Magnum research DESERT EAGLE MARK I, DESERT EAGLE MARK XIX, 44 MAGNUM, 41 MAGNUM, 50 ACTION EXPRESS User Manual

Desert Eagle

TM

Pistols

Mark XIX, Mark VII, Mark I

OPERATOR’S MANUAL

CAUTION: READ AND UNDERSTAND THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS IN THIS MANUAL

BEFORE HANDLING OR USING THIS PISTOL

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.440 Cor®Bon Magnum

Gas Operated Semi-Automatic Pistols

Manufactured by Israel Weapons Industries

For Magnum Research, Inc.

.357 Magnum

.41 Magnum
.44 Magnum

.50 Action Express

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Desert Eagle
Gas Operated
Semi-Automatic Pistol

The Desert Eagle Pistol — U.S. Patent — 4,563,937
Magnum Research, Inc. 1986

Fig. 1

State by State Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Basic Rules of Firearm Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Safety Rules and Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

General Information/5 in 1 Tool Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

General Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Operating Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Sights and Zeroing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Loading and Firing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Disassembly and Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Care and Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Trouble Shooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

List of Parts and Exploded View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

3

STATE-BY-STATE WARNINGS

CERTAIN STATES REQUIRE BY LAW THAT THEIR OWN SPECI­FIED WARNING NOTICES IN LARGER-THAN-NORMAL TYPE
BE CONSPICUOUSLY INCLUDED BY THE MANUFACTURER,
DISTRIBUTOR, OR RETAIL DEALER WITH FIREARMS SOLD IN
THAT STATE. MAGNUM RESEARCH, INC. SELLS ITS PROD­UCTS IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGU­LATIONS. BECAUSE OUR PRODUCTS MAY BE SOLD IN
THESE STATES, WE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

CALIFORNIA:

WARNING: CHILDREN ARE ATTRACTED TO AND

CAN OPERATE FIREARMS THAT CAN CAUSE SEVERE
INJURIES OR DEATH. PREVENT CHILD ACCESS BY
ALWAYS KEEPING GUNS LOCKED AWAY AND
UNLOADED WHEN NOT IN USE. IF YOU KEEP A
LOADED FIREARM WHERE A CHILD OBTAINS AND
IMPROPERLY USES IT, YOU MAY BE FINED OR SENT
TO PRISON.

CONNECTICUT:

"UNLAWFUL STORAGE OF A LOADED FIREARM MAY RESULT
IN IMPRISONMENT OR FINE."

FLORIDA:

"IT IS UNLAWFUL, AND PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISONMENT
AND FINE, FOR ANY ADULT TO STORE OR LEAVE A
FIREARM IN ANY PLACE WITHIN THE REACH OR EASY
ACCESS OF A MINOR UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE OR TO
KNOWINGLY SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER OWNERSHIP
OR POSSESSION OF A FIREARM TO A MINOR OR A PERSON
OF UNSOUND MIND."

MAINE:

"ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD IS A CRIME. IF
YOU LEAVE A FIREARM AND AMMUNITION WITHIN EASY
ACCESS OF A CHILD, YOU MAY BE SUBJECT TO FINE,
IMPRISONMENT OR BOTH. KEEP FIREARMS AND AMMUNI­TION SEPARATE. KEEP FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION
LOCKED UP. USE TRIGGER LOCKS."

MARYLAND:

"WARNING: CHILDREN CAN OPERATE FIREARMS WHICH
MAY CAUSE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. IT IS A CRIME TO
STORE OR LEAVE A LOADED FIREARM IN ANY LOCATION
WHERE AN INDIVIDUAL KNEW OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN
THAT AN UNSUPERVISED MINOR WOULD GAIN ACCESS TO
THE FIREARM. STORE YOUR FIREARM RESPONSIBLY!"

4

MASSACHUSETTS:

"WARNING FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY GENER­AL: THIS HANDGUN IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A DEVICE
THAT FULLY BLOCKS USE BY UNAUTHORIZED USERS. MORE
THAN 200,000 FIREARMS LIKE THIS ONE ARE STOLEN
FROM THEIR OWNERS EVERY YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES.
IN ADDITION, THERE ARE MORE THAN A THOUSAND SUI­CIDES EACH YEAR BY YOUNGER CHILDREN AND
TEENAGERS WHO GET ACCESS TO FIREARMS. HUNDREDS
MORE DIE FROM ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE. IT IS LIKELY
THAT MANY MORE CHILDREN SUSTAIN SERIOUS WOUNDS,
OR INFLICT SUCH WOUNDS ACCIDENTALLY ON OTHERS.
IN ORDER TO LIMIT THE CHANCE OF SUCH MISUSE, IT IS
IMPERATIVE THAT YOU KEEP THIS WEAPON LOCKED IN A
SECURE PLACE AND TAKE OTHER STEPS NECESSARY TO
LIMIT THE POSSIBILITY OF THEFT OR ACCIDENT. FAILURE TO
TAKE REASONABLE PREVENTIVE STEPS MAY RESULT IN
INNOCENT LIVES BEING LOST, AND IN SOME CIRCUM­STANCES MAY RESULT IN YOUR LIABILITY FOR THESE
DEATHS."

"IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR KEEP A FIREARM, RIFLE,
SHOTGUN OR MACHINE GUN IN ANY PLACE UNLESS THAT
WEAPON IS EQUIPPED WITH A TAMPER-RESISTANT SAFETY
DEVICE OR IS STORED OR KEPT IN A SECURELY LOCKED
CONTAINER."

NEW JERSEY:

"IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE TO LEAVE A LOADED FIREARM
WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR."

NEW YORK CITY:

"THE USE OF A LOCKING DEVICE OR SAFETY LOCK IS ONLY
ONE ASPECT OF RESPONSIBLE FIREARM STORAGE. FOR
INCREASED SAFETY, FIREARMS SHOULD BE STORED
UNLOADED AND LOCKED IN A LOCATION THAT IS BOTH
SEPARATE FROM THEIR AMMUNITION AND INACCESSIBLE
TO CHILDREN AND OTHER UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS."

NORTH CAROLINA:

"IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR LEAVE A FIREARM THAT
CAN BE DISCHARGED IN A MANNER THAT A REASONABLE
PERSON SHOULD KNOW IS ACCESSIBLE TO A MINOR."

TEXAS:

"IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE, TRANSPORT, OR ABANDON
AN UNSECURED FIREARM IN A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN
ARE LIKELY TO BE AND CAN OBTAIN ACCESS TO THE
FIREARM."

5

WISCONSIN:

"IF YOU LEAVE A LOADED FIREARM WITHIN THE REACH OR
EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD YOU MAY BE FINED OR IMPRIS­ONED OR BOTH IF THE CHILD IMPROPERLY DISCHARGES,
POSSESSES, OR EXHIBITS THE FIREARM.

PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR FIREARMS RETAILER
OR STATE POLICE FOR ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
UNDER STATE OR LOCAL LAWS OR REGULATIONS.
SUCH LAWS AND REGULATIONS CHANGE
CONSTANTLY, AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES ARE IN
THE BEST POSITION TO ADVISE YOU ON SUCH
CHANGES.

BASIC RULES OF FIREARMS SAFETY

1. TREAT ALL FIREARMS AS IF THEY WERE LOADED, AT ALL
TIMES. MANY ACCIDENTS OCCUR WITH FIREARMS THAT
ARE HANDLED CARELESSLY, BECAUSE THEY ARE BELIEVED
TO BE “UNLOADED”. THESE ACCIDENTS CAN BE AVOIDED
BY HANDLING ALL FIREARMS THE SAME WAY YOU WOULD
HANDLE A LOADED FIREARM, AT ALL TIMES. EVEN AFTER
YOU VERIFY THAT A GUN IS UNLOADED, YOU SHOULD
CONTINUE HANDLING IT AS YOU WOULD A LOADED
GUN, AND MAKE SURE THAT OTHERS AROUND YOU DO
THE SAME.

2. POINT THE MUZZLE IN A SAFE DIRECTION AT ALL TIMES.
A “SAFE DIRECTION” IS ONE IN WHICH, IF THE FIREARM
WERE TO DISCHARGE, THERE WOULD BE NO INJURY TO
ANYONE. NEVER POINT A GUN (WHETHER YOU THINK IT
IS LOADED OR UNLOADED - SEE RULE #1 ABOVE) DIRECTLY
AT ANOTHER PERSON OR AT YOURSELF. CONSIDER THAT A
BULLET CAN RICOCHET (GLANCE OFF) PAVEMENT,
FLOORS, WALLS, ROCKS, THE GROUND, WATER, ICE OR
ALMOST ANY OTHER OBJECT IT STRIKES. ALSO, BULLETS
CAN PENETRATE WALLS, CEILINGS, FLOORS, DOORS, WIN­DOWS, AND MANY OTHER MATERIALS TO KILL OR INJURE
SOMEONE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE.

3. KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER AND OUTSIDE
THE TRIGGER GUARD UNTIL YOU ARE AIMED AT A PROPER
TARGET AND HAVE DECIDED TO FIRE. IF YOUR FINGER IS
INSIDE THE TRIGGER GUARD, YOU COULD FIRE YOUR
GUN WITHOUT INTENDING TO - FOR INSTANCE, IF YOU
WERE STARTLED, OR IF YOU SLIPPED OR LOST YOUR
BALANCE. BY KEEPING YOUR FINGER OUTSIDE THE TRIG­GER GUARD UNTIL YOU ARE ON TARGET AND INTEND TO
FIRE, YOU ENSURE THAT YOU WILL NEVER HIT ANYTHING
YOU DO NOT INTEND TO.

4. BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET, AND WHAT IS AROUND
AND BEYOND IT. THE BULLET FIRED FROM YOUR PISTOL
CAN TRAVEL OVER A MILE, AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO
KILL OR SERIOUSLY INJURE SOMEONE AT THAT DISTANCE!

6

ONCE YOU PULL THE TRIGGER, YOU CANNOT CALL THE
BULLET BACK, SO YOU MUST POSITIVELY IDENTIFY YOUR
TARGET BEFORE YOU FIRE. NEVER FIRE (FOR INSTANCE, AT
A NOISE, A MOVEMENT, A RUSTLING BUSH, OR A SHAPE
IN THE DARK) UNTIL YOU HAVE POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED
YOUR TARGET AS SOMETHING YOU INTEND TO SHOOT.
FIRE ONLY WITH A SAFE BACKSTOP BEHIND YOUR TARGET

- SOMETHING THAT WILL STOP AND CONTAIN THE
PROJECTILES YOU FIRE, EVEN IF YOU MISS THE TARGET OR
YOUR BULLET PASSES THROUGH IT.

5. WHENEVER YOU HANDLE A FIREARM THAT, EVEN
MOMENTARILY, HAS BEEN OUT OF YOUR DIRECT CON­TROL, START BY CHECKING ITS CONDITION TO DETERMINE
WHETHER OR NOT IT IS LOADED. A FIREARM IN YOUR
HANDS IS A LETHAL WEAPON WHICH IS YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY, SO YOU MUST CHECK IT YOURSELF, NOW,
NOT LATER. DO NOT RELY ON SOMEONE ELSE TO CHECK
IT. DO NOT TAKE SOMEONE ELSE’S WORD FOR THE
FIREARM’S CONDITION. DO NOT RELY ON YOUR MEMORY
OF HAVING CHECKED THE FIREARM PREVIOUSLY, OR ON
YOUR BELIEF THAT YOU LEFT IT UNLOADED THE LAST TIME
YOU USED OR HANDLED IT. CHECK IT AGAIN YOURSELF
NOW.

6. NEVER GIVE A FIREARM TO ANYONE, OR TAKE A
FIREARM FROM ANYONE, UNLESS IT IS UNLOADED AND
THE ACTION IS OPEN. IF SOMEONE TRIES TO HAND YOU A
FIREARM WITH THE ACTION CLOSED, POLITELY ASK THEM

TO OPEN IT BEFORE YOU TAKE IT FROM THEM. IF YOU
NEED TO OPEN THE ACTION OF A FIREARM WITH WHICH
YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR, DON’T EXPERIMENT, LEST YOU
MAKE A FATAL MISTAKE! INSTEAD, ASK SOMEONE WHO
KNOWS HOW TO HANDLE THE FIREARM TO OPEN THE
ACTION AND ALLOW YOU TO VERIFY THAT IT IS
UNLOADED. IF YOU CAN’T FIND SOMEONE WHO KNOWS
HOW TO HANDLE THE FIREARM, LEAVE IT ALONE!

7. FIREARMS SHOULD BE UNLOADED WHEN NOT ACTUALLY
IN USE. LOAD YOUR FIREARM ONLY WHEN YOU ARE ON
THE TARGET RANGE OR IN THE FIELD AND READY TO
BEGIN USING IT. UNLOAD YOUR GUN AS SOON AS YOU
ARE FINISHED SHOOTING. UNLOAD YOUR GUN BEFORE
YOU BRING IT BACK INTO YOUR CAR, CAMP OR HOME.
NEVER LEAVE A LOADED GUN UNATTENDED, EVEN FOR A
MOMENT.

8. THOROUGHLY READ AND UNDERSTAND THE OWNER’S
MANUAL AND OTHER LITERATURE SUPPLIED WITH THIS
PISTOL. NEVER USE ANY FIREARM UNLESS YOU COMPLETE­LY UNDERSTAND HOW IT OPERATES AND HOW ITS SAFETY
FEATURES WORK. CONTACT MAGNUM RESEARCH, INC. IF
YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, OR IF YOU
ARE NOT CERTAIN YOU HAVE ALL THE LITERATURE SUPPLIED
WITH THE FIREARM AT THE TIME IT WAS FIRST SOLD. EVEN
IF YOU UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING IN THIS MANUAL, NO
MANUAL CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH THE BENEFITS OF
HANDS-ON FIREARMS INSTRUCTION. IF YOU ARE NOT

7

ALREADY AN EXPERIENCED FIREARMS USER, YOU SHOULD
OBTAIN TRAINING IN THE SAFE AND PROPER USE OF
FIREARMS BY ATTENDING ONE OF THE MANY FIREARMS
SAFETY AND SHOOTING COURSES OFFERED IN ALL PARTS
OF THE COUNTRY BY THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION
(TELEPHONE [phone]), GUN CLUBS AND RANGES,
GUN SHOPS, SHOOTING SCHOOLS AND OTHER QUALIFIED
SOURCES OF INSTRUCTION.

