IMI Desert Eagle

Model: IMI Desert Eagle
One of the most famous handguns in modern society, mostly thanks to the influence of the media. The Desert Eagle is a massive, gas-operated hand cannon chambered for several powerful rounds. Since its appearence in roughly 500 films and TV shows (along with video games and novels), the flashy pistol has become a popular "range queen". Despite this, it is also used as a target pistol.

The Desert Eagle entered in production in 1985, originally designed as a revolver and later re-shaped into a semi-auto pistol. Unlike most handguns, which use a short recoil or blowback operation, the Desert Eagle (or "Deagle" as it is often nicknamed) uses a gas-operated rotating bolt similar to the M16 rifle. This allows for it to use powerful cartridges normally used by revolvers, but also increasing the size of the weapon and causing unreliability with plain lead bullets.

Where to find:
The Desert Eagle's appearances in film and TV has earned it a major boost in sales that it ordinarily wouldn't have gotten. As such, it can be found at more high-end gun stores for a pricey $1400-1600, depending on the caliber. Along with being a popular range toy, it is also used in competition shooting and hunting.

Complexity:
One of the disadvantages of the gas-operated system is that unjacketed lead bullets, like the kind a reloader might cast at home, can clog up the gas release tap with lead particles and hamper cleaning and proper functioning. Other than the added complexity of the gas system, it's a rather standard handgun and shouldn't cause problems as long as jacketed bullets are used.

Size and weight:
Weight 1.8 - 2 kg (3.9 - 4.4 lbs). Barrel length 152.4 mm or 254 mm (6 in. or 10 in.). Total length 269.2 - 374.7 mm (10.6 - 14.75 in.)
Scoped Desert Eagle

Action:
Gas-operated rotating bolt

Caliber(s):
.357 magnum
.41 magnum
.44 magnum
.440 Cor-bon
.50 Action Express

Magazine:
Detachable box. 9 rounds (.357), 8 rounds (.41 and .44), 7 rounds (.440 Cor-bon and .50 AE)

Trigger:
Single-action.

Controls:
The safety is on both sides of the rear of the slide; down for SAFE, up for FIRE. The magazine release is behind the trigger on the left side of the gun. The slide release is below the slide on the left side of the gun.

Loading: How to load the firearm and make ready to fire.
Condition One, or "Locked and Cocked." Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer cocked and safety applied.
1) Point the firearm in a safe direction. Critical step in case the gun accidentally discharges!
2) Push the safety down to activate it.
3) Take a loaded magazine and push it into the magazine well until it clicks.
4) Pull the slide all the way back and let it snap forward under spring pressure.
To fire, push the safety up to deactivate it.

Condition Two. Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.
Cannot be done.

Condition Three. Chamber empty, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.
1) Point the firearm in a safe direction. Critical step in case the gun accidentally discharges!
2) Take a loaded magazine and push it into the magazine well until it clicks.
To fire, pull the slide back and let it snap forward.

Unloading:
1) Point the firearm in a safe direction. Critical step in case the gun accidentally discharges!
2) Push the safety down to activate it.
3) Press the magazine release behind the trigger and pull the magazine free from the gun.
4) Pull the slide back to eject any round in the chamber and look inside for any stray ammunition.
5) Let the slide snap forward.
6) Deactivate the safety.
7) Pull the trigger to drop the hammer.

Field Stripping:
1) Point the firearm in a safe direction. Critical step in case the gun accidentally discharges!
2) Unload the gun as described above.
3) Pull the hammer slightly to the rear until it clicks into the semi-cocked position.
4) Push the safety down to activate it.
5) Press the barrel lock pin on the left side of the barrel while swinging the barrel lock on the opposite side of the pistol counter-clockwise.
6) Pull the barrel slightly forward to release it and lift it out.
7) Pull the slide forward and remove it. On the .357 chambering, pull the recoil springs forward and off the gun (on other chamberings, they come out with the slide).
Reverse to assemble

Design Quirks:
Unique aspects of this gun.
o-pin frame, among other things. With the proper parts it is also quite possible to change calibers.

Unloading:
How to unload and make safe.
1) Point in a safe direction. Critical step in case the gun accidentally discharges!
2) Push the safety up to activate it.
3) Press the magazine release in the heel of the butt, just behind the magazine, back. Pull the magazine free.
4) Take the safety off.
5) Pull the slide back to lock it and clear the chamber. Inspect the chamber for ammunition.
6) Press the slide release down.
7) Pull the trigger.

Field Stripping:
1) Point in a safe direction. Critical step in case the gun accidentally discharges!
2) Remove the magazine and clear the chamber as described in the unloading procedure.
3) Pull the front of the trigger guard down and move it to the side to keep it from springing back into place.
4) Pull the slide back and lift the back end off of the pistol, then ease it forward off the barrel.
5) Pull the recoil spring off the barrel.
Reverse to assemble.

Design Quirks:
Switching the barrel, magazine, and bolt assembly allows for the Desert Eagle to easily be converted between .357, .44, and .50 AE. The .50 AE and .44 rounds are so similar that only a barrel and magazine change are necessary.

oldannyboy37	Latest page update: made by oldannyboy37 , May 10 2011, 5:47 PM EDT (about this update About This Update D. Eagle update. - oldannyboy37 12 words added view changes - complete history)
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