Desert Eagle
- Thread starter Howie93
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10-Ring
Member
A shooting buddy recently got one in a trade recently. It was a shooter once you get used to the LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG trigger pull, also it seemed to really prefer the hotter ammo and it really didn't like shooting a lot of rounds at one session because as it got dirty, reliability seemed to decrease.
Huh, interesting about the, "LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG trigger pull". Being a single action, the take-up is somewhat long. However, compared to a traditional double action with the hammer cocked (i.e. in singlae action mode), it's no longer than say a SIG or an HK or any of the regular guns. The one thing about the DE trigger, though, is that the pull weight is readily adjustable (MkVII, MkXIX, can retrofit MkI).
The gun in basic terms is accurate. A bit heavy and bulky for what it does, particularly the grip. I've gone through 100 rounds on a single trip without any problems with mine. 100 rounds is about the limit I'll go to in paying for factory ammo.
Only real problem I have with mine is cleaning the gas plug and hole. After a 100 rounds, the carbon gets built up and beaten to a smooth film on the rubbing surfaces and some hard scrubbing is required.
The gun in basic terms is accurate. A bit heavy and bulky for what it does, particularly the grip. I've gone through 100 rounds on a single trip without any problems with mine. 100 rounds is about the limit I'll go to in paying for factory ammo.
Only real problem I have with mine is cleaning the gas plug and hole. After a 100 rounds, the carbon gets built up and beaten to a smooth film on the rubbing surfaces and some hard scrubbing is required.
TABING
Member
I've had one for years. Definitely not the first handgun to buy, but lots of fun to shoot, at the range that is. Not a great carry gun, but not bad on the front seat of the car, (in Arizona that's ok). Get it if you've got all the other more essential guns already. I've never had a failure to feed and shoot if using the proper, fairly hot ammo. The bolt lock up is an AR 15's I think, so it can handle high pressure easily. It's built like a tank. Mine is extremely accurate, it weighs 52 oz., so recoil is not bad at all, combined with being gas operated. A little tricky to field strip the first few times. Definitely gets people's attention at the range as there aren't that many around.
Ammo can be pricy, but I use www.outdoormarksman.com stuff, $15.95 for 50.
Ammo can be pricy, but I use www.outdoormarksman.com stuff, $15.95 for 50.
I used to own one, and I considered it a 'Fun Gun' The one that gets all of the ooh's and ahh's at the range. But as previously mentioned they require alot of maintenance. I think 100 rounds is the max before cleaning, it is a pain to clean the gas plug and hole. You also have to come up with a way to clean the "gas tube" I made up a rig to run pressurized Hoppes #9 through it. Also the slide springs are not cheap either.
With all that being said, It was an accurate gun to shoot, and the weight tamed the recoil so follow up shots were quick and easy.
With all that being said, It was an accurate gun to shoot, and the weight tamed the recoil so follow up shots were quick and easy.
Bob R
Member
Would that be from personally owning one, or just from what oters have told you?
I find it interesting that most owners like the gun, yet those who have never owned one seem to dislike them.
I own one in .50 and love it. It is very accurate. There is a learning curve to the gun, but the more you shoot it, the more you will like it.
bob
GregGry
Member
I shot the 44 mag, and when money becomes more abundant, I will likely buy the .50 ae model, and the barrel for the .44 mag. Its a blast to shoot, fits my hand like a glove, has a nice weight to it, and they seem to keep their value decently. It would be more of a fun gun for me then a pratical gun (I don't hunt), but everyone needs atleast one fun gun 
ChevellRCR
Member
- Joined
- May 24, 2004
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- 127
I have two 50's and a 44. The 44 mag is the most acurate 44 I have ever fired. I am currently looking for a 357.
One can always tell...
Whether they've handled or fired a Desert Eagle, or just heard something from a cousin's brother via the Internet, by the number of
they post when the gun is discussed.
My own .357 Magnum Desert Eagle. away, if you will.
Whether they've handled or fired a Desert Eagle, or just heard something from a cousin's brother via the Internet, by the number of
they post when the gun is discussed. My own .357 Magnum Desert Eagle.
away, if you will.
MachIVshooter
Member
I have a brushed chrome .50. Once I learned the proper technique for shooting it, it became very reliable. I scoped it (Burris 1.5-4x) and can shoot sub-3" 5-shot groups at 100 yards from a sandbagged rest with 325 gr. handloads (1510 FPS muzzle). Recoil is large, but very manageable. My little sister enjoys shooting it. I intend to buy another in black chrome and leave it open sights (millet adjustables).