9. BEFORE FIRING ANY FIREARM, BE SURE IT IS IN GOOD
WORKING ORDER AND THAT THE BARREL IS CLEAR OF
DIRT, GREASE, WATER, EXCESS OIL, RUST, CORROSION OR
ANY OTHER OBSTRUCTION.

10. ALWAYS WEAR HIGH-QUALITY EAR AND EYE PROTECTION
WHEN SHOOTING OR OBSERVING, AND BE SURE THAT
OTHERS WHO ARE PRESENT DO THE SAME. EXPOSURE TO
GUNFIRE NOISE WILL CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING LOSS
(DEAFNESS) IF GOOD EAR PROTECTION (EITHER COMMER­CIALLY MANUFACTURED EAR PLUGS, EARMUFF-TYPE
HEARING PROTECTORS, OR BOTH) IS NOT WORN.
CLOSE-FITTING, IMPACT-RESISTANT SHOOTING GLASSES
OR SAFETY GLASSES OF WRAPAROUND OR SIDE-PANEL
DESIGN HELP TO GUARD AGAINST POTENTIALLY BLINDING
EYE INJURIES CAUSED BY GRANULES OF POWDER,
SPLASHBACK OF FRAGMENTS FROM THE TARGET OR
BACKSTOP, METAL FRAGMENTS WHICH CAN RESULT FROM
A BURST PRIMER, ETC. NEVER SHOOT A FIREARM, OR
ALLOW YOURSELF OR OTHERS TO BE PRESENT WHERE
SHOOTING IS IN PROGRESS, WITHOUT BOTH EYE AND EAR

PROTECTION IN PLACE. EYE PROTECTION CAN ALSO
PROVIDE IMPORTANT PROTECTION WHILE YOU ARE
DISASSEMBLING AND CLEANING YOUR FIREARMS, BOTH
FROM FLYING FIREARMS PARTS, AND FROM AEROSOLS
AND OTHER SOLVENTS AND CLEANING FLUIDS THAT CAN
SPRAY OR SPLASH INTO YOUR EYES, CAUSING SERIOUS
EYE INJURY.

11. FIREARMS, DRUGS AND ALCOHOL DON’T MIX! NEVER
HANDLE FIREARMS WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF
ALCOHOL OR DRUGS (INCLUDING PRESCRIPTION
MEDICATIONS) THAT CAN IMPAIR YOUR NORMAL SENSES,
ABILITIES, ALERTNESS, REFLEXES, PERCEPTION OR JUDGMENT.
MAKE SURE EVERYONE IN YOUR PRESENCE FOLLOWS THE
SAME RULE. ALSO, AVOID HANDLING FIREARMS WHEN
YOU ARE ILL, EXHAUSTED, UPSET OR PREOCCUPIED WITH
OTHER CONCERNS - SAFE FIREARMS HANDLING REQUIRES
YOUR FULL ATTENTION, AND ALL OF YOUR ABILITIES,
UNIMPAIRED BY OTHER FACTORS.

12. ANY FIREARM WHICH IS NOT UNDER YOUR DIRECT
CONTROL SHOULD BE STORED SO IT IS INOPERABLE OR
INACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN AND OTHER UNAUTHORIZED
USERS. CHILDREN ARE ATTRACTED TO, AND CAN FIND,
LOAD AND OPERATE FIREARMS, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY
OR DEATH TO THEMSELVES AND OTHERS. PREVENTING
CHILD ACCESS AND TRAGIC, AVOIDABLE ACCIDENTS IS
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, AS AN ADULT GUN OWNER. THE
SAFEST WAY TO STORE FIREARMS IS UNLOADED, LOCKED
IN A GUN SAFE OR VAULT.

8

13. USE ONLY PROPER AMMUNITION RECOMMENDED
FOR THIS PISTOL, AND BE SURE THE AMMUNITION IS THE
CORRECT CALIBER FOR YOUR GUN. MOST MODERN
FIREARMS HAVE THEIR CALIBER DESIGNATION STAMPED
INTO THE FIREARM’S BARREL OR RECEIVER. YOUR
AMMUNITION BOX AND CARTRIDGE HEAD STAMP SHOULD
BEAR THE EXACT SAME CARTRIDGE DESIGNATION. JUST
BECAUSE A CARTRIDGE FITS INTO THE GUN DOESN’T
MEAN IT IS SAFE TO FIRE. NEVER FIRE AMMUNITION
WHICH IS DAMAGED, CORRODED, OR OF QUESTIONABLE
ORIGIN OR CONDITION. FIRING EVEN A SINGLE DEFECTIVE
CARTRIDGE CAN DESTROY YOUR DESERT EAGLE PISTOL
AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

SAFETY RULES AND PRECAUTIONS
FOR FIRING AND USE OF YOUR
DESERT EAGLE

ARNING! KEEP THE SAFETY ENGAGED IN THE “SAFE”

WWARNING!

