AMT AutomagII back now in .17HMR

[17RemFan]

Just a heads up that the AMT automag is back and you can get it in .17HMR . You can also purchase just the new barrel alone .if you alread have an automag II 22 mag / ,Its a drop in .Some times the automags get a bad rep but its because people dont use the correct ammo . They have to run on Winchester superX.Most any other type will not function correctly.It will be intersting to see which ammo works best in 17cal .

 

[Bergeron]

Neato! I had always thought that a 17HMR Automag would be fun piece to have.

 

[pocketgun]

I spoke with the guy at the High Standard booth at SHOT about this. He told me the .17HMR barrels would be available, but mentioned specifically that they would need to be fitted to the pistols (i.e. not drop in). He also told me that the gas extraction system originally used in the Automag II would not be included in the High Standard-produced versions in either caliber, BTW.

It wasn't discussed, but I am guessing lighter recoil springs may be needed to work properly with the .17HMR. The only .22WMR round that will function without a failure in my pistol is the Winchester Super-X 50gr JHP. The FMJ version of that round has a small flat area on the tip which hangs up on the gap in the feed ramp where the rim sits when a cartridge is in the chamber. Some careful filing here would likely fix the issue, but the HPs are the same price and just as common. Other brands don't seem to generate enough recoil to fully extract/eject the spent cases. I expect this is what would happen with the .17HMR and stock recoil springs. Don't ever try Armscor .22WMR ammo in your Automag II - it has thin brass that gets stuck in the gas holes in the chamber like the locking bolts on a safe. It took a cleaning rod and hammer to get it out!

AMT got a checkered reputation on their 1911 clones because some of the early ones had galling problems with the stainless steel. They solved the problems, but never shook the bad rep. The fact that they built guns in the same area as the manufacturers like Raven, Jennings, Davis, and Lorcin did little to enhance their reputation for quality, in spite of the fact that they had innovative designs and used high quality materials. I read the threads on Kimber problems and it makes me shake my head - Kimbers are well-loved but AMTs are not. I see more similarities than differences.

 

[17RemFan]

Thanks for adding that valid information . When I called High Standard they did indeed say the barrels may have to be fitted.Im sorry I didnt mention that .This gun has no link pin or barrel lugs like a 45auto so whats there to fit ?? By next week i will have tested my new .17HMR barrel out and will report back here my findings with everything ..The salesman did say i shouldnt need another barrel bushing and that my barrel should fit fine with the existing bushing .. as for the ammo issues with the 22mag part,Yes the Winchester Super x works great. I have used FMJs and now have been going through a batch JHPs.The JHPs are working very well .CCIs , PMC and a few others i cant think of right now DONT work well at all .Tips jam on the ramp or case stick in the chamber..BUT the WINCHESTERS work great and make the Automag a very pleasent fun gun to shoot.I have yet to see if the recoil spring will need to be changed . The .17HMR round seems like it should have plenty of kick to operate the slide system .Winchester doesnt make any .17 ammo so i hope i can find a brand that will work right ...All this stuf sounds like doom and gloom but i really like my AutomagII alot. Its super fun to shoot.

 

[pocketgun]

I love my Automag II - don't want to give the wrong impression. Yes, it is sensitive to ammo, but that is no big deal. It is a target pistol, and very fun to shoot in that capacity. It is very reliable with the Winchester JHP because the soft point ammo deforms a little on the sharp edge and feeds. I could home-gunsmith it to 100% in about 20 minutes if I wanted to make the FMJ work, but just don't see the need.

I don't know what fitting will need done for the .17HMR barrel - perhaps the groove for the extractor or the bushing? Maybe none.

I don't think it will cycle with the .17HMR and stock (.22WMR) recoil springs, because the tiny bullets are very light (17gr) and won't provide enough recoil energy to move the slide much. Just speculating here. Let me know if they work for you

 

[johnny blaze]

That is some great information. If anyone finds out what this conversion has to consist of, please post.
On the 22 mag ammo, I have always used the CCI MAXI MAG Hollow Point ammo. My Auto Mag has always cycled properly with this ammo.