Desert Eagle Variations

[jobu07]

So, i'm curious what sorts of different models and variations there are of Desert Eagles? Have they changed any through the generations? What is the difference between the XIX and other models, i'm not sure of their nomenclature. Just idle curiosity. Thanks!

 

[PO2Hammer]

From what I understand, there were Mk I's, Mk VII's and Mk XIX's.
I don't know anything about Mk I's, I'm assuming a rare first production run with problems. Mk VII's did not have the weaver mount on the barrel, the barrels were made from three separate pieces, and calibers were not interchangable. Mk XIX's (I had a .357) have all the modern features.

 

[AirPower]

Here are my Mk.I in 44mag (top) and Mk.VII in .41mag (bottom). Note the larger safety and slide lock for the Mk.VII. The main difference between them and Mk.XIX is wider barrel top and Weaver notch cut.

The old Mk.I was the just the original, didn't really say Mk.I or anything. It was made in 1983, first in .357mag with standard rifling and eventually started with .44mag and polygonal barrel. I'm not sure why the name change, but I believe it may have something to do with the conversion ability, and also the addition of .41mag. So in Mk.VII they added .41mag in addition to .357 and .44. Then the .50AE came out, and once again, the conversion change made them to remark it as a new model, Mk.XIX. The XIX is better with conversion, with unified barrel design, but that does mean extra weight for .44mag since it uses same wide weaver cuts. They also ditched .41mag for XIX, but did add .440corbon but then also ditched it.

Google for a forum called THE DESERT EAGLE FORUM, this is what I copy/pasted from their FAQ.

DESERT EAGLE MARK XIX
Barrel - 7/8" dovetail on top with cross-slots (machined grooves) for scopes (LOOK HERE 1st)
Slide Assembly - physically larger in size than Mark VII
Safety Levers - hook shaped
Slide release - lever has three steps for ease of operation
Trigger - dual stage adjustable
Calibers -
.357 Magnum (six and ten inch barrels)
.44 Magnum (six and ten inch barrels)
.440
.50AE (six and ten-inch barrels)

NOTE #1: These attributes are the same for all 50 caliber pistols since they are identical (VII = XIX in 50 cal)

NOTE #2: The Mark XIX Desert Eagle .50AE Magnum pistols are convertible to other Mark XIX calibers (.440) by simply switching the barrel, to go to the .44 you also need to switch the magazine and to go to the .357 you need to switch the bolt assembly, barrel and magazine.

DESERT EAGLE MARK VII
Barrel - 3/8" dovetail on top with NO cross-slots
Slide Assembly - physically smaller than Mark XIX but larger than Mark I
Safety Levers - hook shaped
Slide release - lever has three steps for ease of operation
Trigger - dual stage adjustable
Calibers -
.357 Magnum (six, ten and fourteen-inch barrels)
.41 Magnum
.44 Magnum (six, ten and fourteen-inch barrels)

NOTE : The Mark VII Desert Eagle .44 Magnum pistols are convertible to XIX. The conversion kit (part #CONV…..) consists of a complete slide assembly, barrel, gas piston, recoil spring assembly, magazine and grips. Is a costly conversion.

DESERT EAGLE MARK I
Barrel - 3/8" dovetail on top with NO cross-slots
Slide Assembly - physically smaller than Mark VII and Mark XIX
Safety Levers - triangle or "teardrop" shaped (LOOK HERE 2nd)
Slide release - lever has single step (LOOK HERE 3rd)
Trigger - single stage
Calibers - .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum.

 

[jobu07]

Ah, thanks for the info! That's exactly the sort of explanation I was looking for, just too lazy to go find on my own

 

[Highland Ranger]

Always wanted one but I dropped membership to a range that allowed magnums. One I go to now does not.

(I'm assuming that unlike with a revolver, you can't shoot specials out of these correct?)

 

[AirPower]

no you can't shoot 44SPL out of Desert Eagle. Well, technically you can, just it wont be powerful to recoil the slide. I've never tried and I'd guess it wont extract either. so it's a single shot if you must use 44spl.

 

[Highland Ranger]

Length of the cartriodge is different - would it even feed right?

 

[ChevellRCR]

Lots of information here.

http://p088.ezboard.com/fthedeserteaglefrm5.showMessage?topicID=265.topic

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I've fired 38's out of a .357 DE. Barely moved the slide. Makes it a single shot but with almost no recoil.