Deer Hunter
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2005
- Messages
- 4,097
For a gas operated big-bore semi-auto pistol, it's extremely well made.
What's the issue with the Desert Eagle?
- Thread starter Nolo
- Start date
- Status
Malodorousroadkill
Member
How many gas operated big bore pistols are there?
Nolo
Member
He's a very good shot, even with the 500. He said he hit the beast 4 times in the shoulder and I have no reason to doubt him.
He a very experienced shooter and hunter, so I wouldn't doubt him. He knows when he misses or doesn't get a good shot off.
WoofersInc
Member
Having one of the 50AE guns I can tell you it isn't even anywhere remotely thought about as a home defense weapon. A good shotgun and a XD45 are what are at hand at my house. But I bought the Eagle for the fun factor. And that is something that it has supplied. As with any oher gun, each has it's place and or niche. I don't let any of the hype around them sway me.
It's a fun gun to shoot and I wanted one. That's all the reason needed.
It's a fun gun to shoot and I wanted one. That's all the reason needed.
Justin
Moderator Emeritus
For someone who seems to have such a keen interest in learning about this stuff, you sure do seem to engage in far more idle ruminating than actual trigger time.
Nolo
Member
And there, Justin, is my dilemma. I'm only seventeen, I don't have any weapons of my own (hope to change that soon, but my parents still don't want them in the house) and my father (who is the guy in charge of the weapons) doesn't take me shooting like he could.
Hopefully that will all change when I blow this popsicle stand for Texas in September.
mljdeckard
Member
It's not an overpowered cartridge. It's an overpowered handgun cartridge.
Keep in mind, a .44 mag CAN kill an elephant. a .22 CAN kill a person. Doesn't make either one the ideal option. What we're talking about here is maximizing the odds.
It's not just the cartridge power that makes an x-frame non ideal for defending against bears. When defending yourself against ANYTHING which will kill you if you fail, you never want to use adequate force. You must use OVERWHELMING force. If you want to take large game with a heavy revolver, and you KNOW you are that good with a handgun, go ahead. But with bears, there are grave consequences for not getting it right the first time.
If I had the inclination to go fishing in Alaska, (Not on my list of things to do, but my dad sure wants to go,) I understand that a bear gun is part of the deal. I suppose one of those 4" 500s would be easier to carry, but what I honestly see as being the best idea, is to use the buddy system, trade off. One guy fishes while the other guy pulls guard with a rifle in a serious magnum caliber.
Keep in mind, a .44 mag CAN kill an elephant. a .22 CAN kill a person. Doesn't make either one the ideal option. What we're talking about here is maximizing the odds.
It's not just the cartridge power that makes an x-frame non ideal for defending against bears. When defending yourself against ANYTHING which will kill you if you fail, you never want to use adequate force. You must use OVERWHELMING force. If you want to take large game with a heavy revolver, and you KNOW you are that good with a handgun, go ahead. But with bears, there are grave consequences for not getting it right the first time.
If I had the inclination to go fishing in Alaska, (Not on my list of things to do, but my dad sure wants to go,) I understand that a bear gun is part of the deal. I suppose one of those 4" 500s would be easier to carry, but what I honestly see as being the best idea, is to use the buddy system, trade off. One guy fishes while the other guy pulls guard with a rifle in a serious magnum caliber.
Deer Hunter
Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2005
- Messages
- 4,097
"How many gas operated big bore pistols are there?"
Exactly.
Exactly.
JP from Phoenix
Member
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2007
- Messages
- 241
I never held one but i'm willing to bet that thing is way too big for my hands. The biggest handgun i think i'd ever get would be a .44 mag revolver, I'm not hunting bears in alaska I don't think there is a bear 1000 miles from me right now.
The Eagle is just an interesting piece of work, that sits in it's own little niche in the community. It's a shame that they are both derided and lauded for their reputation, depending on how one looks at it.
They have some pro's, they're fantastically accurate, and suprisingly comfortable to shoot. They're built like tanks, and should last about as long.
Of course they suffer for ammo capacity, they're too masive for carry, heavier than a brick, and well nigh impossible to cycle manually for folks of the smaller variety.
It's an interesting gun. It's certainly not a "do it all" gun. But it has it's place in the world and it's fun to shoot.
They have some pro's, they're fantastically accurate, and suprisingly comfortable to shoot. They're built like tanks, and should last about as long.
Of course they suffer for ammo capacity, they're too masive for carry, heavier than a brick, and well nigh impossible to cycle manually for folks of the smaller variety.
It's an interesting gun. It's certainly not a "do it all" gun. But it has it's place in the world and it's fun to shoot.
