Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

So, there I was at the range this morning and the guy in the next lane lights off something unusual. There was a huge flash and a low, loud WHUMP!
It wasn't a .45 Thud or a .44 magnum Boom but a low WHUMP!
So, I peeked around the corner and asked the guy. It was an Automag chambered for .30 Carbine. I've heard of them but never seen one in person. It was interesting!
Does anybody still make one of these anymore? Anybody have experience with other handguns chambered for the .30 Carbine? I've seen a Ruger revolver (?) chambered for it but never seen one fired in person.
Let me know about your experiences.

I have seen one in person but never fired one ...One thing about the automag 3 ..You have to have a big hand to hold it ...The grip is pretty big due to the length of the round i guess ..They do come up on the used market from time to time but they command good money due to there rareity ...

I wanted one of the Automags but after years of hearing how much trouble they are I gave up. Mags are hard to get, parts can be an issue, and the guns themselves are very hit or miss.

Understand: I love the .30 carbine. Love it.

Plus the .30 carbine round loses a whole lot of power being shot out of a pistol barrel. What's servicable in a carbine becomes anemic in a pistol - I haven't seen the stats for .30 carb out of a pistol but I'd be surprised if it does much, if any, better than 7.62x25. That fireball and whump is the cartridge telling you it's wasting a lot of its energy.

Lafayette gun club?

I was there also, he let me have a couple of rounds on it. felt like i was firing a .38 but with a lot more sound and one hell of a flash.

Valhalla wrote:Lafayette gun club?

I was there also, he let me have a couple of rounds on it. felt like i was firing a .38 but with a lot more sound and one hell of a flash.

Yep! I was the big, ugly dude in the center lane with the green jacket and black ball cap, drawing his own targets and trying out my new Ruger GP-100. Man, I like that revolver!

I was at Superior Pawn not too long ago and they had an Enforcer "pistol" (see also: mini M-1 carbine) but held out for the GP-100. I need to win the lottery so I can buy ALL the neat stuff.

Sounds cool! I have heard of them in 357 didn't know they had made a 30 carbine model also.

Jakeiscrazy wrote:Sounds cool! I have heard of them in 357 didn't know they had made a 30 carbine model also.

.357 Automag, I kind of wish there was both production ammo and a carbine chambered for it...

i own one a lot of the issues come from bad after market mags the feed rail needing work and people using rounds not made for the weapon...Everyone i know who had these issues properly serviced have had a well functioning firearm...I would have to get my reloading manuals out to check the energy bleed on it but i can tell you i it punches 1/4 mild steel at 70 ft ...I found this out by accident teaching a young friend how to shoot and the round went though the target and piece of steel plate left there before it buried itself in the firing pit walls...