NRA Gun of the Week: Magnum Research Desert Eagle L5 Handgun

by
posted on September 24, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Magnum Research has made the Desert Eagle for the better part of 30 years, but it wasn’t until 2016 that the company released a lightweight version of its behemoth pistol. The Mark XIX L5 is built on an aluminum frame with a steel slide and 5” barrel. This combines to produce a weight just over 3 lbs., compared to its nearly 5 lb. big-bore predecessors. Chambered for .357 Mag., the L5 feeds from a nine-round-capacity detachable box magazine that. To learn a bit more and to see the Desert Eagle in action, check out this week’s NRA Gun of the Week video hosted by American Rifleman's Christopher Olsen.

For more information, visit magnumresearch.com.

Specifications:

Model: Desert Eagle Mark XIX L5
Manufacturer: Magnum Research
Action: single-action, gas-operated, semi-automatic pistol
Caliber: .357 Mag.
Frame: anodized aluminum
Slide: black carbon steel
Grips: Hogue rubber
Barrel: 5”, six-groove, 1:14” RH twist
Sights: black, notch rear; post front
Magazine: detachable box, nine-round capacity
Trigger: 6-lb., 7-oz. pull
Weight: 50 ozs.
MSRP: $1,790

Latest

Low
Low

U.S. Military Unveils "Drone Killer" Rifle Cartridges

The U.S. military's new Drone Killer Cartridge is designed as a cost-effective family of ammunition designed to increase a warfighter's probability of a hit against drone threats.

I Have This Old Gun: Röhm RG 14

RG Industries was established in Miami, Fla., to manufacture—using many German-made parts—the smallest Röhm-pattern handguns for domestic sale, including the RG 14 revolver chambered in .22 LR.

Review: Primary Weapons System UXR

What if you wanted to have more than one caliber in a single rifle? The Primary Weapons System UXR rifle is the answer, and it takes caliber-interchangeability to the next level.

Holosun Rolls Out New 407, 507 Handgun Optics

New for 2026, Holosun is releasing new versions of two of its most popular handgun optics with the 407 Comp, 407C-X3, 507C-X3 and 507-Promax.

The Armed Citizen® March 2, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Nation's Oldest Gun Club Turns 150

The oldest continuously operating rifle club in the United States, the Newport Rifle Club (NRC) near Middletown, R.I., is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2026.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.