Is Desert Eagle a good gun for protection in the woods?

[KyRock]

I am considering a Desert Eagle .50 for protection in the woods. We only have black bears here, but one day would like to hunt out west. I know that Griz are not as friendly as the black bears around here. Found this site: http://www.remtek.com/arms/imi/desert/index.htm

Just interested in what everyone else thinks. According the article the .50 is punching out a lot of energy! "From the Desert Eagle's 6" barrel, the big .50 AE cartridge propels a 300 gr. bullet at 1,500 fps. That translates into 1,500 ft./lbs. of muzzle energy, or 40-50% more oomph than .44 Magnum six-guns offer." *

What do you guys think?

*www.remtek.com/arms/imi/desert/index.htm

 

[redbullitt]

For me, it would be far too big and bulky for what you are getting. Limited capacity semi auto that is HUGE and HEAVY.

The 10mm auto makes a great woods gun, and it is much more handy.

I would think either the 10mm or 44 mag would be much more practical and possibly fill other roles for you. But, if you are looking for oomph there are much better choices than the 50 AE.

Check out the 500 SW, 454 cassul, SW 460 xvr or something like that for big energy.

 

[Rembrandt]

......Limited capacity semi auto that is HUGE and HEAVY

???? Don't understand the "Limited capacity" comment. 50 cal is a 7 round magazine + one in the chamber, holds more and can be reloaded faster than any of the big bore revolvers. As far as size, it's about the same as the 500 Smith and others.

 

[suemarkp]

You need to hold one. Can you reach the trigger? Can you manipulate the safety? My glove size is "large" and I can't work a Desert Eagle with one hand, at least not smoothly and easily -- it is just too big.

 

[NG VI]

Yeah there are heavier cartridges than the .50 AE, but at that level there is such a thing as too much gun. None of the heavy revolver cartridges around the .50 AE power level have the same kind of recoil mitigation that the Desert Eagle's gas action offer. It's heavy, yes, but really it isn't any heavier than the .500 or .460 S&W Magnums, and recoils less.


I'd say if you're going to be carrying one of the supermagnum cartridges, the .50 AE in a Desert Eagle is probably one of the more practical.

 

[brnmuenchow]

For a semi- auto the .50AE is a good choice for protection, for years I would carry a S&W model 29 (.44mag.) but having a powerful round with a quicker reloading speed is a major plus. As far as size goes it is a big bulky gun, but if you carry anything bigger than a .44mag. they all are going to be just as bulky ex. (.500mag. S&W) (.454 cas.) etc...etc... so if it's going to be bulky anyway than that really isn't what I would base my decision on if I would carry it. I would be more inclined to ques. the availablility of the .50AE ammo, I don't own one but shot one once so I don't know just how easy the ammo is to get.

 

[remingtondude58]

I think it would work, but personally, I would rather have something along the lines of a Blackhawk in 357, 41 or 44, or a GP-100, or a 686.

 

[chris in va]

That's a whole lotta gun to be carrying around.

 

[Gryffydd]

"From the Desert Eagle's 6" barrel, the big .50 AE cartridge propels a 300 gr. bullet at 1,500 fps. That translates into 1,500 ft./lbs. of muzzle energy, or 40-50% more oomph than .44 Magnum six-guns offer." *

Sounds like they're not aware of what the .44 Magnum can do--like 340gr@1400fps from a 5.5" barrel from a smaller, more handy gun.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Novelty gun, IMO....If I were packing around a gun everyday and it's main use would be fending off bears, I'd much rather have something along the lines of a Super RedHawk Alaskan

 

[jawn]

Why not a Glock 20? 15+1 rounds of 10mm seems more than adequate for protecting yourself from bears.

 

[Loosedhorse]

I own a DE .50 and I think it's great. If you just want to wear it, and don't mind the weight, it'll do fine. Make sure you practice drawing it from your hiking rig and taking off the safety enough times that it becomes automatic in an emergency, since emergency use is what you're talking about.

Still, there are better choices for black bear defense, and even pepper-spray might be one of them.

