Hello

Any experience on how well these shoot?

Thanks
Mark

Most of them shoot very well, accuracywise, but ...

... I don't want to insult any DE-fans, but I've yet to see one specimen wich is reliable. I can tolerate a small problem with semi-autos from time to time, but these DE's always seem to have a failure of some kind.

They also are heavvier compared to revolvers in the same caliber.

Therefore the practical use seems limited to me, but I'm sure others like the the piece much better ...

Several of my friends have them. They are indeed good shooters. I shot several 1-1/4" groups at 50 yd's with one. I think the load was the 300 gr XTP and 20 gr's of 296. We never get a failure. I think they have to be loaded up a little and work better with heavier bullets.
It is a fun gun and a good primary hunting gun. I sure would not want to carry one around in a hip holster.

The local gunshop has one in the used section in 44 mag.


I always thought that if you were going to get a Desert Eagle you needed to get it in 50AE. And if you wanted to be cool go ahead and get it in the gold finish

There are 2 features about the Desert Eagle that can make it "unreliable." First of all, if you try to load light or use a low volume high intensity powder, it won't cycle dependably. Secondly, if you limp wrist it, it will not cycle. If you avoid those 2 situations, they're plenty dependable.

I would say 1.5 to 2 inch 50 yard groups are quite realistic but I prefer 1.5 inch groups at 100 yards with a hunting handgun. For those with less rigid criteria, they're just fine.

Finally, I would agree that if you're going to get a Desert Eagle, go with the 50AE; I'm not so sure about the gold finish though.

Wow, 1.5 inches with a handgun at 100 yards? That's some fine shooting, wish I could do that.

Over the years I've shot the Desert Eagle in 357, 44, and several in 50 AE; most with six inch barrels, but I once got to try the 10 inch tube topped with a 2x scope. So far I've outshot the loaner's owner each time. In my hands the DE is a seriously clumsy hunk of shooting iron; hard to shoot well or quickly. The triggers on all but one were heavy, the safeties were stiff, and the slide latch was a booger to activate while clearing the piece. The ergonomics are poor unless you have gorilla-sized mitts. Most humans, myself included, need two hands to operate a DE with anything approaching speed. You must use spendier jacketed bullets as the gas system will not abide lead bullets (and there is an unwritten range rule that you provide complimentary ammo when strangers ask to try your DE). There is nothing a Desert Eagle does that is not accomplished with less fuss and expense with other pistols or revolvers - except serve a burly prop in Holloywood action pictures (where the script says Demi Moore can conceal two carried inside the waistband in a small of the back rig). Enjoy... $0.04

I played around with my buddy's .50AE DE last time we all got together for a handgun shoot and couldn't help but notice what I consider an inherit design flaw...the ejector was at the bottom of the bolt, which flung the spent cartridges up and back, which tended to hit me in the face.

Do the .44's eject in this manner too?

I'm not a big DE fan myself. I've just never found them ergonomic, and the .50 AE ones have too much recoil for comfortable shooting. A .44 isn't bad recoil-wise, but the .50 is just a touch too much.

And the grips and trigger just don't work for me at all.

I like the Grizzly .45 Win Mag much better. That's a much more "shootable" piece.

had a 44 DE for a number of years. it really liked 240 xtps and max loads of 2400 powder. killed one deer with it. no reliability problems. i never have been much for scoped guns and i found it less wieldy than a super redhawk. thought mine was plenty accurate. about the only thing i shot with it for practice was empty beer kegs from 100 to 150 yards.

Have taken a number of Whitetails, Mulies, and Antelope with this .44 mag. Can get 3" groups at 200 yards with the 14" barrel. Very accurate and well built. As previously mentioned, feeding problems are either limp wristing or weak loads.

they seem like neat guns i just could never justify it for buying one

I love shooting the 50AE!
Yes, don't limp wrist it
Yes, too damn heavy
Yes, triggers suck

Yes, if you've got the money and spend some time shooting it...its not a bad gun.

Being 6' 2" and 145# I find the Desert Eagle a rather large chunk of steel I have hands that can handle N and X frames rather well But the DE in .44 Magnum is pushing it. Its a recreation gun...I would not use it for target shooting or Combat matches. That being said

My friend who has a DE MK IIV I believe has shot several thousand rounds through his. I've helped him develop loads and we have also tested factory ammo. The way winchester crimps their factory 240's it runs like a dream in the DE and easy 1/2" groups at 50'. Handloads can be run up hot....for S&G we tried .44special loads loaded hot....some wanted to work others just flat out didn't. A 50AE is for those who have recently won the lottery....a .44 Mag is for those who will shoot it a lot. the 357 is for those who don't know any better. Get a Automag or wildey

I'm a revolver man myself I think my last name should be 429421

"Wow, 1.5 inches with a handgun at 100 yards? That's some fine shooting, wish I could do that."

Most handguns including the Desert Eagle, even scoped won't. A scoped Encore or Contender, at least the ones I've worked up loads for will do 1.5 MOA or better. This 1.5 inch group was shot off the bench at 200 yards.

My 50AE Desert Eagle will do about 1.5 to 2 inches at 50 yards but just a pathetic 6 to 8 inches at 100 yards; maybe that is my fault. When I had a 44 Mag. barrel for it, its accuracy potential was about the same though the recoil was much less.

I think they are neat -- a novelty yes, but neat nontheless.

Good shooting Grumulkin!

I had one in 44 for several years. The absolute most accurate 44 I have ever shot. Never had one reliability issue.

My problem is if you carried it more than an hour, it had you walking in circles due to the weight. Just too damn much gun to carry.

Loved it on the range, but not in the field.

Well, it's not a Desert Eagle, but there's a lot to be said for a big Autoloader!



.45 WinMag. I'm hopeful to take it piggin' this year. I have some 300 grain loads at around 1300fps...

A bit off topic, but it has been mentioned that "limp wristing" a Desert Eagle will cause cycling problems.

I know how a loose hold can cause failure to cycle problems in a recoil operated gun, but I always thought gas operated guns were immune to that. The gas pressure operates the action and is not dependent on the inertia of the receiver (and firmly attached hands and arm).

I am in need of education (though, I admit, I am nowhere near getting a new gun any time soon).

Larry (Lost Sheep)

Magnum Research recommends that one not let recoil push the arm back & up but that the handgun be held firmly. If you don't hold it firmly (i.e., limp wrist it) the Desert Eagle will jam every time.

quote:

Originally posted by rnovi:
Well, it's not a Desert Eagle, but there's a lot to be said for a big Autoloader!



.45 WinMag. I'm hopeful to take it piggin' this year. I have some 300 grain loads at around 1300fps...

That's cool! Should do the job well! Keep us posted......