Don't forget to look at the ballistics too. I can get a 10mm round that penetrates 15.25" and expands to .96" in gelatin. Thats probably plenty of penetration for defense against people. For all the added recoil and lower capacity of the .50, can you find a defensive load for it that will make a better wound? I think all you'll find is an extra foot of penetration.
possum
Member
they have the ergos of a 2x4, they are heavy and personally i thik they would be better for a boat anchor, i have no need for one as you can tell!
Lightsped
Member
I too cringe when I hear folks refer to them as "Deagles". Perhaps they just don't know better. Anyways, I'd like to get one sometime in 2008. Just something to have since I have seen so many on videogames and movies. Doubt I'll fire it much...
Exactly. But, I've shot a DE for years (first a .357 and now a .44) and whether there was anyone around the range to see the gun was irrelevant. For me the gun is just plain fun and extremely accurate. I enjoy the experience of shooting the gun and need no other reason to own one.
As to these gamers, they really aren't on my radar screen. Same with movies. I see more Berettas and HKs in movies than anything else.
A freind bought one years ago and I got a chance to shoot it. Accurate and light on recoil for the power level. Heavy and bulky for a handgun, but not completely out of line compared to a double action revolver in .454 or .500 Lignbaugh (sp).
What turned me off was the safety. I dislike a safety on a handgun that cannot be manipulated one handed. That goes double for a single action pistol like the DE. I simply could not get the safety on or off (depending where it started) without using my off hand.
If the DE would ever come out with a safety that was easier for me to manipulate, I'd consider buying one.
What turned me off was the safety. I dislike a safety on a handgun that cannot be manipulated one handed. That goes double for a single action pistol like the DE. I simply could not get the safety on or off (depending where it started) without using my off hand.
If the DE would ever come out with a safety that was easier for me to manipulate, I'd consider buying one.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
My son had a .357 Mag DE for a while.
It was probably the most accurate pistol I have ever shot.
Any Hedge-Apple within 100 yards was in serious trouble!
But, the dang thing was HUGE!
As mentioned, it took two hands to operate the safety, and I could hardly reach the trigger.
If I chose to carry something that heavy, it would be a carbine of some sort, not a 4 1/2 pound pistol.
They are missing a bet by not offering accessory Wheels and Trail-Legs for them.
rcmodel
It was probably the most accurate pistol I have ever shot.
Any Hedge-Apple within 100 yards was in serious trouble!
But, the dang thing was HUGE!
As mentioned, it took two hands to operate the safety, and I could hardly reach the trigger.
If I chose to carry something that heavy, it would be a carbine of some sort, not a 4 1/2 pound pistol.
They are missing a bet by not offering accessory Wheels and Trail-Legs for them.
rcmodel
RobertFBurnett
Member
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2007
- Messages
- 415
I can understand.
As a moderate video gamer and shooter the ".50 Deagle" gets alot of publicity it doesn't deserve, rarely does the game designer edit in the Horrible trajectory of the round, only the big bang coupled with the rag doll physics of the pixelated target.
Some good news is my video game of choice based on the U.S. Navy Seals has them using reliable real world firearms like the H&K .45 SOCOM and now the Sig 226.
And as someone who has been to the range a few times NO caliber of gun, even a ".50 Deagle" compared to when I stood just behind and to the right of one of the range masters when he took his .45WinMag out for a few rounds. The only thing I have to compare the concussion blast of that beast was when I was at Gettysburg and they lit off a cannon. It was intense!
Not that I have anything against the Desert Eagle handgun, there are just more calibers and handguns that are better at what they do in a given situation.
-RFB
As a moderate video gamer and shooter the ".50 Deagle" gets alot of publicity it doesn't deserve, rarely does the game designer edit in the Horrible trajectory of the round, only the big bang coupled with the rag doll physics of the pixelated target.
Some good news is my video game of choice based on the U.S. Navy Seals has them using reliable real world firearms like the H&K .45 SOCOM and now the Sig 226.
And as someone who has been to the range a few times NO caliber of gun, even a ".50 Deagle" compared to when I stood just behind and to the right of one of the range masters when he took his .45WinMag out for a few rounds. The only thing I have to compare the concussion blast of that beast was when I was at Gettysburg and they lit off a cannon. It was intense!
Not that I have anything against the Desert Eagle handgun, there are just more calibers and handguns that are better at what they do in a given situation.
-RFB
As far as the giant bear that your Dad shot down 5 times with good shots, I've decided what it was. The bear was only sighted when he had just finished buying and smoking PCP, on his way back to his den he was attacked while high on PCP. He is survived by 3 bears, moma bear, and two bear cubs...
