-Land basket-weave holsters with a "sight-track" in them rounded out the package. In total, we've located 6 now counting a .357 Auto Mag TDE vintage. Our Desert Eagles and Wildey are better guns, but don't have the allure of the Original AMT-180. P.S. What's the latest on the Shot-Show "tease" of new Auto-Mag 180 guns made with CNC precision?

@AndyCinDallas 4 жыл бұрын

New company has received the new frame castings, which were the hold up. Hopefully I'll be getting my Founders' Edition soon.

@georgemarrero1053 Жыл бұрын

I've had mine for quite some time. Took a couple of years to find a clean one that was affordable. It shoots great and it's very accurate. Keep it clean and oiled and hold it tight and it'll do the job. Thanks for the video.

@CharlesLRay-sb4zy 4 жыл бұрын

Mack Bolan's tool of choice.🔥

@Dogleg1957 6 жыл бұрын

I personally knew Walt Sanford. I want to school with the son and wasn't good friends but I would say he was a friend. You would really have to meet and talk to Walt Sanford to understand the sort of larger than life type of person he was. He worked out at the Huntington house club in always had 4-5 people around him listening to his story's. I was always one of them. Talk of his auto mag always came up, Enthusiasm is not even words to describe how he talked about it. You gotta understand Walt's persona. This is why he was able to get investor after investor, Some people at the Huntington health club used to call him loud and braggadocio us but the kids like me just thought he was cool. But he definitely was the raconteur always had a fantastic larger than story .

@larrikinlancer685 5 жыл бұрын

Really happy that this gun has got back into production again and a new company has picked it up again.

@1959Edsel 3 жыл бұрын

This reminds me a bit of the Mars pistols, especially with the bolt locked open, even though they function in very different ways.

@danielschnopp-wyatt3578 6 жыл бұрын

Great video. I've been wondering when this beast was going to show up. The Executioner book series (Don Pendleton - the original books) featured one.

@danielschnopp-wyatt3578 6 жыл бұрын

Yep. I also recall a .444 Marlin and a .460 Weatherby. Mobsters must have had thick hides back in the day. I reread the first book a few years back and it was OK - not the awesomeness I remembered.

@mikellwehrer 6 жыл бұрын

"Hold my beer" should be the motto of American ingenuity.

@SmaugTheTerrible 6 жыл бұрын

You mean it wasnt already?

@Mirokuofnite 4 жыл бұрын

"Make some coffee." Is probably more of an accurate motto.

@MarcoelOsito 4 жыл бұрын

@@Mirokuofnite what?

@inferno7181 4 жыл бұрын

@@MarcoelOsito huh?

@l0sts0ul89 4 жыл бұрын

@@inferno7181 I assume because the Boston Tea Party

@chrislg1957ilovespam 4 жыл бұрын

Ian @ForgottenWeapons .....A friend of mine had one back in 1975 and I got to shoot it a couple of times it was a Beast !!! . To add to the story of the Automag There was an handgun ammo manufacturer Lee Jurras at one time lived in Shelbyville Indiana not too far from my home was interested High Performance hand loading in 1963 he started the Super-Vel Ammunition Co. Juras Invented the Jacketed Hollow Point for Handgun Bullets that made Hot High Performance loads for 38 spl 357 and 45 ACP for Law Enforcement and developed subsonic 9mm Luger cartridges with a 158 gr. FMJ which was type-classified by the U.S. Navy as the Mk 144 Mod 0 9mm. It was for a special S&W pistol fielded by the Navy SEALs in Vietnam called the Mk 22 Mod 0 but better known as the Hush Puppy. The gun was a highly modified version of the Model 39 with a suppressor to take out Viet Cong guard dogs as the SEALs snuck behind enemy lines to rescue POWs and downed pilots- hence the name Hush Puppy. The load is still used today ....He was also behind the AMP being chambered for 357 AMP and in 1977 L.E. Jurras Custom AMP were built.and were chambered for 41 AMP based on the 41 Magnum was developed by Mr. Jurras Of the less than 10,000 AMP's made Jurras Auto Mags are valued at 35 to 50 percent over the value of production ones, not counting the elaborate cased sets, which were serial numbered LEJ-xx Mr Jurras was very well known as a Big Bore Big Game Handgun Hunter who developed modified and built Custom Thompson Center Contender single shot pistols for proprietary cartridges based on he classic African calibers from ,375 .416,.460, .475 and .500 .577 cartridges Quite an interesting fellow who Mr Jurras passed away in 2017 .... So thats my addition to the little known history behind the Auto Mag Pistol

@RevBoose 4 жыл бұрын

Read a LOT of Mack Bolan when I was a teen in the 80's. This was his hip iron, for the big boom (as opposed to the suppressed Beretta under his armpit) and it was *awesome* in the books... but then I got older and realized that he either had a whack-ton of ammo stored away somewhere or was hand-loading between books. And it never jammed. Ever. Then in the mid-'90's I noticed he started carrying the DE in .44Mag, before ultimately shifting to the DE in .50AE. Realism and Mack Bolan never quite went hand-in-hand, but as a testosterone-charged teen, I couldn't get enough!

