Desert Eagle .357 Mag - To Buy or Not to Buy

[Werewolf]

That is the question...

See subject. Thinking real hard about getting one. .357 Magnum power in a semi-auto gun.

It wouldn't be for carry or anything. Just one of those "I got one kind'a things". A range gun for sure. They run around $1360 or so here in Oklahoma City and cost really isn't a consideration.

What is a consideration is that even though it'll be a range/fun gun I do want it to be reliable, sturdy and go bang every time I pull the trigger.

Over the years I've heard multiple reports on the DE's. Folks seem to have nothing bad to say about the DE in .50 AE and nothing good to say about the DE in .44 Mag.

I've not heard or read much about the DE in .357.

So what say you? Good gun, bad gun, what are y'alls experiences with it?

My wallet wants to know.

 

[PT1911]

personally, I have no need for one and would prefer a revolver for the .357.... but this isnt about my likes or my needs it is about yours... if you have a desire for one and the funds for it, get it.. better to get it and answer all of your questions for sure than to not get it and wonder if you should have. Good thing about the DE is they will always sell. May take a little bit for someone with deeper pockets to come through the door, but they are just too "cool" of a gun to not sell.

 

[stu454]

Not a good power-to-weight ratio at all.

The rimmed cartridge might giver feeding issues; I can't say for certain.

If you want it, go ahead and give it a try.

 

[Eightball]

Go for it. You only live once, and you can always sell it later.

The only thing I can think of, outside the fact that they're heavy and huge, is that you cannot use .38 Special in it, to my knowledge.

 

[Werewolf]

The only thing I can think of, outside the fact that they're heavy and huge, is that you cannot use .38 Special in it, to my knowledge.

Nope - the DE cannot fire .38 SPL's according to a friend who used to have one. Big no no.

So far the only downside I can see to owning one is the piston gas system is subject to leading (big time) even from jacketed bullets with a lead exposed bottom. Magnum Research even supplies a special tool with the gun to get the lead out of the piston cylinder after 100 to 200 rounds fired.

Still cogitating on the purchase.

Doesn't seem like a lot of THR guys have had a DE in .357 though. Might just have to take the leap and dive into the pool blind folded.

 

[Action_Can_Do]

I have one in 50ae. One thing you should be aware of before buying one is that the gun has a free floating magazine. This means that you absolutely can't touch the magazine while firing it. If you do, you will have feeding problems.

 

[oasis618]

If I were to buy a Desert Eagle, I'd have to hold out for a .50 AE. After the novelty wears off at least you will still have a unique handgun in a unique caliber with a decent power to weight ratio with the .50 and I believe you would have an easier time selling it. For me, the .357 just kinda defeats the purpose of this gun.

I have no personal experience owning one of these in any caliber though, just for the record.

 

[ArmedBear]

I shot one in .44. I liked it. The owner had no complaints that I can recall.

Much as I like .357 as a cartridge, I can't see shooting it from a huge $1360 semiauto. For that money, I'd be thinking Performance Center, not Desert Eagle, in .357.

 

[rcmodel]

Very huge.
SO huge it takes two hands to operate the safety.
SO huge & heavy they should be supplied from the factory with wheels to move them about. No fun at all in a holster.

My son owned one in .357 Mag several years ago.
It was totally reliable with full power .357 handloads.
And probably the most accurate .357 I ever shot.
We were busting hedge balls off a tree at 100 yards and hardly ever missed.

Would I buy one?
No.
Just too huge for anything I would use a .357 handgun for.

rc

 

[Damon555]

Want it + have the money = I own a Desert Eagle .357

Get it. It will be very fun to own and as mentioned is unique.

 

[Guy de Loimbard]

How big are your hands? That would be my main consideration. I once had occasion to fire a .44 Mag DE, with full house Blue-Dot loads, and while it was both accurate and reliable (and soft shooting) I could never see owning one myself because it was big enough that I could not grip it properly. For comparison, my hands fit a full size 1911 just fine. I would definitely fondle the gun before committing to purchase it.

 

[MachIVshooter]

The rimmed cartridge might giver feeding issues; I can't say for certain.

Not in the Eagles. That slide (weighs nearly a pound) has plenty of momentum to get the job done.

I have a .50, it's fun, and my hands are big enough to grasp it comfortably. Safety engagement/disengagement is still a two-handed operation unless you like indentations in your fingers (very positive).

As far as in the .357, you'll be able to shoot the hottest stuff out there with very little recoil, and the ballistics are better than out of an 8" wheelgun, since there is no cylinder gap to bleed of pressure. With "normal" .357 loads, these guns buck less than a 9mm.

If you can afford it, why not?

 

[rfurtkamp]

Mine in .44 is fun to shoot when I'm in the mood. Accurate to a point of boring, light recoil with loads that make my hands hurt just thinking about them in the M29.

You will own nothing like it, whether it's .357 or .44 or .50.

I went with .44 as it was plenty big and mean and wasn't yet another caliber in the shed and .44 is a ton cheaper than 50.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have to agree it's just too expensive for what it is. If I were to buy a DE though it would probably be at least in .44 Magnum or better yet, in .50AE...

