Desert Eagle? Temptation!

[Romeo_alpha01]

Just picked up an Israeli made mark xix, black 50ae (off roster) without the upper rail just two weeks ago. I have to agree with the others that it's merely a range toy. Surprisingly recoil wasn't too bad, and following up on shots was surprisingly manageable.

If you have to have it, I suggest getting into reloading in lieu of ammopocalypse. Make sure to get some nice grips on it and you're GTG.

[nitroxdiver]

Nothing wrong with owning a gun for the sole reason it is fun.


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[JavelinFangs]

Buy it! I enjoy shooting mine very much.

[desertrider]

I have one in .44, basic black. I love it, and wouldn't give it up for any reason. Its a hoot to shoot, but... Its a range toy, nothing more. You can do more damage just throwing at someone.

Is it fun to shoot? Hell Yeah!! Is it practical, god no. Its a soft shooter in .44 and good for getting attention. If you have the means, absolutely, however, nothing more than a range toy. A fun one, but nothing more.

^^^ This right here, 100%.

I have the same gun, basic black 44 mag Mark VII. Bought it used last year and had a very steep learning curve with it on diagnosing a stovepiping issue which turned out to be a worn out extractor spring. the original was a dried and disintegrating rubber/poly bushing. I bought a complete spring replacement kit and problem solved.

If you get the 44 mag, choose your ammo wisely. Use jacketed or plated ammo, and full power loads for the gun to cycle reliably. Remington UMC and Magtech works well for me.

Do not consider the DE for a defensive weapon unless you only intend to employ it outdoors. If used indoors the muzzle blast will blind you, the blast will deafen you, and you will blow through every interior wall and door in your house.

As a plinker and range toy my DE is one of my favorites.

[jmpgnr24k]

Love my DE, total range toy, but hey not all your guns need to have a "practical" use.


Get it used if you can, some good deals to be had if your patient and keep your eyes peeled.

^^^^^this is your bingo. Forget all other advice. If you want it---get it. And Yes, only use hot rounds for reliablity.

[Robotron2k84]

My two cents worth, owning a DE with 44 and 50 barrels is to not ever bet your life on the platform. There are numerous points of failure in the design that preclude the platform from ever being as reliable as even a low-end HD weapon. The shortcomings have been hashed over several times in other threads.

For bear defense, as one poster mentioned, a Buffalo Bore .44 LFN-GC round has more energy and velocity than 50ae and a more robust projectile to not deform when it hits a bear. JHP is useless against even a medium sized bear as their pelt is thick enough to seriously slow down expanding bullets and their bones are thick enough to stop the projectile before it can render a significant wound.

Most 50ae is JHP from what I've seen, and you can't run leaded un-jacketed ammo through the DE without fouling the gas system.

[JTROKS]

Just do it man! I'm sure you have guns that are worth more than a DEagle. People own 2-6K dollars of rifles that's used to shoot targets. As long as you're not breaking the bank, why not?

[Sabby]

Just about everybody can say they have an impractical weapon . To big ,can't carry, to expensive, yada yada yada.....and so on...

I have both the s&w 500 and De50... the 500 has better reach, accurate,
And power , cost less to operate.... kicks like a muel

Desert eagle 50 cost more to send down range, heavy, bulky one he'll of a report( louder than the 500) and flash and being a semi auto more comfortable on the shooter .....

Most use ones for sale are because it is expensive to use not because of the power factor..... reloading can and will be a blessing on your wallet ...

If your able to and come to terms with the expense that it has on the back end .... go for it

Better choices for home defense

[Malthusian]

The DE is on my must own list. I have one of the original .357 DE and it is actually louder than the .44. and 50AE. Higher pitch and sharp piercing percussion

I always enjoy the reactions and the massive explosion and flash

One of the only pistols that is Gas Operated

It is a novelty item, an novelty item that goes up on value....more so than combat tupperware

I think I paid about $500. Also for the most part the DE is restricted in CA. Only the special CA edition is on the roster. It comes in Black, Black or Black and you can get it in .44, .44 or .44. If you want any other color or caliber. You need to send it to Magnum Research (Kahr) and get a new finish and/or buy another barrel for 50AE or Bolt and Barrel for .357

The non-CA versions command a higher premium and they have a nicer trigger

YMMMV

[LowThudd]

^^ There are FIVE different finishes on the roster, not just black. But, yea, only .44.

[Guns R Tools]

44mag to 50 ae conversion requires barrel and magazine. It takes 1 min to swap out barrel.
Ammo cost might be consideration on 50AE.

[Guns R Tools]

44mag to 50 ae conversion requires barrel and magazine. It takes 1 min to swap out barrel.
Ammo cost might be consideration on 50AE.

[beanz2]

Handsome gun, I'd get one if it didn't mean stocking up on a new caliber (I'm very caliber-thrifty.)

For HD, since the neighbors are ways away and overpenetration is not too much of a concern, I just use an AK pistol. Thirty rounds of 7.62x39 is not too bad, especially once I get my tax stamp.

[VolvoWrench]

Owned this for almost 2 years and haven't shot it yet. My "Big Bird"

[Robotron2k84]

...

Only the special CA edition is on the roster. It comes in Black, Black or Black and you can get it in .44, .44 or .44. If you want any other color or caliber. You need to send it to Magnum Research (Kahr) and get a new finish and/or buy another barrel for 50AE or Bolt and Barrel for .357

The non-CA versions command a higher premium and they have a nicer trigger

YMMMV

A couple of nits:

The CA version of the DE is 99.99% the same gun as the free-state version of the original Mk XIX and only differs in the use of a firing pin block with an impact safety on the rosterred version.

As for the trigger: I haven't shot a US-made DE, so can't comment. The CA rosterred DE is still made by IWI on contract for Magnum Research / Kahr, while the non CA version, and all accessories, are made domestically. Possible that the triggers are different, especially as the platform grows into more models. The XIX models have an adjustable trigger, BTW.

But, Magnum Research has started selling the IWI-made guns again in free states as the DE Classic for those that still think the IWI guns are more special. It's really an excuse to keep IWI making the black finish as I suspect they don't sell well in CA and most sold here are finished in other colors.

https://www.magnumresearch.com/Firearms/Magnum-Research-Desert-Eagle-50-AE-Black-Made-in-Israel-by-IWI.asp