desert eagle vs. S&W 29/629?

[coosbaycreep]

I'm hoping to get a .44 "deagle" eventually, and had some questions for those of you who own one or have shot them.

How does the accuracy of the desert eagle compare to a revolver with a similar barrel length?

How about recoil? I've heard that they kick less because they're semi auto (and because they're super heavy), but how much of a difference is there?

I know you're not suppose to shoot lead bullets in them, but is there any other issues with what kind of ammo they need to function reliably? Are these strong enough to handle "ruger" loads?

I know magnum research says not to shoot reloads in them, but is there some special reason you can't shoot reloads in them?

I don't care about being able to interchange between calibers, and will probably buy (if I buy one in the first place) whatever generation of gun I find the best deal on, but, is there any differences in quality/reliability between the early models and the newer guns?

Obviously a revolver will be more reliable, but assuming you find a load the deagle likes, how reliable are these?

Which is the most fun to shoot?

Also, (because I know all the fuddy duddies will chime in and say they're tacticool and only kids obsessed with video games like them), I already know they're not practical. It's not something I'd buy for HD, hunting, etc., just for plinking. I've always thought they were cool looking, and am just trying to find out if they're fun/reliable/accurate enough to consider buying.

thanks

 

[wideym]

I have a .44 DE and a 4" S&W 29. I had always wanted a DE but the high price aways kept them out of reach, until I found one nearly mint in the box for $500 at a local pawn shop (they only gave the owner $300 for it in pawn).

I've only shot Magtech 240gn SJSPs out of the DE so far and it never had a problem. As far as reloads go, I think just about every gun manufacturer warns against reloads if not outright voiding the warrenty.

The model 29 is handier and much lighter, but the DE is much more fun to shoot and of course everyone will want to try it out. The recoil is much lighter with the DE that even my 17 year old 90 pound neice shoots it with no problem.

If you find a DE that you want, then just buy it and forget what anyone else says.

 

[Rembrandt]

Fortunate to own both a Desert Eagle .44 and a S&W 629 Performance Center....each has a 6" barrel. If you read carefully every manufacturers literature, they all void the warranties if used with reloaded ammo....so don't read too much into that. I use the same reloads for both guns and accuracy is equal for both. Desert Eagles need full house loads and jacketed bullets, no cast lead....240 grain Hornady XTP's fit that requirement.

Felt recoil is much softer in the Desert Eagle because of the extra weight and gas operation. Similar to the recoil of a 357 revolver.

I wouldn't call the revolver more reliable than the auto....for me they are equally reliable.

Quality of earlier Eagles and later ones is the same.....newer models offer more upgrades and features than the older ones.