talk me into/out of a Desert Eagle .50AE

GarrettJ said:

Been there. Not trying to dissuade you. Just be aware, it’s kind of like suppressing an AK47. The gas system makes a lot of noise from gasses that bypass the suppressor.

And the gas blowback in the face is pretty impressive

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Yes, it's essentially an op rod gun, and any supersonic large caliber pistol round has a very offensive sonic crack anyway. But I do have a few advantages in suppressing things which most folks don't, like drawing on the experience of having built hundreds of custom cans and cores to tailor them to the host weapon, and performing host modifications well beyond "home gunsmithing".

If "practical" can be at all applied to either gun, it'd be the revolver.

The DE is just so dumb and useless, though, that it's hard not to want one. I will say, though, that I've never come across one that was absolutely reliable. It's a small sample size - four guns in various calibers - but none of them would digest a full box of ammo without at least one hiccup. Hopefully I just had bad luck or bad ammo - and I still kind of want one despite that - but it may be something to bear in mind.

I keep looking at the case hardened one that I'm disturbingly attracted to.

The DE XIX was always too bulky and heavy for me to consider owning one. When I turned 50 Dersert Eagle came out with a DE L5 .50ae model with a 5" barrel instead of a 6" barrel and over a pound lighter. I LOVE my L5! Eventually I found a 44mag barrel for it which is a fair bit cheaper to reload.

Even my light weight L5 is much softer shooting in .50ae than my heavy Dan Wesson 744 in .44 magnum. The gas operated action really softens the .50ae and makes it a lot of fun to shoot!

.38 Special said:

If "practical" can be at all applied to either gun, it'd be the revolver.

The DE is just so dumb and useless, though, that it's hard not to want one. I will say, though, that I've never come across one that was absolutely reliable. It's a small sample size - four guns in various calibers - but none of them would digest a full box of ammo without at least one hiccup. Hopefully I just had bad luck or bad ammo - and I still kind of want one despite that - but it may be something to bear in mind.

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That is enough to send to a 10 mm glock or maybe this new Czech 30 caliber bottle neck round and pistol.

I've shot a full mag from a DE chambered in .44 mag, and another full mag from one chambered in .50 years later. Honestly, both times I thought the ergonomics we're terrible. I personally would take the revolver, no question.

.38 Special said:

I will say, though, that I've never come across one that was absolutely reliable. It's a small sample size - four guns in various calibers - but none of them would digest a full box of ammo without at least one hiccup. Hopefully I just had bad luck or bad ammo - and I still kind of want one despite that - but it may be something to bear in mind.

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As noted by others, they like to be run wet. Not dripping with oil, but not dry either.

This thread encouraged me to bring two of my Desert Eagles out this afternoon. The .44 ran flawlessly, but the .50 had a couple failures to return to battery on the first mag. I put a couple drops of oil on the bolt’s locking lug as well as a couple drops on the slide rails. After that, it was flawless for the rest of the day as well.

The revolver is great. Notice that it’s so great hardly any were mentioned by name? If you got one, lots of people would ask what it is chambered in and who made it. (Hopefully you say Freedom Arms, you’re worth it.)

The Desert Eagle’s reputation precedes it. Everyone will know what it is at first sight. There is only one. They will set down what they are shooting to watch the Eagle. Many of them will remember which movie they first saw the giant raptor in.

So if the question is what big bore handgun, there are many good answers.
If the real choice is between the Eagle and another big bore, well, there is only one Desert Eagle.


Both will rattle the whole range.

And Happy belated Birthday, @1KPerDay!

Magnum Research BFR in .500JRH

If it's what you really want then get it. I'm sure if your on here with the rest of us clowns you safe is far from empty, and your requirements for cc or sd are well covered already. What interests me has zero bearing on what you want or why you want it, follow your dream and be satisfied. Besides a 50bmg is no more practical and people still want them...

I may have to entice you the other direction than my previous post.

Magnum Research is releasing a Biggest, Finest, Revolver 20th anniversary edition, engraved by Tyler Gun Works and shipped with a custom show case.
Not a Fifty, but a 45/70 is no cream puff.


In that vein, I’m saving right now. In four years there will be a 40th anniversary edition Desert Eagle! Hopefully equally as engraved, case hardened, with black nitride appointments instead of that Browning gold trigger everyone, except I, seems to adore.
Perhaps a Cambridge quartz solid surface grip set too!

SundownRider said:

Any 80’s action movie is not complete without a DE. Get one to remember when.

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Or a Wildey Hunter.

Demi-human said:

Magnum Research is releasing a Biggest, Finest, Revolver 20th anniversary edition, engraved by Tyler Gun Works and shipped with a custom show case.

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Sounds like a sweet addition to the collection. My concern is whether it would be TOO nice to actually take to the range and shoot.