Desert Eagle
From Gwn
| Desert Eagle Mark XIX | |
| |
| Type: | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of Origin: | Israel |
| Date Created: | 1995 CE |
| Weight: | 2 kg |
| Length: | 260 mm |
| Barrel Length: | 254 mm |
| Ammunition: | .357 Magnum |
| Action: | direct impingement gas-operated |
| Muzzle Velocity: | |
| Feed System: | 9 round Magazine |
The Desert Eagle is a large calibre gas-operated semi-automatic pistol manufactured in Israel by IMI (Israel Military Industries) for Magnum Research, Inc.
History
The Desert Eagle Pistol was conceived in 1979 CE, when three people with an idea for creating a gas- operated, semi-automatic, magnum-caliber pistol founded Magnum Research, Inc. in St. Paul, Minnesota. Early pistols, then known as Eagle 357, were announced in 1982 CE.
Magnum Research, based in the USA, developed and patented the original Desert Eagle design and this design was further refined by IMI. Manufacturing was moved to Saco Defense in the state of Maine from 1995 to 2000 CE, but shifted back to Israel when Saco was acquired by General Dynamics.
The Desert Eagle is unusual in that most semi-automatic pistols use short recoil or blow-back mechanisms; the gas-operated mechanism used by the Desert Eagle is more commonly found in rifles. In fact, the rotating bolt and locking mechanism bear a strong resemblance to that of the M16 series of rifles. The advantage of the gas-operation is that it allows the use of far more powerful cartridges than traditional semi-automatic pistol designs, and it allows the Desert Eagle to compete in an area that had previously been dominated by magnum revolvers.
Ammo
The Desert Eagle uses .357 Magnum rounds. This cartridge is an excellent self-defense round; it still enjoys a reputation of being the gold standard of stopping power among handgun cartridges. Some of those who have used it have described a "struck by lightning" reaction in those hit with it.
In terms of accuracy, the .357 magnum has at least the same potential for precision shooting as the benchmark .38 special wadcutter round—indeed, a good .357 revolver will happily shoot .38 wadcutter ammunition and return good results. With tailored loads in a clean, sound revolver, wadcutter or semi-wadcutter target rounds (lead bullet, small charge of fast burning powder) will return groups of as little as 2 inches from edge to edge at a range of 20 yards with very little noise or recoil. Full power loads with good jacketed bullets and a heavy charge of a much slower burning powder can aspire to 2 1/2 inch groups with no great difficulty. It is this great versatility that makes a .357 revolver an excellent gun for many different disciplines, from 20 yard precision shooting to long range falling plate events. Being economical and consistently performing well in all but the strangest of load configurations, it is an excellent place to start if one should consider handloading.
GWN Usage
Kari used it, she modified it, and kicks ass with it. Got a problem with that? No. Know why? Because.
