.40 s&w Baby Desert Eagle II
I am extremely interested in this handgun, however it has not been so easy to find. I am actually ready to buy immediately. I've heard good reviews it but was wondering if anyone could give me any more information about it. The mfg# is BE9413RL. Thanks!
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My understanding is that the version II is the same gun as the original "Baby Eagle", just with better ramped combat sights and a picatinny rail up front for a light or laser.
The original "Baby Eagle", is more properly known as the Jericho pistol (or Jericho 941).
This gun is a derivative of the famous Czech CZ-75 using a similar design, with polygonal rifling (rather than standard cut rifling), a slide mounted decocking safety (instead of the frame mounted safety of the original), and some unique design cues (like the triangular hammer spur).
These guns were originally designed in conjunction with the Italian Tanfoglio company, which still manufactures the somewhat similar "Witness" pistols. The "941" came from the swappable uppers that let you run 9mm luger or 41 action express, which is a round ballistically similar to the later 40SW, based on a cartridge with a rebated 9mm-luger like rim. This was a pretty cool idea that never really caught on, probably because it was a bit ahead of its time.
The Jericho guns are assembled in Israel, and at least some of the parts are Israeli made. (I think at one point Tanfoglio was making the frames, with them being finished in Israel. . .this might still be true).
For what its worth, the Jericho pistol is standard issue for some Israeli domestic police.
The names "Baby Desert Eagle" "Baby Eagle" and "Uzi Eagle" are all marketing ploys to play off the brand identities of Israel's other two famous guns (the Desert Eagle magnum pistol, and the Uzi submachine gun). Of course in terms of design, construction, and lineage, the Jericho pistol has nothing in common with these other two.
As to the gun itself, if you've shot either a CZ-75 or a small frame Tanfoglio witness you'll know what to expect here.
From experience, I'd say these pistols are quite comfortable in the hand, and point naturally, more so than many of the other double-stack service 9mm/.40SW guns. A polymer version is available, but I haven't tried it to comment.
The all-steel standard guns are actually quite heavy. That's a plus in soaking up recoil, and it enhances practical accuracy, but it makes these guns a PITA to carry concealed.
Where can you find one? Well, at this moment there are a gazillion of these on the auction site right here at Gunbroker.com.
Just run a search for "Jericho" (or "Baby Eagle" or "KBI Eagle", etc).0
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