Somewhere along the line I read some place that there are two lengths of recoil rods. Anyone know anything about this? My North Hollywood takes 200(?)mm rods? I can't remember or I am remembering incorrectly.

Thank you.

 

I don't think they are interchangeable. Also from my memory, some pepole reported that their guns came with mix of those two sizes, say left rod is .200 and right rod is .182. It's hard to believe, but maybe that was the level of quality control at the factory at one point.

 

Yoshi

 

http://www.gunsprings.com/Semi-Auto%20Pistols/AMT/AUTO%20MAG%20.357%20%26%20.44/cID1/mID7/dID9" rel="nofollow - http://www.gunsprings.com/Semi-Auto%20Pistols/AMT/AUTO%20MAG%20.357%20%26%20.44/cID1/mID7/dID9

 

But then again never say never,,,

Thank you for clarifying my clouded mind gentlemen.

 

 

 

 

Oh, one thing is sure, mine was proof tested in the Belgian proofhouse, and passed the safety proof with 50% overpressure... 

 

Like I said "never say never"  but I still have my doubts,,,

 

When it comes to Auto Mags I have met very few 100% "original" owners.  I can even tell you about several who thought they were and had been sold previously owned guns by less than honest gun dealers,,, 

 

Who knows, maybe they (the factory) did it intentionally due to a shortage of the smaller/new style rods, or maybe someone thought this was a better idea for some reason. 

 

Wonder if Bruce can shed some light on this. 

 

Just curious, what serial number range is your gun? (6000 - 6500, 6500 - 7000, 7000+)

 

Also wondering what specs the proof house folks used.  50% over pressure is a lot if they used original loading data, I'm not sure you could you could get enough powder in the case to get it that high, or maybe they stop at a case full of powder???

 

Guess this is one of the reasons Auto Mags are so interesting, their history if so complex and undocumented,,,

 

George, the serial of my Automag is A067xx.

True George, you can never be 100 % sure you're the first owner, unless you could get one dragged out of the factory ;-))

 

 

 

 

Have you ever checked with LEJ to make sure if that was in the serial number range he sold and if he had any info on the original sale?  That could be your first clue about the guns history.

 

I also seem to recall him telling me once that the factory was at one point shipping him guns that were missing parts.  Apparently they were short on some items and shipped the guns a a good faith kind of thing.  If your was one such gun and short a recoil rod, its possible they sent missing parts and did not tell Lee that they had changed the size of the rods and the new one got put in by mistake.  But thats just a wild guess,,, and but one of many ways it could have happened.

 

Interesting to hear about the proofhouse, what ammo did you give them to use as a standard?  CDM vs Norma vs Super Vel vs Beals Bullets ve Lomont Bullets would all have different pressures.  I would not want to try to add 50% to Super Vel or Lomont ammo (thats if you could even get that much powder in the case) but 50% over CDM might not be too bad,,,

 

As for the inspection process, magnaflux is not chemical, its iron powder and a magnet, Zyglo and other dyes are possible but would not be my first choice for this application. Sorry I dont read/speak French or Dutch so I didn't get too much from the web site,,,

 

Sure makes you wonder what they were thinking when they came up with this elaborate process to test each and every gun, is it to protect the citizens, the gun owner who might never shoot it if he is just a collector, or the potential shooter.  The only one that makes any sense is the shooter, but they are so few in number it makes me think not.  So that still leaves me with the basic question "why" ???  This is clearly a big operation to fund so it cannot be inexpensive,,, So again, why do it,,,

 

Sometimes its better that we dont ask, the answer may only lead to other questions and OUTRAGE whan we get the answers we seek!  ;-)

 

Thanks for sharing  - GH

When the solid bolts were introduced, I remember that Ed O'Neil told me that the recoil rods were made larger to hold the new stronger recoil rod springs.

At one point I measured the (strength / pressure) of the smaller springs as compared to the larger diameter springs and could find no big difference between the two.

Fast forward to the modern days and the insight of Max Gera.

Max likes the solid bolt over the hollow bolt but for reasons I didn't expect.  It was not the fact that the solid bolt is a stronger carbon steel or the fact that it is easier to manufacture.  It is the fact that it is heavier than the hollow bolt.  Max says the extra weight is a plus for many reasons.  I will let Max explain this. 

My guess would be that the larger recoil rods being larger are also heavier.  Their weight is effectivly added to the weight of the heavier bolt. 

Were the rods made larger to increase the overall weight of the bolt + cocking piece and recoil rods as a unit ?  

If we are lucky, maybe Max will explain why the extra weight is a plus. 

 

As for QC.  It was there sometimes and not at other times.  Brian can tell us about that as he was the service manager for several years.

 

Just my best guess.................Bruce S.

 

In Australia, when they could own handguns, their Govt. required that the barrel extension on the Auto Mag be serial numbered.  They considered it to be the receiver, which it is. 

An International that went to Thailand has its gun license engraved on the front of the frame.  Someone later removed the engraving. 

I think these extra markings make the gun more valuable due to its unique history. 

 

Bruce S.

 

 

I know my Parker Hale was proofed in England, and I have FAL parts with Belgian proofs on them (sadly no original receivers, only semi auto).

 

I think proofing is a good thing, and that all manufacturers should do it.  If for nothing else, than liability protection.

 

Jason