DE 44 mag questions!

[zombie44]

I think I'm satisfied with my revolver collection for now and would like to pick up my first semiauto. I was trying to decide between 9mm or 10mm and 1911 or not and then I heard the Desert Eagle 44 mag actually uses revolver ammo, is this true? I can't get enough of shooting my Ruger SRH Alaskan 44 mag down the range, and since I reload it would be great to share ammo between the two. Would the DE make for a fun range toy as well and is there anything to look out for when reloading for it? Thanks for any info!

 

[HGUNHNTR]

I would certainly suggest a nice 10mm over the DE 44 mag, unless you have NFL receiver sized hands.
Yes the DE shoots 44 mag, the same loads as your revolver.

 

[Shadow 7D]

there are a few out there, Automag (the original) Widley, DE, and some other specialty ones. Price and rarity are considerations.

 

[millertyme]

DE is a monster. As previously stated, you'll need some fairly large hands to hold on to it. I thought about doing the same back when I shot 44M, then I put one in my hands. No thanks.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

A Desert Eagle would be fun to add to a collection and shoot occasionally. I like its unusual design (for example, it is gas-operated). But it is not as practical or versatile as a revolver in the same caliber. Something to remember is that while it is chambered for .44 Magnum, your loads are restricted to full power with jacketed bullets. Downloaded ammo will not cycle the action, and any lead buildup will permanently plug the gas port(s), eventually turning it into a single-shot.

 

[wideym]

The Desert Eagle .44 is very controlable to shoot, in fact my 80 pound niece and my buddy's little Philipino wife both shoot it whenever I bring it out to the range (ammo permiting).

I have only shot Magtech .44mag out of it so far (I had a case of it, almost out now), and it cycled every time. Watch out for the aftermarket Promags as they don't strip the last round out when firing.

 

[InkEd]

More of a novelty item. IMHO.