There are certain points in time when a firearm can be immediately elevated to legendary status. That was the case with the .44 Auto Mag. While still very respected and honored today, in the 1970s and 1980s, Clint Eastwood was a silver-screen god. So, when the .44 Auto Mag ended up in his hands for a movie, the wheels were set in motion. The pistol was featured in the 1983 film Sudden Impact with Clint Eastwood’s character “Dirty” Harry Callahan.
In one famous scene, Callahan’s friend boasts about a new shotgun that reduces a target into mush that must be “strained for fingerprints.” Callahan replies, “This is the .44 Magnum Auto Mag, and it holds a 300-grain cartridge. And, if properly used, it can remove the fingerprints.” He then goes on to fire the gun one-handed and blow holes in the silhouette target. A little more dialogue and they shoot again. The scene wraps as Dirty Harry fires two rounds into a piece of steel resulting in two massive holes. If this didn’t scream raw power, nothing did. At that moment, movie magic gave rise to a legend.
Auto Mag Model 180-D: The Classic Reborn
The Auto Mag has an interesting history. The gun was first created in 1966. I believe its development in that time is one factor that led to the look of the gun. Without a doubt, it has a cool 1960s/1970s aesthetic. The Auto Mag was a large-framed semi-auto that used a long-bolt short recoil system. The gun used an eight-lug rotating bolt similar to those used on an M16/AR15 rifles. It came with a single-stack, detachable magazine, which gave the gun a 7+1 capacity.
It was a massive blaster coming in at over 3.5 pounds and an overall length of 11.5 inches. The grip and ergonomics were based on the High Standard HD target pistol while the takedown method and control surfaces were like those of the Walther P38. Billed as the “Aristocrat of Big Bore Handguns” at the time of its introduction, the Auto Mag Pistol (AMP) fired the most powerful production handgun round on the market.
Old School Problems
Like many brand-new guns, however, the Auto Mag ran into problems. From internal problems between the design team to skyrocketing costs, the Auto Mag Corporation had a tough time. Ultimately, the craftsmanship needed to build the Auto Mag made the pistol a losing proposition when it came to producing them at a price the market would support. Within two years, bankruptcy forced Auto Mag Corporation to shut the line down.
Fast forward to 2015, and Walter Sanford sells all the assets of the company, including the name, trademark and production rights to Auto Mag Ltd., Co. Like any serious firearm enthusiast, this sale caught my eye and nudged me to dig a little. I was curious if this was going to be yet another minor revival only to sell parts or if this was the real deal. In short order, I discovered that this was going to be a full-blown revival of the classic blaster, and they then had my full attention. …
This excerpt runs in full within the July-August 2023 issue of Tactical Life magazine, on sale now. For more information on the Auto Mag 180-D, visit automag.com.
Full Coverage & Review
Read the full review on the new Auto Mag Model 180-D in the July-August 2023 issue of Tactical Life magazine. Get your digital or print copy or subscription at OutdoorGroupStore.com.
