Firearms

Honest Review: Magnum Research Baby Eagle III

Published

6 months ago

July 8, 2024

An heir is born!

The Magnum Research Baby Eagle III has one impressive set of grandparents. From the tried-and-true, combat-proven CZ-75 design, which inspired the Israeli Weapon Industries Jericho 941, which then inspired the all-metal Baby Eagle. The all-metal Baby Eagle engendered the third-generation, polymer-framed Baby Eagle III, the lightest and most refined Baby Eagle yet. In this review, I’m taking the Baby out for a test flight.

But First, the Specifications!

Caliber: 9mm or .40 S&W

Barrel Length: 4.43” (full Sized) or 3.85” (semi-compact)

Overall Length: 8.5” or 7.8”

Height: 4.65”

Trigger Pull Weight: 12lbs (DA), 1.65lbs (SA)

Sights: Combat Type, white three dot fixed style

Finish: Matte black oxide or Cerakote

Magazine Capacity: 10rnd, 12rnd or 15rnd

Slide Material: Steel

Frame Material: Polymer

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The Baby Eagle series pistols have always had the reputation of being built like tanks—virtually indestructible. These are full-sized pistols that let you know you have quality in your hand. With the Baby Eagle III you have the option of either a full-size or semi-compact pistol. But even with the full-sized Baby Eagle III ,the new slimmer grip profile does wonders. You don’t have to have huge hands for the baby Eagle III to fit like a glove. With smartly placed finger grooves and a generous thumb channel, the pistol is solidly locked in your hands. One of my favorite things has to be the substantial beavertail. I like to grip my pistols high and tight, but even so, there is no way the hammer or slide will bite my shooting hand.

The slide of the Baby Eagle has been slimmed down slightly, shaving some weight. As someone who carries a pistol all day I can really appreciate that the Baby Eagle III is Magnum Research’s lightest version yet.

As for sights, this pistol features a traditional three-dot system with both the front and rear sights riding in dovetails. The sights are adjustable for windage left or right, but in all honesty, I did not need to test that out.

My pistol was a tack driver thanks to the match-grade barrel and the basic enhanced accuracy of a CZ-75-style pistol. Since the slide rides in the frame, the frame sort of hugs the slide, cutting down on the slide wiggle of other designs. I have read some complaints that Baby Eagles tend to shoot low, but this is probably due to the shooter’s style of aiming.

Remember the pedigree of the Baby Eagle III? Israelis build everything for combat as if their lives depend on it (because they do). These are combat, not bulls-eye style pistols. With a bulls-eye pistol, you line up the sights and put the front sight underneath the bulls-eye and your impact will be on top of the front sight. With a combat-style pistol and sights, you are lining up the 3 dots of the sights. Then with both eyes open you super-impose the front sight dot covering the target. If you do that the Baby Eagle III shoots like a dream.

Speaking of the combat pedigree of the Baby Eagle III! One benefit of a hammer-fired pistol over a striker-fired one, is the ability to second-strike the primer. This basically means that if you pull the trigger and the primer does not ignite, simply pull the trigger again and (statistically) your chances are good that the primer will now ignite.

The reason this is possible is because the Baby Eagle III is what is known as a Single Action / Double Action Pistol. When you load the pistol, you can use the de-cocking lever to safely lower the hammer. Now when you want to shoot the pistol, the first trigger pull is a heavier trigger pull, sort of like a revolver. Except unlike a revolver, after the first shot, the slide moves back to cock the hammer, then the slide moves forward, loading the next round. The next trigger pulls are lighter since the movement of the slide does all of the work.

Teaching someone to use the Baby Eagle III is really easy thanks to the fact that it only has three basic controls: The slide stop/release, de-cocker lever, and magazine release. The only control that might be unfamiliar to some is the de-cocker lever. For those new to DA/SA pistols: The first time you de-cock the hammer could be disconcerting. The way it works is that as you push the lever down to safe, at the same time it disconnects the hammer pressure, and lower the hammer. The first couple de-cockings are usually a nervous time for first-timers. I make sure to remind them to follow the safety rules for firearms. Keep the pistol pointed in a safe direction at a good backstop, even though I know the pistol is not going to fire.

Speaking of the de-cocking levers, they make it super easy to manipulate the slide. I found it similar to an AR-15 charging handle, using two fingers to grasp both sides of the slide or charging handle to pull the slide back. Magnum Research machined some nice tear drop flats on the levers that make a great gripping zone for the slide.

