Magnum Research
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Firearms manufacturing |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder | Jim Skildum, John Risdall |
| Defunct | 2010 |
| Fate | Purchased by Kahr Arms |
| Headquarters | Fridley, Minnesota , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Jim Skildum (President and CEO), John Risdall (Chairman and COO) |
| Products | Firearms including Desert Eagle pistol, Jericho 941 pistol, BFR revolvers, rifles, gunsmithing services |
| Parent | Kahr Arms (from 2010) |
Magnum Research, Inc. (MRI) was a privately owned American firearms manufacturer headquartered in Fridley, Minnesota. The company was established in 1979 by Jim Skildum, who served as President and CEO, alongside John Risdall, the Chairman and COO.
Due to financial difficulties, MRI was purchased in June 2010 by Kahr Arms, a U.S. manufacturer specializing in compact handguns.
Desert Eagle Pistol
The renowned Desert Eagle handgun was conceived and engineered by MRI. Initial production took place through a partnership with Israel Military Industries (IMI) until 1995, after which manufacturing moved to Saco Defense located in Maine. In 1998, production reverted to IMI, which later became known as Israel Weapon Industries. Beginning in 2009, all Desert Eagle pistols have been produced exclusively at MRI’s facility in Pillager, Minnesota. Throughout these transitions, MRI maintained ownership of all intellectual property rights—including patents, trademarks, and copyrights—except for the manufacturing patent held by IMI.
Jericho 941 Pistol / Baby Eagle
Magnum Research served as the importer of the IMI/IWI Jericho 941 pistols under the Baby Eagle brand until 2008 and resumed this role in 2011 with the Baby Eagle II. The Baby Eagle designation now applies to a new lineup of striker-fired pistols featuring polymer frames. Additionally, MRI imported the Barak SP-21 pistol model, which has since been discontinued.
Single-Action Magnum Revolvers
Among MRI’s prominent offerings are the BFR single-action magnum revolvers, along with the Mountain Eagle and Magnum Lite series of rifles, as well as the Micro Desert Eagle pistol.
Custom Service
The company also provided bespoke gunsmithing services and specialized in firearms finished with distinctive titanium nitride coatings.
Current models
- Magnum Research DE1911G, DE1911C, DE1911U
- Desert Eagle (Mark VII and Mark XIX variants)
- Magnum Lite rimfire rifle
- Magnum Research BFR (Big Frame Revolver)
- Micro Desert Eagle (.380 ACP)
- MR Eagle Series Pistols
- Mountain Eagle center-fire rifle
- New Baby Eagle "Fast Action"
- Desert Eagle 1911 (.45 ACP)
- Baby Eagle II and Baby Eagle III
Discontinued models
- Original Baby Eagle (chambered in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP)
- Lone Eagle (a single-shot, center-fire pistol designed for rifle cartridges)
- Magnum Research SP-21
- Mountain Eagle (.22 LR caliber pistol)
- MR9/MR40 Eagle (based on the Walther P99, incorporating Walther-manufactured frames)
External links
- Companies based in Pike County, Pennsylvania
- American companies established in 1979
- Firearm manufacturers of the United States
- Firearms manufacturers in Pennsylvania
- Manufacturing companies based in Pennsylvania
- Manufacturing companies established in 1979
- Companies disestablished in 2010
- 1979 establishments in Pennsylvania
- 2010 disestablishments in Pennsylvania
- Manufacturing companies based in Minnesota