TDE North Hollywood AutoMag Model 180 6.5” .44 AMP Stainless Auto Mag Semi Automatic Pistol, C&R
SOLD FOR: $7,075.00
LSB#: 171111SE01
Make: TDE Auto Mag North Hollywood / Pasadena (There was no North Hollywood manufacturing)
Model: 180
Serial Number: A01264
Year of Manufacture: 1970s, ATF Listed as a Curio & Relic. Shooter’s manual included dated May 1971
Caliber: .44 AMP
Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Automatic with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked with a “TDE” logo and “AUTO MAG / .44 AMP MODEL 180 / NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. / PAT. PENDING”. The right side of the receiver is marked “MADE IN U.S.A.” The bottom rear of the grip frame is marked “A01264”.
Barrel Length: The barrel is 6 ½” in length and has a full length vented barrel rib.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a ramped blade fixed to the barrel rib. The rear sight is a flat topped square notch target sight pinned to the top of the receiver and adjustable for elevation and windage. The top of the rib is serrated to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips appear to be Micarta stocks. The color red is visible along the edge of the grips in a few locations, not on the face. There are no chips, scratches, or major defects to the grips. The grips fit the gun well overall. We understand that the plastic molded grips are typically found on these guns, we do not have any authenticity to verify that these are the factory shipped grips. As legend has it, our consignor claims that these are the grips that were on the gun at the time of purchase and that it was a display at his local shop, why these grips were on the gun and not the standard molded plastic. No paperwork or provenance is currently available to verify this. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Matte & Polished Stainless Steel
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 83% of its metal finish. The cast frame has some brown tarnishing and manufacturing flaws from the cast. These imperfections are common from the factory. There are some light scratches to the polished stainless slide, nothing of major concern. There are a few other lighter marks to the cast frame as well. There are no major defects that would make the pistol unsafe, no cracking of the cast frame. The Allen heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a factory Shooter’s Manual from Auto Mag Corporation dated May 1971. There is also a dears price list / informational flyer as well. Great for the Auto Mag Collector, with some discoloration, light staining, and soiling. The pages are intact, and honestly, hardly seen.
Our Assessment: This model is the same as the famous gun used by Clint Eastwood in the Dirty Harry film “SUDDEN IMPACT” after he loses his S&W model 29. He is quoted in the movie saying “Well, this is the .44 Magnum Auto Mag and it holds a 300 grain cartridge. And if properly used, it can remove the fingerprints.” There were less than 9000 of these handguns produced as the cost of production was too high to continue profitably. The short recoil operated Auto Mag pistol featured a rotary bolt with locking lugs located at the front similar to the M-16/AR-15 rifle. The Auto Mag is a heavy pistol designed to give handgun hunters .44 magnum power in a semi-automatic pistol. The .44 Auto Mag was designed to shoot 240 grain, .429”diameter bullets at about the same velocity as the .44 Magnum revolver. At the time, this was the only pistol of its kind. This is truly an incredible piece of American Firearms history. Now is your chance to own one of the few Auto Mag pistols made. It is so noteworthy and collectible it is on the Federal Curio and Relics List for being any other firearm which derives a substantial part of their monetary value from the fact that they are novel, rare, bizarre, or because of their association with some historical figure, period, or event.