The Baby Eagle III now comes with some great custom-looking Cerakote color options to match your personality. Don’t worry, Tackleberry: The baby Eagle III is available with a Matte Black Oxide coating which is Ninja stealthy. But if you are like me, you like something with a bit more pizzazz. Magnum Research offers three Cerakote options: Northern Lights, Black Cherry, and Burnt Bronze. Northern Lights is a Blue color that has a gold flake in it that color shifts in different lighting. Black Cherry is what I describe as a metallic darker purple maroon color. And Burnt Bronze is an FDE color with a gold flake.

The Baby Eagle III does a great job doing what it was built to do, which is to put rounds downrange with great efficiency. As a full-sized pistol, shooting even higher-velocity hollowpoints is still painless. Since the ergonomics are good, the pistol just locks in your hand. No need to squeeze the pistol like a gorilla to keep control of it. The pistol basically helps you shoot it. These pistols are readily available with a street price in the high $500’s to low $600’s so if you are in the market for a pistol that is built like a freakin’ tank I can’t think of a better.

—James Nicholas “XDMAN” Mr. UnPewFessional Himself!

What if I told you that you can win one of these Baby Eagle IIIs? Well what if I sweeten the deal with the Freedom Goes Bang 2024 Giveaway? A baby Eagle III is part of a $10.5 thousand dollar prize package!

Through the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air …

America’s founders forged, tested, and proved our freedom to the sight of gunfire, the smell of cordite, and the sound of cannon. Listen to our National Anthem and you’ll know that the sound of American freedom is BANG! We’re celebrating with our all-new Freedom Goes BANG! $10.5K Guns & Gear Giveaway, starring: Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 AR15; Magnum Research Northern Lights Baby Eagle pistol; KFI Firearms Impala shotgun and Monza rifle; Silencer Central Banish Speed K Ti suppressor; Stoeger STR-9 Combat X pistol; riflescope, binocular and gear from Primary Arms XX; aftermarket gun parts and gear from Coda Evolution; Personal Defense Network Gold membership; case of Fiocchi .223; CrossBreed Holsters $500 Gift Card; WeKnife Nitro OG blade; Real Avid gunsmithing tools; MTM Case-Gard storage solutions; American Trigger Company AR Gold trigger; and PACT Club Timer III.

This giveaway starts right now and runs through Midnight Central Time on July 31, 2024. Entering is easy and free! Just click here, provide your contact details, and watch freedom go BANG! A complete listing of the prizes on offer is below.

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WHAT YOU COULD WIN…

Daniel Defense

DDM4® V7®

The DDM4 V7 AR15 style firearm features M-LOK attachment technology with the Daniel Defense MFR 15.0 rail. Built around a Cold Hammer Forged, 16 inch barrel, the V7 has a DD improved Flash Suppressor to reduce flash signature. The mid-length gas system provides smooth and reliable cycling under any condition and reduces both perceived recoil and wear on moving parts.

Magnum Research

Northern Lights Baby Eagle

The Baby Eagle III series is known by the industry as having one of the most reliable mechanisms in the world. It features a precision land and groove match barrel, ambidextrous teardrop-shaped decocking mechanism on the slide, smooth double-action/single-action trigger pull, fully interchangeable magazines with all Baby Eagle II models, and a reversible magazine catch for either right or left handed shooters.

KFI Firearms

Impala Plus Black

Silencer Central

BANISH Speed K Ti

The BANISH Speed K Ti is an ultra-compact .223/5.56 silencer designed for maneuverability. The Speed K Ti is made from titanium and is extremely lightweight and compact making it a great choice for hunting, home and livestock defense, and competition shooting.

Stoeger

STR-9 Combat X

The STR-9 Combat-X is designed to meet the needs of defense professionals with it’s standard fiber-optic sights, optic-ready slide configuration, enlarged mag well, and ambidextrous slide release. Further, this 9mm is validated for 10,000 rounds of continuous fire without failure.

KFI Firearms

Monza Rifle Black

Personal Defense Network

PDN Gold Level Membership

3 Year PDN Gold Level Membership

Fiocchi

Range Dynamics – 223 Remington

1 Case (1,000 Rds) of 223 Remington

Crossbreed Holsters

Gift Card

Use this gift card to go shopping at Crossbreedholsters.com

WeKnife

WeKnife Nitro OG

Flipper & Thumb Stud Knife Titanium & Carbon Fiber Handle (3.75″ CPM 20CV Blade).

Primary Arms

SLx 1-6x24mm SFP Rifle Scope Gen IV – Illuminated ACSS Nova Fiber Wire Reticle – Red Dot Bright™

The SLx® 1-6x24mm SFP Gen IV Rifle Scope is the latest iteration of their best-selling carbine optic, incorporating a fully upgraded optical system, an integrated dovetail throw lever, and all-new ACSS® reticles

Coda Evolution

Lightning Carbon Fiber Handguards

Super simple installation. You can replace your existing handguard to a new CODA Lightning in under an hour. No special tools required, and you don’t need to time the barrel nut.