POSITION UNTIL YOU ARE AIMED AT A PROPER TARGET
AND HAVE DECIDED TO FIRE. FAILURE TO DO SO COULD
CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

WARNING! USE THE SAFETY ON THIS PISTOL, BUT DON’T
TRUST OR RELY ON IT AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR SAFE GUN
HANDLING PRACTICES. THE SAFETY IS A MECHANICAL
DEVICE WHICH COULD FAIL. OR, BY MISTAKE, YOU MAY
THINK THE SAFETY IS ON WHEN IT IS NOT. OR THE SAFETY
MAY BECOME DISENGAGED WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE.

OR YOU COULD THINK YOUR GUN IS UNLOADED WHEN
IT IS LOADED. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE SAFE GUN HANDLING
RULES AND PROCEDURES IN THIS MANUAL, WHETHER
YOU THINK THE SAFETY IS ON OR OFF, AND WHETHER
YOU THINK THE PISTOL IS LOADED OR UNLOADED. DON’T
PULL THE TRIGGER WHEN THE SAFETY IS ENGAGED, OR
WHEN IT IS POSITIONED PART WAY BETWEEN SAFE AND
FIRE. DON’T USE OR RELY ON THE SAFETY LEVER TO TRY
TO “CHILDPROOF’ YOUR PISTOL OR KEEP IT SAFE FROM
UNTRAINED PERSONS - INSTEAD, YOUR PISTOL SHOULD
BE UNLOADED AND SECURELY LOCKED UP, AWAY FROM
ACCESS OF CHILDREN AND OTHER UNAUTHORIZED
USERS.

WARNING! THE DESERT EAGLE PISTOL WILL FIRE
WHETHER OR NOT A MAGAZINE IS IN THE GUN IF A
CARTRIDGE IS IN THE CHAMBER. REMOVING THE
MAGAZINE DOES NOT UNLOAD THE PISTOL, AND DOES
NOT PREVENT THE PISTOL FROM FIRING! A CARTRIDGE
LEFT IN THE CHAMBER AFTER THE MAGAZINE IS REMOVED
CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IF THE TRIGGER
IS PULLED! UNLOAD YOUR DESERT EAGLE PROPERLY,
INCLUDING CHECKING THE CHAMBER BOTH VISUALLY
AND PHYSICALLY.

WARNING! KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER AND
OUTSIDE THE TRIGGER GUARD UNTIL YOU ARE AIMED AT
A PROPER TARGET AND HAVE DECIDED TO FIRE. FAILURE
TO DO SO COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

9

WARNING! KEEP HANDS, FINGERS AND OTHER BODY
PARTS FROM TOUCHING THE MUZZLE, BARREL OR
CHAMBER AFTER FIRING, AS THEY COULD BE BURNED BY
HOT METAL.

WARNING! IF DROPPED OR STRUCK, WHETHER THE
SAFETY IS "ON" OR "OFF," ANY FIREARM MAY FIRE, CAUS­ING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. KEEP THE PISTOL CHAM­BER UNLOADED UNLESS ACTUALLY FIRING! KEEP THE SAFE­TY "ON" UNLESS ACTUALLY FIRING! WHEN CARRYING OR
HANDLING THE DESERT EAGLE, KEEP IT POINTED IN A
SAFE DIRECTION, AND CARRY IT IN SUCH A WAY THAT YOU
CAN SAFELY CONTROL THE DIRECTION IN WHICH THE
MUZZLE POINTS EVEN IF YOU SHOULD SLIP, STUMBLE OR
FALL.

WARNING!

ANY FIREARM MAY FIRE IF DROPPED.

WARNING! FIRED CARTRIDGE CASES EJECTED FROM THE
DESERT EAGLE ARE EXTREMELY HOT, AND CAN CAUSE
SERIOUS BURNS. IN ADDITION, THE PAINFUL BURN FROM
A HOT CARTRIDGE CASE CAN DISTRACT A SHOOTER FROM
KEEPING HIS FIREARM POINTED SAFELY AND FROM OTHER
SAFE HANDLING PRACTICES, CAUSING A DANGEROUS

SITUATION OR AN ACCIDENT. WHEN FIRING, STAY CLEAR,
AND KEEP OTHERS CLEAR, OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE
PISTOL, FROM WHICH THE HOT CARTRIDGE CASES ARE
EJECTED. WEAR CLOSE-FITTING CLOTHING, AVOIDING
CLOTHING WITH OPEN COLLARS AND NECKLINES INTO
WHICH HOT CARTRIDGE CASES CAN FALL. A BASEBALL CAP
OR OTHER BRIMMED HAT OR VISOR WORN SO THE BRIM
COVERS THE TOP OF THE WEARER’S SAFETY GLASSES CAN
OFFER ADDITIONAL PROTECTION TO THE WEARER’S FACE
AND EYES, PREVENTING HOT CASES FROM FALLING INTO
ANY GAP BETWEEN THE TOP OF THE SAFETY GLASSES
AND THE WEARER’S FOREHEAD, POSSIBLY CAUSING A
SERIOUS BURN TO THE EYE.

