Desert Eagle worth owning?

[FCOD]

So I'm on the hunt for my next handgun and decided I want something cool that serves no real-world application other than being fun to shoot. I've been thinking of a S&W .44 revolver, a S&W .500 revolver and then thought of a .44 Desert Eagle. Anyone have one? Are they fun to shoot? Run with commercially available range ammo?

Any first hand experiences or advice would be awesome. Eventually I could see myself getting the .50AR conversion as well, but would be happy with it in .44 magnum.

[mtenenhaus]

I think you described the DE quite well. It is suprisingly accurate as well as fun to shoot.

As a reference, I once shot a S&W 500 and hated it, just too punishing for my hands.... but the DE was surprisingly, well not too bad.

It's got a really big grip so not the most comfortable ergonomics. Still, must admit i enjoyed the experience. Not enough to purchase one however.

[Friar5119]

Go to the range in Poway and rent one. They have the 50AE version and while it was fun, after 6 shots (split between friends) the novelty wore off pretty quickly. I think it was 20 bucks for the pistol and I think 30 bucks for 20 rounds, but I may be mistaken.

Fun to shoot, but I couldnt justify purchasing one as a range toy. But to each their own.

[ez1911]

Bought one in .44 a few years ago just to have one. It sat in the safe for year before I took it to the range. Its big, its heavy, and impractical. On the up side, its a blast, no pun intended, to shoot. It was surprisingly easy to shoot. A real soft shooter for a .44.

Ran mostly white box and Remington with no issues. Its also really easy to maintain. Breaks down fast and simple for general maintenance and goes back together without effort. Not much more than a range toy due to weight and size, but I'll never part with mine. If you have the means, then its a fun addition to the collection. I have been thinking about the .50, but just haven't gotten around to it.

[iLWRC]

I rented one at Poway Weapons and Gear. Cool to shoot a box of ammo with friends but I wouldn't want to own one.

[ar15robert]

IMO i always considered those a hey check out my cool toy weapon.If you want one for the novelty go for it.

For practicality i would choose something else.

[gixer1k]

I love my DE. I got the 50AE and it's fun to shoot, but it's not for everyone. A friend shot 2 rounds and was done. I think after a few handguns the practicality does not matter any more, it's about fun. If you like loud hand cannons get one. The hogue grips make it much more comfortable to shoot than the stock grips.

[sksman777]

You want something fun to shoot, 500 S&W. Yes ammo is expensive, but if you pick up a inexpensive single stage and start reloading. There is a ton of loads out there that you can load very cheap and great time to shoot. I think I have gone through about 30 different bullets and much more out there to explore! Anything else gets boring real quick, check out matts bullets out of MO. He has great selection of heads for the 500. Load em has hot as you want!

[dwinters14]

Shot both the S&W .500 and the DE .44 back to back and they were both awesome. The DE didn't kick as much as I would have thought, but would definitely take some getting use to. The ergonomics aren't the best, and the blast is crazy! But I honestly would buy one. It was that much fun shooting it, and ammo is available for decent $.

It'd be just a fun range toy you'd whip out to have a good time, shooting regular hand guns can get redundant sometimes.

The S&W .500 was a beast! I shot the one with the longer barrel, and with a good purchase on the gun wasn't horrible. I loved the the trigger too, when cocked it was super light, and also very accurate. I got all 5 shots in a smaller than palm sized group at about 7 yards.

Though ammo for the .500 is scarce... the range charged me $5 a bullet and they wanted to brass to reload it, I wanted to keep one and they practically begged me to give it back lol. I can't say I know that for sure though, I just took their word for it.

[RobinGoodfellow]

In the 90s I went shooting with a friend who owned a DE in .44 magnum. It was fun. I wouldn't recommend it as a primary weapon; but if you can afford it as a novelty, I say go for it.

Pros: it looks cool; it shoots well; recoil isn't too bad for that caliber; it's a BFG

Cons: the grip is huge; it's not very practical; it's a BFG

[MarikinaMan]

If you get one, have a pack of adult diapers ready for intruders

[357magnum]

Go with a S&W 460, more versatile.
You can shoot 460, 454 casull, 45 Long Colt.

[vinny_land]

Handled one in .44 mag and like someone had previously mentioned, after a few shots, the novelty wears off pretty quick. The grip simply doesn't work for me. I'm sure if you have large hands and don't mind spending money to feed that thing, then it works out.

[norcal77]

I had one in .357, was a nice well made pistol and in .357 it was pretty mild but the grip on it is huge and it's pretty heavy, neat but impractical

[dozer wright]

I bought a 44 mag for a steal . Found a 50 Ae barrel and mags ON Ebay for $250 .
Took it to the range shot a couple mags of 44. Let my kid shoot some . We both liked it .
Swapped barrels To 50AE let the first round go . Smiled ear to ear . Shot the second round and about 1/3 of the range was looking at us . I have shot probably a 500 rds of 50AE and 1000 rds of 44 mag no issues . And honestly if I where in big bear country Id have no problem carrying it . I really like the pistol . Is it really practical no . But damn it's fun .