Desert Eagle .357...consensus?

[Carbon_15]

I havent been able to shake the desire for a Desert Eagle...now I have the oportunity to buy a .357 at a very attractive price. I have always thought anything less than a .50 would be a waste, and I have no desire to add another caliber to my reloading roster. I already load tons of .357, but have always considered it underpowered for the DE platform.
Whats the general take on the .357 Desert Eagle?
Jason

 

[PabloJ]

I'm not sure I want rotating bolt of M16 in a handgun but the .357 stainless might be nice to own. The .50 felt like a balance-less amorphous anvil in my hand. If one wants wonderful balance in large powerful handgun they should heft Freedom Arms Model 83.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I had the Mk XIX DE in .357 years ago. Highly accurate, had a Trijicon Reflex sight on it. The .357 version uses a weaker set of recoil springs than the .44/.50 version, and when it would get dirty, about 50 rounds or so, it would have trouble fully locking up.
After a while it just became too much gun for the small caliber, and I traded it in on a Freedom Arms revolver, no regrets about the trade.
I'm sure you know you can't use lead bullets or reduced loads. No .38 spl, and even the light .357 factory loads like the Winchester 110 grain JHP will not cycle the gun.

 

[KJS]

Would you mind telling us what this attractive price is? I'm really curious. I've seen the price tags on new .50 & .44 versions and they're gigantic just like the handgun their attached to.

I have no personal experience with any DE, other than being able to identify it easily since it's gigantic for a pistol and really stands out in the crowd where many guns look much the same. Isn't it called a Baby Eagle in the .357 Mag version?

I thought the main point of a DE was bragging rights as in "I have the most powerful semi-auto handgun on Earth," which you only get if you buy the .50AE version. I think the DE is a cool looking gun indeed, but don't see it as a very practical choice.

Personally, I'd put .357 Mag & .44 Mag ammo where it was designed to go: in a revolver.

 

[Carbon_15]

I thought the main point of a DE was bragging rights as in "I have the most powerful semi-auto handgun on Earth," which you only get if you buy the .50AE version. I think the DE is a cool looking gun indeed, but don't see it as a very practical choice

My quandry exactly. Its a novelty gun without some of the novelty. A ferrari with a Ford motor. But I have plenty of practical guns.
The guy is asking $800, but i think I can get it for $750ish
MKI in nib condition

 

[daorhgih]

I'm just sayin' ...

Which Ferrari? Which Ford motor? If you have a bunch of .357s layin' around, why buy the colossal-framed DE? Who will you impress? Get the .50AE.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The unusual and clever design and engineering (gas operation and rotating bolt, all adapted to a long rimmed revolver cartridge) makes it intriguing to me, regardless of caliber.

 

[WardenWolf]

I like the idea of the DE, although it's way too expensive for a pistol.

 

[Morgo]

I have an XIX .357 model



Mine is perfectly reliable and quite accurate at 50 yards.

Rule of thumb is use 158 grain projectiles (factory ammo or reloads) or higher as lighter projectiles can present reliability issues.
I hand load for mine, currently loading 158 with 14.0 or .14.5 grains of 2400. The other issue is limp wristng, they need a solid and firm grip otherwise limp wristing will cause them to jam.

I usually put 200rds through it when it goes out to the range as its not worth the time it takes to clean for anything less, I've never had an issue with it getting dirty and causing a jam.
I very rarely have an issue with it at all and most times its only when someone else is shooting it.

 

[Carbon_15]

intersting...my pet load is 14.2 gr of 2400 under a 158gr bullet

 

[jeepguy]

as long as your thinking about a .357 mag i would look at the coonan dan coonan .357 manum automatic.

 

[magnumman44]

The Baby Eagle is made and sold in 9mm, 40S&W, and 45acp......

 

[Girodin]

If its a real good price and you just want one for fun then why not. I used to think the DE was just a silly gun and wondered why anyone would want one. I then shot my friends .50 AE and realized that yes it is kind of a silly gun but that it was actually pretty fun in a gee wiz kind of way. I think if I were going to get one I'd probably want a .50 just because that is part of the fun IMHO. That said if the price is really good you could probably sell it later if you don't like it and loading .357 is surely cheaper, particularly if you are already set up to do it. The DE is a fun gun so if you think a .357 will be fun then why not. If want you really want is the .50 then hold out for one.

 

[InkEd]

The Desert Eagle is just plain silliness. Which is okay. Just be award of it.

 

[GarrettJ]

I've got one with barrels in .357 and .44Mag. It is a large gun, but it's fun to play with. It does really well at bowling pin matches.

video here

And while also interesting, the gas operation doesn't make it the best suppressor host. But like I said, it's still fun to play with.

 

[Airburst]

Well, I am looking at a Mk I version, posted a question about reliability and hope to get an answer soon. I want one.