WARNING! CHILDREN ARE ATTRACTED TO, AND CAN
FIND, LOAD AND OPERATE FIREARMS, CAUSING SERIOUS
INJURY OR DEATH TO THEMSELVES AND OTHERS. PREVENT
CHILD ACCESS BY ALWAYS KEEPING GUNS LOCKED AWAY
AND UNLOADED WHEN NOT IN USE. IF YOU LEAVE A
GUN LOADED OR UNLOADED WHERE A CHILD OBTAINS
AND IMPROPERLY USES IT, YOU MAY BE FINED OR SENT TO
PRISON OR BOTH.

WARNING! NEVER TRANSPORT OR CARRY A LOADED
FIREARM IN A VEHICLE OR OTHERWISE. ALWAYS TRANSPORT
OR CARRY YOUR PISTOL UNLOADED, WITH THE SAFETY
ENGAGED AND THE ACTION LOCKED OPEN. A SUITABLE
CARRYING CASE SHOULD BE USED TO TRANSPORT OR
CARRY YOUR UNLOADED PISTOL TO AND FROM THE RANGE

10

OR OTHER SAFE SHOOTING AREA. CHECK THE LAWS TO
DETERMINE AND FOLLOW LEGAL REQUIREMENTS IN TRANS­PORTING A FIREARM IN YOUR JURISDICTION. CLOSE THE
PISTOL’S ACTION AND LOAD THE PISTOL ONLY WHEN YOU
ARE AT THE RANGE OR OTHER SAFE SHOOTING AREA, READY
TO BEGIN SHOOTING.

WARNING! NEVER CLIMB A FENCE, LADDER, TREE OR
OTHER OBJECT, JUMP ACROSS A BROOK OR DITCH, CRAWL
UNDER A FENCE OR OTHER OBSTACLE, WALK ACROSS AN ICY
SURFACE, STEEP SLOPE OR OTHER AREA WITH POOR
FOOTING, OR CROSS OTHER SLIPPERY OR PRECARIOUS TER­RAIN OR OBSTACLES WITH A LOADED FIREARM. INSTEAD,
UNLOAD THE CHAMBER OF YOUR FIREARM FIRST. WHEN
CARRYING YOUR DESERT EAGLE IN THE FIELD, KEEP THE
MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION AND CARRY THE
PISTOL SO YOU CAN SAFELY CONTROL THE DIRECTION IN
WHICH IT POINTS IN THE EVENT YOU STUMBLE, SLIP OR FALL.

WARNING! NEVER SHOOT AT A HARD SURFACE (ROCK,
PAVEMENT, METAL, ICE, ETC.) OR AT THE SURFACE OF WATER,
AS THE BULLET MAY RICOCHET (GLANCE OFF) THE SURFACE
AND TRAVEL IN ANY DIRECTION, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY
OR DEATH TO SOMEONE YOU CANNOT SEE. SHOOT ONLY
WHERE THERE IS A SAFE BACKSTOP (ONE WHICH WILL
SAFELY STOP AND CONTAIN THE FIRED PROJECTILES), FREE
FROM ROCKS, HARD OBJECTS AND OBSTRUCTIONS THAT
COULD CAUSE RICOCHETS OR SPLASH-BACK OF PROJECTILES,
FRAGMENTS, PEBBLES OR ROCK PARTICLES. CHECK LOCAL
AND STATE LAWS TO BE SURE SHOOTING IS PERMITTED AT

THE PLACE YOU INTEND TO SHOOT.

WARNING! USE ONLY APPROPRIATE ACCESSORIES FOR
YOUR DESERT EAGLE PISTOL. BE SURE ALL ACCESSORIES,
INCLUDING HOLSTERS, SIGHTS AND SIGHT MOUNTS,
LIGHTING DEVICES, ETC. ARE COMPATIBLE WITH THE
FIREARM AND DO NOT INTERFERE WITH ITS SAFE
OPERATION. IF IN DOUBT, CONSULT MAGNUM RESEARCH,
INC. THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY
DAMAGE OR INJURY CAUSED BY THE USE OF IMPROPER
ACCESSORIES.

WARNING! WHEN SHOOTING, BE ALERT TO BE SURE NO
ONE COMES INTO THE LINE OF FIRE. CHECK THE BACKSTOP
AND TARGET AREA CAREFULLY TO BE SURE IT IS FREE OF
PEOPLE EACH TIME BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO FIRE.

