What Magnum Research does

Magnum Research, Inc. is a U.S.-based firearms manufacturer founded in 1983 in Pillager, Minnesota, and currently operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kahr Firearms Group following the 2010 acquisition. The company designs, engineers, and manufactures semi-automatic pistols, single-action revolvers, and rimfire rifles, with its flagship product being the Desert Eagle — a gas-operated, rotating-bolt semi-automatic pistol introduced in 1985 and recognizable globally through its appearance in films, television, and video games. The product portfolio includes the Desert Eagle Mark XIX family (available in .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .50 AE, and the proprietary .429 DE), the BFR (Biggest Finest Revolver) large-frame single-action revolver capable of chambering rifle cartridges such as .454 Casull and .45/70 Government, the compact Baby Eagle polymer-frame pistol, the Magnum Lite rimfire rifle line built around patented graphite barrels and Ultra Barrel heat-sink technology, and the SwitchBolt semi-automatic rimfire variant.

Manufacturing for the Desert Eagle platform returned to Minnesota from Israel in 2009, establishing the product as 100% American-made. The company's proprietary technology stack includes the in-house-developed .429 DE cartridge, patented graphite barrel construction used in the Magnum Lite rifles for weight and heat-dissipation advantages, and the Ultra Barrel modular tensioned barrel system with internal heat sink. R&D is led by Jim Tertin, the original BFR designer and current Director of Design, Research and Development.

Magnum Research generates revenue through unit hardware sales across a multi-channel distribution model: a U.S. dealer network accessed via online dealer locator and dealer registration through the Kahr Firearms Group portal; an international distributor footprint spanning more than a dozen countries across North America, South America, Europe, Oceania, Asia, and Africa; the direct-to-consumer Custom Desert Eagle Builder at magnumresearchcustoms.com for bespoke configurations; and the on-campus Tommy Gun Warehouse factory outlet in Greeley, Pennsylvania. Pricing spans roughly $596 for entry-level MLR .22 rifles to over $2,278 for premium Desert Eagle variants, with limited-edition and collector SKUs (TIG Series, Zirconium Nitride Gold, Dueling Katanas) commanding ASPs in the $1,900-$2,300 range. The primary customer base consists of shooting-sports enthusiasts, big-game and dangerous-game handgun hunters, competitive shooters, and firearms collectors, with secondary support for youth shooting programs via Scholastic Action Shooting Program sponsorships.

Name

Magnum Research

Legal name

Magnum Research, Inc.

Website

https://magnumresearch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Magnum Research is a U.S. firearms manufacturer best known for the iconic Desert Eagle semi-automatic pistol, also producing BFR single-action revolvers, Baby Eagle pistols, and Magnum Lite rimfire rifles. The company serves shooting sports enthusiasts, handgun hunters, competitive shooters, and firearms collectors through U.S. dealers, international distributors, and a custom builder platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Firearms Manufacturing

NAICS

Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing (332994)

SIC

Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)

akta.pro primary industry

Firearms & Ammunition Retail (CRAMAKAA)

Keywords

• Firearms manufacturing
• Handgun production
• Rifle manufacturing
• Revolver design
• Custom firearms

Headquarters

HQ city

Pillager

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Firearms Manufacturing and Sales: Magnum Research generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of pistols, revolvers, and rifles including Desert Eagle pistols, BFR revolvers, Baby Eagle pistols, and MLR rimfire rifles. Products are sold through authorized dealer networks, international distributors, and direct-to-consumer custom builds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Magnum Research manufactures and sells firearms including the iconic Desert Eagle semi-automatic pistol (in .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .50 AE, and proprietary .429 DE calibers), the BFR (Biggest Finest Revolver) large-frame revolvers chambered in rifle cartridges, Baby Eagle compact pistols, and Magnum Lite rimfire rifles. Products are sold through authorized U.S. dealer networks, international distributors across multiple continents, and a custom configurator for personalized builds.

Product overview

Magnum Research is a firearms manufacturer producing a portfolio of pistols, revolvers, and rifles. The core products include the iconic Desert Eagle semi-automatic pistol (available in multiple calibers including .357, .44 Magnum, .50 AE, and proprietary .429 DE), the Biggest Finest Revolver (BFR) large-frame revolver firing rifle cartridges, Baby Eagle compact pistols, and Magnum Lite rimfire rifles including the SwitchBolt. The company also offers a Custom Desert Eagle Builder service for personalized configurations. Products are manufactured in Minnesota and Pennsylvania, with Desert Eagles originally designed in 1983 and now produced as 100% American-made firearms. Magnum Research operates as a subsidiary of Kahr Firearms Group.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Desert Eagle: Iconic semi-automatic pistol known for its distinctive silhouette, featuring gas-operated rotating bolt action. Available in .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .50 AE, and .429 DE calibers.
• BFR (Biggest Finest Revolver)
• Baby Eagle
• Magnum Lite Rifles (MLR)
• SwitchBolt
• Thunder Snub

Products and services

• Desert Eagle Iconic semi-automatic pistol available in .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .50 AE, and proprietary .429 DE calibers, featuring gas-operated rotating bolt action. Sold to individual shooters, hunters, and collectors.
• Desert Eagle L6/L5 Lightweight Desert Eagle variants with hard-coat anodized black aluminum frames. L5 has 5-inch barrel; L6 has 6-inch barrel with stainless steel barrel and slide, integral muzzle brake, Picatinny rail.
• Biggest Finest Revolver (BFR) Large-frame single-action revolver chambered in rifle cartridges including .454 Casull, .44 Magnum, .30/30 Win, .45/70 Govt, .460 S&W, .500 S&W, and .45LC/.410. Features precision-grade all-stainless barrel. Designed for big game and dangerous game hunting.
• Baby Eagle Compact pistol derived from the Jericho design, featuring polymer frame with steel slide. Available in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP with compatibility with Desert Eagle magazines.
• Magnum Lite Rimfire Rifles (MLR)

