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California handguns Discuss your favorite California handgun technical and related questions here. |
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#1
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The Answer to the Question That Nobody Asked (Desert Eagle .357) ... but it's fun!
Picked up this 1983-1984 vintage Mk I .357 (date according to Magnum Research's best guess, I understand that records from that period at IMI were destroyed) last weekend from the local Cabela's Gun Library. They had all firearms marked down, making it a bargain I couldn't pass up. It ain't practical, but it's fun! The holster is an equally vintage Blackhawk that I have had absolutely no use for... until now.
Tested it in the trap at work over the week, just to be sure it operated correctly. Shooting into the trap is like kissing your cousin, though... not terribly exciting. Got it out today and tested several .357 loads and one .38 +P+, just to see what it would do: All of the .357 158 gr. loads functioned flawlessly, but the pistol seemed to function best on the American Eagle load. As expected, the Federal Premium .38 +P+ partially extracted, but did not fully cycle, therefore I did not bother to try the Winchester +P+ (a relic of my earlier days in law enforcement when we all used revolvers!). Here is the first group tried, using the PMC. I was still getting used to the trigger and huge grip frame; subsequent groups were more on center for windage. This group was fired at 25 yards, offhand; POA was the bottom center of the orange. I found later that the elevation was right on for this load at approximately 75 yards. This was the American Eagle, fired as rapidly as I could recover sight picture (which wasn't that quickly as my wrists were tired from holding this porky autoloader up by that time!), at the same 25 yard distance. The low flyer is my fault, I jerked that shot. I think that while not my first choice for carry guns, this Desert Eagle would do nicely for defensive purposes if needed.
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I'm retired. That's right, retired. I don't want to hear about the cop who stopped you today or how you didn't think you should get a ticket. That just makes me grumpy! |
#3
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Does your DE .357 have a rifled barrel?
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#4
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It has polygonal rifling. If what I read is correct, only the first thousand or so pistols had land and groove rifling. Mine is serial 55XX.
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I'm retired. That's right, retired. I don't want to hear about the cop who stopped you today or how you didn't think you should get a ticket. That just makes me grumpy! |
#5
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I remember when those started getting popular: "The world's first crew-served handgun." I'm guessing with all that weight and gas operation, the .357s were fairly mild, recoil wise?
75 yards is actually a good zero for a .357, it gives you a minute-of-deer (or perp, whatever) point-blank range out to about 125 yards or so, depending on the load of course. Ah, yes, the .38 +P+ days. I had a t-shirt that had a pic of a SWC .38 round with an atomic symbol on it. "+P+Uranium. Support the use of low-yield nuclear devices by local law enforcement." Nice conversation starter, fun with the lefties. - So, shooting people isn't enough, you want to poison them with uranium too? - Naw, I was thinking of an actual device. You know, just a leetle mushroom cloud, like 6' high. Probably have to fence off about a 20' circle for a few hundred years.
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I meant, it is my opinion that... I do believe that where there is a choice only between cowardice and violence I would advise violence. - M. Gandhi You're my kind of stupid. - M. Reynolds |
#6
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I had one just like it back in the early 90s. I was young, stupid and had a few alcohol induced comas. 158 grain JSP shot reliably and my accuracy load was 140 grain JHP which also shot reliably. Tried to shoot just about all types of 357 mag loads trough it including hardcast. That's when problems started with the DEagle. I was stationed in Maine and I was sold on revolvers for reliability, accuracy, ruggedness and simplicity. 6 rounds in the chamber always went bang even at the coldest temperature I dared to venture out into the dense woods.
I wish I never sold that DEagle, but I have one again in 44 magnum.
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The wise man said just find your place In the eye of the storm Seek the roses along the way Just beware of the thorns... K. Meine |
#7
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I just checked mine is just under 5000. It has riflings Have never been able to find any information on the rifled Mark 1 series the .357 is more fun to shoot then the .44 version Hope you enjoy
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#8
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Very cool, thanks for sharing!
Back in the day, I really wanted one, especially the set with the 14 inch barrel. I rented one a Target Master's West and it was heavy and I could barely rack the slide so I didn't buy one. Nowadays I see the .44's all the time but I still want the .357.
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“Anytime you're afraid to try something new...just remember, amateurs built the ark, professionals built the Titanic.” ― David Drake |
#9
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The older Mark 1 is .357 only and can not be converted The .357 is a hoot to shoot
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#10
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BTW, by my understanding, the frame of the Mk I is identical to the Mk VII, for which caliber conversion kits were available. If one were to find an orphaned Mk VII slide, bolt and barrel, they should work. Of course, for the price of those parts, you could probably just buy a Mk VII, or maybe even a current production pistol! My fondest hope is to find those parts in some garage sale (you can buy guns at a garage sale in my neck of the woods, and it's not unusual to see guns or parts) or maybe in the tiny gun shows in the local area. Gives me a reason to go garage saleing...
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I'm retired. That's right, retired. I don't want to hear about the cop who stopped you today or how you didn't think you should get a ticket. That just makes me grumpy! Last edited by Grumpyoldretiredcop; 09-25-2016 at 6:23 PM.. |
#12
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I haven't weighed it. A Mk VII, pretty much identical, supposedly weighs about 3.9 lbs empty. It's doggone heavy, that much I know!
On the other hand, there's not nearly as much recoil as you'd expect, even though you're firing full-house 158 gr. loads. I had no problem firing one handed.
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I'm retired. That's right, retired. I don't want to hear about the cop who stopped you today or how you didn't think you should get a ticket. That just makes me grumpy! |
#13
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Any leads on the barrel and bolt for a MkVII? I reached out to Magnum Research about getting the .357 conversion parts for my .44, never heard back. Been looking around for used parts too, without success... |
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