Do You Feel Lucky, Punk? The Auto Mag Returns!

After decades of unfortunate hiatus, one of the most iconic pistols in both firearms and pop culture history has made a triumphant return at SHOT Show 2018. Excel Arms may not be a name you’re familiar with. It certainly didn’t jump out at us right away. But they are bringing back the .44 Auto Mag pistol.

This stainless steel behemoth was designed in the late 1960s and sold on and off for a number of years before finally sinking into firearms obscurity. But now it’s back with a vengeance, thanks to a partnership between New Auto Mag Ltd and Excel Arms. They have made some updates to the original design and are working on a number of new models.

The Auto Mag Classic will look, from the outset, like the original ‘60s and ‘70s Auto Mags, right down to the high-polish stainless finish. They will be available in 6-inch and 8-inch barrel lengths, both with full-length sight ribs. In addition to high-polish stainless, the Auto Mag Classic will be available in black Cerakote.

Auto Mag Classic models will be chambered in the original .44 AMP cartridge, which will be produced by SBR Ammunition. Initial loadings will feature a 240 grain Hornady XTP slug leaving the muzzle around 1475 feet per second. Ammo will be sold in boxes of 50 rounds, and retail is projected at around $56 per box. The Auto Mag Classic itself will carry an iconic price tag in the neighborhood of $3500.

For the more practical-minded and slightly-less-filthy-rich among us, Excel is working on the Auto Mag Tempest. The Tempest is geared more towards the shooter than the collector/admirer. Tempest models will be chambered in .45 WinMag, making ammo somewhat more affordable and more available. Additionally, Tempest guns will be finished in black Cerakote and feature a Picatinny optics rail on top.

The Auto Mag Tempest is projected to come in with an MSRP closer to $2500. While not exactly budget-friendly, it will give the market an Auto Mag that’s competitively priced with other big bore auto-loaders currently on the market.

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