Questions about Magnum Research .44 Desert eagle

[Brandon B]

Hello all,
I am a new member and I have some questions regarding the .44 mag Magnum Research Desert Eagle.
Quick back ground on myself -
I’ve owned/operated/trained with firearms for about 10 years and like to consider myself (being humble as possible) somewhat on the knowledgeable side in regards to components and functionality of firearms.


So here’s the main point of my post... (and sorry if I am posting in the wrong section I am new to this)

I’ve always loved the desert eagle platform. But when I purchase guns I think about real life usability. I was at the range the other day with my 2 ARs, RH10 and Glock 17. The range master knows me pretty well after all these years and offered to let me try out a few of his “newly received” rentals. I had to choose the Magnum Research Desert Eagle chambered in .44 mag.
Knowing less than most about .44 mag, I grabbed a box of cheap PMC .44 mag ammo off the shelf and loaded up this bulky SOB. First shot went bang, but immediately jammed up. Second round nose dived and caused a FTF. I attributed this to possible loose arm due to never shooting .44 mag before. I fixed the issue. Second shot, same thing. Repeated this 3 or 4 times and finally thought I should bring it to the shops attention. I grabbed the most knowledgeable guy I know of at that range / shop and he came out with me. He has the .50 and the .44 and says he never had problems with either. Although with this one he was experiencing the same FTF.

We went with Remington next. Little higher quality and also higher grain. Still same issues.

He lubed the hell out of it, and with no success after that he attributed it to being a faulty spring(said it happens a lot with this firearm).

So it kind of turned me off to the desert eagle. After many searches online I see mixed reviews. Some say it’s never had an issue after 1000 rounds, some say it’s a little finicky.

Any .44 mag DE owners on here experience this or did I get one of the lemons? (It definitely was one of a kind, the shop decided to get it cerokoted in a pink leopard print design LOL.)

I’d love your input as to wether or not I should still consider picking one up.
Thanks!

B

 

[drk1]

Welcome and thanks for the questions. Let me begin by saying that I'm no expert, but there are a couple of things to consider. First, I used to try to explain to folks that some pistols simply preferred some ammunition more than others. You may have been headed in the right direction when you moved away from the PMC, but just didn't find what that particular pistol liked... yet. With today's prices for ammunition, that can get expensive. Second, the Desert Eagle has a gas port. That gas port gets dirty and typically produces the kind of problems that you described. You mentioned that this was a " 'newly received' rental" which means that it may be very, very dirty. You also mentioned that it had been cerokoted. The port may have become clogged or damaged when that was done. Check around on-line and you'll find information about cleaning the gas port. It was a common reason Desert Eagles came into the shop and most of the time it was an easy fix. Always enjoyed sending folks away happy! Hope this helps. Keep us posted.

 

[tcj]

I've got a couple of thousand of rounds through my 44 and the only time I have a problem with it is when it gets dirty - which can happen within 100 rounds depending upon the ammo and how much lube was used.

You can also get FTF's due to underpowered ammo, weak springs, magazine problems, limp wristing or if you don't let the magazine "float" (don't touch it while firing).

The DE needs full powered ammo (I reload with max H110 under a 240gr semi jacketed soft point).

It's one of my favorite range toys. Now looking for a 357 barrel & bolt to use as well.

 

[Brandon B]

Welcome and thanks for the questions. Let me begin by saying that I'm no expert, but there are a couple of things to consider. First, I used to try to explain to folks that some pistols simply preferred some ammunition more than others. You may have been headed in the right direction when you moved away from the PMC, but just didn't find what that particular pistol liked... yet. With today's prices for ammunition, that can get expensive. Second, the Desert Eagle has a gas port. That gas port gets dirty and typically produces the kind of problems that you described. You mentioned that this was a " 'newly received' rental" which means that it may be very, very dirty. You also mentioned that it had been cerokoted. The port may have become clogged or damaged when that was done. Check around on-line and you'll find information about cleaning the gas port. It was a common reason Desert Eagles came into the shop and most of the time it was an easy fix. Always enjoyed sending folks away happy! Hope this helps. Keep us posted.

Very helpful thank you!

 

[Brandon B]

I've got a couple of thousand of rounds through my 44 and the only time I have a problem with it is when it gets dirty - which can happen within 100 rounds depending upon the ammo and how much lube was used.

You can also get FTF's due to underpowered ammo, weak springs, magazine problems, limp wristing or if you don't let the magazine "float" (don't touch it while firing).

The DE needs full powered ammo (I reload with max H110 under a 240gr semi jacketed soft point).

It's one of my favorite range toys. Now looking for a 357 barrel & bolt to use as well.

Thanks man I bet it was just filthy. The guy behind the counter has a few DE so he taught me how to shoot it properly since it’s a new gun to me. Thought it was me at first until he couldn’t get any rounds out of it either.

 

[Toprudder]

I've only shot my reloads in my DE 44. It does take full-house loads to operate, I shot some loads that were about 150fps slower than my full-tilt loads, and it would not cycle. With my normal magnum powder loads it has worked flawlessly.

The springs can get weak and are considered a normal maintenance item. I have not reached that point so I can't say just how many rounds that takes. With the gas operation, it will also get dirty quicker than some guns as the gas vents under the barrel into the recoil spring area. I never shoot more than 25 rounds or so each trip and I field strip and clean it, so that has never been a problem for me.

 

[Dibbs]

I've got a couple of thousand of rounds through my 44 and the only time I have a problem with it is when it gets dirty - which can happen within 100 rounds depending upon the ammo and how much lube was used.

You can also get FTF's due to underpowered ammo, weak springs, magazine problems, limp wristing or if you don't let the magazine "float" (don't touch it while firing).

The DE needs full powered ammo (I reload with max H110 under a 240gr semi jacketed soft point).

IME, my DE44 runs much better now than it did when I first got it. I was making a couple handling mistakes.

First, DO NOT touch that mag, let it hang.

Second, you really need to have a very firm grip, and
support the pistol very strongly during recoil.

Third, I used some top notch ammo a couple years back,
it was a real wake up. Since then, I've been a lot more selective about my ammo, but also found that
well made reloads of my own worked as well as the primo ammo. Fiocchi 240 grain Semi Jacketed
shoots well through it.

Fourth, cleaning means the whole gun,
not just the barrel. If you let the springs, channels, and slide get dirty it will affect the gun's performance.

IMO, the average person doesn't have the hands, time to practice, or patience it takes to fire a DE of larger caliber well. It's heavy, very large, and takes a lot of getting used to. Any Ruger or S&W revolver in 44 is lighter, costs less, and is just as accurate. The
revolvers are also much more practical to carry.

OTOH, if you are into High Maintenance Blondes, the DE44 may be for you. It's very accurate, loud,
and fun to shoot, once you get the hang of it. Also one of the coolest movie icon pistols ever.

If you are only looking for a practical pistol, the DE44 is more of a range toy, or guilty pleasure gun, with little real life utility. But if you can run the gun, like Toprudder and I do, they are great to shoot.

But I think most folks try them once, they lock up, then they get unfairly listed as
jammomatics.

 

[Toprudder]

In case it matters, My DE 44 is one of the very early Israeli made ones, as best I can tell it was made in '86 (date stamps on the 3 mags it came with). Only one of the mags had been used when I bought it, and there were no wear marks on it, so I think it had been shot very little, possibly none, when I picked it up.