WARNING! WHEN FIRING WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE, PUT
A RESPONSIBLE PERSON IN CHARGE TO MAINTAIN SAFETY,
DISCIPLINE AND CONTROL. TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF
ACCIDENTS ON A FIRING RANGE, BE ALERT TO THE
COMMANDS OF THE RANGE OFFICER, AND FOLLOW THEM
PRECISELY AND IMMEDIATELY.

WARNING! DO NOT HANDLE A FIREARM WHEN ANYONE
IS FORWARD OF THE FIRING POSITION. BEFORE ANYONE
MOVES DOWNRANGE TO POST OR CHECK TARGETS OR FOR
ANY OTHER PURPOSE, ALL FIREARMS SHOULD BE UNLOADED,
WITH SAFETIES ENGAGED AND ACTIONS LOCKED OPEN,
AND PLACED SAFELY ON THE BENCH WHERE THEY SHOULD
NOT BE TOUCHED OR HANDLED UNTIL EVERYONE
RETURNS FROM DOWNRANGE.

11

WARNING! DO NOT HANDLE FIREARMS WHEN YOU ARE
TIRED, COLD OR IMPAIRED PHYSICALLY OR MENTALLY, IN
ANY WAY.

WARNING! NEVER FIRE YOUR DESERT EAGLE NEAR AN
ANIMAL, UNLESS IT IS TRAINED TO ACCEPT THE NOISE OF
GUNFIRE. AN ANIMAL’S STARTLED REACTION TO THE
SOUND OF GUNFIRE COULD INJURE IT OR COULD CAUSE
AN ACCIDENT.

WARNING! NEVER CONTINUE TO USE YOUR DESERT
EAGLE IF IT IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. NEVER
FORCE A JAMMED ACTION, AS THE JAMMED CARTRIDGE
MAY EXPLODE IF THE PRIMER IS CRUSHED OR PRESSED
AGAINST ANY METAL PART OF THE PISTOL.

WARNING! IF YOUR DESERT EAGLE FAILS TO DISCHARGE
("MISFIRE"), REMOVE YOUR FINGER FROM THE TRIGGER.
KEEP THE PISTOL POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION FOR 30
SECONDS. REMOVE THE CARTRIDGE FROM THE CHAMBER
AND DISPOSE OF IT PROPERLY.

WARNING! IF THE SOUND FROM YOUR AMMUNITION
DOES NOT SOUND NORMAL, A LOW POWERED ("SQUIB")
LOAD MAY HAVE LEFT A BULLET IN THE BARREL. IF THIS
OCCURS, DO NOT FIRE ANOTHER CARTRIDGE! INSTEAD
UNLOAD THE PISTOL AND REMOVE THE BARREL AND
CHECK FOR A BARREL OBSTRUCTION. FIRING A CARTRIDGE
WITH A BORE OBSTRUCTION CAN RESULT IN DESTRUCTION
OF YOUR DESERT EAGLE AND POTENTIAL INJURY OR
DEATH TO YOU OR SOMEONE NEARBY.

12

WARNING: AMMUNITION

NEVER USE AMMUNITION NOT SPECIFICALLY DESIGNATED FOR
USE IN YOUR FIREARM. PROPER AMMUNITION FOR YOUR DESERT
EAGLE WILL BE DESIGNATED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BARREL.
FAILURE TO USE THE CORRECT TYPE OR CALIBER OF AMMUNI­TION MAY CAUSE THE FIREARM TO JAM, FAIL TO FIRE, CAUSE A
BORE OBSTRUCTION OR MAY GENERATE EXCESSIVE PRESSURE
WHICH CAN DESTROY THE PISTOL AND CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY
OR DEATH.

NEVER USE NON-STANDARD, RELOADED OR "HANDLOADED"
SHELLS. AMMUNITION THAT IS IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED
MAY FAIL TO FIRE, MAY RESULT IN A "SQUIB" LOAD RESULTING IN
A BORE OBSTRUCTION OR MAY GENERATE EXCESSIVE PRESSURES
WHICH CAN DESTROY THE PISTOL AND CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY
OR DEATH.

SEMI-JACKETED BULLETS PROVIDE BEST FUNCTION AND
RELIABILITY. DO NOT USE UNJACKETED LEAD BULLETS. FULL
METAL JACKET BULLETS MAY BE USED IF THEY HAVE A FULLY
ENCAPSULATED BASE (NO OPEN LEAD CORE BASE).THE DESERT
EAGLE PISTOLS ARE DESIGNED FOR: .357 MAGNUM AMMUNI­TION (158 GRAINS) /.41 MAGNUM AMMUNITION (210 GRAINS)
/.44 MAGNUM AMMUNITION (240 GRAINS) /.50 ACTION EXPRESS
AMMUNITION (300 GRAINS) /.440 COR
AND 305 GRAINS) IN ACCORDANCE WITH INDUSTRY STANDARDS
(SAAMI STD); USE OF NON-STANDARD OR RELOADED AMMUNI­TION NULLIFIES THE FACTORY WARRANTY. FOR MORE INFORMA­TION ABOUT OTHER COMMERCIAL LOADS WHICH WORK IN THE
DESERT EAGLE PISTOL, WRITE TO MAGNUM RESEARCH, 7110
UNIVERSITY AVENUE NE, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55432.

