Army and Weapons | Deadly Desert Eagle 44 Magnum | The Desert Eagle pistol was designed in 1979, when three people with an idea for making a gas-operated, semi-automatic, magnum-caliber pistol founded Magnum Research, Inc. in St. Paul, Minnesota (USA). Beginning of the pistols, then known as Eagle 357, announced in 1982
Magnum Research, Inc. patented the basic design of the Desert Eagle in 1980, and the first working prototype of the pistol was completed in 1981. It was about 80% functional, with a rotating bolt, full gas operation and excellent shooting characteristics. The final refinements to the pistol were made by Israel Military Industries (IMI), commissioned by Magnum Research, Inc. After examining thousands of rounds of test firing included, was a fully functional .357 Magnum production model produced in an edition of just a thousand guns. These pistols, collector's items today are traditional land-and coarse thread, and they will not accept extended barrels or caliber conversion kits. The serial numbers of the guns start at # 3001.
Development of the Desert Eagle was not yet complete, but in 1985 the vessel was changed to polygonal threaded to take to improve the accuracy of the gun. In 1986, a .44 Magnum version of the pistol perfected, it was the first semi-automatic .44 Magnum pistol successfully marketed.
Further enhancements to the Desert Eagle line continued. In 1987 the .41 Magnum Desert Eagle pistol (not currently in production) was introduced to a specific market niche to fill. In 1989, the Mark VII model of the Desert Eagle became standard. All Desert Eagle Pistols manufactured since 1989 have Mark VII features: enlarged safety levers, an enlarged slide release and an improved two-stage trigger.
Development of the Desert Eagle was not yet complete, but in 1985 the vessel was changed to polygonal threaded to take to improve the accuracy of the gun. In 1986, a .44 Magnum version of the pistol perfected, it was the first semi-automatic .44 Magnum pistol successfully marketed.
Further enhancements to the Desert Eagle line continued. In 1987 the .41 Magnum Desert Eagle pistol (not currently in production) was introduced to a specific market niche to fill. In 1989, the Mark VII model of the Desert Eagle became standard. All Desert Eagle Pistols manufactured since 1989 have Mark VII features: enlarged safety levers, an enlarged slide release and an improved two-stage trigger.
By 1996, Magnum Research, Inc. successfully .50 Action Express Desert Eagle pistol with an unmet need in the sporting / hunting market to fill. Since Magnum Research introduced the caliber - once considered impossible to build - several other manufacturers have started to .50 Magnum (aka .50 Action Express) firearms to produce, but only half-automatic pistol design survived until now, and it is Desert Eagle (there are some semi-custom or limited production revolvers and rifles in this caliber also). During the same period the basic design was upgraded to the current Mark XIX specifications. Significant improvement was the adoption of a frame size for all calibers (before I sign and Mark VII guns have different frame sizes for different calibers). This association allowed for a variety of drums on the same frame to use, allowing easy change of caliber with switch of only a few components - barrel, magazine, and bolt (there are two classifications of bolts used in Mark XIX pistols, one for the smaller .357 Magnum ammunition, and another for larger .44 Magnum and .50 AE ammo, this is possible because .50 AE case, blunt edge of the same diameter as the .44 Magnum).
Today, Desert Eagle pistols are used for competition shooting (in disciplines like Silhouette shooting) and for hunting and general plinking (although the cost of the gun and ammunition makes it rather expensive fun gun). General belief of the Desert Eagle is used by special operations forces so far found absolutely NO evidence. Indeed, for the price and the weight of the empty gun can easily two pistols and Glock 17 or SIG-Sauer P228 plus a good supply of ammunition, and moreover, these pistols will be much more reliable in tough conditions to fight, and offer many larger magazine capacity. Add serious setback in its larger calibers (especially .50 AE), large muzzle blast and super-loud noise, and you'll see why only Hollywood warriors use this monster as a combat weapon. In real life, if you have a weapon more powerful than a typical combat pistol (such as Glock or SIG-Sauer or Beretta or any other respectable model chambered for caliber between 9mm and .45 ACP), will get either a rifle or machine gun, period.
Today, Desert Eagle pistols are used for competition shooting (in disciplines like Silhouette shooting) and for hunting and general plinking (although the cost of the gun and ammunition makes it rather expensive fun gun). General belief of the Desert Eagle is used by special operations forces so far found absolutely NO evidence. Indeed, for the price and the weight of the empty gun can easily two pistols and Glock 17 or SIG-Sauer P228 plus a good supply of ammunition, and moreover, these pistols will be much more reliable in tough conditions to fight, and offer many larger magazine capacity. Add serious setback in its larger calibers (especially .50 AE), large muzzle blast and super-loud noise, and you'll see why only Hollywood warriors use this monster as a combat weapon. In real life, if you have a weapon more powerful than a typical combat pistol (such as Glock or SIG-Sauer or Beretta or any other respectable model chambered for caliber between 9mm and .45 ACP), will get either a rifle or machine gun, period.
A final note - Magnum Research company, in an attempt to capitalize on the fame of this gun, also used Desert Eagle sidearm nickname quite different, the Jericho 941 pistol, also in Israel by IMI to sell. While Jericho seemed diminished Desert Eagle, it is in fact quite different weapon inside, and, unlike its bigger brother, a truly useful combat weapon in its own right.
Desert Eagle is a gas operated, locked breech weapon that is stationary (but removable) barrel used. Locking is achieved using the separate rotating bolt with four radial lugs that the entrance to the course to introduce for engagement with respective cuts. Bolt is placed in the open-topped slide, which is operated by gas, which was bleeding from the bore through the small port near the chamber drilled. Short stroke gas piston located below the barrel closer to the muzzle, and the gas chamber is linked to the gas port with a long channel, bored under the barrel. Trigger is of single action type, with exposed hammer and safety symmetrical, located on either side of the slide. Magazines are planned, with different configuration for each major caliber. Sights are either fixed or adjustable, both front and rear are integrated into the barrel and slide respectively. Recently pistols also had top of the barrel shaped to accept scope rings directly.
Desert Eagle is a gas operated, locked breech weapon that is stationary (but removable) barrel used. Locking is achieved using the separate rotating bolt with four radial lugs that the entrance to the course to introduce for engagement with respective cuts. Bolt is placed in the open-topped slide, which is operated by gas, which was bleeding from the bore through the small port near the chamber drilled. Short stroke gas piston located below the barrel closer to the muzzle, and the gas chamber is linked to the gas port with a long channel, bored under the barrel. Trigger is of single action type, with exposed hammer and safety symmetrical, located on either side of the slide. Magazines are planned, with different configuration for each major caliber. Sights are either fixed or adjustable, both front and rear are integrated into the barrel and slide respectively. Recently pistols also had top of the barrel shaped to accept scope rings directly.
Type: Single Action
Chambering: .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum (obsolete), .44 Magnum, .440 Cor-bon, .50 AE
Length overall: 10.24 in. - 260mm
Weight: 62 oz. - 1,715 g empty
Barrel length: 6 in. - 152 mm (also 10" - 254 mm)
Magazine: 9 (.357), 8 (.44) or 7 (.50) rounds
Chambering: .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum (obsolete), .44 Magnum, .440 Cor-bon, .50 AE
Length overall: 10.24 in. - 260mm
Weight: 62 oz. - 1,715 g empty
Barrel length: 6 in. - 152 mm (also 10" - 254 mm)
Magazine: 9 (.357), 8 (.44) or 7 (.50) rounds