Since its introduction in 1983, the Desert Eagle has not only secured a niche as a semi-auto handgun chambered for cartridges normally reserved for magnum revolvers, but its imposing image became a cultural icon, in everything from movies to video games. With the growing popularity of suppressors, Magnum Research is bringing the icon up to date with a suppressor-ready, threaded-barrel version of the Desert Eagle Mark XIX in .50 AE.
The new suppressor-ready Desert Eagle takes the standard Mark XIX pistol and makes two important changes. First, the barrel’s muzzle is threaded 49/64x20 TPI, a specialized thread commonly used for .50 Beowulf firearms. The pistol comes equipped with a knurled thread protector. Second, the Desert Eagle’s unique gas-operated action is modified for suppressor use with the addition of an L5 gas piston.
Where does one find a .50-caliber pistol suppressor you ask? In its promotional images, Magnum Research shows the pistol with a Bowers Vers 50 suppressor installed. This suppressor is designed for cartridges with a .510-inch or smaller projectile traveling at 2,200 fps or less, such as .50 Beowulf and .458 SOCOM. It has an overall length of 11.25 inches and weighs 20 ounces (MSRP $895). As there are already many .357 Mag. and .44 Mag. capable suppressors on the market, it is likely that Magnum Research will offer suppressor-ready versions of the Desert Eagle chambered in those cartridges in the future.
For those who already have a Mark XIX Desert Eagle in .50 AE, the company is offering the extended and threaded barrel as an accessory that can easily be swapped out with the pistol’s modular barrel design. The threaded barrel comes with the suppressor-optimized piston and has an MSRP of $618.
The suppressor-ready Magnum Research Desert Eagle Mark XIX .50 AE threaded barrel has an MSRP of $2,041. For more information, see the company’s website.
