.44mag Desert Eagle
- Thread starter TNT
- Start date
I love the the .50 ae desert eagles they are just beautiful guns not really a self defense gun atleast not to me as it really is to powerful to comfortably control..but it is just one of those things you would just love to have to admire and occasionally show off at the range..but i cant justify the price for a gun thats more of a show piece than anything else..
FairWarning
New member
I want to eventually get a Desert Eagle in .44 Mag, which I think is probably the best overall use of that platform from a practical standpoint.
And none of this gold bling finish "Driving a Hummer while wearing a suit or military outfit" posing nonsense. Basic black, thank you very much.
And none of this gold bling finish "Driving a Hummer while wearing a suit or military outfit" posing nonsense. Basic black, thank you very much.
Anniversary Desert Eagle line....
I handled a massive DE 24K gold model in .50AE about 2 weeks ago.
You need some serious muscles & upper body strength to work that slide!
Even the young male sales clerk said; "no dice"
If I had tons & tons of $$$ Id buy a NIB Desert Eagle .50AE in 24K then get a second new Desert Eagle in .44magnum with a .50AE barrel.
The gold model would be a safe queen & the .44 Desert Eagle would be treated with Metalife SS C or NP3 Plus; www.robarguns.com with a few treated magazines.
The Ti gold model Desert Eagle is cool too.
Magnum Research and the Desert Eagle pistol line will have a major anniversary soon. The series has been in the USA nearly 30 years.
I handled a massive DE 24K gold model in .50AE about 2 weeks ago.
You need some serious muscles & upper body strength to work that slide!
Even the young male sales clerk said; "no dice"
If I had tons & tons of $$$ Id buy a NIB Desert Eagle .50AE in 24K then get a second new Desert Eagle in .44magnum with a .50AE barrel.
The gold model would be a safe queen & the .44 Desert Eagle would be treated with Metalife SS C or NP3 Plus; www.robarguns.com with a few treated magazines.
The Ti gold model Desert Eagle is cool too.
Magnum Research and the Desert Eagle pistol line will have a major anniversary soon. The series has been in the USA nearly 30 years.
Skarekrow88
New member
If I were to get one I would get it in .357 magnum. Much cheaper and easier to shoot.
FairWarning
New member
The biggest, heaviest .357 ever. For a gun of that size, cost and weight, might as well take advantage of the recoil absorbing qualities and have a true hand cannon (.44 Mag) that is easy to shoot, instead of a .357 that is even easier.
No one said operating a DE would ever be cheap!
No one said operating a DE would ever be cheap!
BusGunner007
New member
My best friend came through on a trade for a MKVII .44
I put HOGUE & TRIJICON parts on it.
LOVE this firearm!
IMI Desert Eagle shown with the Ruger SuperRedhawk .44:
I think a .357 would be a LOT of fun to shoot in this platform.
BIG and heavy, yes, but probably sweet to shoot because of that.
I put HOGUE & TRIJICON parts on it.
LOVE this firearm!
IMI Desert Eagle shown with the Ruger SuperRedhawk .44:
I think a .357 would be a LOT of fun to shoot in this platform.
BIG and heavy, yes, but probably sweet to shoot because of that.
Boomer58cal
New member
Fun to shoot, but I'll keep my Red Hawk 44 thanks.
Boomer
Boomer
New format, fitness center membership...
Id add that the newer Desert Eagle series has a mag release that can be converted for right or left hand shooters.
It includes a cool 1913 type rail too so you can add a laser dot or scope.
Magnum Research Inc should include a free gym membership for 12mo with each new Desert Eagle pistol. You'd need big muscles to soak up the recoil or work the pistol safely.
Clyde
PS; FWIW; I did see a prisoner escort officer use a blue steel DE in a reality show re-enactment,.
I also recall a funny scene in the 1990s era NBC crime series; In the Heat of the Night, where Chief Gliespie(Carrol O'Connor) handed the Bubba police character his huge Desert Eagle sidearm. The actor who played Bubba breaks character and has a expression like; "What the ___?"
Id add that the newer Desert Eagle series has a mag release that can be converted for right or left hand shooters.
