[Drjones]

Considering one of these.

Anyone here have one? What do you think of it?

What is the average price nowadays for one?

Is it true that you can swap out the barrels for different calibers?

Any other info you have is appreciated.

EDIT TO ADD: How is their QC? Any problems? Are they really well-made guns?

I'm only looking for serious replies. I don't want this to turn into a "this one time when I shot one..." thread please, as I'm considering buying one. Thanks. :D

Also: Is the "original" version by IMI better than the current mfg? Isn't the current maker Magnum Research? Any major differences between the two as far as quality goes?

EDIT AGAIN: Opinions on finish. I'm interested in either the matte black or perhaps *gasp* brushed or polished chrome. Opinions?

Thanks!
Drjones

[hksw]

Anyone here have one? What do you think of it?

I have one. Well, at least a Mk VII .50 AE (Isreali made) which is identical to the Mk XIX guns. IIRC, some very early Mk XIXs were also Isreali made. I like it very much.

What is the average price nowadays for one?

It appears the base model Mk XIX guns are going for ~$1000-$1200 depending on seller and location.

Is it true that you can swap out the barrels for different calibers?

Yup, plus, of course, recoil springs and mags.

Any other info you have is appreciated.

Very big, very heavy, adjustable 2 stage trigger.

EDIT TO ADD: How is their QC? Any problems? Are they really well-made guns?

Mine has worked very well. Occassional case to the face. Did not like Speer ammo as well as Samson. Very good fit and finish internally and externally. Some machining marks but very minor.

I'm only looking for serious replies. I don't want this to turn into a "this one time when I shot one..." thread please, as I'm considering buying one. Thanks.

Also: Is the "original" version by IMI better than the current mfg? Isn't the current maker Magnum Research? Any major differences between the two as far as quality goes?

Can't say if Isreali is better in US as I've never closely examined, much less shot, a US model. Mag Research is the seller, I think SARCO is the actual manufacturer, could be wrong on that.

EDIT AGAIN: Opinions on finish. I'm interested in either the matte black or perhaps *gasp* brushed or polished chrome. Opinions?

I'm a stay-in-the-background kind of guy myself so matte black is for me. Hard to stay in the shadows, though, when you're making very big booms. Just fits most of the finishes of most of my other guns.

[Drjones]

:)

[Black Snowman]

I love my MK VII DE. It was a gift from my Brother from christmas. He paid $700 for it used with 2 mags and 2 boxes of ammo (20 rounds each). A steal at the time and not bad now. Ammo is pricey, even reloading it costs me $0.34 a shot.

I vote for the cheapest finish so you don't feel as bad shooting it all the time :evil: I picked up a .44 mag barrel and magazine for it to make it cheaper to reload for. The new USA made 44 barrel has a slightly . . . bumpier? Matte black finish than the more convential looking IMI finish. The new one looks powder-coated and the old one looks parkerized. Also, all the new barrels have weaver rails built in where as the older ones only the .50 had the weaver rail.

One of my favorite properties of the DE is the fact that it's a gas operated bolt action like the AR-15. What that means is all the energy comes out the front in one big solid concussion. My friends .357 DE is louder than his .44 Mag Redhawk. The .44 and .50 make everyone stop, look, flinch, and complain ;)

I try to avoid shooting it when there are new shooters around as a curtisy. I've also sold shots for a buck a piece for people who wanted to try it out.

Hope that helps.

[Drjones]

Thanks, Black Snowman.

I've always loved these things, and everything I read boils down to two camps:

1. People who own them and absolutely love them.

2. People who think they are ridiculously expensive, useless for anything but fun (too big, heavy, & overpowered for both CCW and home defense), and generally impractical. Despite all that, they would still love to own one. :)


I'm still kinda torn between finishes. Blued finishes show wear, stainless doesn't. I don't shoot very often at all, so that may be irrelevant for me...

[AirPower]

Definitely get one, I just got mine today. I probably won't pay the 1k price that they're seeking now, but I think it's definitely worth in the $500 - 700 range. These are made to last, even with the punishment of magnum cartridges. I love mine!

