The Desert Eagle pistol is the most recognizable of all the firearms from 25-year-old company Magnum Research, Inc. (MRI). Appearing in over 500 motion pictures and TV films, its distinctive appearance has made the Desert Eagle a handgunning icon worldwide!
Over the past 25 years, MRI has been responsible for the design and development of the Desert Eagle pistol. Israel Military Industries (IMI) manufactured the pistols until 1995, when MRI shifted production to Saco Defense in Saco, Maine. In 1998, MRI moved manufacturing back to IMI, which later reorganized under the name Israel Weapon Industries (IWI). Both Saco and IMI/IWI were contractors; all of the patents, copyrights and trademarks are property of Magnum Research, Inc. Since 2009, the Desert Eagle has been produced at MRI’s Pillager, Minn. facility.
For a limited time only, Kahr & Magnum Research will be offering the “classic” Desert Eagle Pistols produced by IWI in .44 Magnum and .50 AE. The limited production IWI manufactured Desert Eagle Pistols will utilize the original two-piece barrel design, and original “claw type” safeties. Other unique features of the IWI model include a one-piece hard plastic grip with the IWI logo, and a fluted barrel on the .44 Magnum. There are no flutes on the .50 AE model. Both .44 Mag and .50 AE models will feature the Mark XIX picatinny rail configuration on the top of the barrel allowing use of a wide variety of optical sighting systems. All IWI Desert Eagle Pistols will be available in a smooth black durable finish.
Both models are gas-operated, rotating bolt semiautomatic pistols constructed from a high quality carbon steel barrel, frame and slide. Both have a 6” barrel length and 10.75” overall length with 6.25” height and 1.25” slide width. These pistols have a trigger reach of 2.75” and approximately a 4lb. trigger pull with fixed combat type sights and an 8.5” sight radius. The .50 AE model, the DE50W, has a .495” bore diameter, polygonal rifling with 1:19 right hand twist and 7 round magazine capacity. The .44 Magnum model, the DE44W, has a .492” bore diameter, polygonal rifling with 1:18 right hand twist and 8 round magazine capacity. Barrels between the .44 Magnum and .50AE are interchangeable.
Mark XIX Desert Eagle Pistols and parts produced in the USA and Israel are completely interchangeable on either gun.
Visit www.magnumresearch.com or www.kahr.com to learn more about these and other Kahr products.
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