@JnEricsonx 4 жыл бұрын

Me I was reading Deathlands. Haven't read that series in years though, no bookstore near me to reguarly check.

@RevBoose 4 жыл бұрын

@@JnEricsonx Never got to that series - I saw it there, but never picked it up. Was reading the three series based on Bolan, SOB's, and once in a while I'd get to a Blade (post-apocalyptic, not vampire-hunter). Always thought the Deathlands books looked good, though.

@JnEricsonx 4 жыл бұрын

@@RevBoose Mad Max meets the Magnificent 7, so to speak.

@michaelhatfield3430 6 жыл бұрын

I'm blessed to have 3 of these that I inherited from my late Uncle. I have 3 calibers. .357AMP, .41JMP and .44AMP. I want to buy one of the newer ones when they become available. Too bad the Vltor Bren Ten didn't go into production. It would have made a nice companion.lol

@CaptainHowdy1431 5 жыл бұрын

Just a suggestion. When you do these videos, have a small, stationary low watt light source available so you can light those hard to see areas. As always, great review.

@buddytesla 4 жыл бұрын

My dad knew Harry Sanford. I got to have lunch with him once. He personally customized the automag that Clint Eastwood used in Sudden Impact.

@AndyCinDallas 4 жыл бұрын

Very cool

@acidwizzardbastard 2 жыл бұрын

Honestly, this is infinitely cooler than any Desert Eagle.

@samhouston1288 6 жыл бұрын

It's very cool, but the new ones are probably going to fail too. $3800 to pre order, and they have been in the works for a few years now. It's sad. If you could get one of these in the $800-$1200 range, I'd probably buy one.

@alexmoore1506 6 жыл бұрын

Maverick44 unless they made these ultra-reliable, I’ll buy a Deagle

@MikeBaxterABC 6 жыл бұрын

I have to agree at the plus $3500 price range and win eTHOUSAND f them already out there .. anyone who wants one can buy it right now .... RIA has THREE in stock, and it's not hard to find a few more online SAYING that according to their website www.automag.com They are really working at fixing all the issues before moving anymore pistols.

@samhouston1288 6 жыл бұрын

At the price they're wanting to for these Auto Mags, I'd look towards a Deagle for a semi auto 44 mag too, though they do suffer from some reliability issues. Honestly, I'm pretty content with my S&W 629. It's probably one of the most reliable and elegant guns ever made. The Deagle is a bit of a brute and a monstrosity. There's nothing wrong with that, but shooting something like that 629 is just a pure treat.

@AndyCinDallas 5 жыл бұрын

That's why they failed in the first place. I'm on the list for one of the new ones.

@garlandremingtoniii1338 5 жыл бұрын

AndyCinDallas Same here!! I’m on the list for 2. They are manufacturing 2 different types/2 different ones. I received the latest email this morning. Did you get one???????

@PvtMartin78 6 жыл бұрын

The 180 denotes what will happen to your profitability after investing in this gun. There's no way it could fail this time, though, right?

@jackandersen1262 6 жыл бұрын

PvtMartin78 though the American 180 sold quite well.

@Draugadan 5 жыл бұрын

One of my very first toy guns was a model of this. When I got old enough, I would start to recognize which real guns my toy guns were models of or at least based on, and this proces of identification was quite interesting to me. This one however always eluded me - until now. Thanks.

@LotharTheFellhanded 6 жыл бұрын

I love the description of revolver vs automatic actions. “Make sure nothing moves.” Vs “Make things move...but not too much or it explodes.”

@lamehick7511 3 жыл бұрын

The term: "Hand Cannon" comes to mind.

@Potato-ic2po 5 жыл бұрын

RIP pocket DMR. You will be missed

@lancerevell5979 4 жыл бұрын

The Auto Mag has long been one of my "Holy Grail" pistols, but is sadly out of my price range. There were several other calibers done experimentally -. 25AMP,. 30AMP,. even. 45ACP. I have seen cased sets with one frame and several uppers, in the. 25AMP,. 357JMP, and. 44AMP. calibers. Things got really interesting when Lee Jurras got involved. Longer barrels and scoped uppers, for longer range use. Last I read, someone has begun producing this pistol again.

