Re-introduce the AutoMag III ?

I have a fondness for absurdity that would cause me to buy an automag iii if I found one for a decent price, but better than .327fed? That's a horses for courses thing. I can't see an automag iii, or even a modern polymer variant, replacing my sp101 or my single seven. It's an also-have, not an alternative.

jski said:

But what is the .327, other than a wimpy .30 carbine? And I'm NOT saying that to begin a flame war. Just look at the case capacity.

The AutoMag III was/is an excellent design. With some small tweaks it could be an excellent HD option. The M1 Carbine already is.

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Except for all the velocity you give up with the Automag. Seriously, I have one and it is more of a flame-thrower than a pistol. Also if a new one were produced that might hurt the value of mine.

jski said:

I think someone (e.g., Ruger, S&W) ought to re-introduce the AutoMag III.

Better than the Fed. .327 mag.

If I remember correctly, the design was well thought out and fairly well implemented.

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It won't happen.

Not enough market. Unless you make it in commercially available ammunition, it'll flop just as bad the next go around.

The reason the DEagle is around is because it used off the shelf ammunition from Wal-Marts nationwide.

jski said:

But what is the .327, other than a wimpy .30 carbine? And I'm NOT saying that to begin a flame war. Just look at the case capacity.

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More powerful. I mean, you asked and that's the short answer. The .327 is specified at 45k psi vs the .30 carbine's limit of 40k. It is also commercially loaded with powders optimized for short handgun barrels, not carbine barrels.

For perspective, 110gr military .30 carbine out of a 7.5" barrel blackhawk chronos at 1525fps (http://www.tactical-life.com/combat-handguns/rugers-new-model-blackhawk-30-carbine/) while 115gr commercial .327fed chronos at 1660 from a 5.5" Blackhawk (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.327_Federal_Magnum). That's a substantial gain in energy from a shorter barrel.

And you call it weak?

jski said:

The AutoMag III was/is an excellent design. With some small tweaks it could be an excellent HD option. The M1 Carbine already is.

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Seems like the best tweak would be to set it up for the rimmed .327 federal cases.

AMT and High Standard have been reborn from ashes, and the new AMT is making the AutoMag II, so maybe someday they'll make the III again.

http://www.highstandard.com/index.php/amt-firearms

Jski, nothing "wimpy" with either of those being over 1500 fps from short barrels. Maybe you can work on some love for the .327?

> 110gr ... 1525

So, about the same as my CZ-52 in 7.62x25 Tokarev...

I do like the look of the AMIII, though.

I think if I wanted a .327 Mag I would start with a Coonan as it feeds rimmed ammo

jski said:

That's interesting. I went to the Hodgdon reloading data website (http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol) and looked up the data for .327 v. .30 carbine for pistol loads.

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Obviously not the place to go for full spec. .327 loads then.

The last time I actually touched an AutoMag III was visiting a gun store with my father when I was probably 14 or so. I remember trying to convince myself that I could actually securely grip that thing. Which brings us to the next reason.327 would be better...

The .30 carbine has an OAL of 1.68", vs the .327's 1.45". Either of those is long compared to cartridges designed to fit inside a pistol stock. Even the .22 Magnum (AMT or PMR)results in a weird hold and it is only 1.35", most pistol cartridge are 1.2" or less.

As for the Coonan, I'm really surprised they have done as well as they have recently. Shows the market is thirsty for desert eagle competitors. They are apparently making Widelys again too.

Havok7416 said:

Also if a new one were produced that might hurt the value of mine.

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This