{"id":18480,"date":"2014-04-06T20:10:10","date_gmt":"2014-04-07T00:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=18480"},"modified":"2026-01-23T11:39:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T17:39:07","slug":"magnum-research-desert-eagle-1911-undercover-a-tiny-but-mighty-pistol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/magnum-research-desert-eagle-1911-undercover-a-tiny-but-mighty-pistol\/","title":{"rendered":"Magnum Research Desert Eagle 1911 Undercover\u2014A Tiny But Mighty Pistol"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The<\/a>

The 1911 U is a stunning blend of aluminum, steel, wood and nickel.<\/p><\/div>\n

By Justin Opinion
\nMagnum Research<\/a><\/p>\n

Say \u201cMagnum Research\u201d to a gun enthusiast, and you\u2019ve just conjured up the image of the .50 caliber handgun that has become almost folklore. But the truth is that Magnum Research has been diversifying its offerings for some time, and now that continues with the ownership and backing of Kahr Arms. In 2014, the product line expands with a new 1911 offering called the 1911U, or Undercover<\/i>. This small 3\u201d 1911 is clearly intended for the personal protection and concealed carry markets.<\/p>\n

There are those that hate 1911\u2019s and there are those that think anything designed from 1912 onward is not a real gun\u2026 I fall somewhere in between. As a firearms enthusiast, I think that every town square in America should have a bronze statue of John Moses Browning. I adore the 1911 for its beauty, its design and its longevity, and I love to shoot them. But I\u2019ve never been able to take the \u201ccocked and locked\u201d plunge and consider one for a carry gun. But I said all that, to say this\u2014for the purposes of this review, this gun is a carry gun. Unless you are an avid collector of 1911\u2019s, of which there are many thousands, of course, there is no practical value to a 3\u201d 1911 in .45 ACP except to carry it for personal protection. From the moment I first picked up the DE1911U, I have thought of it first and foremost as a concealed carry pistol<\/a>, and that is how I evaluated it.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The sights are good quality, and the rear is fully adjustable. But the author would prefer 3-dot night sights for a carry gun.<\/p><\/div>\n

The quality of the DE1911U is apparent at first glance and touch. The aircraft grade aluminum frame marries to the 4140 carbon steel slide beautifully, with a snug fit. The quality of the finish, lettering and mill work is very good. Adding some contrast and jewelry to the pistol, the trigger is a skeletonized aluminum, and the grip safety is a beautiful satin nickel. Add a skeletonized hammer and small touches like stainless steel grip screws, and the Desert Eagle 1911<\/a> Undercover is an attention getter.The sights on the Undercover remind me of target sights. That\u2019s probably because they pretty much are target sights. The rear sight is large and adjustable for windage and elevation. It has horizontal serrations and a matte finish to eliminate glare.<\/p>\n

The front sight is also matte finished with a serrated blade face. The sight fitment of front blade to rear notch is very nice, with just a little bit of air space. But the problem is this\u2014there are no markings on the sights for the shooter. Good as the sights are, I feel that they don\u2019t belong on this gun. For a self-defense gun, I would prefer a nice set of Novak\u2019s or similar \u2013 preferably a night sight option with Tritium dots.<\/p>\n

Ergonomics<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Magnum<\/a>

Magnum Research got it right when it comes to the nice-sized thumb safety, slightly extended mag release, and well extended beavertail with the “memory bump”.<\/p><\/div>\n

It\u2019s a 1911. Looks like one, holds like one, feels like one. About the only things a gun maker can do to alter the ergonomics of a 1911 platform pistol are: Grips, Checkering, Beavertail\/grip safety, Thumb safety, and Mag release.<\/p>\n