As other said, many people will knock the gun, but those folks generally have never owned one. It is the ultimate autoloader, and that point cannot be argued. And you'll always get attention at the range (especially when firing the .50 with full-house H-110 loads ).
As other said, many people will knock the gun, but those folks generally have never owned one. It is the ultimate autoloader, and that point cannot be argued. And you'll always get attention at the range (especially when firing the .50 with full-house H-110 loads
).Jake
Member
SpookyPistolero
Member
My dad owns a .50 that saw some range time growing up. I don't personally like them much. If it's just a fun gun then the only things that really matter are that it is reliable, which that one was, and accurate, which it also was. Beyond that, it is cumbersome and unwieldy. Balance didn't particularly appeal to me, nor did the price per squeeze, less of a problem in .44. If it's a first gun or a defensive gun, there are better choices. If it's for fun, you need no reason. If it's for hunting, my very humble opinion is that better choices exist, and for cheaper.
I got a chance to shoot a .50 at the range last week. The recoil was much less than my friends .454 Casull, and the gun was accurate. I have small hands and didn't find the grip that bad. I liked shooting it. I can only imagine that the .44 would have less recoil. Any reason you are looking at the .44 Mag version?
WarMachine
Member
I always find it amusing when I hear people knock "impractical" guns. I doubt any of the owners who bought Dodge Ram SRT-10's bought them for practical purposes. They bought them because they are a helluva lot of fun 
My Desert Eagle is so impractical...
(Rhymes with the "yo' momma's so tactical" jokes...)
That I've used successfully it for deer hunting, and IHMSA silhouette, besides just punching holes in paper. But don't tell anybody, ok? I want to perpetuate the stereotype that the gun is absolutely useless. Then I can buy another one for the same $400 I bought the first.
(Rhymes with the "yo' momma's so tactical" jokes...)
That I've used successfully it for deer hunting, and IHMSA silhouette, besides just punching holes in paper. But don't tell anybody, ok? I want to perpetuate the stereotype that the gun is absolutely useless. Then I can buy another one for the same $400 I bought the first.
mr.trooper
Member
Good point.
if they ever figure out what you can do with an accurate Scopeable Magnum, then we'll all be out of luck.
if they ever figure out what you can do with an accurate Scopeable Magnum, then we'll all be out of luck.
Gewehr98 said:(Rhymes with the "yo' momma's so tactical" jokes...)
That I've used successfully it for deer hunting, and IHMSA silhouette, besides just punching holes in paper. But don't tell anybody, ok? I want to perpetuate the stereotype that the gun is absolutely useless. Then I can buy another one for the same $400 I bought the first.
How close were you to the deer?
Shootcraps
Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2004
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- 1,007
They're awesome guns. I had one of the earlier ones in hard chrome and I regret selling it. Sooo much fun to shoot. it was the reason I took up reloading. 44Magnum is expensive to feed.
Shootcraps
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- Joined
- Jan 18, 2004
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- 1,007
That sounds like a sizzlin' load. I bet it hit that deer like a hammer. 
I think they should just sell the .50AE version with a reloading kit, then there won't be so many arguments.
My first gun was a .45 Colt, and good ammo, either target or hunting, either doesn't exist, needs to be mail ordered/special ordered, or is just expensive. So that is why I got into reloading. Why do I mention the Blackhawk? It was the reason I got to shoot the .50AE. The guy with the Desert Eagle thought my .45 Colt 5.5" Blackhawk with handloaded ammo (200gr LSWC over 9.0gr Unique soon going to try HP-38) was awesome and he wanted to shoot my gun first not the other way around.
Anyways, I am just saying you don't need a reason to buy a gun most just get shot at paper anyways. I think the Desert Eagle is fine, and the only reason you shouldn't buy one is if you can't afford it...then just save up.
My first gun was a .45 Colt, and good ammo, either target or hunting, either doesn't exist, needs to be mail ordered/special ordered, or is just expensive. So that is why I got into reloading. Why do I mention the Blackhawk? It was the reason I got to shoot the .50AE. The guy with the Desert Eagle thought my .45 Colt 5.5" Blackhawk with handloaded ammo (200gr LSWC over 9.0gr Unique soon going to try HP-38) was awesome and he wanted to shoot my gun first not the other way around.
Anyways, I am just saying you don't need a reason to buy a gun most just get shot at paper anyways. I think the Desert Eagle is fine, and the only reason you shouldn't buy one is if you can't afford it...then just save up.
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