Real Avid

Master Gun Vise®

Engineered with precision and unparalleled versatility, this Master Grade® vise enhances every aspect of your Gun DIY projects.

American Trigger

AR Gold Adjustable Trigger (AR-15, AR-10)

The AR Gold has been proven to be the ultimate AR Platform trigger for military, LE, competition, hunting and more. It is the singular best improvement to your AR-15. The AR Gold is a unique approach to the dated trigger functionality of stock AR-15’s and other competitors.The AR Gold is a drop-in module trigger, which makes it a breeze to install. It comes stock with a 3.5 lb pull weight. More than just the light weight pull, the trigger has the shortest reset and cleanest break of any other trigger on the market. If that isn’t enough it is also Drop-Safe. Adjustable weight engagement and over-travel. .154 pins. 30 Day Money Back Guarantee on direct sales. Made in USA by American Trigger Corporation.

Primary Arms

GLx 10x42mm ED Binoculars – Grey

The Primary Arms GLx ED 10x42mm Binoculars emphasize core quality with unrivaled image clarity, color definition, and light transmission. At 10x magnification, these binoculars are great for a wide variety of tasks whether you are hiking a trail or scanning from a blind.

Real Avid

Bore-Max® Master Cleaning Kit and Mobile Workstation

This kit provides an all-in-one solution, featuring an array of precision tools and innovative technologies to ensure comprehensive caliber specific cleaning and maintenance.

Coda Evolution

Fury Titanium Compensator

No one likes a mouth full of bugs, sand, dirt, and grit. A Fury comp won’t blast it at you if you are firing from a prone position. Our side and up ports direct gases away from the ground so when your muzzle is only a few inches off the ground you can still count on those quick follow up shots instead of eyes full of debris.

Primary Arms

Individual First Aid Kit With Pouch – Includes CAT – Red

The Primary Arms First Aid Pouch is a compact, lightweight pack perfect for carrying with you wherever you find yourself.

PACT Timer

Club Timer III

The PACT Club Shot Timer III is an excellent shooting timer which is Guaranteed to Improve Your Shooting and help you beat your buddies. The Club Timer III like all PACT products, is purpose built by shooters for shooters, made by us here in the USA and backed by a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee.

MTM

Tactical Rifle Crate

MTM’s new, Tactical Rifle Crate is an all-in-one solution for hunting and shooting gear transport and storage. A two-layer, divided container, the Tactical Rifle Crate (item #TRC39) opens to a sturdy gun tray sized to fit most tactical rifles, short hunting rifles or break apart shot guns.

Primary Arms

GLx 30mm Cantilever Scope Mount – 0 MOA

The GLx mounts redefine what can be accomplished when the latest technology is applied to meet the shooting challenges faced in real world situations.

MTM

Gun Vise for Gunsmithing work and Cleaning Kits

The MTM Gun Vise was designed to accommodate a wide array of firearms for gun cleaning, maintenance, or gunsmithing, and is for rifles and shotguns.

Primary Arms

3-Day Expandable Backpack with Waist Strap – OD Green

The Primary Arms 3-Day Expandable Backpack is made from durable 600D OD Green Nylon. With multiple zippered compartments and MOLLE webbing, you can easily carry a large variety of gear for a full day at the range with room to spare.

MTM

ArmAR™ Modern Sporting Rifle Maintenance Stand and Shooting Rest

MTM’s ArmAR™ is a multi-purpose maintenance stand designed specifically for modern shooting rifles. Serving as a “third arm,” the ArmAR™ provides a solid mag-well mount for servicing and cleaning AR style rifles.

Primary Arms

Compact Shooting Mat – Flat Dark Earth

The Primary Arms Shooting Mat in Flat Dark Earth color is waterproof. A thick padding area keeps you comfortable and stake-down grommets on each corner keep it from flying away (bring your own stakes).

Primary Arms

Range Bag – OD Green

The Primary Arms Range Bag is the perfect addition to every range trip. This durable range bag features plenty of room for magazines, tools, and other accessories.

Coda Evolution

Swift PCC Magpouch (with Dots Attachment)

Coda Evolution has done it again with our unique adjustable PCC Magpouch. Featuring unlimited user defined retention levels, you choose the exact tension level you desire. Added to this is the ability to fine tune the angle/cant you have ultimate control over the position and strength of your mag pul.

Coda Evolution

PET (Personal Equipment Tags)

Add Custom Messaging to all of your gear! The Coda Evolution’s PET (Personal Equipment Tag) attaches with M-Lok fasteners. It comes with 2 nuts and 2 bolts. Use the PET id tag to easily differentiate your PCC rifle from your 5.56/.223 AND….it’s great for “personal branding” too!