New to the forum, and I have been an Auto Mag fan from afar for many years.  I will buy my first Auto Mag this year, and I hope you can help with my question:

 

Mechanically, is there any difference between a Pasadena pistol and, for instance, an LEJ pistol except for the barrel choices?  Over the many evolutions of the Auto Mag, did various companies change the hardware configuration in the frame, triggers/safties, et cetera?  I know there were Quality Control issues from shop to shop, but I'm curious if any shop actually modified the way the pistol works.

 

If so - is one model considered to be "more advanced" than the other?

 

Thanks,

CK

 

http://biskun.com/hobby/ - http://biskun.com/hobby/

 

LEJ's are TDE El Monte made guns, and I think the quality is the same.

 

There was first the Pasadena's, then TDE North Hollywood (made from some left over parts from Pasadena, but still considered very good by many), the TDE El Monte.  Starting with TDE/OMC El Monte, these "B" guns because they started with a "B" serial number had "solid bolts".  There were not many "B" guns made.  Later, there were "C" and "LAST" serial numbers made by AMC Covina.  Lastly, the commerative editions were made "AMT"

 

All of these involved Harry Sanford or his family. 

 

I would be more worried about getting a good in good shape than what the maker was (ie, see the problems on Yoshi's Page).

 

Jason

 

I understand the bolt issue.  Is that the only significant difference/change from pistol to pistol?  Were there any other evolutionary changes/improvements to the basic design & function as the years and manufacturers passed?

 

Is the frame & 'guts' of a Pasadena the same as the frame & 'guts' of an LEJ and/or Covina?

 

Thanks,

CK

... from "Super Glue" to "a drilled cavity on the frame"?

 

I would say no improvements beyond of good tuning and care were made, until we see Max's new Bolt system.

 

For the guts, Pasadena and North Hollywood are 100% Stainless Steel made (except the grip panels, of course), but TDE and later are not always the case. I have seen some carbon steel made parts on later guns, but not certain when changes were made.

 

Yoshi

 

There are different diameter recoil rods too. 

 

Grips went from full checkered urethane (Pasadena) to semi checkered urethane (TDE North Holly) to semi checkered plastic (TDE El Monte).  The plastic grips crack quite easily.

 

 

 

Jason