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Questions & Answers: Desert Eagle Pistols

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Remember to always practice good gun safety and wear eye and ear protection while shooting. We always suggest wearing a good Magnum Research hat, too, for a little extra protection (plus they look good).

Always make sure your pistol is unloaded before you perform any maintenance. And go through your owner's manual every once in a while. There are some good tips on cleaning and taking care of your pistol right in the manual that we send out with every new pistol.

  • Q. What comes with my new Desert Eagle pistol?

    A.     The firearm itself, one magazine, warranty card, owner's manual and the 5-in-1 universal cleaning tool. The extra slot(s) can be used for spare magazine, spare 10" barrel or cleaning items.
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  • Q. What if I lost my owner's manual?

    A.     You can download a copy of the owner's manual or order one from our store.
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  • Q. What is the warranty on my new Desert Eagle pistol?

    A.     One-year parts and labor.
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  • Q. The spent case hits me in the forehead, why?

    A.     Your shooting (grip) technique is allowing the pistol to move back and torque to the left causing ejected brass to come back at you. Use a firm grip and do not allow the pistol to torque (turn) left under recoil.

    You can also add Hogue soft rubber grips with or without finger-grooves or have your barrel MagNaPorted, which will improve your grip and reduce felt recoil.
    >> How to Shoot the Desert Eagle
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  • Q. Can my Desert Eagle pistol be ported?

    A.     Yes, we suggest a company called MagNaPort International. Please contact them directly if you would like to have your pistol/revolver done at 1-586-469-6727, www.magnaport.com.
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  • Q. What ammunition is recommended for use in my Desert Eagle pistol?

    A.     Remember that ammunition is very important with the Desert Eagle pistol. Defective ammunition will keep you from chambering. Check the type of ammunition you are using. If ammunition is underpowered it will not reliably cycle the action of your Desert Eagle. Shooting lead or full-metal jacket with an open lead base will not only foul the recoil spring assembly crosspiece and the rods, but it will also carbon and lead-foul the piston and solder it to the barrel. You should stay with good, semi-jacketed ammunition. We do suggest trying as many commercial, manufactured, semi-jacketed Magnum cartridges as possible and see which one works the best for you and your pistol.
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  • Q. Can I shoot reloads in my Desert Eagle pistol?

    A.     I am sorry we do not offer any reloading information since we do not recommend reloading in any of our products. Any use of reloads (problems caused by them) void the warranty on any MRI product. However, if you are going to reload we suggest you strictly follow all safe reloading information in a good up to date reloading manual.
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  • Q. Why can I not see the rifling in my barrel?

    A.     The Desert Eagle features the innovative polygon rifling system. To the uniformed eye used to seeing the sharp edges of the land and grooves of typical rifling, the Desert Eagle pistols bore does look almost smooth and featureless. The polygonal rifling reduces gas leakage and bullet distortion and promotes higher velocity; longer bore life and easier cleaning. Accuracy is typically as good or better than conventional rifling, which is probably why many Desert Eagle owners claim that it is the most accurate pistol they've ever shot.
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  • Q. What does my Desert Eagle pistol weigh?

    A.     With an empty magazine the Mark XIX pistols weigh approximately 4lbs. 6.2 oz.
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  • Q. My Desert Eagle pistol will not chamber or my bolt does not close fully, why is this?

    A.     The first thing is being sure your pistol is unloaded. The main reason this may happen is your pistol is dirty and needs to be cleaned; a dirty pistol will affect the chambering, extraction and the overall performance of the gun. Inspect the chamber, clean it with a bore brush (we use a bronze brush) and solvent, and lightly oil it with a patch. Next the recoil spring assembly gets lead and carbon-fouled that it may not let the bolt shut. All you need to do with the recoil spring assembly is fieldstrip it and clean it, oil it, and be sure to properly assemble it. Use your 5-in-1 tool to remove the firing pin, remove the bolt assembly and inspect the bolt - basically just clean your bolt assembly, clean your firing pin, review your manual and reassemble the pistol.

    Another problem is a lot of people that shoot wheel guns and different types of pistols have a tendency to limp-wrist. They have to in order to take up recoil of the gun itself. With the Desert Eagle pistol, you can't. You have to take a good two-handed grip to assure a clean, crisp snapping action of the slide forward and back. If you are limp-wristing, it takes ups the inertia of the slide, it won't come all the way back, and the action doesn't cycle properly.
    >> How to Shoot the Desert Eagle
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  • Q. How do I use the 5-in-1 tool universal cleaning tool for my Desert Eagle pistol?

