Israel's military used a Desert Eagle .44mag?

[ny32182]

I've just had someone tell me that they have a Desert Eagle .44mag that was "acquired from Israel's military". I didn't know that these things were ever used in any military/law enforcement capacity anywhere, much less in Israel. Is this true/possible, or is this person full of it?

 

[Moonclip]

Some guy also told me the Israelis used the 50AE DE to penetrate glass in automobiles and such. If anyone can verify the Israeli military or police use DE in any caliber I'd be interested to hear about it.

I would assume any use would be limited to Mossad and other special forces type people. I did know a guy though that used a 44mag DE as an open carry weapon!

 

[boing]

Well, it's manufactured by IMI: Isreali Military Industries. I suppose that could lead to some confusion.

I don't know if IDF actually uses them, though.

 

[mr.trooper]

Jerico pistols were standard Issue for the IDF last time I looked.

In the USA the IMI Jerico is known as the "Baby" Eagle, and is a reliable and well-made CZ 75 Clone. Maybee the similar name has led to some of the confusion?

 

[ny32182]

So Israel has never used the full size/magnum cal/gas system/rotating bolt version of the DE in military or LE capacity?

 

[armoredman]

The Israeli people are fond of the CZ style weapons, of which the Tanfolgio clones are the most popular, such as the Witness, Jericho 941, and Baby Eagle, (all made or mostly made by Tanfoglio of Italy.) Mossad uses Berreta Jetfires in 22 Short. Don't mess with them.
I have never heard of any israeli soldier using, carrying, or displaying a Desert Eagle, a wholly impractical pistol for such work.

 

[otomik]

I have never heard of any israeli soldier using, carrying, or displaying a Desert Eagle, a wholly impractical pistol for such work.

i agree. it's size and weight generally mean someone should be using a longarm wherever they might think of using a desert eagle.

The idea of a defense-oriented gas operated pistol is being visited in H&K's P7

 

[jonnyc]

The Israeli military never used or issued Desert Eagles. The .50AE, .41AE, and 9mmAE were all developed by Evan Whilden for civilian purposes, at Action Arms of Phila., PA.
BTW, the "Mossad" and ElAl security didn't use Jetfires. They used the larger Beretta .22, Model 70, or something like that.

 

[Moonclip]

I'm sure Mossad uses whatever handguns it wants depending on the situation. I've heard of both the model 70 and the Jetfire being used for assasinations. I think the movie Sword of Gideon shows the mod 70 and a Beretta book I looked at mentioned the Jetfire.

 

[otomik]

I'm sure Mossad uses whatever handguns it wants depending on the situation. I've heard of both the model 70 and the Jetfire being used for assasinations. I think the movie Sword of Gideon shows the mod 70 and a Beretta book I looked at mentioned the Jetfire.

I'm a beretta fan with a few books, what book are you referring to?

 

[Moonclip]

I think it is a Beretta book called World of Beretta by Wilson? I think it is the same guy that wrote Ruger and his Guns. I only scanned it at a bookstore.