 

[tipoc]

Are you speaking of a handgun for hunting? Or a back up to a long gun while hunting? Or just a sidearm to have while hiking or camping? There is a difference here.

tipoc

 

[BADUNAME37]

I once owned a Desert Eagle in 50AE. Yes, I would have hunted deer and black bear with that in a heartbeat.

I had loaded up really accurate loads using Barnes Solid Copper X bullets - meant for black powder that were the exact same diameter as the bullets the gun took!

I think that was before Barnes was making X bullets for pistol as I remember the woman at Barnes mailing me five to test and they worked, so I bought fifty!

 

[Harley Quinn]

I own one, would be my carry gun for back up or protection in woods now...I have the Glock 10mm also, it would work, much cheaper and shootable for most... My 10mm is shot in a Model 21...

I actually prefer the 440 Corbon, it is a good round, but costly now... The 50 AE is shelf ammo...
Story on it... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.440_Cor-bon

Regards

 

[Prion]

Another vote for Glock 20 in an auto.

500SW in a revolver.

 

[lobo9er]

desert eagle in 44mag.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Have you held a DE?

I'm just wondering if you have handled a Desert Eagle. I'm a big guy, (6'3" and 210 lbs) but after handling a Desert Eagle, I crossed it off of my list of guns to own. The grip is just so darn big that it felt too awkward to get a firm hold on it, and still be opperating the thing in a high stress situation. I regularly shoot a 460 mag, with full power loads, one handed, with no problem. However, I'm guessing the excellent rubber grip on X frame revolvers has a lot to do with that. Try one on if you haven't yet.

 

[h-word]

Or two Gold Desert Eagles fired at the same time whilst flying through the air sideways with a flock of doves surrounding you...

I immediately regret typing that, but will hit submit anyway.

 

[treetop_66]

If I had a pack mule to carry it it would be perfect.

 

[Lucky Derby]

I have a friend who has a Deagle in .44.
Biggest most unreliable SA I have ever handled. Has to be cleaned ever 3-4 mags. He loves the thing but even he admits it serves no real purpose other than looking cool. His woods gun is a S&W 629.
If you want/need a caliber in this class get a quality revolver. It will serve much better.
If you must have a semi-auto, get a 10mm of some flavor.

 

[mgregg85]

I'd take a super redhawk alaskan in .454 casull over the deagle.

Until the introduction of the .460 S&W Magnum and the .500 S&W Magnum the .454 Casull was the most powerful commercially produced handgun round on the market, significantly eclipsing the more recent .50 AE in both power and availability.

 

[DFW1911]

I think carrying the DE around would get old...fast. To me, it's too heavy and it doesn't fit my hand well. YMMV.

Good recommendations on 10mm; you can also consider a G29 in 10mm for a more compact option. No, the recoil isn't that bad !

Also, don't overlook a Ruger GP-100 or S&W 686 in .357 Magnum. They're both outstanding revolvers.

 

[Mainsail]

What to you intend to do in the woods? If you’re just planning on driving around and plunking down a tent, bring whatever you want- you don’t have to carry it far. If you intend to backpack or dayhike, the weight issue of such a large handgun kinda make that particular one a rather silly choice. Without knowing where you’re going or what you intend to do when you get there will make for some wild speculation.

EDIT to add: You mention 'hunting' but you might be more specific. Tree stand? Out the passenger window of a truck? Riding quads?

There are only about 1,000 bear threads in here. They all degrade into the idea that bears, even Koalas which aren’t really bears, are unstoppable with anything less than a shotgun loaded with 3” magnums, 300 WinMag, or some sort of antiaircraft round.

 

[awgrizzly]

The Super RedHawk isn't going to be that much better to carry than the Desert Eagle (it's a big honker). An Alaskan might be a better choice, but I dasn't shoot one unless a bear be chewing on my parts. If you can tote it the Desert Eagle is a dream to shoot... assuming you have the strength to hold it up (but then mine is a 44 mag). Consider that folks often haul rifles around in the woods, so how bad could a DE be. Can't stick a rifle in a holster. =o)

Got lots of black bears here... they don't bother people if you hide your food.