Is Desert Eagle a good gun for protection in the woods?

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Desert Eagles are toys that serve no practical purpose.

In my opinion the Desert Eagle is a toy. Its like driving an F350 dually with huge "swamper" tires, with an empty bad, towing nothing and in FL where there is no hills or mountains.

It is completely useless, except for the "look at how awesome" I am factor.

I am sure 100 people will not share this opinion, but I am willing to be an equal or very close amount will mirror my opinion.

There are as strong, reliable, practical and more reasonably priced options than a Desert Eagle.
 
Alternate uses around camp for a DE:

1. Wheel chock for Hummer H2.

2. (When unloaded) Pound tent stakes.

3. Weigh down windward side of family sized dome tent.

4. Blow morning revelie. (BOOM)

5. Don winged helmet, wave around, summon lightning.

6. Punch holes in old growth trees to secure rainfly to shade BBQ pit for cooking endangered species.

7. Put gun bearer to work.

;)

Seriously if you can haul it around, go for it. Too heavy for anything but 'truck camping' in my humble opinion. Plenty of gun for any 'camp needs' in 357, or 44. 50 AE is an awfully expensive flyswatter.
 
:D

To the OP: I'd be more focused on dog packs: abandoned, semi-feral dogs are a real problem. Can you fire the weapon at 6-10 varied, moving targets approaching you @ 15+mph if your wilderness area is in easy driving distance to a moderate-sized city (Plan on rabies being present, too).

Plan on running into a meth operation, or a pot plantation.

You only have to miss once.

Is a Desert Eagle fun to shoot? Sure.

I'm from Alaska, now live on the edge of a forest in Colorado. If you're actually going hiking, weight gets exponentially heavier every 10 miles. It's a matter of compromises.

A Glock 20, with 155gr Barnes (http://barnesbullets.myshopify.com/products/400-155-gr-tac-xp-fb-10mm-40-s-w) run around 1200fps with VV N340 with care and an upgraded Wolff spring (I like to add a steel guide rod too, but that's just me). You're 15 rounds in the mag and if you run a Miami Clasic from Galco, you're already set with an extra 30 rounds.

IMO, that's a good compromise.

You just want justification to enjoy your DE .50? Hey, have fun.

You might want to brush up on basic backwoods skills: Nothing beats this for the basics: http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...pbooks&hvadid=23054691&ref=pd_sl_70wy2myc8q_e

Bring a waterproof map, know how to orienteer by the compass and the stars, and know enough basic first aid to beat hiking blisters, sprained/broken ankles/wrists, and to on. A quality pair of splinters tweezers is worth their weight in platinum. A pealess whistle. Signal mirror. Water collection/purification. Firestarter that you know how to use. Run a search here on THR about bug out bags for some outstanding recommendations.

Life's too short not to go have fun in the wilderness, be it high desert or boreal coniferous rain forest. I've lived in 'em and love 'em.

Slow down. Pay attention. Relax completely. Leave nothing but footprints.
 
Want to re-load some of this:

I have a T/C Encore 18-in Katahdin Pro-Hunter barrel, on the T/C action ( it was factory-produced as a rifle.) From comments on this series, I have gleaned that the .460 S&W can digest .454 Casull, .45 Colt. and the .500 S&W Magnum, all of which are rimmed, straight-wall brass, and here is my question: which ga. shot-gun shell can I fire in this setup, if any at all? What in-common re-loading equipment should be my first purchase? Thanks for your expertise. Dao.
 
The DEP is a very accurate/reliable pistol with the right loads(heavy). I have all four calibers it was originaly built in (had the 440corbon as well) and hunt with the 44 mag and the 50ae. I use the 10 barrel versions and love them all.
Go for it.
 
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gargantuan pistol, awesome recoil, but if you imagine yourself carrying it than do it, a carbine is the obvious choice but which handgun? the Glock 10mm is sensible. will tolerate the elements well and is viable for the role... traditional choices? N frame S&W then Taurus. want bigger? we've come full circle, the DE is a fine choice, go for it.
 
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"that a 45 LC (factory load) is a piss poor excuse for a bear stopper. I was shooting 45LC's out of a lever action i got rid of a while back at an old fridge, and at 75 yds, it didn't even dent the fridge."

I haven't played Cowboys and Refrigerators yet...but when/if I do I'll post some pics.

Lot's of bears were killed long before Lara Croft bounced her buxom Desert Eagles across a set and when meat was salted and not refrigerated and when we had to walk to the wagon train uphill both ways from the little red school house...

L.W.
 
