My Review of the Desert Eagle Mark XIX

Specs
Make: Magnum Research Inc.
Model: Desert Eagle Mark XIX
Caliber: .50 Action Express
Weight: 4lbs unloaded
Trigger: 2 stage adjustable, mine feels like it's about 7lbs, single action only
Finish: Bright Nickel with 24K Gold Appointments
Price: $1200 V.Good condition used, ~$2000 new

This originally appeared on my old website, ForrestTheMarksman

First, this is the first "magnum" handgun I've fired since I was ten so keep this in mind. Having said that, I want to address recoil second. It seems no matter where one goes, there are people talking about how hard the Desert Eagle in .50AE kicks. I'm here to tell you that it's not that bad. Granted, it's much harder than say a .45ACP in a 1911 frame, but its nothing to be scared of. The gas operating system and sheer weight of the pistol take care of much of the recoil. Now, it still has a fair amount of recoil, but it's fairly easy to shoot. The people around the shooter actually suffer the most. This is because of the extreme muzzle blast. Hearing protection is always recommended when shooting firearms, but I'd say it's requisite with this one. It literally shakes the ground. And with good reason! Factory loads from Speer launch a 325gr bullet over 1400fps with around 1400 ft/lb of energy. Ballistically its the same thing as my .50 cal muzzle loader with 80gr of pyrodex only this measurement was taken from a 6" barrel and my muzzle loader's barrel is 20".

While we're on the topic of shooting, let me address some of the points of shooting a Desert Eagle. First, a solid stance is very important with magnum handgun cartridges. I would recommend using a modified weaver stance where you push forward on the grips with your trigger hand and pull back with your support hand; effectively balancing the handgun. "Limp wristing" a Desert Eagle in .50AE could have you wind up like this poor lady: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFJjaj7pXsA . Lock your elbows and lean into the shot so your shoulders take the recoil and not your wrists. If you aren't firmly (but comfortably) holding the pistol, it will "roll back" and in all probability put a searing hot brass into your forehead. Letting the pistol "roll back" will also impact the effectiveness of the pistol's timing mechanizim and will probably cause a jam. Using cheap .50 AE cartridges will also cause jamming. To use a terrible metaphore, this gun is that high maintenance hot girl you dated back in college. Unlike her, you won't be trading out any time soon as these pistols are incredible shooters once you've figured them out.

Here's a video of me shooting the Desert Eagle I'm reviewing:

As for accuracy, I'm told it can shoot under 6" at 100yds and some can shoot the gun at 400yds, but I have not shot it past 25 yards. At 25 yards, I was able to shatter an 8" cinder block into roughly thirds and then shoot the thirds into fine dust, in four shots. I haven't shot it on paper yet, but at the rate it's going, the Desert Eagle outshoots my Beretta Px4 hands down. You'll want to get into reloading though. Good ammunition will run a hair under $40/box of twenty. You can reload quality .50AE at $0.30/round. Magnum Research recommends not doing this, but reloading is the only way you'll afford to shoot this monster.

Now, for a few words on maintenance. It's good practice to clean a firearm after every trip to the shooting range, but it is imperative with the Desert Eagle. I clean mine as often as I clean my competition service rifle which is every range trip regardless if I shot 1 round or 100. At the MINIMUM you'll want to clean it every 50 shots, but you'll probably start experiencing jams due to fouling after twenty or so shots. Magnum Research sells a cleaning kid for the Desert Eagle that works well for me (the 5 in 1 tool makes life easier in the take down). As for solvents, I use Hoppes No.9. DO NOT use WD-40 while cleaning the pistol; I'm told it can corrode the finish and since it evaporates, vapors can get into the gas operating system (remember this is one of those weird pistols that operates more like a rifle) and cause an expolosion when a round is fired. Disassembly and reassembly is easy and is made easier with the 5 in 1 tool availible from Magnum Research. I would also recommend replacing the factory plastic grips with some fingered grips by Hogue. They run about $50 and install in under two minutes. This will make shooting noticibly easier if you're sensitive to recoil.

In conclusion, this is not a pistol for everybody. It requires lots of maintenance and patience on the part of the shooter. Going for an average of $1500 in excellent used condition makes them one of the more expensive pistols on the market and with good ammunition going for $40/box of twenty, reloading will become necessary if one wants to do any volume of shooting with this gun (and trust me, you'll want to). Still, if you're up to the challenge of maintaining and learning to shoot a Desert Eagle, you'll be rewarded with great accuracy and a real attention getter at the range (or in my case, laughter for having a "pimp gun").

Here are some pictures of the gun. It's a Desert Eagle Mark XIX with a Bright Nickle finish and 24K Gold appointments:


Until next time