[Drjones]

AirPower:

Tell me more. How much did you pay, if you don't mind me asking? What model and caliber did you get? What finish? Etc...

Do you have a particular source for good deals on these guns?

Thanks!
Drjones

[Drjones]

All:

One crucial question; a friend of mine told me that the .50 is not on the CA approved list, so I would have to buy a .44 and then buy the .50 barrel.

Is this true?

If so, would it be legal for me to get the .50 barrel? Why would it be legal for me to get the bbl but not the whole gun?

God....this place....:rolleyes: :banghead: :cuss: :fire:

[AirPower]

Not sure about how CA restricts 50cal bullets, maybe that's why they dont' allow it. I'd imaging if they dont' allow the gun, the barrel might be illegal too.

As for my Desert Eagle. It's a MkVII in 41mag. I got it for $400 almost new condition from a local guy. Definitely a good price but you can still find these NIB for $600 from CDNN.com. Note it's MKVII, which can't readily exchange barrel into 50AE like the MkXIX can. But I really don't think 50AE is all that useful anyway. Saw one guy shooting it and it puts the hurt into the wrist. .44mag is about the most I'd go...I'd like to get .44mag, but not willing to pay the $900 commonly asked for now.

[DontShootMe]

CA has no restriction on .50AE ammo. - swap away!

[Drjones]

Thanks Airpower.

FYI, www.cdnn.com is "under construction."

I think I'd like the Mk XIX anyhow...


Thanks!

[ZekeLuvs1911]

Hello Dr Jones,
I got a Nickel .44 Mag XIX De. It ran me about $1400.00 due to the finish. I ran about 100 rds through it and found it to be quite accurate. I had two Failure to eject but I think it may have been me limp wristing. The gun seems well made and yes, if you bought the extractor and barrel you could swap out the .44 for the .50.

Here is some pictures of it.

http://www.hunt101.com/img/049454.JPG


http://www.hunt101.com/img/049455.JPG


http://www.hunt101.com/img/049458.JPG

The magazines that matches this pistols finish cost me $65 apiece! :what:

[timbo]

I really like blued guns, but, wow! :what:

[45R]

Dr.Jones-
Stop with the "evil" handgun stuff. Don't you know that most of the sheeples will just fall over looking at a .50AE Arrrghhhhhhhh forum member VR just costed me 1K for letting me shot his DE. :)

Target Masters in Stockton and Milpitas has those beasts for rent :)

Cyah tomorrow at the range.

45R

[ZekeLuvs1911]

Well as Skunkabilly would say,"This pistol isn't very tactical." Then again, who needs tactic when you got high power!

[Drjones]

Thanks a lot for the pics, Zeke. That sure is a sweet gun.

Unfortunately, I do not believe that finish is on the current CA-approved list. :rolleyes:

:cuss: :cuss: :cuss: :fire:

So I may have to get the matte black finish, which IS on the approved list for sure. Didn't know nickel was so lethal. :rolleyes:

Both look great, but your pics are swaying me to the shiny side. :)

How does that finish hold up? I think that non-blued guns look better longer than their blued counterparts because there is no bluing to wear off, creating an uneven finish.

Could I buy a Nickel DE from another CA resident? (I.e.; one that is already in the state.)

[Black Snowman]

It's www.cdnninvestments.com

You have to download the PDF catalog to see the firearms.

All of the DE have a finish of some sort. The chrome doesn't show the wear as much since you get shiny metal underneath. You could go all out and get the gaudy gold plated or titanium oxide or whatever the other gold finish is for the extra . . . . what $4-600 or some crap like that??? for a finish? To me it's not worth the extra money for it be prettier. People notice the gun plenty when you pull the trigger :D

[Bob R]

I have a standard MK XIX in matte black.

Has gone BOOM everytime I pulled the trigger. Surprisingly accurate out to my range, 50 yds. Been wanting to try at 100 yds to see what happens.

