Caliber interchangeability

[Simon1]

Help !!
I have found a good deal on a nice Desert Eagle .357. I have heard that only earlier guns could be changed to accept all 3 calibers. Can some one fill me in on this ? Can a .357 be converted to .41 and .44 calibers ?? Thanks for any information !!

Simon1

[SAWMAN]

The earlier .357 could be changed to a .44 or a .50. Probably a .41 also if you can find the bbl.

To change from .357 to .44 or .50 will cost 'bout the same price as a new(used) weapon. $800 or so for bbl and bolt assy's.

If it wuz me,I'd look around for a used(in good condition).44mag. I have seen them for <$800.

[SAWMAN]

....take a close look at the DE before you buy it. Pull the bbl off and bolt out and look for "abuse". Anything that is not normal wear. Also aftermarket sights and grips. As well as other goodies that could be offered(or asked for) to sweeten the deal.

DE's will take allot of abuse and still function perfect. Just look for the normal stuff. If it is a older(MK1?).357 in good cond. it should be going for no more than $600(or so). The .357's were the least popular of the DE's. Especially after some of the racecar calibers that came out in a weapon that weighted half as much.

[Sig_NZ]

From my limited knowledge the one to get is the MkVII (mk7) as this was the one with interchangeable barrels that will accept the more modern Mk XIX manufacture barrels. The Mk1 Desert eagles only came out in .357 Magnum and will not accept later manufacture barrels of the XIX such as 44 magnum and 50AE etc.

They made 14" barrels for the Mk7 and mk1 if I am correct, but not the later Mk XIX which only has 10" and 6" barrels.

[Chuck TX]

Originally posted by Simon1
I have heard that only earlier guns could be changed to accept all 3 calibers.

It's the other way around. The later Mark XIX can take all three calibers rather easily. If you have a .50AE all you need to go to .44Mag is a barrel and magazine (~$225). To go between .50AE/.44Mag to .357Mag you have to have a barrel, magazine, AND bolt (~$525).

The early Mark VII can supposedly be converted, but it is a hell of a lot more costly (barrel, magazine, total slide assembly, gas piston, recoil spring assembly, and grips change). So, if you want to swap calibers, just get a Mark XIX.

[spober]

the reason to have a DE is to have one in 50ae!44 mag at the very lowest.:banana: