[Dutch]

I've been wanting an IMI DE since the 80's. Lately I've been looking again. I found a MK i in .44 magnum today that I'm debating on. At least I think it's a MK i based on the slide release, but it has the hook shaped safety selector of a MK vii. I don't think the trigger is adjustable. Either way it predates the Kahr purchase of Magnum Research and is an actual made in Israel IMI.

It would be about $1070 out the door with 3 factory mags.

The same seller has one in .357 for the same price. About the same, just has the tear drop safety lever but a later serial number (prefix vs the .44 with no prefix). I will be buying one of them I am sure, it's a total flip of the coin on which cartridge to get.


Any opinions?

 

[Mindy up North]

Yes, both

...okay, if I had to choose just one it would have to be the 44 - - more versatile for my purposes Enjoy!!

 

[Junction15]

Yeah, that thing is big enough and heavy enough that it should "soak up" that 44 Magnum recoil.

Correct me if I'm wrong on this - please do- I thought you can swap out the "uppers" for different calibers and different barrel lengths?

 

[Dutch]

Yeah, that thing is big enough and heavy enough that it should "soak up" that 44 Magnum recoil.

Correct me if I'm wrong on this - please do- I thought you can swap out the "uppers" for different calibers and different barrel lengths?

My understanding is the easy caliber conversions is limited to the mk XIX. Those have a larger frame than the earlier iterations to accommodate the .50 AE. Some of those ship as a package deal, the .50 and a .44 upper. I read you can put on a .357 upper too but it requires a new bolt.

My only experience with these is the mk i .357 my dad has. So everything else is just what I’ve read.

I did find a forum post talking about conversion kits for the old ones from Magnum Research. Apparently they were selling them for a while. They seem to be rare, expensive, and require fitting. The consensus was it’s far easier to simply buy another mk i or vii in the caliber you want.

 

[Dutch]

Yes, both

...okay, if I had to choose just one it would have to be the 44 - - more versatile for my purposes Enjoy!!

If I had the money, I would have gotten the complete set!
I had the shop (these are consignment) put my name on the .44. I’ll try to pick it up tomorrow after lunch.

 

[Dutch]

As an aside the sights on these are ... Utilitarian. I think it’s a pretty standard dovetail size. Fire sights would be an improvement. Plus the ability to adjust elevation would be an improvement.

 

[Dutch]

$1074 and change after tax for the .44. 3 factory mags and 3 aftermarket mags. I'll try to sell the aftermarket mags later.

Here's the big question. I read that the mk vii .44 was easily swapped to a .41 Rem Mag with a barrel change and proper mags. Is the .41 barrel worth tracking down? I would have to tool up to reload for it, I don't own anything for it now.

 

[animalspooker]

If you're gonna get a big ol whopper Desert Eagle, then you have to get it in the largest caliber available. Didn't he have any 50AE's?

 

[Dutch]

If you're gonna get a big ol whopper Desert Eagle, then you have to get it in the largest caliber available. Didn't he have any 50AE's?

Can you believe there wasn't one? Just the modest .357 and .44 magnum mk vii's.

 

[Dutch]

Bad news.
The .44 pistol keyholes bullets at 10 yards pretty consistently. I was able to return it, but what a mess. The barrel looked new, but it certainly wasn't grouping.
I called Magnum Research in MN and spoke to a tech. Very nice customer service. He gave me a lot of information but couldn't help me much with the old pistol.
A smith looked at it and seems pretty certain the barrel crown wasn't done correctly. There is a small ridge on it where you can see it's been shaving bullets and causing them to tumble.
Kahr may be able to recrown it, but not wanting to take on another project I was glad to hand it back.

Last night I found a high grade Mark 1 in .357 that I picked up instead.

 

[BigEd63]

What type of bullets are you shooting?

 

[Dutch]

Jacketed Hollow points. I tried a few different brands on top of my home loads. 210 and 240 grain bullets. It keyholed them all.

 

[BigEd63]

Jacketed Hollow points. I tried a few different brands on top of my home loads. 210 and 240 grain bullets. It keyholed them all.

View attachment 137448

Well crap!

The only bullets to that it will normally not like are plates ones.

I used to have a 2 tone Mk VII and it ran like a champ with 240 grain JHP's and grouped well off hand at 50yds. As in fist sized groups

Sorry to hear one doing this.

 

[Dutch]

Update on this.
my mkI .357 is a champ. Solid performer, and for some reason draws a crowd.
Sometime between then and now I also bought a new mkXIX in .50 ae. It’s awesome. What a ridiculous thing to own. I love it.

I never heard what happened to that .44 that key holes.

 

[BigEd63]

I used to own a two tone MK VII in .44mag.
It was a stainless or maybe matte chrome frame and matte finished black slide. I bought the belt cross & draw holster from Magnum Research and refitted two leather Bianchl Glock 20/21 magazine carriers to fit the 4 spare magazines I also ordered from M.R.,.
I can understand how it can draw a crowd at the range. That slide makes a very unique sound when cycling right after a supersonic crack & a boom!😁😈😁

 

[60942]

Either they have declined in popularity or I'm just not seeing much about them anymore, I remember when they were riding a high wave some years back.

 

[Dutch]

Either they have declined in popularity or I'm just not seeing much about them anymore, I remember when they were riding a high wave some years back.

I think they are making a third deadpool. There will be a small surge in interest about the same time.

 

[60942]

I think they are making a third deadpool. There will be a small surge in interest about the same time.

I have always like those pistols, never could swing the deal on one!