Top Desert Eagle Brands to Discover in 2023

The Desert Eagle is an iconic firearm, prized by collectors and enthusiasts alike for its distinctive design and powerful performance. Known for its robust build and versatility, it has gained a reputation as a premier choice for handgun aficionados. Several brands have contributed to the Desert Eagle's legacy, ensuring exceptional quality and innovation in every piece. To discover the top brands and what makes each one unique, we invite you to learn more below.

Illustration of desert eagle

Best brands of desert eagle in 2025

Magnum Research

Magnum Research, a leader in innovative firearms design and manufacturing, has established itself as one of the best producers of the Desert Eagle pistol. Since 2019, all Desert Eagle pistols are 100% made in the USA, with production on track to build over 10,000 models annually. The company began transitioning production from Israel to the United States in 2008, with the first prototypes produced in 2009 and full-scale production starting in 2010. Magnum Research, now part of the Kahr Firearms Group, maintains ownership of all intellectual property, patents, copyrights, and trademarks for the Desert Eagle. The pistols are known for their high-quality construction, utilizing the latest CNC machine technology and offering various distinctive finishes.

IMI

Israel Military Industries (IMI) played a crucial role in the development and production of the Desert Eagle pistol, refining the design and manufacturing the weapon from its inception until 1995, and again from 1998 to 2009. IMI's contribution was instrumental in bringing the Desert Eagle to market, with the first models being advertised as "invented, patented and marketed" by Magnum Research and "manufactured and developed" by IMI. The partnership ensured the pistol's reliability and performance, particularly in its early years. By 1995, IMI had helped establish the Desert Eagle as a significant player in the magnum pistol market. The transition back to IMI in 1998 further solidified the pistol's reputation before manufacturing shifted to the USA in 2009. You can learn more about the Desert Eagle on Wikipedia.

IWI

Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) played a significant role in the production of the Desert Eagle pistol, particularly from its inception and through various manufacturing contracts. Initially, IWI (then known as Israel Military Industries or IMI) was involved in the design refinement and production of the Desert Eagle until 1995. The manufacturing contract was then shifted to Saco Defense but returned to IWI in 1998, where it remained until 2009 when Magnum Research began transitioning production back to the United States. During this period, IWI's expertise and facilities were crucial in establishing the Desert Eagle as a reliable and powerful firearm. Since 2009, Magnum Research has taken over full production in the USA, but IWI's contribution to the pistol's development and early production is noteworthy. For more details on this fascinating history, visit the Magnum Research Company History page.

Kahr Firearms Group

Kahr Firearms Group, through its subsidiary Magnum Research, is renowned for producing the iconic Desert Eagle pistol, a firearm that has been featured in over 500 movies and is celebrated for its unique gas blowback design and ability to handle magnum rounds. Since 2019, all Desert Eagle pistols are 100% made in the USA, with production targeting over 10,000 units annually. This shift to full U.S. production began in 2008 and has consistently increased since 2010. The Desert Eagle's design allows for caliber changes using the same frame, making it a versatile and powerful handgun. Kahr's commitment to quality and keeping manufacturing jobs in the U.S. has enhanced the reputation of the Desert Eagle.

Adcor Defense

There is no information available about Adcor Defense being a producer of the Desert Eagle. The Desert Eagle is primarily associated with Magnum Research, Inc., which has been producing these pistols in the United States since 2009, with full domestic production achieved by 2019. Magnum Research, now part of the Kahr Firearms Group, has been increasing USA production and reducing imports, with over 10,000 USA-made Desert Eagles planned for production in 2019.

L.A.R. Manufacturing

The Desert Eagle is not produced by L.A.R. Manufacturing, but rather by Magnum Research Inc. (MRI), which has been the primary designer and developer of the Desert Eagle. Since December 2009, the Desert Eagle has been produced in the United States at MRI's Pillager, Minnesota, facility. Kahr Arms acquired Magnum Research in 2010, and by 2018, the production of the Desert Eagle was fully transitioned to the U.S., with no longer any Israeli contribution. In 2019, Magnum Research produced 8,749 semi-auto pistols in the U.S., including 8,148 handguns chambered in calibers larger than 9mm.

Bull Armory

Bull Transmark, often associated with the production of high-quality 1911 pistols, is not typically recognized as a producer of the Desert Eagle. However, Desert Eagle pistols are renowned for their powerful caliber options and unique gas-operated mechanism, with Magnum Research Inc. (MRI) being the primary designer and manufacturer. Since 2009, the Desert Eagle has been produced in the USA at MRI's Pillager, Minnesota, facility after Kahr Arms acquired Magnum Research in 2010. The Desert Eagle is famous for its ability to chamber large cartridges like the .50 Action Express and .44 Magnum, with a magazine capacity of seven rounds for the .50 AE and eight rounds for the .44 Magnum. The pistol's gas-operated system allows for the use of more powerful cartridges than traditional semi-automatic designs.

POF

Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) is not associated with the production of the Desert Eagle pistol. POF is a major defence contractor based in Pakistan, known for producing a wide range of infantry and special-purpose weapons, ammunition, and other military gear, but it does not manufacture the Desert Eagle. The Desert Eagle is produced by Magnum Research Inc. (MRI) in collaboration with Israel Military Industries (IMI) and is currently manufactured in the United States at MRI's Pillager, Minnesota, facility. POF's products include automatic rifles, pistols, machine guns, and various types of ammunition, but not the Desert Eagle. POF exports its products to over 40 countries worldwide. For more detailed information, you can visit the Wikipedia page on Pakistan Ordnance Factories.

Zastava Arms

Zastava Arms is not associated with the production of the Desert Eagle pistol. Instead, Zastava Arms is a leading producer of firearms in Serbia, known for its wide range of products including the Z-PAP M70 AK rifle, which saw a 20% increase in production in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has a long history, dating back to 1853, and has produced various firearms such as the M48 rifle and the M92 submachine gun. Zastava Arms has also faced challenges, including damage during World War II and NATO bombing in 1999, but continues to be a significant contributor to the defense industry. Its products are popular globally, with significant sales in Asia, Africa, and the United States.

Tanfoglio

Tanfoglio, although not the primary producer of the Desert Eagle, has contributed to the design and production of the Baby Eagle, a distinct but similarly named pistol. The Baby Eagle, a double-action/single-action (DA/SA) pistol, was designed with input from Tanfoglio, known for their high-quality CZ clones. However, Tanfoglio is not involved in the production of the Desert Eagle itself, which is a single-action, gas-operated semi-automatic pistol produced by Magnum Research Inc. (MRI) and currently manufactured in the United States by Kahr Arms. The Desert Eagle is renowned for its ability to chamber large calibers such as the .50 Action Express, .44 Magnum, and .357 Magnum. Despite the confusion, the Baby Eagle and Desert Eagle are mechanically unrelated.