I believe earlier discussions stated that the FE combined new uppers and improved bolt with prior version original frames, but with the new design magazines. They also shipped with a wood presentation box. (Best recollection I have). I think one of the posts also stated new cast frames may also be used now that they were proven through many trial castings.
Rob may know more,
I’m assuming that the Classic has all of the updates and is essentially a new design...correct?
That is what I hope anyway.
I purchased and paid for a Founders Edition Auto Mag 9.14.2017. I was told that I am number 32 on the list. I have an original Pasadena Auto Mag that I have been hesitant to shoot because of limited repair opportunities if something is damaged. Based on my gun, I would think that the main difference between a FE Edition and a Classic would be the upper assembly that could easily be swapped out but that the frame should be the same. Why would any company make the newly purchased Classic Editions more robust or better than the FE Editions that people have paid for years ago? I would think the “top of the line” best pistols in every way would be the FE models as a reward for funds and patience. I would like to know why the one I purchased will not be as robust and have all the improvements as one I could order tomorrow with a shorter barrel. Does the extra 2” barrel length somehow interfere with the upgrades and improvements? Since I still have not gotten my Auto Mag, why can’t all of the improvements be included with it?
I do not understand!!!!
Rob should be able to help with the details. I think the prior discussions had the improvements built in. I ordered when they first were announced availability to order. I just missed the FE cutoff as the were standing up their first web store.
That is my understanding from prior responses. The improvements will be worth the wait.
I have received my Founder's Edition and it has the new frame per Patrick. I assumed it had all the other upgrades also.
I placed my order on 9-7-17
Congratulations! Positive news!
Your impressions would be nice to hear.
Hey guys, Patrick is traveling right now, but he wants to answer your questions himself. As soon as he gets free he will jump on here.
the Founders frames were original castings and when we were using Excel to produce guns they used these frames to make the Founder's and since they put serial numbers on them we had to complete them. We made more than 55 improvements to the Auto Mag since we started but some of these had to be done on a frame with additional surface area to allow us to change the rearward cessation of movement of the bolt from stopping on the bolt ring to the stopping on the front of the frame. Because the variations in the original castings this was not always an option. Frames that stop the bolt on the bolt ring instead of the front of the frame will cause "ring bend" and if enough shots are fired the ring can bend to the point to cause it to not function correctly. In spite of this the other improvements makes the founders far more stronger and more reliable that any original Auto Mag. I have been contacting each Founder's buyer to make them aware of this and basically telling them if your reason for buying is more for collecting you should stay with the Founders but if you are a real shooter and plan on shooting thousands of rounds you might want to switch.
Hmmm, as I'm a shooter and not a collector, that sounds very tempting...
I have received my Founder's Edition
Congrats!!
Congratulations! Positive news!
Your impressions would be nice to hear.
I agree! What do you think about your new Automag?
Ok, to start off before I received my FE Patrick called and explained the frame situation just as he said in his post. I changed serial numbers to get an updated model per Patrick's advice.
The FE's are really beautiful pistols and if you are looking for something in a VR and longer than 6.5" they are the best deal on the market.
I have not shot mine yet. I do not want to shoot indoors and we had 9" of snow with freezing rain on top and it is all ice at our range. I'm over 70 years old and I will wait for better weather so I can do it right.
Good luck to the rest of you.
the Founders frames were original castings and when we were using Excel to produce guns they used these frames to make the Founder's and since they put serial numbers on them we had to complete them. We made more than 55 improvements to the Auto Mag since we started but some of these had to be done on a frame with additional surface area to allow us to change the rearward cessation of movement of the bolt from stopping on the bolt ring to the stopping on the front of the frame. Because the variations in the original castings this was not always an option. Frames that stop the bolt on the bolt ring instead of the front of the frame will cause "ring bend" and if enough shots are fired the ring can bend to the point to cause it to not function correctly. In spite of this the other improvements makes the founders far more stronger and more reliable that any original Auto Mag. I have been contacting each Founder's buyer to make them aware of this and basically telling them if your reason for buying is more for collecting you should stay with the Founders but if you are a real shooter and plan on shooting thousands of rounds you might want to switch.
Thanks for this information, which works perfectly for my plans. I bought my FE pistols with the intention of them being showcase guns; just too nice and limited production to shoot. So I also purchased a classic edition as my daily shooter....so this news works perfectly with my plans for my pistol purchases
Thank you for sharing! Absolutely pieces of American history and artwork. They did a great job!
