IWI Jericho pistol returning to US market in January 2009

[TGO David]

Taken from elsewhere....

Acutally, it never really left...

Back in 1990-91, KBI introduced the Jericho 041 pistol to the US market. It was a joint venture with Tanfoglio of Italy and IMI (Uzi fame) of Tel Aviv. The chief attraction of the gun (kit actually) was the interchangeability of the 9mm para round with the .41AE (Action Express). We sold it in a kit that included the 9mm pistol, a .41AE spare barrel and recoil spring/guide stem, 4 hi-cap mags (2-9mm and 2-41AE) 50 rounds of Israeli made 9mm and 50 rounds of 41AE, a Rig cleaning kit with brushes for both calibers, all packed in a blow molded carrying case. To make a long story short, the .41AE was DOA as we finally got it to market at the same time that Federal and S&W announced the .40S&W. The "not invented here" syndrome doomed the 41AE from the start and soon after we were left selling "just another" hi-cap CZ-type 9mm pistol. The quality was excellent, the design followed the lines of the famous Desert Eagle and lent itself to perfect balance. It also had a unique backstrap design that some equate with the Browining Hi-Power as being the two most ergonomically designed grips to be found on any pistol available in the market. It naturally fits just about any sized hand, large or small, skinny or fat.

Unfortunately for us at the time, IMI was not happy with our early sales volume (or so we were told). I always believed that Magnum wanted the line and pushed IMI to take it away from KBI and give it to them. In the middle of the SHOT Show during that second year of our trying to get it started, a representative from IMI came to our booth and told us they were taking Jericho away form us and giving it to MRI.

Why am I telling you this story now???

Fast forward almost 20 years later and lo and behold, KBI is pleased to announce that effective January 1st 2009, KBI will be bringing the Jericho pistol back to the US market. MRI is moving the Desert Eagle production to the US and in the process they lost the distribution of the Baby Eagle. KBI was there to pick it up and even though I am emotionally tied to the line, I think there is a home for this pistol in the US market under the Jericho brand, imported and distributed by KBI. These days it is a full line consisting of 3 sizes and 3 calibers, 9mm, 40S&W and .45ACP; and available in both polymer and steel frames. Recently MRI introduced the Baby Eagle II which added a picatinnly light/laser rail and improved LPA/Novak style sights. Meprolight tritium sights will also be an option.

My question to you guys is pretty basic. What do you think of this line? At its heart it is a CZ-75 DA pistol, though MRI sold a version with a slide mounted safety/decocker. We are considering offering it in the original CZ system only, i.e. with a frame mounted saftey that can be carried cocked and locked.

You can see more of the line here at Israel-Weapon.com. A full blown (Re)introduction will take place at the 2009 SHOT Show in Orlando in January.

In the meantime, as we like to do, we would appreciate all your feeback, pros and cons, as we still have time to tweak the line before finalizing all specs for production. Let us know what you really think. We realize it is not a Glock or an XD, but is there still a home in the US market for this gun?

And, of course one of the real motivations behind our interest in the Jericho, is our extreme interest in the Tavor Bullpup rifle now in use by the IDF and a few armies and special forces around the world. What do you guys think of the Tavor? Will the US military ever really consider a bullpup design? The Tavor is something very special. You can learn more about it here: Tavor Link and the really cool Micro-Tavor.

What do you think? Don't hold back guys...tell us how you really feel...Kinda makes a hell of an addition to Charles Daly Defense don't you think?

We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

__________________

Michael Kassnar

President, K.B.I., Inc.

Manufacturers, Importers and Distributors of Charles Daly and other fine firearms.

Charles Daly Defense

Charles Daly - The Shooting Sports Specialist

The Charles Daly Forum

[Guest Verbal Kint]

Very cool.

Oh... and IB4Charlesjizzeshimselfbecausetheymentionedatavor.

[TGO David]

I figured you would enjoy the mention of the Tavor.

[Guest meadowmb]

looks like a nice weapon

[KahrMan]

Oh... and IB4Charlesjizzeshimselfbecausetheymentionedatavor.

[Guest jwp]

Someone better get Paletiger some nerve pills, cause when he reads that he's going to **** himself.

[Guest Rugerman]

I love the plan, especially if they go back to the frame mounted safety for "cocked and locked" purposes as they say. Fine gun. Hope they work on finish durability a bit too. If you pick up an MRI at a gun store, the display models are scratched like crazy just from some gentle handling.

[molonlabetn]

I've wanted a steel, full-size Baby Eagle in 9mm for a long time.

[strickj]

Someone better get Paletiger some nerve pills, cause when he reads that he's going to **** himself.

No! I prefer he ****s himself!

[Guest Grout]

Another CZ 75 copy,cool.

Edited October 1, 2008 by Grout

[big mo]

I think it's a good looking gun, and they perform well. But I don't think they will go over well here in the states.

[Paletiger13]

Id be up for one.:death:

[Paletiger13]

Maybe you guys should all email them and tell them Im driving you guys crazy for asking for a TAVOR. That might actually work:rock:

[Guest JHatmaker]

I know this is an old topic, but I just picked one of these up (.40 S&W), and love how it feels. I've always wanted a Desert Eagle but couldn't justify buying such a large pistol that I'd only use at the range. The weight and size are perfect for me.

[Guest 70below]

I've always had an interest in an all steel baby 9mm. I would probably just buy a CZ though unless the price point got better.

[Guest JHatmaker]

I've always had an interest in an all steel baby 9mm. I would probably just buy a CZ though unless the price point got better.

I would have prefered the all steel model, but found a steel/poly at a price that was too good to pass up. Unfortunately they only carried the combo model, and it was the last one they had, so had to "settle" for .40

[Guest Linoge]

*has one of the aforementioned all-steel 9mm Baby Eagles*

The only real complaint I have with it is that the disassembly pin / slide release lever is a pain in the arse to remove from the gun.

So the gist of this news report is that Magnum Research lost the Baby Eagle contract, so now the folks who own Charles Daley are going to start re-importing it under the Jericho name?

*shrug* Ok. Same gun, either way, though if they start dicking around with where things are placed, I guess I should start stocking up on spare parts before they disappear...