@LegendaryInfortainment 4 ай бұрын

The prototype under the glass countertop at Colorado Arms in Pasadena California was nearly identical except for the grips as I recall. It was wonderful unobtainium as a shooting kid.

@Sm0nkyB0i 5 жыл бұрын

AutoMag: We Had To Make A New Rimless .44 Cartridge For The AutoMag Because It's Difficult To Manufacture A Semi-Automatic Pistol That Can Accept Rimmed Cartridges IMI: Hold Our Beers

@flightlesschicken7769 6 жыл бұрын

Hey! This is the 44 MAG from Resident Evil 7. I've been wondering what gun that was based on.

@9crutnacker985 3 жыл бұрын

Seriously nice to use. The grips on mine had very sharp checkering which limited it's use. Also I question the use stainless steel that rusts...

@shadowfoxcorp 6 жыл бұрын

Dear God. The backstory of this gun is one of the most WTF of any so far. Five companies bankrupted themselves makeing this? Holy God!

@Kingstone1981 6 жыл бұрын

GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony ;)

@Dirtyol12valve 5 жыл бұрын

AA-12 with explosive rounds was my shit.

@YellowDogWithCone 5 жыл бұрын

I wish the weapons featured in both TLAD and TBOGT were added in GTA IV too. I would have loved for Niko to use a Striker or an AA-12

@patrick-xu1go 5 жыл бұрын

TBoGT is top 3 greatest GTAs of all time and it’s not even a full game

@th3sh4man86 5 жыл бұрын

@@Dirtyol12valve Yeah man, even cops could shit their pants from it

@davidpochaco9424 3 жыл бұрын

I have been on a GTA IV nostalgia streak lately thank goodness I wasn’t the only one who though this.

@ArcturusOTE 6 жыл бұрын

I wonder how this might compare to other famous semi-auto magnum pistols like say, the Desert Eagle?

@Estinus 6 жыл бұрын

My guess would be less reliable, but equal cool factor.

@PsychoticBovine 6 жыл бұрын

The Desert Eagle uses the same cartridge as a revolver, and it's gas operated, not recoil operated. That being said, I love both the DE and Automag. I own the DE.

@Haaraff 6 жыл бұрын

Friend of mine has two, one of them a Pasadena in .44 Automag and another one in .357 . Fit and finish is rather rough to a point that the grip scales protrude over the frame and machining marks are visible. They are easy to shoot well though, 5 shot groups less than 5 cm at 25 m can be achieved repeatedly. Sights are equal to a target pistol, trigger is crisp. Recoil is lighter than a Desert Eagle and not unpleasant, but quite a bit of grip strength is required for the gun to run properly. Both failure to extract and failure to eject occurred in a single evening. In one case, the slide locked open on the last round with the case still in the chamber. Magazine has a very stiff spring and the edge of a table is required to pull down the follower. If you are into obscure vintage hand cannons with Hollywood history, if you are a handloader and if your life does not depend on your gun, get the Automag. Provided you can find one and willing to pay the price. By the end of the day, the Desert Eagle is the more refined gun.

@broup9137 5 жыл бұрын

Deagle is obviously the superior design

@fruitylerlups530 3 жыл бұрын

Its like comparing a pinup model to an 80s centrefold, the formers got class but the latters got glamour.

@trentmorrison6074 4 жыл бұрын

Part of me thinks that if you convert to .45 acp, change the parts up to date and maintain that harrel thickness and add a dual spring mechinsm plus threaded barrel, you might be able to make somthing to surpass the hk mk23 to an extent. Granted you still need a chrome lined barrel, and black laqor painting.

@matthewhelton1725 4 жыл бұрын

High Standard Automags are the hardest-to-find Automags... they are also probably the best-finished.

@notenof 5 жыл бұрын

now it's used for spawn peeking

@SteinerArts 6 жыл бұрын

AUTOMAG VS WILDEY = DIRTY HARRY VS PAUL KERSEY

@morelenmir 6 жыл бұрын

I was thinking the same thing! They are both such beautiful guns! Compare either the Wildey or this lovely monster to a Glock... *That* is what is wrong with most pistols today; what happened to the 'gee wizz' factor and the futurism? Yet in the 'Death Wish' remake they give Willis-Kersey a damn Glock 17...

@ExUSSailor 6 жыл бұрын

As a general rule, never watch remakes of classics, like "Death Wish". They're always shite!

