Need schooling on Desert Eagle 50ae rails/years

Status
Not open for further replies.
Mn Fats

Mn Fats

Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2017
Messages
2,372
I'm looking to buy a Desert Eagle 50ae but I never liked the picatinny rails on these since I dont plan to mount an optic, so for me, they appear too busy.

I really prefer the look and lines of the ones with just two slots cut in. What are the models or years of the DE in 50ae that just had the two slots cut in? Was it IWI only? Was it based off year?

Thanks for any help!
 
I’m not sure when they switched over. The one I bought in 2009 had the 2-slot rail. Seems like it was 4 or 5 years later I started seeing the multi-slot rails.
 
GarrettJ said:
I’m not sure when they switched over. The one I bought in 2009 had the 2-slot rail. Seems like it was 4 or 5 years later I started seeing the multi-slot rails.
Click to expand...
Is yours an IMI? From what I was able to find, it appears mainly the IMI Desert Eagle XIX has the two slot weaver style versus the sawtooth lookin picatinny.

Does anyone know how the build quality of IMI stacks up against the current USA built ones?
 
Israeli barrels tend to have a visible barrel extension seam.

I’m not certain if the longitudinal flutes (eeew) in the .357 and .44 Magnum models signified a country of origin.

Not sure about origins of the two - slot vs. Weaver railed barrels either.

Someone else on another forum was able to point out that poor gas piston fit was the main cause behind poor cycling in his pistols. He machined his own pistons. Alternatively, just fire warm loads through the pistol - many commercial loads are fairly neutered.
 
Yes, mine is an IWI gun. I'm not sure what year the Isreali company changed names from IMI to IWI. But it's still the same company (I believe they split out IWI for the civilian market, and kept IMI for their military products). I believe Magnum Research started building guns in-house some time in the mid-2000s. But they still appear to subcontract through IWI as well. As noted, I have an IWI MK-XIX purchased in 2009, which has a 2-piece barrel with a 2-slot rail. I also have one purchased new in 2019 that is also an IWI gun. It also has the 2-piece barrel, but the multi-slot rail.

I have an L5, purchased some time between the other two. It was built by MRI in Minnesota, and has a 1-piece barrel with multi-slot rail.

I had read some people speculating the 1-piece barrels are all made in the US, and 2-piece barrels are all Israeli. But then others have pointed out some evidence that this may not necessarily be the case. That one is a little harder to tell, as the barrels are not marked with country of origin.

Your best bet may be to check ebay and gunbroker for a 2-slot railed barrel. Then buy a gun and sell off the multi-slot barrel that will likely come with it (unless you happen to find a 2-slot gun first).
 
The Glockodile said:
I’m not certain if the longitudinal flutes (eeew) in the .357 and .44 Magnum models signified a country of origin.
Click to expand...
I don't think they do. All of my .357 and .44 barrels have the long flute in them. Three are of the 2-piece design (likely IWI manufacture), and one is on the USA-made L5. The only unfluited barrel I have is the .50).

The Glockodile said:
Someone else on another forum was able to point out that poor gas piston fit was the main cause behind poor cycling in his pistols. He machined his own pistons. Alternatively, just fire warm loads through the pistol - many commercial loads are fairly neutered.
Click to expand...
You're thinking of MrBlackCat. I was going to mention him as well. He has quite a few barrels. You can find some of his comments on the AR15.com Desert Eagle forum or at the KahrTalk Desert Eagle forum, or at the tapatalk Desert Eagle forum. None of those are super active, but there is a lot of info there if you go read through some of the past discussions.
 
GarrettJ said:
I don't think they do. All of my .357 and .44 barrels have the long flute in them. Three are of the 2-piece design (likely IWI manufacture), and one is on the USA-made L5. The only unfluited barrel I have is the .50).
Click to expand...

I think the fluted barrels came late, right before they transitioned to the stainless steel models and L5s. They were a "feature" that was prevalent during the same period when all these extra - tall front sights were being made.

I remember having had to look hard for non - fluted barrels, calling IWI Customer Support to look at the barrels themselves before shipping them - making sure the flutes were absent.

The L5s are a totally different bunch, and are probably entirely U.S. - sourced, but I'm not 100% certain.
 
GarrettJ said:
Your best bet may be to check ebay and gunbroker for a 2-slot railed barrel. Then buy a gun and sell off the multi-slot barrel that will likely come with it (unless you happen to find a 2-slot gun first).
Click to expand...

Second this.

The barrels tend to come in intermittent spurts, and you have to be willing to wait - and pay.
 
Yep, a used model on Gunbroker seems to be the only route for me. That's too bad, they have all of these ridiculous finishes but couldn't keep the two slot rail. Or even the zero slot rail on the earlier Marks.

If I'm going to spend $2k plus on a handgun, I want it to look the way I want. 1_YpamAg3pli9GROWREQ0zSg.gif Hehehe.

It just looks a lot cleaner. Plus I have zero interest in an optic on one of these. Thanks for the input guys.
 
Mn Fats said:
Yep, a used model on Gunbroker seems to be the only route for me. That's too bad, they have all of these ridiculous finishes but couldn't keep the two slot rail. Or even the zero slot rail on the earlier Marks.

If I'm going to spend $2k plus on a handgun, I want it to look the way I want.View attachment 1045564Hehehe.