®

BON MAGNUM(240, 260

WARNING: RECOIL SPRING

ASSEMBLY INSTALLATION

TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO YOUR PISTOL BE SURE,BEFORE
FIRING, TO INSPECT THE RECOIL SPRING INSTALLATION FOR

PROPER ARRANGEMENT (SEE PAGES 28 & 29 FOR DETAILS).
FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN A BROKEN PISTOL.

Initial Cleaning

1. Upon receipt of the pistol, disassemble (see page 26)
and inspect it.

2. Clean pistol as per periodic maintenance procedure.

3. Any heavy or sticky deposits of protective material may
be removed, using very light rust-preventive oil. After
cleaning, wipe dry and coat lightly with gun oil.

4. Never use abrasive or metallic objects, synthetic cloth,
dry cleaning fluids,detergents, acids, lye, water or
steam for cleaning.

5. Reassemble pistol (see page 28) and make sure it is
functioning properly.

13

WARNING

ALL FIREARMS ARE DANGEROUS OBJECTS - PISTOLS INCLUDED.
ALWAYS CONSIDER THE PISTOL LOADED. TO RENDER IT SAFE,
FIRST PLACE THE SAFETY IN THE “ON” POSI TION, THEN REMOVE
THE MAGAZINE, AND EJECT ANY REMAINING ROUND BY
PULLING THE SLIDE TO THE REAR. IT IS DANGEROUS TO ALTER
OR MODIFY THIS FIREARM IN ANY WAY. ANY ALTERATIONS OR
MODIFICATIONS OF THE FIRING MECHANISM MAY RESULT IN
THIS FIREARM BECOMING UNSAFE AND NULLIFIES THE FACTORY
WARRANTY. USER IS ADVISED TO READ THE ENTIRE MANUAL
PRIOR TO HANDLING THE PISTOL FOR THE FIRST TIME.

WARNING: LEAD EXPOSURE

DISCHARGING FIREARMS IN POORLY VENTILATED AREAS,
CLEANING FIREARMS, OR HANDLING AMMUNITION MAY RESULT
IN EXPOSURE TO LEAD AND OTHER SUBSTANCES KNOWN TO
CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS, REPRODUCTIVE HARM, AND OTHER
SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY. HAVE ADEQUATE VENTILATION AT ALL
TIMES. WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER EXPOSURE.

AVOID EATING, HANDLING FOOD AND TOUCHING YOUR FACE
AND EYES WHILE HANDLING OR CLEANING FIREARMS.

GENERAL INFORMATION

THE .357, .41, .44, .50 AE AND THE .440 COR®BON DESERT
EAGLE ARE GAS-OPERATED, SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOLS.
THE DESERT EAGLE IS UNIQUE IN ITS CLASS AND REPRESENTS A
NEW FUNCTIONAL APPROACH IN HANDGUNS. IN ADDITION TO
ITS HIGH ACCURACY, IT OFFERS THE CONVENIENCE OF FIRING
STANDARD RIMMED .357, .41, .44, .440 COR
CARTRIDGES, WHICH ARE WIDELY AVAILABLE.

®

BON OR .50 AE

5 IN 1 DISASSEMBLY TOOL

1. Reamer Head - used to clean lead deposits from the

gas cylinder. Remove barrel from pistol (Pg 26-23), place
reamer head in cylinder and work back and forth to remove
lead deposit.

2. Firing Pin Tool - used to push in the firing pin, to

allow removal of firing pin stop, to allow removal of
firing pin.

3. 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.

4. Grip Pin Tool - used to push in grip pin, to allow

removal of handgrips.

5. 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.)

14

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

• A safety catch, operable from either side,
blocks the firing pin and at the same time
disconnects the trigger from the firing
mechanism. When the safety is on in the "ON"
position.

• The pistol chamber is chrome plated to
facilitate easier cartridge case extraction.

• The polygonal rifling reduces barrel wear
and enhances the seal between the
bullet and the bore, thus increasing
accuracy.

• Field stripping is simple since the pistol has
only six main parts, including the magazine.

• The rotating bolt interlocks with the barrel
during firing.

• The barrel assembly contains the gas
operating system.

• Anatomically formed grip, ideal hand seating
angle and comfortable grip dimensions
permit rapid, accurate, instinctive shooting.

• The combat-type trigger guard is designed for
two-handed shooting.

• Closed construction gives adequate protection
against dirt.

• Most parts are manufactured by precision casting
and machining to strict military standards and
with the ‘traditional Israel Weapons Industries’
dedication to quality and durability.

• The pistol comes equipped with standard
combat sights. In addition, the following sights
may be used:
— Fully adjustable rear sight with target-type

front sight. (Optional)

15