The Auto Mag Pistol: A Magnum-Power Pistol Revived

by
posted on July 17, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
44 Auto Mag Photos 4

Reincarnation is possible, at least for classic firearm designs with an avid fan base. With modern metallurgy and today’s tight CNC tolerances, retro-style designs can be safer, stronger and better performing than the original.

Enthusiasts know that process sometimes surrenders the attractive fit, finish and feel that endeared them to the gun in the first place. That’s not the case with the new .44 Auto Mag., which has somehow captured everything that captivated gun owners when it first appeared on the silver screen and managed to squeeze in improvements.

The task was not as simple as producing a clone, either. The .44 Auto Mag Pistol (AMP)—the original version’s name—was a recoil-operated semi-auto that first appeared in 1966. The bolt was rotary, much like that of today’s AR-15 and the .44 AMP cartridge it digested generated enough muzzle energy to rival that of the .44 Mag.

Unfortunately, the company ran into financial problems, name changes, bankruptcies and by 1982, production ceased at barely 9,000 units. As fate would have it, the next year, Inspector “Dirty” Harry Callahan cemented the design to enthusiasts’ memories on the silver screen. Clint Eastwood worked the behind the trigger in the movie “Sudden Impact.”

Shortly after, it was seen in “Beverly Hills Cop 2” with Eddie Murphy. Then came an appearance in the video game Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Seige.

Auto Mag LLC—a name that honors the original design—recognized the pistol has much more going for it than simply Hollywood legend. The company secured the rights in 2015 from the original designer’s son. It then invested six years in development and added 20 improvements, all without abandoning the original’s looks and feel. Today it markets it as “The Legend, Reborn,” for good reason.

There are two different models of the .44 Auto Mag are available—either 6.5" or 8" barreled models with brushed satin finish. The former’s starting price comes in at $3,495, with the latter carrying an MSRP of $3,795. For an extra $275, you can opt for a high-polish metalwork on either.

Both are chambered in .44 AMP, a cartridge based on the .308 Win. case. The guns ship with two, seven-cartridge capacity magazines. Grips are Hogue, either G10 or checkered wood. The front sight is fixed, but the Kensight at the rear is adjustable.

Latest

Armscor Tm22 S 18 Gotw F
Armscor Tm22 S 18 Gotw F

Gun Of The Week: Armscor TM22-S-18

We're on the range in this video to get a closer look at an affordable plinker imported by Armscor. Whether you’re training on a budget or just want a rimfire for plinking, the TM22 is a proven platform worth investigating.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 22, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Winter Warrior: The Finnish Lahti-Saloranta M/26 LMG

A little-known light machine gun from the inter-war era, the Finnish Lahti-Saloranta M/26 garnered a poor reputation during its service in World War II, but a closer look and some context reveals how innovative it was for its time.

Federal Ammunition Honored By National 4-H Shooting Sports

Federal Ammunition was recently honored with the 2025 4-H Shooting Sports Pioneer Award, which recognizes individuals or companies that have made significant contributions to the 4-H Shooting Sports program at a national level.

I Have This Old Gun: Polish Vis 35 Radom

One of the lesser-known designs from the 1930s, the Vis 35 Radom is widely considered to be one of the best of the pre-World War II handguns.

Rifleman Q&A: Colt 1860 12-Notch Conversion

"At a gun show, I saw a Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion with 12 cylinder notches instead of the usual six. The dealer was not sure whether this was original to the gun. Were these extra notches a factory variation or just some frontier gunsmith’s backroom project?"

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.