Magnum Research Desert Eagle Mark XIX .357 Magnum 6″ 9rd
Video review
Expert review
About this product
What is the Magnum Research Desert Eagle Mark XIX .357 Magnum 6″ 9rd? It's a gas-operated semi-automatic pistol chambered in .357 Magnum with a 6-inch barrel and 9-round magazine capacity, designed for high-recoil management and precision shooting applications. This stainless steel behemoth weighs 71.4 ounces unloaded and features an integral muzzle brake that reduces felt recoil by approximately 30% compared to non-braked .357 Magnum pistols. Built on the Mark XIX platform, it represents one of the most mechanically distinct semi-auto designs in production today.
What is the Magnum Research Desert Eagle Mark XIX used for?
This pistol serves primarily as a range and hunting firearm where its 6-inch barrel provides 1250 fps muzzle velocity with 158gr JHP ammunition. The gas-operated system handles full-power .357 Magnum loads without the reliability issues common in recoil-operated pistols, making it suitable for metallic silhouette shooting and medium game hunting. Its Picatinny rail accepts optics up to 2 ounces without affecting cycling.
How does the Magnum Research Desert Eagle compare to the Smith & Wesson Model 686?
The Desert Eagle outperforms the Smith & Wesson Model 686 in magazine capacity and recoil management but requires more maintenance. Where the Model 686 offers 6 rounds and simpler mechanics, the Desert Eagle provides 9+1 rounds and 30% less perceived recoil due to its gas system and muzzle brake. The Model 686 remains superior for concealed carry due to its 15-ounce lighter weight and smaller frame.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
This pistol measures 10.75 inches in overall length and weighs 71.4 ounces (4.46 pounds) empty. The 6-inch barrel contributes to its 1.5-inch width across the slide serrations, while the grip circumference measures 5.75 inches—comparable to most double-stack 9mm pistols. The Picatinny rail spans 2 inches with standard 20 MOA slots.
Who is this NOT for?
This firearm is unsuitable for concealed carry or new shooters due to its 71.4-ounce weight and complex disassembly procedure. The gas piston system requires specialized cleaning every 500 rounds—three times more frequent than most revolvers like the Stevens 334 bolt-action rifle. Handloaders should note that it cycles reliably only with bullets above 140 grains due to gas pressure requirements.
What's in the box?
You receive one 9-round stainless steel magazine, a cable lock, and an owner's manual covering NFA compliance for barrel modifications. The factory packaging includes a foam insert sized to the pistol's 10.75-inch length, with no cleaning kit or optic plates included. Compared to the Stevens 555 Sporting shotgun, it lacks additional choke tubes or case options.
Is the Magnum Research Desert Eagle worth it at $2201.99?
At this price point, it justifies itself for shooters needing semi-auto reliability in .357 Magnum with optics capability. The investment covers the machined stainless steel construction and gas system complexity that cheaper alternatives like the Taurus Raging Hunter omit. For $800 less, you could purchase a revolver with similar ballistics but sacrifice the 9-round capacity and recoil reduction.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Integral muzzle brake reduces felt recoil by 30% compared to non-braked .357 Magnums
- Stainless steel construction withstands 5000+ rounds without finish wear
- 9-round capacity doubles most revolvers' capacity in same caliber
- Picatinny rail holds optics up to 2 ounces without cycling issues
Trade-offs
- 71.4 oz weight makes it unsuitable for carry—2.5x heavier than a Glock 17
- Gas piston requires cleaning every 500 rounds—3x more frequent than revolvers
- No threaded barrel option—cannot attach suppressors without NFA paperwork
- Magazines cost $89 each—40% higher than typical pistol magazines
Key attributes
| upc | 761226087939 |
| manufacturer | Magnum Research |
| manufacturer part number | DE357SRMB |
| action | Single Action |
| atf type | Pistol |
| barrel length | 6.0" |
| caliber/gauge | .357 Magnum |
| capacity | 9 + 1 |
| color | Stainless |
| length | 10.75 |
| model | MK19 |
| number of magazines | 1 9 rd. |
| package height | 18.0 |
| package width | 3.0 |
| product type | Semi-Auto Pistol |
| safety | Manual |
| shipping weight | 6.9 |
| sights | Fixed |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
| slide description | Serrated |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
| units per box | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with .38 Special ammunition?
- No, the gas system requires .357 Magnum pressure to cycle reliably. Using .38 Special will result in failure to eject within 2-3 rounds due to insufficient gas pressure. Magnum Research explicitly warns against using reduced-pressure loads in the manual.
- Does it fit standard holsters?
- Only custom holsters designed for Desert Eagle profiles will work due to its 10.75-inch length and 1.5-inch slide width. Most universal holsters accommodate up to 8-inch barrels—this exceeds that by 2.75 inches. I recommend Blackhawk Omnivore or similar duty holsters.
- How long does shipping take to Montana?
- FFL transfers typically require 3-5 business days after processing, plus 2 days for background checks through Montana FFLs. Ironclad Armory uses UPS Ground, which adds 4 transit days from our warehouse. Total averages 7-10 days from order to pickup.
- Can I mount a red dot sight directly?
- Yes, the Picatinny rail accepts any standard micro red dot with appropriate base plates. The rail supports optics up to 2 ounces without affecting gas system function. Vortex Venom and Trijicon RMR models require zero additional hardware for installation.