Watch the video of the Desert Eagle 1911U and Desert Eagle Mark XIX gun test below!

The Desert Eagle lineup has something for everyone. I’ve long been a fan of the 1911 pistol, but carrying a steel-framed, Government-sized gun on a daily basis can be a bit of a chore. Any time you can reduce the size of a weapons platform without sacrificing power, accuracy or controllability significantly, you have my attention.

Magnum Research got my attention at a recent trade show where I saw a new offering in the Desert Eagle lineup. Dubbed the Desert Eagle 1911U (U for undercover), the new .45 ACP pistol has a 3-inch barrel, a lightweight aluminum frame and a host of refinements to make it an attractive choice for everyday carry. A few years back, Kahr Arms purchased Magnum Research Inc. (MRI), which is an importer of 1911-style pistols from Bul in Israel. The 1911U is the latest in these 1911-style imports.

MRI offers shooters and concealed carriers a very nice pistol at a reasonable price. The 1911U is priced at a suggested retail price of just $946, and if you consider all of the value-added features like its checkered frame, extended safety and beavertail, it is a good buy. My test sample exhibited a superior degree of fit and finish. It is accurate and reliable and ready for carry straight out of the box.

Not long after receiving my 1911U test gun, a new Desert Eagle Mark XIX showed up. Part of an exclusive production for firearms distributor Bill Hicks & Co., the .50 AE Desert Eagle wears a Burnt Bronze Cerakote finish. The Cerakote coating is a multi-step process that results in a high-temperature ceramic coating that holds up well under normal use. The Burnt Bronze model has attractive black appointments that give the pistol even more appeal.