Desert Eagle

The Desert Eagle is a gas-operated, semi-automatic pistol known for chambering the .50 Action Express, the largest centerfire cartridge of any magazine-fed, self-loading pistol.

Desert Eagle
Desert Eagle .50 Action Express
TypeSemi-automatic pistol
Place of originUnited States/Israel
Production history
DesignerMagnum Research and Israel Military Industries
Designed1979–1982
ManufacturerIsrael Military Industries, Saco Defense, Magnum Research and Israel Weapon Industries, Magnum Research
Produced1983–present
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
MassMark VII
  • 3.9 lb (1,769.0 g) (.357 Magnum)
  • 4.2 lb (1,905.1 g) (.44 Magnum)

Mark XIX

  • 4.4 lb (1,995.8 g)
LengthMark VII
  • 10.6 in (269.2 mm) (6 in barrel)

Mark XIX

  • 10.75 in (273.1 mm) (6 in barrel)
  • 14.75 in (374.6 mm) (10 in barrel)
Barrel length6 in (152.4 mm), 10 in (254.0 mm)
Width1.25 in (31.8 mm)
Height6.25 in (158.8 mm)

Cartridge
ActionGas-operated, closed rotating bolt
Muzzle velocity1542 ft/s (470 m/s) (.50 AE)
Maximum firing range201 meters (220 yd)
Feed systemDetachable box magazine; capacities:
  • 9 rounds (.357)
  • 8 rounds (.41 and .44)
  • 7 rounds (.429 DE, .440 Cor-Bon, and .50 AE)
SightsIron sights and optional optics

Magnum Research Inc. (MRI) designed and developed the Desert Eagle. The design was further refined by (and was also manufactured by) Israel Military Industries (IMI), until 1995, when MRI shifted the manufacturing contract to Saco Defense, in Saco, Maine. In 1998, MRI moved manufacturing back to IMI, which later commercialized its small arms branch under the name Israel Weapon Industries. Since December 2009, the Desert Eagle pistol has been produced in the United States at MRI's Pillager, Minnesota, facility. Kahr Arms acquired Magnum Research in 2010.

Magnum Research has marketed various versions of the short recoil Jericho 941 pistol under the Baby Eagle and Desert Eagle pistol names; these weapons are not directly related to the Desert Eagle, but share a similar visual design.

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