If I were getting one now, I would go with the polished blue with the gold accents. IMO, it is a very good looking gun. Flashy without being overstated. In the pic, it is at 8 o'clock.

http://www.magnumresearch.com/old/images/custom_finshed_pistols.gif

As long as you don't mind the cost of ammo, learn to shoot it properly (no limpwristing allowed), and don't mind sharing at the range every now and then, I would say get one.

bob

[big f'ing guns]

If you're thinking of getting one of these for home security, get a Glock instead. If you just want a toy that's an absolute showstopper, the Desert Eagle is for you. Just asking for .50AE ammo at the counter at the gun shop tends to stop conversation.

Personally, I don't think the recoil on mine ( I have a MK XIX brushed chrome) is nearly as brutal as a .44 mag revolver.

You should definitely go for the Hogue finger grips.

This is not a piece for sissies, it demands respect. I still have to use both thumbs to release the slide. When chambering a shell, you have to flat jack the slide, or it won't load properly. I've put probably 500 rounds through mine, never had a malfunction.

But remember, this one's just for fun. Keep the .357 in the nightstand.

[AmbulanceDriver]

But remember, this one's just for fun. Keep the .357 in the nightstand.

Oh, I dunno. Even if you miss, the muzzle blast is probably enough to induce severe loss of bladder, bowel, and any other control the bad guy might have... :eek:

On the serious side, while I don't own one, I've had the opportunity to rent one from the local range here in .44 magnum. Limpwristing is a definite no-no. Keeping this monster clean is a definite requirement, and it definitely tends to be picky about the ammo it digests. To be honest, I tried putting a box of aluminum-cased ammo (Blazer) that my range sells through this thing. I seem to recall at least one where the extractor actually tore the rim on the case instead of extracting the case. And then succeeded in pushing the next round in the magazine into the back of the still very present case. But I do recall many many many failures to extract with this particular brand of ammunition.

But I still would love to own one. :D

[Slimjim]

I own a Mk. XIX in .44 magnum. MRI has moved production back to isreal. The USA made Desert eagles had a few QC problems, so beware of them. I only had one problem with mine that required a trip back to the factory for the slide. The internal safety locked up. MRI replaced it in two weeks, under warrenty, sent the slide back in a box full of packing peanuts, inside a Inflated air bubble. And inside of that in a Sock up. I figure that says alot about a company.

You MUST keep the gun clean. And you must use ammo from the approved list. The .44 and .50 AE bolts are the same, just barrel and mag change, if you need .357, you have to get another bolt.

Recoil springs need to be changed every 3000 rounds with the .50 and every 4000-5000 i believe, with the .357 and the .44.

[MachIVshooter]

I have a 6" Mk XIX .50 in brushed chrome. Ran me $1319 and was worth every penny. With a Burris 1.5-4x and a good bench rest, I have been able to produce 2-9/16" 5-shot groups at 100 yards using 325 gr. speers over AA#7. My pet loads launch the 325's at 1510 FPS, but tend to destroy brass in 3-4 loadings. Reliability is great, so long as you keep your hand off the bottom of the mag and don't limp wrist the gun. Fit and finish is generally good, and these things are built like tanks. Only parts that aren't steel are the grip panels.

If you wan't the ultimate autoloader, this is it. But if it is to be your first handgun or a defensive piece, I would suggest something a little more practical. The DE is mostly a hunting handgun/expensive toy.

[Plainmark]

I have 2. $1,200 eqach from a guy who hated recoil.

Loads for about $.72 each. Accurate as all get out. Heavy... use a combat leg rig. Knocks wild hogs and medium deer off their feet like my .58 cal. flintlock... flips them over at 40 yards..

3" groups avearge from a rest at 40 yards mine is.

HOWEVER.. I only shoot it 10 rounds at a time... have a bad wrist that cannot heal cause I won't give it a rest from the 2 DEs in my box!
Plain:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Gewehr98]

But remember, this one's just for fun. Keep the .357 in the nightstand.