@morelenmir 6 жыл бұрын

@Anon Nymous I hate to say it because I have been a huge Bruce Willis fan since his 'Moonlighting' days, but you are right. It was a very shit film. However, what really irritated me was his buying a select-fire AR mod from the gunshop--at that point they are just patronizing the audience. As I understand current American law that process would be all but impossible. Wouldn't he need to first find a fully automatic upper that was manufactured before the NFA and then pay for the ATF stamp and transferral with all the required background checks and _then_ have it built up with modern AR furniture? Sure; the guy was a surgeon, so he no doubt had plenty of money to throw around but still... He would have been looking at what--$25000 as a starting point for the rifle alone?

@ExUSSailor 6 жыл бұрын

Oh, I was a big Bruce Willis fan, too but, he sleep-walked through that movie. As for the other concerns, I've long since given up hope of Hollywood being accurate where firearms are concerned. Red Tape just doesn't make for excitement.

@SteinerArts 6 жыл бұрын

@Judson Joist Bro, don't forget to mention the awesome Beretta Cheetah from Death Wish II that Bronson used. God, I love that movie.

@Oorah555 5 жыл бұрын

When I was a kid I remember being in Harry’s store with my dad during a particularly good argument in its hay day that was a great gun shop lots of cool stuff.After Harry sold it the next owner ran it into the ground.

@sgoldens24 5 жыл бұрын

I still have mine from Pasadena with 2 barrels , 10.5 & 6.5 got everything in 1978

@Logovanni 6 жыл бұрын

“This isn’t a glock 19; this has some character to it.” Damn, shots fired! (What pun?)

@LethalShot3190 6 жыл бұрын

Sudden Impact anyone?👍👍

@richardparker3150 5 жыл бұрын

This one was designed by Lee J. Hurris. It could be changed out with different length barrels. It was designed to shoot super vel ammo.

@rileyen4608 6 жыл бұрын

My great uncle had one chambered in 22LR that was made as an honor piece to this gun. His was serial number 63. It was made in honor of Clint Eastwood using a .44 auto mag in a movie.

@Echowhiskeyone 6 жыл бұрын

Also used by Mack Bolan in the book series by Don Pendleton, until replaced by a Desert Eagle.

@bladudemovies 6 жыл бұрын

This is the Mars Automatic finally realized.

@scubaman2546 3 жыл бұрын

Sweet Gun Jezzus! The amount of rods and THINGS exposed when you hand-cycled the upper housing! Bizarre….

@davzway 5 жыл бұрын

FYI from davzway Owned all FOUR manufacturers for the 44 Auto Mag. The 'original' Pasadena model was the best Quality and shot the best of all four manufacturers. Mexican plant made a run of ammo, costing $10 per box in early 80's made shooting a lot more fun than die set to make cases from 308 rifle cases. IF the FIFTH manufacturer was Lee Jurras , 100-sets of 44 AM, 100-sets of 357 AM, and reportedly some 40-sets of 41AM; most were 6-1/2" barrels, some 10" barrel which both had vent rib like gun shown, with 20-sets in 357 with 8" NON=Vent rib barrel (OWNED ONE so was made)., Pasadena, TDE, TDE No. Hollywood, and High Standard were FOUR manufacturer variations, with fifth being 'Lee Jurras' (known from the Super Vel Ammo company). PS: 44 Auto Mag was a hoot to shoot at Bowling Pin matches, though folks putting on the match didn't appreciate their use as ONE round blew PINS into kindling compared to other rounds denting and knocking off table. (FYI- hits from 45acp 230gr FMJ Ball ammo would only sit in surface of a pin IF it penetrated at all, since PINS with coating were TOUGH and real hoot to shoot off a 4x8 sheet of plywood,, describing would take too long, but try PIN Shoot if you have the chance)

@repletereplete8002 6 жыл бұрын

Ah the "Hold my beer" moment. Getting crazy shit done since dang ought dagnabbit!

@brendonarmstrong1465 6 жыл бұрын

You're my favorite person here

@fernandobarros9267 6 жыл бұрын

Is this the magnum from Resident Evil 7 ?

@baker90338 6 жыл бұрын

Fernando Barros yes

@georgesears934 6 жыл бұрын

Fernando Barros And the Krivosk-XS from Uncharted 4.

@Xandros999 6 жыл бұрын

Windurger tranquilizer pistol from Metal gear 5. It doesn't cycle and needs to be racked manually.

@foxstardust1598 5 жыл бұрын

It’s also the fully upgraded magnum from resident evil 2

@Xandros999 5 жыл бұрын

@Michael That was still a Desert Eagle with a longer barrel.

