Value and quality of Desert Eagle large frame pistol?

[leadcounsel]

Interested in opinions of the value and quality of a large frame well kept Desert Eagle in black finish, in .44 magnum?

I know someone selling one for $800 WITH 250 rounds of ammo... appears in great condition, with box and manual.

 

[gunnutery]

Wow, that sounds like a great deal, especially considering the cost of .44 mag ammo. Perhaps some other DE afficianados would have more input, but from the used ones I've seen people are still asking around $1000+ without ammo.

 

[leadcounsel]

Bump

 

[PabloJ]

That sounds like a deal if you're in market for balance-less amorphous lead brick. The handling is reminiscent of sledge hammer with short handle. The Freedom Arms 83 is just the opposite sorta like lifting prima ballerina vs. sumo wrestler.

 

[dogmush]

That's a pretty good price. If you want one, go for it. You'll be able to make all that back if you decide you don't like it.

 

[NMGonzo]

get it

 

[OARNGESI]

800-1000 is a fair price without the ammo.

 

[firesky101]

Sounds like a decent deal, there is one at my LGS for $899 w/o any ammo.

 

[Havok7416]

That's a good deal IMO. The ammo alone is about $200-235 depending on manufacturer. Heck I would even buy the ammo off of you if you wanted!

 

[Storm]

Just be sure to make sure that it's the right ammo. Full metal jacket (or plastic ballistic tips) only. Otherwise, you will end up with a nice paperweight. Bullets with exposed lead will eventually clog the gas system. If the wrong ammo comes with the gun I'd pass on it.

 

[Havok7416]

Just be sure to make sure that it's the right ammo. Full metal jacket (or plastic ballistic tips) only. Otherwise, you will end up with a nice paperweight. Bullets with exposed lead will eventually clog the gas system. If the wrong ammo comes with the gun I'd pass on it.

Very true! I guess I forgot that in my post...

 

[dogmush]

Just be sure to make sure that it's the right ammo. Full metal jacket (or plastic ballistic tips) only. Otherwise, you will end up with a nice paperweight. Bullets with exposed lead will eventually clog the gas system. If the wrong ammo comes with the gun I'd pass on it.

FWIW, the manual says semi-jacketed bullets give the best function and reliability.

I've shot about 100 semi jacketed .50 through mine with no fouling issues.

 

[Storm]

Thats good to know about the semi jackets. I'll stick with mt FMJ as they have been 100% over the past 25 years and I sleep better passing a round that is fully jacketed. As they aren't always easy to find the semi jackets offer a good option.

Btw, I assume that we are talking about semi jacketed soft points and hollow points?

Thanks for the info. Good to have ammo options especially when 44 mag is not cheap to begin with.

 

[dogmush]

Yeah, Semi Jacketed HP's, and SP's.

As long as the base is fully encapsulated, you should be good.

 

[Auto426]

If you are interested in one then that's a pretty good deal. You could probably buy it, shoot all the included ammo, and turn around and sell it for the same price if you don't like it.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

For the same money you could have a new, quality firearm.

 

[dogmush]

For the same money you could have a new, quality firearm.

Where might one find a new, quality, autoloading .44 mag for $800?

 

[Hk Dan]

Heads up; they have a chamber kinda like an AR and they like to run SPOTLESSLY clean. Otherwise, they are a great hunting gun.

 

[Storm]

Just to say a few things about the Desert Eagle in general. It's not the gun's fault that Hollywood has hyped it. I think that it has sort of a stigma due to that fact. The gun doesn't have all that many practical applications other than hunting. But, practicality isn't a requirement for me to enjoy owning and shooting a handgun. I've had a Desert Eagle since I bought my first one, one of the early ones from the 80's in .357. Foolishly I sold that gun and now have one in .44 magnum. Between both guns, shooting proper ammo, I have never had a malfunction. The gun is doggone big but when I pick the gun up and shoot it it's pretty much a perfect match-up. My shooting buddies enjoy watching me shoot it and recognize that the gun and I are made for each other. And no, it's certainly not a conceal carry gun, but anyone acquiring one will know that. I find the gun to be beautifully engineered and very well made and it would be one of the very last guns that I would get rid of. I paid $800 for my 44 about five years ago and the gun is in outstanding condition. I considered that price to be excellent at the time. Recently I see far fewer Desert Eagles in gun shop cases, at least locally.

If you accept this gun for what it is, and isn't, and put all of the hype (both positive and negative) aside, you will find a gun very worth owning if you can justify the expenditure.

As this thread has no photos, enjoy.