It includes a cool 1913 type rail too so you can add a laser dot or scope.
Magnum Research Inc should include a free gym membership for 12mo with each new Desert Eagle pistol. You'd need big muscles to soak up the recoil or work the pistol safely.
Clyde
PS; FWIW; I did see a prisoner escort officer use a blue steel DE in a reality show re-enactment,
. I also recall a funny scene in the 1990s era NBC crime series; In the Heat of the Night, where Chief Gliespie(Carrol O'Connor) handed the Bubba police character his huge Desert Eagle sidearm. The actor who played Bubba breaks character and has a expression like; "What the ___?"
I have heard that about the bullets of not using lead through them. I was curious if makes a difference if the lead is hard? when I was younger my dad got me hooked on the .44mag I own two right now the Eagle would just be like a wow factor and a addition to my addiction to .44mags It shot very nice it was comfortable and very pleasant to shoot
I got my first Desert Eagle the year they came out (1984?) or very close to that. .357 Magnum (all that was offered at first). WOW!
Got a .44 Magnum in 1990. Bigger WOW!
OK, they aren't for everyone, no matter what Hollywood has decided. Not well suited to the general range of usual handgun uses, but then they were never meant to be. They are a specialty piece, and never intended to be anything else.
People who complain about that just don't get it. Too big, too heavy, too expensive, etc...
That's you opinion, and you're welcome to it. The Desert Eagle is in a different class of handgun than most others. Comparing the Desert Eagle to any non-magnum autopistol is an unfair comparison.
Forget the fact that Hollywood fell in love with the dramatic size and looks of the Desert Eagle, pretending they are just a pistol that looks good in the camera viewfinder and ignoring reality. That's what Hollywood does best, ignoring reality. (although I will admit, watching Pam Anderson handle those big guns in Barb Wire was a visual treat...)
Forget the "DEagle" in the video games. Again, reality is quite different. The only real thing the Desert Eagle in video games and movies does is create a potential market for the real gun. And a lot of people who do finally get one, sell it afterwards, because reality isn't quite what they see on the screen.
I have had two of the .357s, and one .44, and still have the .44. I should have kept at least one of the .357s....oh well...
My gun is today called a Mk I although it was made before there were any "Mark" numbers. I have handled some of the newer guns, and the only noticeable differences are some changes to the safety lever, slide release lever, and a built in scope rail.
4.25 pounds empty! Add a full magazine of 8 .44 Mag rounds and the weight increases noticeably! On the other hand, recoil is similar to a .45auto with snappy loads. Blast, however is not.
My experience is that once you get past their quirks (which are many) the Desert Eagles are accurate reliable pistols, provided they are held the right way, and fed ammo they like. They are NOT even remotely omnivores, and can be sensitive about feeding when held wrong.
The magazines need to "float" for proper feeding. A "cup & saucer" type hold is a bad idea. Feeding malfunctions can result from pressure on the magazine base plate. It does take more effort to rack the slide than on a duty class auto, but this is to be expected, considering what you are dealing with.
With a multiple lug rotating bolt and gas operation, the Desert Eagle is radically different from all of the Browning tilt barrel lockup variations out there. The gas system is unique, and the Desert Eagle's huge muzzle silhouette is a result of that. Gas is ported from just ahead of the chamber, travels down a tube (inside the barrel assembly) almost to the muzzle, where it turns 180 degrees to act against the gas piston. Unlike most other gas operated guns, the user cannot disassemble and clean most of it. Only the expansion chamber and piston can be cleaned by normal methods. SO it is rather important that one NOT use ammo that will clog/plug the barrel port.
Lead bullets even hard cast ones can do this. It's not just the lead, but also the bullet lube and powder residue that can cause problems. Original manuals were very specific about which ammo to use, and only that ammo could be relied on for reliable functioning.
Other ammo can work, including handloads, but one must experiment to find what is reliable, and what isn't. It was also "commonly" known that (at least in the early days) Hercules 2400 powder was not recommended by the makers, due to the possibility of unburned powder clogging the gas system.
Right there, a huge segment of the common magnum ammo is unsuitable for the Desert Eagle. Again, it is a specialty piece, not a general use pistol.