It just looks a lot cleaner. Plus I have zero interest in an optic on one of these. Thanks for the input guys.
Click to expand...
Does the release of Matrix Awakens have anything to do with your current search for a DE? just curious.
 
roval said:
Does the release of Matrix Awakens have anything to do with your current search for a DE? just curious.
Click to expand...
No. I think I'll be disappointed with that movie.

But to be honest, the original Matrix movies are part of the reason I've wanted one for awhile now, along with Snatch. After I fired one, I needed to have one.

Movies sell guns, so I'm not ashamed to admit that. Clint sold a lot of M29's and really, the 44 magnum in general.
 
roval said:
i was just curious about the timing.I first noticed the Desert Eagle in the first Robocop.
Have never shot one.
Click to expand...
I remember that in Robocop as well. Classic. The first time I seen one was in Commando with Arnold. I thought it was a fake gun or something.
 
Mn Fats said:
... but couldn't keep the two slot rail. Or even the zero slot rail on the earlier Marks...

It just looks a lot cleaner. Plus I have zero interest in an optic on one of these.
Click to expand...
In that case, look around for a used MK-I or MK-VII. They used to sell at a discount, compared to the MK-XIX models. And while all things shooting-related have gone up in price, you should still be able to find an older mode without too much effort. And it should t cost $2k either.
 
GarrettJ said:
In that case, look around for a used MK-I or MK-VII. They used to sell at a discount, compared to the MK-XIX models. And while all things shooting-related have gone up in price, you should still be able to find an older mode without too much effort. And it should t cost $2k either.
Click to expand...
But those don't handle 50ae :evil:. I think the very last years, or even year, of the VII's do, which led to the XIX. Sorry I didn't specify I'd like to have the ability to shoot 50ae.
 
Mn Fats said:
Sorry I didn't specify I'd like to have the ability to shoot 50ae.
Click to expand...
Yeah, in that case you’re stuck with a 2-slot barrel being your best option.

Be aware, some retailers and sellers on the auction sites use stock photos that may show a 2-slot barrel but they are actually selling the newer manufacture barrels with the hand-grater rail.

If you find one of these offered online, you may want to message the seller and verify which version they are actually selling.
 
GarrettJ said:
Yeah, in that case you’re stuck with a 2-slot barrel being your best option.

Be aware, some retailers and sellers on the auction sites use stock photos that may show a 2-slot barrel but they are actually selling the newer manufacture barrels with the hand-grater rail.

If you find one of these offered online, you may want to message the seller and verify which version they are actually selling.
Click to expand...
That's funny that you mention that. I noticed that as well so I messaged Magnum Research a couple of days ago just to see what they'd say. I'm waiting on a response but I think you're right, you'd wind up getting a "hand-grater" rail. Haha, I like that term.
 
be aware if you find a no-slot gun in .44 or .357, such as the GB gun listed in the post above mine, if you want a .50 barrel, I do believe you will also have to purchase an entire mk XIX slide assembly as well. If I remember correctly, the .50 barrels do not fit the older .44 and .357 guns that came with the no slot dovetail barrel.

My DE is an older IMI gun that came with the no slot dovetail barrel in .44, and the previous owner had to buy a new mk XIX slide assembly and barrel to convert to .50.

The .50 barrel is bigger dimensionally than the .44 and will not fit the original slide.

The older .44 barrel also will not fit the mk XIX slide
 
Last edited:
silicosys4 said:
be aware if you find a no-slot gun in .44 or .357, such as the GB gun listed in the post above mine, if you want a .50 barrel, I do believe you will also have to purchase an entire mk XIX slide assembly as well. If I remember correctly, the .50 barrels do not fit the older .44 and .357 guns that came with the no slot dovetail barrel.
Click to expand...
Yes that's right, I've read of this being the case. And even with the complete upper assembly, it can be loose fitting and sloppy.

I think I'm just going to hold off and save for an IMI Desert Eagle. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/918959760 ^$3,000 is a bit ridiculous but the last IMI 50 AE was $2,200 and looks to have been sold.
 
I got this one a few years ago as one of those "The LGS offered me $400 and I said FU." deals. I thought I would flip it but kept it. tempImageNnq4x3.png
 
Last edited:
Jimbo80 said:
I got this one a few years ago as one of those "The dealer offered me $400 and I said FU." deals. I thought I would flip it but kept it.View attachment 1046504
Click to expand...
Now THAT looks nice. If there was anytime to flip it, now would be a good time. The IMI Desert Eagles on Gunbroker seem to go for a premium.
 
The Glockodile said:
Someone else on another forum was able to point out that poor gas piston fit was the main cause behind poor cycling in his pistols. He machined his own pistons. Alternatively, just fire warm loads through the pistol - many commercial loads are fairly neutered.
Click to expand...
That would be an interesting read, do you have a link or remember where that post was?

Likewise, I remember reading of a guy who had poor cycling in his DE XIX and decided to reload with slower burning powder and claimed it cured all cycling issues. I believe he went as far as saying he could limp wrist it without a single failure.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

MikeInOr
  • Locked
Anyone versed in the light weight Desert Eagle L5's?
Replies
9
Views
3K
MikeInOr
MikeInOr
W
  • Locked
Desert Eagle as a safe queen?
2
Replies
26
Views
2K
KSoldier
K
R
  • Locked
2015 Desert Eagle models....
Replies
11
Views
1K
RustyShackelford
R
B
  • Locked
Auto mag survey
Replies
18
Views
960
6_gunner
6
L
  • Locked
Desert Eagle Owners
Replies
6
Views
558
gaijin6423
G
Back
Top