This one's a very early Mk I, in .357 Magnum. I paid $400 for the gun and two magazines:

http://mauser98.com/eaglebloodstream.jpg

A very accurate gun, it shoots 158gr loads over 1600fps, and reliability is perfect.

As for this:

The DE is mostly a hunting handgun/expensive toy.

Yeah, sure, ok. I ain't packing mine IWB for CCW, but it's on the nightstand this week. Wife's got my Officer's ACP as she's visiting family out West, and son's got the 696, so I'm left with a 9 round .357 Magnum. BTW, my freezer's full of handgun season venison and pork, and I've swept the 200 meter steel rams at my last IHMSA match with the big gas pistol no problems. People somehow think that all handguns must be for defensive purposes, or they generate no real merit.

DrJones, you are correct.

I've always loved these things, and everything I read boils down to two camps:

1. People who own them and absolutely love them.

2. People who think they are ridiculously expensive, useless for anything but fun (too big, heavy, & overpowered for both CCW and home defense), and generally impractical. Despite all that, they would still love to own one.

There are people who badmouth the Desert Eagle, and those who actually own and shoot one. Funny how that works. ;)

[Kamicosmos]

There are people who badmouth the Desert Eagle, and those who actually own and shoot one. Funny how that works.

A big +1 on this! I love my old Mark I .357. It is a joy to shoot, not alot of recoil. Huge fireball and very very loud for a .357.

Mine has also been in the nightstand. And truthfully, I should put it back in there. 9+1 rounds of .357 mag with an extra magazine, combined with the gun's incredible accuracy. Why is it sitting in the safe? :confused:

Oh...and I just noticed: Zombie Thread!! :neener:

[big f'ing guns]

Wow, never seen that. I stick with the CCI 325gr. JHP.

You guys that talk about 3" patterns at 50 yards, my hat's off to you. I'm not that good, so I'll keep the DE.50 for fun at the range, and keep the 9mm for home defense.

[MachIVshooter]

You guys that talk about 3" patterns at 50 yards, my hat's off to you.

With a scope and sandbags, you can double that distance and shave some off the group size.

[Jdwest32]

Hi
I just got a .50 cal from my cousin and tried it out yesterday. i have not bought it from him yet and i am wondering if i should. i have 2 issues with it. one is easy. the spring for the clip drop is too weak and the other is far worse. When the empty round ejects it goes straight back. I shot it 5 times and the first went right over my head. the 2nd-4th went right over my head but brussed my hair. the fifth one hit me right in the forhead. I did not fire it again.

This is the first Desert Eagle that I have ever fired. Is this common. is it a known issue or is it a feature of the gun?
j

[Molasses]

http://p088.ezboard.com/fthedeserteaglefrm1.showMessage?topicID=6605.topic

[KelTecian]

Sounds like your limp wristing that beast...

[Jdwest32]

No I am not Limp wristing it.

look at this article and see that I am not the only one.
http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/dec96deserteagle.html

thanks for the imput but limp wristing sounds like a cop out to me.

[KelTecian]

Okay then...The DE hates you and is punishing you by flicking spent casings at your grill

[Jdwest32]

OK I can buy that one.... Thanks...


A quote from that article I posted.

a conscious effort to maintain a stiffer armed grip didn’t show any noticeable improvement in this problem. In our view, it is surprising that steps haven’t been taken to correct what we think is a design defect.

If this is a problem for more then me then why not adress it at the factory?

I never have a problem with my 1911

[piranha45]

Is the desert eagle single action, double action, or sa/da? anyone know how heavy the trigger is?

[adweisbe]

and I've swept the 200 meter steel rams at my last IHMSA match with the big gas pistol no problems. People somehow think that all handguns must be for defensive purposes, or they generate no real merit.
So how is the trigger? I shot one a while back and I can't remember.

[rcmodel]

Single action.

The one I used to have had a very nice trigger, probably 3 1/2 - 4 pounds and very crisp. The two-stage trigger is adjustable.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[Sheldon]

As impractical as I think the Dessert Eagles are, I do regret passing up a used one in 44 Mag for $500.