1st Range Report - 9MM Baby Eagle

[D-Man]

(I've posted this to another site, and since I've also used this one for suggestions, wanted to copy and post this here for those who may only use this for their forum needs).

Last Friday I purchased my first gun, a full-sized Baby Eagle 9MM. Since then, the only thing I was able to do was fire snap caps, and give it an initial cleaning. Keep in mind that I'm a 'newbie' with little handgun experience other than firing some different models over the past few weeks (and years ago).

Anyway, I was very impressed with the gun for it's first trip to the range. I shot 200 rounds of WWB (115 grain, FMJ) without any problems/hiccups. I was very suprised about this, as the last time I was there, using rental guns, I had a stovepipe with a Taurus 92, and a few FTF (means failure to fire, right?) with a Glock 17. Of course, these were range guns, so that most likely was the cause of the problems.

Loading the magazine was very easy, and unfortunately I only have one 15 rounder at this point (2 more are on the way). Though even with the one mag, the 200 rounds went by pretty quickly.

Obviously I can't report much on accuracy, but at 9 feet I was able to get most of my shots in the same spot on the target, with a few misplaced shots here and there. As I tried a few further shots, the grouping got worse, but figured for somebody who has shot maybe a hundred or so rounds before tonight, it's to be expected.

The gun felt great in the hand, and the trigger also had a good feel too. When using the snap caps, I thought that the DA trigger may be a bit long and harsh, but at the range with ammo, it seemed much better. The SA trigger has to me a perfect combination of feel and effort.

I will admit that after reading a bunch about the heavy pistols reduced kick, I thought that there would be less recoil than it had in practice. Of course, it's not much at all, and assume if I could compare back to back with other 9MM's I would be able to notice the difference.

One other comment - this was an indoor range, and the last time I was there using the rental earmuffs, things were a bit loud. I bought a pair of Peletor 30 DM muffs, and they worked great. I'd recommend them highly.

Hope this was a good source of information for those who may be interested in reading more about the Baby Eagle - especially since they don't seem to have as much as a following as CZ's or other models. I do admit I won't be shy about throwing out the recommendation to get one of these in the future!

Thanks for listening to my rambling!

 

[atblis]

They've never been considered a bad pistol

They've just not gotten much consideration because

They're not all that common
They are priced a little high (you raise prices after you have a rep)
They share a lot in common with the Witness (which is priced low)
M.R. isn't known for having great customer service.

Nothing to do with the functionality of the pistol really.

I like them a lot, but as far as I can tell they cost more than a CZ.

 

[Wastemore]

I'm glad you're enjoying your pistol.

I purchased one about a year ago when I was in the market for a pistol, but didn't know what I wanted. The guy I always purchase my pistols from had been suggesting it for awhile. I took his advice and got the compact .45 version, took it to the range and was amazed at its accuracy. On the way back from the range I called and ordered another one in 9mm. It would be the pistol I would put my life on if i didn't have a bunch of 1911's. Yes, it's that's accurate and reliable.

I'm not sure what the poster above me means by "high price".. Mine cost me a bit over 500 OTD.

One word of caution- They pack those things heavily in cosmoline and sometimes the pistol will not fire the first double action pull. I talked to M.R about this and they told me to remove the firing pin and clean the pin channel
really well. It fixed the problem.


B-

 

[D-Man]

My two experiences with customer service so far has been great. I first called a few weeks ago to get some specifics about the gun and got all the information I wanted. On the weekend, I tried to submit an order for an extra magazine, but for some reason it didn't go through (assumed a browser issue). Anyways, on Monday morning I got a call from Magnum Research asking me about my order problems, and they placed the order for me right then.

I paid $489 at my local gunshop, and I know their prices are a bit higher than what others may get. So you defintely can walk out the door with a new model for $500 or less.

 

[Zerstoerer]

It would be the pistol I would put my life on if i didn't have a bunch of 1911's. Yes, it's that's accurate and reliable.

I started handloading 9mm at the same time I bought my Baby Eagle. I tested everything - low loads, high loads, seating depth variation, bullets from solid lead to hollow points - the Baby Eagle digested anything!
It is my main home defense gun.
Can you say that about your 1911s? Most guys I know have problem feeding hollow points and with ball ammo your 7 shot Colt is as effective as a .32 ACP!

 

[Wastemore]

Can you say that about your 1911s?

The short answer is yes.

The long(er) answer is, yes.. sort of?

None of my 1991 are stock, they've all been worked to ensure reliability. They'll eat anything you feed them. Even my Micro Compact has been 100% reliable(after the break-in period) with minimal tuning.

