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

Status
Not open for further replies.
I have a .357m, 10mm, .44m, and a DE .50, If all four were loaded and sitting on a picnic table and a bear came charging through the clearing there is no doubt which gun I'd grab for.

The .50.

Amen.
 
I'm not sure there are any grizz outside of places like Yellowstone in the lower 48.
Click to expand...

Pockets of northern Washington State, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana all have confirmed populations of grizzly bears. In addition, there have been reports over the years of a few remaining hold-outs on the western side of the rockies in central and northern Colorado. One was even shot and killed there in the late 70's, even though at the time, it was believed there were no more remaining in the state.

These bear threads always seem to culminate in people trying to explain the differences between black bears and brown bears, as many hear the word "bear" and instantly think of an 800 pound grizzly, or a 1,200 pound Alaskan brown bear. The American black bear is on average about 1/3 that size.
 
A blackie will still eat ya if he wants to.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. I'm just trying to explain that a cartridge that may work on a black bear may not work on a brown, and by the same rule, a gun that the average person wouldn't dream of taking into grizzly country, may be adequate on black bear. "Bears" can't all be lumped into 1 giant, ferocious, 1/2 ton man-eater that will only go down with a .500 Nitro Express.
 
Damn, you've never seen Combat Fishing on the Kenai River, there is enough firepower to equip a small 3rd world nation. But

THIS IS MY POINT
No gun is going to make up for stupidity, and most
"bear attacks"
are a result of OPERATOR ERROR
if you actually are being hunted by a Brown, um, you had better know what you are doing, or be VERY lucky
 
If you wanted an auto for such use, I'd try to find a Grizzly MkIV in 45 Winchester or even 50AE. The 460 Rowland has somthing going for it if you don't intend to shoot it a lot.
 
I have two DE's, one in 50ae and the other in 44 mag. I am quite fond of both of them, and they are very packable in the shoulder rig I made for them. I can even cc them if I wish. they are very accurate though the triggers leave something to be desired. The 50 feeds reliably, the 44 has a mis-feed periodically. It may have to do with my ammo. I really would not feel under gunned with one at all.
 
A nice .357 or .44 mag revolver would make a much better backpacking gun, or even a 1911.

I've read a lot of reports about the DE being problematic, which is one of the main reasons I've never had much interest in spending the money on one. That and the fact that they are big, heavy, ridiculous and pretty much impractical for anything other than turning heads on the range, The one thing this gun really have going for it is it's coolness factor, other than that it leaves a lot to be desired, kinda along the same lines as the HK Mk23 socom.
 
Last edited:
I think only you can answer that question how good are you at shooting a pistol. If it is for protection from grizzlies and black bear you need to be realistic. You got a grizzly coming at you at 45 mph and your heart is beating 200 beats a minute while you have lost spincther control can you hit the bear every time?

Put up a paper plate at about 30 yards do a 200 yard dash draw your pistol as fast as you can and empty it buy pointing at the paper plate. See how many times you can hit the plate under those conditions. If you still feel comfortable go for it.

I personally would feel much better with a lever action in 45-70 or 450 marlin carried in a shoulder scabbard.
 
Last edited:
My final suggestion... if you happen upon a black bear, the best defense is point your finger at it and yell "BANG".
 
only if you're a pimp or a drug dealer. yep only ones that can use a Desert Eagle are pimps and drug dealers. good point.
Click to expand...

:what:

I'll bet they are few and far between, compared to the 1911's, Glocks, Berettas or some six shooter:D
 
Is Desert Eagle a good gun for protection in the woods?

If you are man enough to carry one around all day on your pants, you don't need no steenk'n gun to protect yourself from a puny little bear.

Desert Eagles are so darn heavy they should come with trail wheels and a ball hitch already installed

rc
 
well..... no threat of bears in the woods where I live. I suppose I would say 10mm Glock though. It will protect you (hopefully), and yet is packable enough to let you enjoy your time in the woods, but then again, I'm just a guy from Iowa. What would I know about bears? We do have the occasional mountain lion. I hike with a Glock 36.

I suppose you just have to balance stopping power vs. conveience vs. chances of an incident and find a ratio you are comfortable with.

But then again, what would an Iowegian know about bears?!?!
 
You should at least hold one before making the choice to buy it, preferably shoot one. If you can find and shoot a .44 magnum DE that will be enough. You need big hands to hold one properly. Personally I can grip a 1911 just fine, along with any other full-size pistol (Beretta 92's are no problem). The DE is big enough that I couldn't get a proper grip on it.
 
Desert Eagle xix aprrox 69 oz.
S&W 460 snubbie approx 55 oz
Ruger Alaskan 454 approx 41 oz
OR, also from Magnum Research, the best of everything @ approx 64 oz,
BFR 45-70 Revolver, 7.5" barrel. That way you don't have to be a pimp or drug dealer. And just for reference, all the pimps and drug dealers I've ever known owned a glock. Not working for a living has a tendancy to make peoples wrists to girly for a 1911 on steroids like the the Desert Eagle.
As long as they have glocks and ak's and I have Desert Eagles and Sniper rifles I don't mind living in the same neighborhoods, but i'd rather be in the woods
 
Hows about an LAR Grizzly in .45 Win Mag? I think that'd do the job quite nicely. I know it's not currently produced & you'd have to hunt for a deal. But from what I've heard about it it's a fantastic weapon that's very easy to get used to if you're familiar with the 1911.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

N
  • Locked
What's the issue with the Desert Eagle?
2 3
Replies
66
Views
5K
biscuitninja
B
H
  • Locked
Desert Eagle & Buffalo Bore ammunition
Replies
3
Views
2K
Hook686
H
B
  • Locked
orthopedic implants and handguns
Replies
7
Views
490
earplug
E
Brandon B
  • Locked
Questions about Magnum Research .44 Desert eagle
Replies
7
Views
2K
Toprudder
Toprudder
D
  • Locked
Necking things down.
Replies
2
Views
613
highorder
H
Back
Top