@hanktorrance6855 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the description of the company

@geraldscott4302 3 жыл бұрын

I've always wanted one of these. If they go back into production, I may actually get one. This pistol has a cool look that blocky pistols like the Desert Eagle don't have. It strongly resembles the Wildey, which I had a chance to buy once, but discovered no ammo existed for it.

@nathanlynch9634 6 жыл бұрын

I love your videos please keep them going.

@valhallasrevenge 6 жыл бұрын

hearing Ian say "hold ma beer" puts a smile on my face

@con6lex 6 жыл бұрын

He even said it twice!

@PsiCommando 4 жыл бұрын

Reminiscent of Mars pistols with huge mechanical bits sticking out the back while cycling

@ottovonottsville476 2 жыл бұрын

Matt on demolition ranch just shot one and one of the spring screws walked itself out and 'exploded the gun' as he put it. Other spring in the process. Still a cool gun. A little Loktite and done.

@CurtHowland 6 жыл бұрын

Love the style. I was sold when Mac Bolan carried one on the cover of his pulp action books. If one should only load 5 rounds in a magazine at a time, why bother with rimless?

@ArcherCC1599 5 жыл бұрын

Was hoping someone else knew it from the Mack Bolan books. I own all but three of them between #1 & #300.

@hubertET 6 жыл бұрын

I love Charles Bronson using this beast in "Death Wish 3".

@576103 2 жыл бұрын

Uh…no. That was a Wildey, not an Auto Mag….

@jayb0g 7 ай бұрын

I just watched the video about the latest iteration, and it's interesting to see the omission of reliability issues in this earlier video.

@williamkrevey1098 6 жыл бұрын

Mac Bolan , the excutioner! Original auto mag using black turtle neck wearing bad ass! Makes Archer look like...you know. Look for those books at your favorite book store.

@jeredhersh789 6 жыл бұрын

I remember reading those books! I always thought the auto mag was and still is a badass weapon

@electrichellion5946 5 жыл бұрын

I read all or so it seemed of those books. He was also fond of the Berreta 92R(?) full auto pistol.

@martinmccomb5462 5 жыл бұрын

@@electrichellion5946 That's a 93R. Capable of full-auto fire.

@electrichellion5946 5 жыл бұрын

Martin McComb - yup. Didn’t remember quite correctly.

@garlandremingtoniii1338 5 жыл бұрын

William Krevey Mac Bolan is actually based upon a fella by the name of Jay W Randolph. He was with The 4th graduating class of the original special forces Green Berets. Jay W went on to work for the CIA and co founded there original “wet work school.” You know, assassins for hire.” He was one of those all around killers. Kill you at short range or long rang. With a cross bow, long bow, recurve bow, or 22-250, 243, 2506 which he said all his life was his favorite caliber. Also expert knife and sword guy

@spandexlurchgaming5053 6 жыл бұрын

The automag was also used in Beverly Hills Cop 2.

@TheRarook 3 жыл бұрын

I'm just staring in awe at the revolvers behind Ian

@EchosTackyTiki Жыл бұрын

4:12 "This thing has some..... character to it." Translation: _Big fucking gun._

@widgren87 6 жыл бұрын

I really like the look of this gun and the Wildey family :-) I will likely never shoot one but I still like the looks.

@SteinerArts 6 жыл бұрын

Charles Bronson owned a Wildey and it was his personal handgun. ❤️🇺🇸

@goldilox7653 6 жыл бұрын

Could the 180 be a reference to the rotating bolt?

@victorwaddell6530 6 жыл бұрын

I was thinking the same thing . A pistol featuring an AR 18 bolt group .

@aaronhumphrey2009 4 жыл бұрын

No, that bolt doesn't rotate 180°. Cool-looking, but that $$$ custom cartridge that'd have to be special ordered would keep me from even being able to go get range time with it.. could be 3-5$ a shot !

@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524 3 жыл бұрын

Closest I've ever got to one of these was building an L+S ABS kit as a kid!

@Hunter-fx6sk 5 жыл бұрын

*SPAWNPEAKING INTENSIFIES*

@jpegwithallthecrust2649 6 жыл бұрын

The Desert Eagle's grandpa.

@CurtHowland 3 жыл бұрын

The DE uses .44 Rem Mag, which I believe would make it possible for this firearm to sell. I know I would buy one in .44 Rem Mag if it were made. The 2018 announcement from Excel included the pistol in .44 Rem Mag, but it's been two years already and they're only available in .44 AMC.