I said it was fair to only compare the Desert Eagle with other pistols in the same class. And having a collection of all the magnum autos, I can do that.
Compared to the other magnum autos, Auto Mag, Wildey, LAR Grizzly, & Coonan , the Desert Eagle has some advantages, and some ..issues. A larger grip than most of the others, if you wear a size 9 glove its manageable, but not comfortable. Heavier than most of the others. Stock sights are fixed (drift for windage) while the Grizzly, Wildey and Auto Mag came with fully adjustable sights standard, on the DE they are an aftermarket option.
Very finicky about ammo, and the total prohibition against shooting lead bullet ammo (and I would avoid jacketed bullets with exposed lead bases as well) means it is more difficult to feed than some of the others.
Balance that against the fact that the DE is chambered in commonly available calibers, even though you do need to be picky about which loading you choose. SO, brass is easy to get, unlike .44AMP or .45 WinMag.
The one thing that the Desert Eagle has managed that none of the other magnum auto pistols did is staying power. Its not the best possible design (IMO), but it does work, and has sold well enough to remain on the market. No doubt Hollywood & video games have helped with that part of its success.
If you've got questions about any of the magnum autos, I'll answer the best I can. Also, I don't do the .50. Not that there is anything wrong with it, I just made a decision not to bother with it, as my needs and wants are met with .44/.45 cal guns and I don't need another caliber to tool up for...
Got a .44 Magnum in 1990. Bigger WOW!
OK, they aren't for everyone, no matter what Hollywood has decided. Not well suited to the general range of usual handgun uses, but then they were never meant to be. They are a specialty piece, and never intended to be anything else.
People who complain about that just don't get it. Too big, too heavy, too expensive, etc...
That's you opinion, and you're welcome to it. The Desert Eagle is in a different class of handgun than most others. Comparing the Desert Eagle to any non-magnum autopistol is an unfair comparison.
Forget the fact that Hollywood fell in love with the dramatic size and looks of the Desert Eagle, pretending they are just a pistol that looks good in the camera viewfinder and ignoring reality. That's what Hollywood does best, ignoring reality. (although I will admit, watching Pam Anderson handle those big guns in Barb Wire was a visual treat...
)Forget the "DEagle" in the video games. Again, reality is quite different. The only real thing the Desert Eagle in video games and movies does is create a potential market for the real gun. And a lot of people who do finally get one, sell it afterwards, because reality isn't quite what they see on the screen.
I have had two of the .357s, and one .44, and still have the .44. I should have kept at least one of the .357s....oh well...
My gun is today called a Mk I although it was made before there were any "Mark" numbers. I have handled some of the newer guns, and the only noticeable differences are some changes to the safety lever, slide release lever, and a built in scope rail.
4.25 pounds empty! Add a full magazine of 8 .44 Mag rounds and the weight increases noticeably! On the other hand, recoil is similar to a .45auto with snappy loads. Blast, however is not.
My experience is that once you get past their quirks (which are many) the Desert Eagles are accurate reliable pistols, provided they are held the right way, and fed ammo they like. They are NOT even remotely omnivores, and can be sensitive about feeding when held wrong.
The magazines need to "float" for proper feeding. A "cup & saucer" type hold is a bad idea. Feeding malfunctions can result from pressure on the magazine base plate. It does take more effort to rack the slide than on a duty class auto, but this is to be expected, considering what you are dealing with.
With a multiple lug rotating bolt and gas operation, the Desert Eagle is radically different from all of the Browning tilt barrel lockup variations out there. The gas system is unique, and the Desert Eagle's huge muzzle silhouette is a result of that. Gas is ported from just ahead of the chamber, travels down a tube (inside the barrel assembly) almost to the muzzle, where it turns 180 degrees to act against the gas piston. Unlike most other gas operated guns, the user cannot disassemble and clean most of it. Only the expansion chamber and piston can be cleaned by normal methods. SO it is rather important that one NOT use ammo that will clog/plug the barrel port.
Lead bullets even hard cast ones can do this. It's not just the lead, but also the bullet lube and powder residue that can cause problems. Original manuals were very specific about which ammo to use, and only that ammo could be relied on for reliable functioning.
