Cookie Consent by Privacy Policies Generator

Desert Eagle



Overview

Desert Eagle Mk XIX

Left side view of Desert Eagle Mk XIX in .50 Action Express.
Source: www.carl-walther.co.nz - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
United States
Type
Pistol
Introduced
1982
Status
Practically no LE or military use
Development
Late 1970's
Developer
United States - Magnum Research
Production
1982 - present
Producer
Israel - IMI (1982 - 1995)
United States - Saco Defense (1995 - 1998)
Israel - IMI / IWI (1995 - 2009)
United States - Magnum Research (2009 - present)
Unit cost
$ 1.700 to 1.900 in 2018
Designations
Deagle (popular nickname)
Notable users
None

Description

Introduction

The Desert Eagle is a pistol of US origin, although produced in Israel for many years. It was developed in the early 1980's in the United States for civilian use. It is one of the very few pistols firing powerful magnum ammunition. Due to its size and power it has achieved a cult status and has been featured in many movies.

Design

The Desert Eagle is a huge single action pistol. In order to fire powerful magnum ammunition the Desert Eagle uses a gas operated mechanism, a mode of operation usually found in rifles. It has a fixed exposed barrel with gas tube underneath. The gas pressure pushes back the slide that consists only of the bolt carrier and two rails. This makes it easy to change the caliber since only a new barrel and magazine are required.

Firepower

The Desert Eagle is usually chambered for .357 Magnum with a 9 round magazine or .44 Magnum with 8 round magazine. The largest caliber available is the .50 Action Express with 7 round magazine. Uncommon calibers are .41 Action Express and .440 Cor-Bon. When fitted with a longer 10 inch barrel and optics the Desert Eagle can be used at ranges well beyond that of standard pistols.

Users

The Desert Eagle was developed for civilian use, mainly in the United States. Law enforcement and military use is virtually non-existent. When shown in inventory, this is often related to target shooting and not operational use.

Variants

Desert Eagle Mk I

Desert Eagle Mk I in .44 Magnum with scope on special rail.
Source: www.rpgfirearms.com.au - © copyright lies with original owner

Mark VII

The Desert Eagle Mark I and Mark VII are were the first Desert Eagle models to be produced. The Mk VII is a Mk I with adjustable trigger and later evolved into the Mark XIX.

Desert Eagle Mark I: Original production model available in .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum.
Desert Eagle Mark VII: Improved production model available in .357 Magnum, .41 Action Express and .44 Magnum. The Mk VII in .50 Action Express was a further improved model with Weaver sight rail that would serve as the basis of the Mk XIX.

Mark XIX

Desert Eagle Mark XIX started out as a Mark VII in .50 Action Express with Weaver rail mount on top of the barrel. This version was later renamed Mark XIX and became available in more calibers and finishes, including gold paint and panther and zebra patterns. This is the current production model available in .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .440 Cor-Bon and .50 Action Express.

Details

Facts Desert Eagle Mk VII (.357) Desert Eagle Mk VII (.44) Desert Eagle Mk VII (.50) Desert Eagle Mk XIX (.50)
General
Origin
United States
Type
Pistol
Caliber
Caliber
.357 Magnum
Feed system
9 round box
Barrel length
152 mm
Rifling
Polygonal right hand 355 mm twist
Operation
Action
Gas operated
Locking
Rotating bolt
Fire selector
0 - 1
Rate of fire
Semi-automatic
Dimensions
Length
269 mm
Width
32 mm
Height
142 mm
Weight
1.766 kg
Sights
Mechanical
Iron sights, post front and notch rear
Sight radius
215 mm
Optics
Optional, mounting points on top of barrel

Media