I shot a DE in .44 Magnum and it was so heavy the .44 Magnum felt like I was shooting a .22LR.

 

[rogertc1]

Mine is a .44Mag. A fun gun. You must use high-powered ammo with copper jacketed bullets and you will have no problems.
Get it.

 

[dom1104]

For that kind of money you could have a 8 shot smith v-comp vs your 9 shot DE, and not be seen as a internet video game tool at the range with a pretty near useless gun.

And it would be almost half the weight.

Up to you, I know what I would do.

 

[easyg]

I would probably be too embarrassed to actually take it to the range.
And the laughter from the other shooters would be too distracting.



No, seriously.

 

[grimjaw]

I had a guy offer to trade me a .357 DE some years back, so I got to shoot it. It may have just been his particular gun, but it didn't like lighter .357 loads. Maybe he just hadn't cleaned it lately and that was giving it fits, not sure.

If you wanted something unique, the DE is it and most people seem to figure out pretty quickly whether they like it or not. I saw one guy shooting .50 out of one at a range. Even when he was getting pelted in the head with brass, he was loving it.

If you just want to sling the bullets like a magnum autoloader, though, seems like you could go with a 10mm in something else.

jm

 

[DWFan]

Werewolf, if you are really hankering for a .357 Magnum semi-auto, sit tight for a bit. Coonan is tooling up to re-release their 1911-style pistol. The word I got is that they are looking at a long-slide Hunter's model specifically designed to handle the Double Tap and Buffalo Bore ammo as well.

 

[TIMC]

I would probably be too embarrassed to actually take it to the range.
And the laughter from the other shooters would be too distracting.

I have a Mark XIX with the .44 and .50AE barrels that I got from a member here. I plan on adding a .357 barrel and mag as well so I can change between the 3 calibers. Changing is easy; only takes about 30 seconds.

I had mine at the range the other day and no one laughed. When the .50 AE goes off you will get everyones attention. I had several come over and inquire about the gun. I plan on playing around with some optics to see how she performs at long range.

I will say it is more of a novelty play toy than a useful gun but it is fun and not too expensive to reload for so mine will still hit the range. Since you have the cash and the want I say go for it.

 

[Werewolf]

I'm almost convinced...

Now I'm wavering between the .357 and .44Mag - damn you guys.

I'd not considered using the thing for long range pistol shooting. That is something I've always wanted to try. Hmmm... Never tried it with my 686 or Raging Bull because the felt recoil is high enough I figured I'd suck at it but with a 4.5# gun? Who knows?

Anyway my main concern at this point is the leading issue. I do reload and getting TMJ bullets isn't an issue and I only use lead for 45 Long Colt. BUT! Sometimes I get lazy and go for months without reloading and just buy factory ammo. The Magnum Research faq says use FMJ bullets but goes on to say that an exposed lead base will result in leading. The question is to what extent? 100 rounds, 200 before the gun starts not to feed? The FAQ says the barrel can be removed and the piston chamber cleaned out with the combo tool real fast. True? or Not?

Inquiring minds want to know?

 

[TIMC]

I have not tried lead cast bullets in mine and do not intend to so I am really no help with your question. I can only say I would not advise it. If you want to use an inexpensive bullet then try the copper plated rainiers I find they work well.

I do however think you may be happier with the .44 mag Desert Eagle to start and with the ability to change barrels you can buy the other barrels and mags as you like. The recoil with .44 mag on mine is very light and a pleasure to shoot. I think what you feel more than anything else when shooting the .44 mag is the action of the slide. I am using 9.5 grains of Universal and a 240 grain JSP bullet.

The .50 AE however does sting a little and throws a very impressive fireball with a 300 grain bullet and 33.0 grains of H-110. I get a muzzle velocity of about 1375 fps with that load.

 

[Thumpa]

Hey Werewolf,

I own a DE in 44Rem Mag. I really love it. Its an older one made by Israeli Arms. I have shot hundreds of rounds thru it and I have never once had a malfunction with this gun. It is more accurate than most of my single actions. You need a stiff wrist and a stout load and its cycles fine. I would love to have another in a different flavor if I had the money.

 

[rcmodel]

The Magnum Research faq says use FMJ bullets but goes on to say that an exposed lead base will result in leading.

This seems to be a moot point in the calibers the DE is chambered for.

FMJ bullets with an open base are only found on FMJ-RN military type bullets.

Those are pretty hard to find in any DE caliber.

All .357 or .44 Mag SP, JSP, or other bullet with lead exposed in the nose will most certainly have a closed jacket on the base.

Otherwise, it would be a hollow copper tube and the lead core would blow out, leaving the jacket stuck in the barrel.

rc

 

[RB98SS]

Another thing to consider is the fact that if you own a .357, it will require a magazine, barrel, and a different bolt to fire the .44 or .50 caliber rounds. If you purchase a .44, the conversion to a .50 is just magazine and barrel.

Don't kid yourself though, you're gonna want the fifty once you have the Eagle. I bought a .44 DE and purchased a .50 barrel at a later time. I hardly ever use the 44 barrel anymore.

Get a .44 or .50. Just do it.