Desert Eagle Question

[krb]

Hi.

I'm thinking of buying a Desert Eagle. Not sure if it's stupid. I expect it will be a rarely used range toy and so not sure if it's worth the money or not.
I'm debating between .44 and .50. .50 is the classic so I lean toward it. But I'm worried it will be so painful to shoot it will just sit in the safe. I'm sure - it being a DE - it will sit in the safe a lot anyway. If it just hurts to shoot I'll regret the decision. I've looked at local gun ranges (I'm in Encino) and found none with one to rent (Oak Tree DE has been broken for a while).

So if you were buying one would you buy classic .50 or .44 to save your hands and make it more fun to shoot?

Thank you!

Keith

[compshell]

I don't think you can buy the 50 ae new in CA. Only the 44 is on roster. However, you can get the barrel and mag in 50 and interchange. I have one. I have never used the 44 barrel. I only shoot 50. If you can find a used one for a good price jump on it. Replace the recoil springs and use good ammo and you shouldn't have issues I run Hornady factory loads. No issues, reliable hand cannon. It's n ot practical but it is fun to shoot. Gets me shaky every time I take it out. Very intimidating gun.

Forgot to add. The rubber hogue grips help big time and having large hands is also a plus

[Batman]

Keith,

Not a stupid question, Keith. A couple of things to think about.

1. If you're in California, you're limited to .44, unless you're going to pay the off-roster price.
2. Difference between .50 and .44 is somewhat negligible. Difference to your wallet? Priceless!
3. Do you want to actually shoot it, or just look at it? Consider a .357 Magnum conversion as well. .357 is stupid smooth in a DE, and the cost per round won't make your wallet wince every time you pull the trigger.

[krb]

I don't think you can buy the 50 ae new in CA. Only the 44 is on roster. However, you can get the barrel and mag in 50 and interchange. I have one. I have never used the 44 barrel. I only shoot 50. If you can find a used one for a good price jump on it. Replace the recoil springs and use good ammo and you shouldn't have issues I run Hornady factory loads. No issues, reliable hand cannon. It's n ot practical but it is fun to shoot. Gets me shaky every time I take it out. Very intimidating gun.

Forgot to add. The rubber hogue grips help big time and having large hands is also a plus

Hi. I can actually get the .50 or the .44. Just deciding if and which...

[TKM]

Unless you are going PPT you have to buy the 44 and upgrade.

The 44 is so ammo picky you will want to slap your grandma. The 50 will eat anything you throw down the hole but will hurt you while doing so.

I've had both,now I have neither. It's like a boat, better to have a friend with one.

[krb]

Keith,

Not a stupid question, Keith. A couple of things to think about.

1. If you're in California, you're limited to .44, unless you're going to pay the off-roster price.
2. Difference between .50 and .44 is somewhat negligible. Difference to your wallet? Priceless!
3. Do you want to actually shoot it, or just look at it? Consider a .357 Magnum conversion as well. .357 is stupid smooth in a DE, and the cost per round won't make your wallet wince every time you pull the trigger.

I buy everything for shooting. And I have small hands!

When I first got into shooting the guys at the store warned me I would keep upgrading - selling for a loss and buying the next better gun - until I got my dream gun. So my first 1911 was a Les Baer so I didn't lose too much money selling and buying. Eventually I fell in love with a Wilson BBQ Special. It's gorgeous. I shoot the heck out of both of them. I think Mr Baer and Mr Wilson probably regret every gun they've ever sold that sits in a safe. Actually I hadn't got out to the range in about a year but finally started last week with the Baer and the Wilson. So the gun is definitely for shooting. And I have access to a .44 and a .50 at regular prices if I decide to purchase so no stupid CA overcharge.

Looking forward to everyone's thoughts. You think the kick is close enough to the same on both?

[krb]

Holy smokes! Ammo is double the cost for .50 vs .44!

[Romeo_alpha01]

I honestly don’t think the 50 is all that bad with good grip and practice, albeit expensive. It’s actually a lot more accurate than one may think.

If you can get one, get the 50. At the price you would pay for either one why not get the larger caliber? You’re only gaining one extra round with 44, and it’s not like you’re going use it outside of a being a toy.

Just stay on top of maintaining it and keep those locking lugs clean. Older IMIs tend to like grease over oil as well. I found the factory mag springs to be kinda whack. I found using the springs from a promag in the factory mag and follower worked well.

Gotta pay to play

[Ezekiel2000]

I've got the Desert Eagle with all three caliber conversions (357, 44 and 50).

I leave it in .357 configuration and LOVE shooting it like that. Very fun gun for sure. I only break out the 44 or 50 if someone else wants to shoot it. The 44 is definitely going to provide some fun but yes, the jump to 50 is noticable.

It really depends what you want.
50 = Classic Desert Eagle experience. You probably won't shoot it a lot, but those few shots you do will be memorable.
44 = Good balance between price per round and flash/recoil.
357 = All day fun

[krb]

One more question to think about ... if I don't like it, do you think I'd get better resale for a local sale for .50 or .44?

[splithoof]

I've got an IMI version in .50 AE, and reload for it.
Would I do that again?....NO. I would instead aquire a stout revolver in .454 Casull, and be able to use all manner of .45 Colt loads in it. The ergonomics are better with a suitable revolver, the revolver would be much cheaper to practice with, and one can likely make effective hits on game much faster.

[Milsurp1]

[enegue]

Get the .50 for sure. It’s a ton of fun. If you get it and change your mind, I’ll buy it from you (if you’re in SoCal). How many piston handguns exist? Not many. It’s a really interesting gun and I’ve put 100 rounds downrange in a day, it’s expensive but so much fun. Hand size is not an issue either. It’s big but very manageable if you have good shooting fundamentals.

[timbo399]

I owned a .44 mag DE about 8 years ago. It was very finicky w ammo and I don't reload.

I sold it after just 4-5 range trips. But I do remember the recoil not being bad at all. If I were in your position and could get either one-- I'd probably go with the .50-- Why? I just think it would be cool to have a .50 cal semi auto. Good luck!

[ErikC12]

The 50 is fun and isn't painful. Just make sure you aren't fireing one handed and you'll be fine.