I can say the same thing about my B.E's, except they've never been tuned. The thing is, I'm much, much faster and more accurate with my 1911's than I am with the B.E, so I rely on the 1911's.

I'm a 1911 guy to the bone, it takes a lot for me to praise another pistol. That says a lot about the B.E's.

 

[Wastemore]

ball ammo your 7 shot Colt is as effective as a .32 ACP!

I suggest you educate yourself on the ballistic differences between the .32 and the .45. Granted, both are better than a knife or a rock, but to suggest that a .32 HP has the same effect as .45 ball is just not accurate.

 

[S&W10mm]

Baby Eagle

I traded for a .40 Cal Baby Eagle about two years ago. Its A Full Sized and My Son-In-Law took it away from me (just Kidding, He's Just Hanging On To It as he says?) for a Range Gun! And we've put several THOUSANDS of rounds of factory ammo through it and NEVER had a PROBLEM! He LOVES IT!

I'm Impressed With It!

S&W10mm

 

[Nimble1]

Jericho ?

Just how close is the Baby Eagle to the Jericho 941 FB? A friend bought a Jericho that has MRI's import name on it and he is curious if they have parts for it should he need them.

 

[Thefabulousfink]

The Baby Eagle is the import name to the Jericho 941. Mine, a full size .40, was my first gun and is still my fav. The DA trigger can be a little rough, but the SA is a dream. One downside, it is Heavy, the full size has quite a bit of heft to is but that really tames the snap on .40 S&W.

I don't know what you guys are talking about it being expensive, mine cost $436 three years ago and I havn't seen the price rise by much since then. Unless your state has outragous taxes, you are getting ripped off at $500.

My only regret about buying my Baby Eagle, is that after handling the compact, I want it too

 

[atblis]

It's considered expensive

because they tend to be more expensive than CZs.

Does yours have a polygonal barrel?

 

[Zerstoerer]

Education coming your way

I suggest you educate yourself on the ballistic differences between the .32 and the .45. Granted, both are better than a knife or a rock, but to suggest that a .32 HP has the same effect as .45 ball is just not accurate.

Quoted from a previous thread:
Marshall Sanow stats on actual gun fights. I know the big bullet freaks refuse to believe they're not biased, but the .45 ball ammo has about a 60% "stopping power" rating which is about even with some .32 hollowpoint.

I did not say 'same effect'. Your hardball .45 will punch a bigger hole in a paper target but REAL WORLD SHOOTINGS show it to be pretty lousy one-shot-stopper, just like the .32 ACP HP. If you can get your .45 working with hollow points (meaning $$$ and several trips to the gunsmith) good, in the meantime buy a CZ83 in .32ACP and have a 16 shot reliable hollow point shooter. Tactically always fire 2-3 shots, the ONLY way to achieve 100% stopping power. That makes your Colt a 2-3 target gun. You can kill 5 bad guys with the CZ83 in less time than it will take you to recover from the recoil of one to two shots in the .45. Try it sometime...

 

[D-Man]

From what I recall reading, Magnum Research stopped using the polygonal barrel design a year or two ago.

 

[Wastemore]

Your hardball .45 will punch a bigger hole in a paper target but REAL WORLD SHOOTINGS show it to be pretty lousy one-shot-stopper,

Uhh, if it'll punch a bigger hole in paper, wouldn't it be logical to assume that it will punch a bigger hole in anything? Trauma, the more the better..I suppose that being shot in the big toe with a .45 acp vs. a 32 acp would yield similar results, you'd lose a toe, most likely.

The one shot stopper is a myth, per se'. There really is no such animal.
If you're looking for a one shot stopper I suggest you buy yourself a ball-peen hammer. There's nothing like blunt-force trauma to the head to drop a BG in his tracks with "one shot".

If you can get your .45 working with hollow points (meaning $$$ and several trips to the gunsmith) good, in the meantime buy a CZ83 in .32ACP and have a 16 shot reliable hollow point shooter.

I can assure you that my 1911's run just fine with hollow-points and anything else I feed them.
Why do I detect sourness against 1911's in your post(s)? Based on what you've said, I'd venture to guess that you have little to no experience with 1911 pistols.

Tactically always fire 2-3 shots, the ONLY way to achieve 100% stopping power.

There is absolutely no guarantee you'll achieve 100% stopping power with 20 shots. Sorry.

That makes your Colt a 2-3 target gun.

I actually don't own any Colts, they were sold many years ago.