Quantifiable outcome

• Desert Eagle .429 DE 240-grain bullets achieve 1625 fps muzzle velocity with 25% velocity increase and 45% more energy over .44 Magnum when shot through 6-inch barrel
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Iron Monkey Rifle WorksminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2026Custom Desert Eagle collaboration creating the 'Dueling Katanas' Desert Eagle, a collector's piece combining Desert Eagle .50 AE with Asian heritage artistic expression. Limited edition collaboration transforming standard carbon steel Desert Eagle.
• NRA World Shooting ChampionshipcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 September 2025Magnum Research sponsors the Biathlon Stage of the 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship. Provides Magnum Lite .22LR SSAT22G rifles for the competition event taking place at Camp Atterbury, Indiana.
• Beyond the Battlefield FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 November 2017Non-profit 501(c)(3) founded by John 'TIG' Tiegen and his wife Margaret to provide support for wounded veterans. TIG Series Desert Eagle proceeds donated to this foundation. Focus on rehabilitation, healing, and reintegration support.
• Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2017Silver sponsor of the Scholastic Action Shooting National Championship. Donated five .22 rifles from Magnum Lite series to youth shooting competition. Partnership supports youth development in shooting sports.
• Outlaw OrdnanceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2017Custom shop partnership in Louisiana to offer custom guns encompassing all of the product lines. Collaboration to expand customization options across Kahr Firearms Group brands.
• Kahr Firearms GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMagnum Research is a subsidiary of Kahr Firearms Group, acquired in summer 2010. Kahr Firearms Group also includes Kahr Arms, Thompson/Auto-Ordnance. Formed in 2012 to bring all brands under single corporate umbrella. Headquarters in Greeley, PA.
• Ferkinghoff International / Waffen FerkinghoffcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary international distributor for Germany and most European countries. Official partner listed on Magnum Research website for European market distribution.
• Full Metal S.A.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized international distributor for Argentina. Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• Gun CitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized international distributor for New Zealand. Major firearms retailer in Christchurch.
• SidamcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized international distributor for France and Belgium. Located in Vauvert, France.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Colt's Manufacturing Company: Historic U.S. firearms manufacturer producing 1911-style pistols, revolvers (King Cobra, Anaconda), and long guns. Directly competes with the MR 1911, BFR revolver line, and Magnum Research's centerfire offerings, with broader commercial and defense reach.
• Beretta Holding: Italian firearms conglomerate producing 92FS, PX4, APX pistols, and other long guns. Competes with Magnum Research in premium semi-automatic pistols and shares a global distribution footprint that overlaps with Magnum Research's international distributor network.
• Springfield Armory: U.S. firearms manufacturer producing 1911, XD, and Hellcat pistols plus M1A and Saint rifles. Competes with Magnum Research in semi-automatic pistols and rimfire rifles, with comparable mid-market positioning and a shared dealer network.
• Sturm, Ruger & Co. Major publicly-traded U.S. firearms manufacturer producing revolvers (Super Redhawk, GP100), semi-auto pistols, and rimfire rifles (10/22). Competes with Magnum Research across revolver, pistol, and rimfire rifle categories with broader product breadth and larger manufacturing scale.
• SIG Sauer: Major U.S./German firearms manufacturer producing P320, P365, and 1911-style pistols as well as rifles and optics. Competes with Magnum Research in semi-automatic pistols and the broader premium handgun category, with substantially larger commercial and military footprint.
• Smith & Wesson Brands: Large publicly-traded U.S. firearms manufacturer with deep revolver heritage (Model 29, Model 500) that directly competes with the BFR in big-bore handgun hunting and the M&P pistol line competes with Desert Eagle and Baby Eagle. Comparable in product breadth, manufacturing scale, and dealer network reach.
• Glock Ges.m.b.H. Austrian/U.S. firearms manufacturer dominating the striker-fired pistol market with broad law enforcement and civilian adoption. Competes indirectly with Baby Eagle and Desert Eagle L5/L6 in the self-defense and target shooting segments at significantly higher production volumes.

Direct peers

• Dan Wesson Firearms: U.S. revolver manufacturer specializing in premium large-frame and small-frame revolvers. Most directly comparable to Magnum Research's BFR product line in terms of build quality, caliber offerings, and target customer base of revolver enthusiasts and big-bore handgun hunters.
• Auto-Ordnance Corporation: Sibling brand under Kahr Firearms Group; manufactures Thompson submachine guns, M1 Carbines, and 1911-style pistols. Directly comparable as a U.S. firearms manufacturer operating under the same corporate umbrella, sharing infrastructure and distribution channels with Magnum Research.
• Kahr Arms: Sibling brand under Kahr Firearms Group; manufactures compact and mid-size semi-automatic pistols (K9, P series, CM series). Directly comparable as a privately-held U.S. handgun manufacturer operating under the same corporate umbrella, with shared distribution, dealer portal, and headquarters.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/KahrArms
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/magnumresearchinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/magnum-arms-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Magnum Research