Magnum Research MR Eagle Striker-Fired “Fast Action” 40 S&W Auto Pistol

 

by Jeff Quinn

photography by Jeff Quinn & Boge Quinn

August 29th, 2011

 

YouTube Video

 

 

 

 

Click pictures for a larger version.

 

Magnum Research MR Eagle 40 S&W pistol.

 

 

Pistol comes with hard case, cable lock, instructions, extra backstraps, two magazines, and extra front sights.

 

 

Slide lock.

 

 

Striker decocker.

 

 

Ambidextrous magazine release.

 

 

Rear end of striker serves as a cocking indicator.

 

 

 

 

Blued steel magazines hold 11 shots each.

 

 

UpLula makes loading the magazines much easier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early in 2003 I reviewed here a unique pistol that was a collaboration of Carl Walther in Germany and Smith & Wesson in the USA. Called the SW99, it was a very good semi-auto pistol, with very user-friendly features. Also marketed as the Walther P99 in the US, it was basically the same as the S&W version. Now, Magnum Research is making a variation of that design, with the frame made by Walther, and the top end made by Magnum Research.

Magnum Research has retained the best features of the earlier guns, with changes to improve the pistol. The Magnum Research “Fast Action” moniker refers to the pistol’s very smooth and relatively light trigger pull when the striker is cocked. When the striker is pre-cocked the pull is easy, resulting in a pull that measures a butter-smooth four and one-half pounds on my sample gun. It doesn’t really feel like a typical single-action trigger pull, but it is much better than the trigger pull on most striker-fired auto pistols. Atop the slide is a decocker, to undo the pre-cocked condition. After activating the decocker, the trigger pull is heavier, measuring seven and three-quarters pounds, but still very smooth. This action gives the pistol a very smooth, light, easy-to-operate trigger pull, along with double-strike capability. The slide does not have to pre-cock the action to fire the weapon. Also, there is no magazine safety on the Magnum Research pistol; at least not on the one that I have. I do not know if a version with a mag safety will be offered or not. The accessory rail on the Magnum Research pistol is better than the one on the earlier guns, and is Picatinny compatible to accommodate a wide range of accessories. This new pistol is Magnum Research’s first striker-fired pistol, and is called the MR Eagle.

The MR Eagle retains the excellent ambidextrous magazine release levers, which are easy to reach, and can be activated with either the thumb or the trigger finger, of either hand. I prefer to use my trigger finger. Pushing down on the lever drops the steel mag for a quick reload. The trigger guard is plenty large enough for even a gloved finger, and is squared in front and textured, for those who place a finger on the guard in a two-hand hold. At the rear of the extractor is a loaded-chamber indicator. The rear of the striker serves as a cocking indicator. The rear sight on the MR Eagle is windage adjustable, and the front sight is interchangeable for elevation correction. There is a bag with extra front sights supplied with the pistol, along with two extra backstraps to fit the grip to the shooter’s hand. The slide of the MR Eagle has Magnum Research’s unique triangular profile.

Critical dimensions are listed in the chart below. Weights are listed in ounces. Linear dimensions are listed in inches. Trigger pulls are listed in pounds of resistance. Height includes sights and magazine base.

Chambering 40 S&W
Weight with empty magazine 24.8 ounces
Trigger Pull “Fast Action” 4.5 pounds
Trigger Pull Double Action 7.75 pounds
Barrel Length 4.16 inches
Barrel Diameter 0.585 inch
Overall Height 5.41 inches
Overall Length 7.28 inches
Grip Thickness 1.23 inches
Slide Thickness 1.1 inches
Maximum Width 1.23 inches
Trigger Reach 2.95 inches
Magazine Capacity 11
Magazines Supplied 2
Accessory Rail Yes

Velocity testing was done at an elevation of 541 feet above sea level, with the chronograph set at ten feet from the muzzle. There was a slight breeze with plenty of sunshine. Range temperatures hovered around the eighty-six degree Fahrenheit range, with thirty-eight percent humidity. Velocities are listed in feet-per-second. Bullet weights are listed in grains. JHP is a jacketed hollowpoint bullet. DPX is a homogenous copper hollow cavity bullet. PB is Cor-Bon Pow’RBall, a specialty hollowpoint bullet with a nylon ball inserted into the hollow nose. EPR is a specialty round from Extreme Shock with a polymer ball in the nose of a hollowpoint bullet. FMJ is a full metal jacket bullet. Velocities were recorded at a distance of ten feet from the muzzle.

Ammunition Bullet Weight Velocity
Cor-Bon DPX 140 1172
Cor-Bon JHP 135 1254
Cor-Bon PB 135 1332
Buffalo Bore JHP 155 1236
Buffalo Bore JHP 180 1055
Buffalo Bore FMJ 180 1102
Extreme Shock EPR 150 1111
Black Hills JHP 180 998
Stryker JHP 180 933

Shooting the MR Eagle brought no surprises. I expected reliability to be perfect, and I was not disappointed. The MR Eagle fed, fired, and ejected every cartridge, of every brand tested. Accuracy was also superb. I have no insert for my Ransom Rest to fit the MR Eagle, but used a handheld position on a Target Shooting, Inc. handgun rest, along with a Merit disk on my shooting glasses to help me to better see the sights and target. The pistol fired slightly to the right for me, but that is easily corrected with just a simple screwdriver adjustment. Adjusting for elevation requires changing the front sight, but that too is a simple job, and extra sights of various heights are provided, along with the hex wrench to do so.

The Magnum Research MR Eagle proved to be a very good, relatively compact, one hundred percent reliable semi-auto pistol. It is a very good choice for a defensive weapon for holstered concealed carry, for home defense, or as a duty gun, packing twelve shots of forty-caliber firepower.

Check out the entire line of Magnum Research pistols, revolvers, and rifles online at www.magnumresearch.com.

For the location of a Magnum Research dealer near you, click on the DEALER LOCATOR at www.lipseys.com.

To order the MR Eagle online, go to www.galleryofguns.com.

To order quality 40 caliber ammo, go to www.buffalobore.com, www.theamericanmarksman.com, and www.luckygunner.com.

Jeff Quinn

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Click pictures for a larger version.

 

 

 

 

 

Extra front sights allow for elevation correction.

 

 

 

 

Extra backstraps allow the grip to be tailored to fit the shooter's hand.

 

 

 

 

25-yard accuracy using a handheld benchrested position.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disassembly latch.