You can kill 5 bad guys with the CZ83 in less time than it will take you to recover from the recoil of one to two shots in the .45.

You watch too much T.V

Try it sometime...

I'd rather not shoot anybody.

 

[Thefabulousfink]

because they tend to be more expensive than CZs.

Does yours have a polygonal barrel?

Yep, bought it brand new from a retail store.

Edit: P.S. How did this thread become CZ vs 1911 and .32 vs .45?

 

[atblis]

Is it CZ v. 1911 now?

I tend to not read really long posts.

I'd like to get a hold of a 45acp BE.

The single action triggers on the Witness/BE tend to be quite decent (much better than CZs).

Try using plugs and muffs. Pistols I think have what seems like a lot of recoil, but it is really just noise.

The BE is internally identical to the Witness, so just about anything that applies to the Witness applies to the BE.

Check out CZforum.com They have a Clone section that covers the BE

 

[Slimjim]

They've just not gotten much consideration because


M.R. isn't known for having great customer service.

Uh..Really? I sent my Desert eagle slide in for repair (internal safety locked up) I was given prompt service, a quick two.5 week turn around time, and the slide was sent back, inside a box full of peanuts, inside of a sealed air bubble, inside of a Sack up. I think their customer service ranks up there with Pretty good, in my book.

 

[Zerstoerer]

[ wouldn't it be logical to assume that it will punch a bigger hole in anything? ]

...never assume anything, ballistics do not always follow logic. Real world shootings say more than ft-lbs and fps.

[The one shot stopper is a myth, per se'. There really is no such animal.]

Thats why you always fire 2 to 3 rounds tactically.

[I can assure you that my 1911's run just fine with hollow-points and anything else I feed them.]

Good for you - how many $$$ and trips to the gunsmith did it take to get to that point. Seriously, which 1911 will do this out of the box?

[Why do I detect sourness against 1911's in your post(s)?]

Why are you 1911 guys so sensitive? It's an outdated design- why do you think the US Military got rid of them? ost people have a hard time qualifying (meaning hitting the bad guy when it counts). I rather use what works.
For example a 16 shot 9mm Baby Eagle and a NAA .32 ACP backup.



[ don't own any Colts.]

Now you are making sense.


[You watch too much T.V]

No I don't, I read and go to the gun range instead.




I'd rather not shoot anybody.[/QUOTE]

Good, enjoy punching those big, logical holes in paper targets.

 

[Wastemore]

Okay.

 

[Wastemore]

Would you kindly direct me to this NAA wiz-bang once-shot-stopper- kill-5 BG's in less time- low recoil- no report, .32 acp?

I'za mite havfta git me one.

 

[Optical Serenity]

Thanks for the review...I had a baby eagle .40 once, and thought about getting a 9mm. Great review.

 

[Zerstoerer]

Would you kindly direct me to this NAA wiz-bang once-shot-stopper- kill-5 BG's in less time- low recoil- no report, .32 acp?

I'za mite havfta git me one.

My NAA Guardian 6+1 .32 ACP HP is a backup to my carry guns- either IMI Baby Eagle 16+1 9mm or HK USPc 12+1 .40S&W. Both Speer Gold Dot, the .32 Win Silvertips.

The 15+1 .32 ACP is the CZ-83.

What brand are your HP digesting 1911 - in case I ever need one (for collection purposes only

Take care.

 

[Wastemore]

Have a couple of Kimbers and a bunch of Springfields. They've both been rock solid reliable, but I prefer Springfield to Kimber- primarily because Springfields customer service is second to none.

 

[gudel]

Thanks for the review...I had a baby eagle .40 once, and thought about getting a 9mm. Great review.

Someone was saying that they now switched to land and groove rifling on these Baby Eagle pistols from the polygonal rifling. They said its to save costs. I thought making polygonal rifling is cheaper than the regular rifling?

 

[atblis]

Poly

The machinery for hammer forging is quite expensive. If you mass produce enough barrels it does becomes cheaper. GLock makes enough barrels, so it probably doesn't cost them hardly anything per barrel (or each gun for that matter). The 30 bucks to make a Glock I've heard, sounds about right.

Magnum reasearch probably didn't make the barrels themselves anyways. The Tanfoglio sister gun's match barrel was supposedly a Lothar Walther barrel, so I'd supsect that the BE had Lothar Walther barrels (a good thing). Just speculation though.

THe only advantage that hamer forged/poly barrels have is durability. The extra velocity thing is an exageration. A good "regular" barrel will shoot just as well as a good poly barrel.