I found the grip to be huge, and I think the FiveSeveN's grip is a good fit. I don't think I could operate it very well.
 
"My personal opinion is that if you are going to carry something as heavy as a desert eagle than just get a rifle."

Hmmmmm. a 6-10 pound rifle versus a 5 pound DEP? I'll take the DEP in a 6" barrel and hip holster to keep my hands free..:D
 
10mm you never heard of a rifle sling?

Put me in the camp that if I'm undergunned with a 4" k-frame 357 then I'd rather have a 30-30.
 
When compared to high quality firearm like Freedom Arms 83 the .50 Desert Eagle pistol is balance-less, amorphous lead brick. I will take my lowly Remington 600 .350mag over that hand boulder any day.
 
you guys really dont think they are that heavy do you? this is sarcasm real thick right?
Click to expand...

Not sarcastic. 4-1/2 pounds empty is a very heavy pistol.

I had a .50, sold it last year. I'll buy another when finances improve. It was superbly accurate and very powerful (over 1,600 ft/lbs with handloads).

That said, Carrying the thing through the woods was only marginally less bothersome than carrying a rifle. Fully loaded, they weigh twice what a 1911 does, and the bulk doesn't go unnoticed, either.

Hunting with one is a different story, but I found it annoying when taking game wasn't my primary objective.

For defense against two and four legged threats here in CO, I carry a S&W 1006 or my Witness Compact 10mm. I also have a 3" S&W 629 that packs pretty well if I need a little more punch.
 
Yes i have heard of a shoulder sling. Never heard of one that EVER stayed were it was put though. My holsters ALWAYS stay on my hip, or under my left arm!
Yes the DEP is a BIG, Heavy hand cannon. But if your on a budget and already have a DEP, then by all means, use it. why buy something else? SAVE YOUR MONEY FOR GAS!!!!
 
50AE

Well...... for me the Desert Eagle is the sweetest thing next to my 500 mag.
I have been reloading both for quite some time now, I saw a thread about someone asking if you can buy a die set for 50AE, yes you can, at MidwayUSA. I use Starline brass and Berry's 350 grain bullets to load my AE, I know..... BERRY's ???????? only because you can hit your OAL much easier due to the round nose, now...... I have used 275, 300, 350 grains in my 50AE, questions are how much powder, what type of primers etc.......

This is posted only for my use, but this is what I use:
300g bullet - H110 - 32g powder with WLR primers and starline brass.
350g bullet - H110 - 27g powder with WLR primers and starline brass
I did shoot a 500 grain bullet from an AE once, and only once, it did fire NP, however I will never do it again, due the small amount of powder I had to use which I will not disclose i an sure it didn't travel very far.

My 500 mag I have learned a lot, OAL is crucial, case trimming is too, brass stretches, but when I bought my Lyman Ultra Sonic case cleaner for case preping, I really woke up. If you use liquid solution to clean your brass, better make sure it is "DRY" mainly inside the cans, if you do not, you will fire duds that will get lodged in your barrel, wadded up powder, and just a "poof" is all you get.
I use 350 grain bullets in my 500 mag with 43 grains of H110 and LRP CCI. I have used a 300 grain bullet with 45 grains of H110, get ready for a kaboom!!!! be careful, these are max limits!!!!
It's not as bad as most say, I can shoot my AE and my 500 mag at least 50-60 times each, and I am a skinny dude. If you expect or anticipate a large kick, then you will not be able to handle it, as for your hand, if you grip these monsters properly, you won't get bruised of pain or any kind of discomfort,
trust me on this, have been shooting them for a long long time.

So happy shooting, and be safe!
 
I agree with Fresnokid... I have never shot one with 500 grn bullet...That would be high recoil...350 is plenty...
I have an XIX, shoot hot ammo and it works great...I really like the 440 Corbon:)

Those who feel it is a toy are mistaken... Not a carry pistol for ccw, elitist for sure;) It has its spot in the safe, similar to my 458 Win Mag Rifle
 
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That's some kinda handgun. I spend a lot of time in Pike, Floyd, Johnson & Martin Co., KY and I don't believe I could find a use for a hand cannon like that. I shot one twice, second time just to prove it really hurt and I couldn't control it. I do believe if you can handle it you're a better man than I ever was. Please let us know how it works out and if you get a big'un I am sure it will be in the local paper.
 
Yes i have heard of a shoulder sling. Never heard of one that EVER stayed were it was put though. My holsters ALWAYS stay on my hip, or under my left arm!
Click to expand...

Apparently you need to do some more research on slings then.
 
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