    A.
    The Reamer Head - used to clean lead deposits from the gas cylinder. Remove barrel from pistol, place reamer head in cylinder and work back and forth to remove lead deposit.

    The Disassembly Tool on the handle has four uses:
    • Firing Pin Tool - used to push the firing pin to allow removal of firing pin stop to allow removal of firing pin.
    • Bolt Guide Pin Tool - used to pull the bolt guide pin from the bottom of the slide to remove bolt from slide. Note: Firing pin must be removed first.
    • Grip Pin Tool - used to push in grip pin to allow removal of handgrips.
    • Magazine Disassembly Tool - used to push in the magazine base catch pin on the bottom of the magazine to allow removal of base and disassembly of magazine. (Warning: Wear safety glasses when disassembling the magazine - the magazine spring is under tension and could cause serious eye injury if released suddenly.)

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  • Q. How can I install a muzzle brake to my Desert Eagle barrel?

    A.     To have a muzzle brake installed on your barrel you would need to send the BARREL ONLY to:

    Magnum Research Inc.
    Attn: MB Install
    12602 33rd Avenue SW
    Pillager, MN 56473

    Enclose a note stating that you would like a muzzle brake installed along with your name, phone number, and return shipping address.
    Once the brake is installed, we will contact you for credit card payment at that time.
    Estimated turnaround time is 3 weeks.
    Cost of a black muzzle brake is $199.00 + $10.00 s/h = $209.00
    Cost of a chrome or nickel plated muzzle brake is $264.00 + $10.00 s/h = $274.00
    Cost of a 24K Gold or Titanium Gold plated muzzle brake is $299.00 + $10.00 s/h = $309.00
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  • Q. How do I install the Millett adjustable sights on my Desert Eagle pistol?

    A.
    Front Sight
    1. Remove factory sight by tapping out with a soft punch.
    2. When retrofitting the optional sight, if front sight is too tight to fit into dovetail, remove a small amount of material from bottom of the sight base and or blade with a file.
    3. Use a sight press or smoothed jawed vice to press front sight into place (center of barrel). Be careful not to damage your barrel.

    Rear Sight
    Note: Millett Rear Sight Installation
    To prevent breakage of the windage adjustment screw during installation, remove the rear sight ramp by tapping out the roll pin and backing out the elevation screw all the way. Install the sight base (see "rear sight" #3).
    1. Remove factory sight by tapping out with a soft punch.
    2. When retrofitting the optional sight, if rear sight is too tight to fit into dovetail, remove a small amount of material from the dovetail of the sight with a file.
    3. Use a sight press or soft punch with a patch to center rear sight. Once centered remove elevation screw to access and tighten down the dovetail locking screws. Replace elevation screw. Note: Make sure elevation springs are properly seated in base.

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  • Q. Are there night sights for my Desert Eagle pistol?

    A.     Yes, Trijicon does make fixed night sights. Please contact them directly at 1-800-338-0563 or www.trijicon.com.
    Yes, Meprolight does make adjustable night sights. Please contact them directly at www.meprolight.com
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  • Q. What finish is recommended on my Desert Eagle pistol for damp conditions?

    A.     It depends on the price you are willing to pay; on the low dollar end it would be the Matte Chrome or Brushed Chrome and on the high dollar end either of the Titaniums. Please do note that any finish can rust including stainless steel, but with proper periodic maintenance and cleaning after each use you should not have any problems.
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  • Q. Can I send in my new or used Desert Eagle pistol to be custom finished in one of the finishes you offer?

    A.     Yes, you can send your Desert Eagle pistol to us for a custom shop finish (takes approximately 90-120 days):

    Magnum Research, Inc.
    Attn: Custom Shop
    12602 33rd Avenue SW
    Pillager, MN 56473

     Please include a cover letter stating what you would like done to your pistol, your billing address, a ship-to address (for firearms; this needs to be a business address/or your dealer's address; since we no longer ship a firearm back to a residential address for your safety and ours), a daytime phone number (in case we have any questions), or you may include a copy of this email. Also be sure to include your Visa/MasterCard/Discover card number or prepayment (don't forget to include shipping of $40.00 on pistols and $10.00 on accessories). If paying with a credit card you will not be charged until the items are ready to ship back to you but all prepayments will be cashed immediately. Also note, that no work will be preformed until a form of payment has been received.

    Remember to insure your product when shipping it to us since we are not responsible for shipments to us, when we return the product to you at your business address/dealer's address we will be shipping Fed Ex insured.
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