Other ammo can work, including handloads, but one must experiment to find what is reliable, and what isn't. It was also "commonly" known that (at least in the early days) Hercules 2400 powder was not recommended by the makers, due to the possibility of unburned powder clogging the gas system.
Right there, a huge segment of the common magnum ammo is unsuitable for the Desert Eagle. Again, it is a specialty piece, not a general use pistol.
I said it was fair to only compare the Desert Eagle with other pistols in the same class. And having a collection of all the magnum autos, I can do that.
Compared to the other magnum autos, Auto Mag, Wildey, LAR Grizzly, & Coonan , the Desert Eagle has some advantages, and some ..issues. A larger grip than most of the others, if you wear a size 9 glove its manageable, but not comfortable. Heavier than most of the others. Stock sights are fixed (drift for windage) while the Grizzly, Wildey and Auto Mag came with fully adjustable sights standard, on the DE they are an aftermarket option.
Very finicky about ammo, and the total prohibition against shooting lead bullet ammo (and I would avoid jacketed bullets with exposed lead bases as well) means it is more difficult to feed than some of the others.
Balance that against the fact that the DE is chambered in commonly available calibers, even though you do need to be picky about which loading you choose. SO, brass is easy to get, unlike .44AMP or .45 WinMag.
The one thing that the Desert Eagle has managed that none of the other magnum auto pistols did is staying power. Its not the best possible design (IMO), but it does work, and has sold well enough to remain on the market. No doubt Hollywood & video games have helped with that part of its success.
If you've got questions about any of the magnum autos, I'll answer the best I can. Also, I don't do the .50. Not that there is anything wrong with it, I just made a decision not to bother with it, as my needs and wants are met with .44/.45 cal guns and I don't need another caliber to tool up for...
FairWarning
New member
^^^^
That blast reminds me of one of the 16-inch guns firing on an Iowa Class battleship!!
That blast reminds me of one of the 16-inch guns firing on an Iowa Class battleship!!
My opinion on the Desert Eagle is that if you've ever wanted one, then buy one and shoot it. Get it out of your system. Most will shoot it a handful of times and then put it away for a long time or sell it. A few actually like the Desert Eagle as a range gun.
I have a black .44 magnum. Bought the XIX version I think in the late 90's. I think I've fired about 200 rounds through it - 4 boxes of ammo. I bought it because I thought it would be banned and wanted one before something like that happened. This was during the Clinton era ban - there was a push to ban some handguns based on weight but this was really directed to "assault pistols". Still, I thought the DE could be next.
I have kept the DE in my collection because I like the design, it is a well made gun, it is actually pretty accurate, and if I take up reloading, I might shoot it more often. But, I have to be honest, I am no longer all that intrigued by the Desert Eagle.
I have a black .44 magnum. Bought the XIX version I think in the late 90's. I think I've fired about 200 rounds through it - 4 boxes of ammo. I bought it because I thought it would be banned and wanted one before something like that happened. This was during the Clinton era ban - there was a push to ban some handguns based on weight but this was really directed to "assault pistols". Still, I thought the DE could be next.
I have kept the DE in my collection because I like the design, it is a well made gun, it is actually pretty accurate, and if I take up reloading, I might shoot it more often. But, I have to be honest, I am no longer all that intrigued by the Desert Eagle.
Last edited:
Sometimes you find a gun where there is a perfect match between shooter and gun. For me it is the Desert Eagle 44 magnum. I had a .357 in the Eighties and was made an offer on it that I couldn't refuse. This century, a handful of years back, I acquired a .44 magnum. While I loved the .357 this gun just sang to me. When my shooting buddies see me pull it out of my bag they know that I am going to be doing some real shooting. I don't give a darn about Hollywood and video games, this gun and I just click.
I've owned a lot of guns. And a lot of handguns. But I've never owned a DE. I've thought about it a few times but the urge always passed before it was serious. BUT.... if I was going to get one... I would go straight to the big boy. Why not just get the .50 AE? I have plenty of .44 Magnums already.
Gregg
Gregg