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
spiroxlii
Member
My 10/22 is good for plinking. It's unmodded except for a recoil buffer and a replacement front sight with one of those orange thingies in it. I can hit what I aim at when I'm plinking up to 50 yards. The rifle's probably decent farther than that, but I'm not. Not with the current sights, anyway. It would probably be a fine rabbit rifle. I wouldn't use it for home defense, and I'd never use it for bear.
Every firearm is good for something. You've just got to find its niche. My Cobray/Leinad Model D, for instance, is an awesome paperweight or doorstop. The Desert Eagle may have a niche, but I think the reason why it's criticized often is because whatever niche it fills would be better filled by a handgun that is more compact, has a higher ammo capacity, is less expensive, etc.
As for the general ineffectiveness of handguns, I'd say I've got to disagree with you there. Hand guns and long guns both come in a variety of formats to fill different niches. Most people who hunt with firearms hunt with long guns. There are plenty who hunt with handguns, but they do it KNOWING that it's generally more challenging, and that's WHY they do it.
Handguns suitable for defense are probably more often used against humans than against bears, and we're a bit more fragile than bears. Get in a cage with a bear some time if you don't believe me.
Maybe a long gun would be better at range, but most home and self defense shootings don't happen at long range. If you have hallways that are 100 yards long in your house... you probably won't be doing your own home defense shooting. You can afford guards.
Every firearm is good for something. You've just got to find its niche. My Cobray/Leinad Model D, for instance, is an awesome paperweight or doorstop. The Desert Eagle may have a niche, but I think the reason why it's criticized often is because whatever niche it fills would be better filled by a handgun that is more compact, has a higher ammo capacity, is less expensive, etc.
As for the general ineffectiveness of handguns, I'd say I've got to disagree with you there. Hand guns and long guns both come in a variety of formats to fill different niches. Most people who hunt with firearms hunt with long guns. There are plenty who hunt with handguns, but they do it KNOWING that it's generally more challenging, and that's WHY they do it.
Handguns suitable for defense are probably more often used against humans than against bears, and we're a bit more fragile than bears. Get in a cage with a bear some time if you don't believe me.
Maybe a long gun would be better at range, but most home and self defense shootings don't happen at long range. If you have hallways that are 100 yards long in your house... you probably won't be doing your own home defense shooting. You can afford guards.
spiroxlii
Member
I keep hearing people say that the Desert Eagle is accurate and light on recoil considering the cartridge it's chambered for.
Well that's not surprising, considering its large size and high mass.
The same thing that makes the "Deagle" a pain to lug around and operate is what makes its felt recoil softer than you might expect.
Well that's not surprising, considering its large size and high mass.
The same thing that makes the "Deagle" a pain to lug around and operate is what makes its felt recoil softer than you might expect.
MachIVshooter
Member
.50 AE is notably more potent than .45 Win Mag. Top .50 AE loads develop 1,700 ft/lbs. from a 6" tube.
RobertFBurnett
Member
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2007
- Messages
- 415
No Doubt
Oh no doubt that big .50 is hauling more ft/lbs. downrange, I was just referring to the bang I felt standing behind the gun, the big Desert Eagle frame helps with some of the kick compared to a modified 1911 frame imho.
Oh no doubt that big .50 is hauling more ft/lbs. downrange, I was just referring to the bang I felt standing behind the gun, the big Desert Eagle frame helps with some of the kick compared to a modified 1911 frame imho.
Like already mentioned, people on these gun forums take things rather seriously and like to learn and talk about the practical and technical aspects of handguns. To most, including me, the Desert Eagle ( i refuse to call it a Deagle) is just considered more of a novelty thing rather than a tool. For self defense and combat purposes it is totally useless. On top of that, I think they are ugly, overpriced, and straight up cheesy.
However, they do have a pretty nice single action trigger and pack quite a punch in either .44 or .50 cal. This makes them rather nice hunting pistols. The thing is, I personally don't ever see myself hunting anything with a pistol. I'd much rather juse a long gun or a bow. Therefore I don't think I'll ever buy one as long as I live. Just a waste of money if you ask me..unless you like handgun hunting
However, they do have a pretty nice single action trigger and pack quite a punch in either .44 or .50 cal. This makes them rather nice hunting pistols. The thing is, I personally don't ever see myself hunting anything with a pistol. I'd much rather juse a long gun or a bow. Therefore I don't think I'll ever buy one as long as I live. Just a waste of money if you ask me..unless you like handgun hunting
- Status
