Hello everyone.I was at my local gun store and they have a desert eagle in .357 magnum.Good shape and about $550 bucks,to much for this gun?I noticed that there are a lot of hand cannon fans on the forum.They made a desert eagle in 50 AE and 44 mag. didn't they?Is the 50 AE ammo even made anymore?Is the 44 mag much more available?This gun in .357 somehow seems odd.A 50 or 44 i can understand.Is it even worth getting a DE in 357 mag?It seems to be a novelty gun more or less but i would love to have one someday.I read somewhere that the anti gunners were trying to get the 50 AE banned as it could reportedly defeat body armor is this BS true?Also is the 50 AE controlable?The DE massive size and weight must tame this cartridge somewhat right?Any help would be greatly accepted.
Desert Eagle Pistol
- Thread starter 1911guy
- Start date
Gopher a 45
New member
I would say that $550 is probably an OK price if the gun is in good shape. The NIB .44mag DE retails for $850-900 and I've seen used ones for about $700 here in Tx. The .357mag is probably a little cheaper. They did make the DE in .44mag and .50AE. I've only shot the .44mag and with the weight, the recoil was no worse than a hot .45Auto load. I can't speak to the .50AE recoil, but it is gas-operated, so that probably helps soak up some of the bite. Factory .50AE ammo is still made, but it's expensive! About a buck-something a shot! Ouch! Another thing you need to know about the DE is that it doesn't have an ejection port, so the brass flies out in random directions, sometimes right at your face, but I don't know if this is a problem with the "small" caliber DE. As for penetrating body armor, I don't know, but the .50AE pushes a 325 grain bullet at a nominal 1400fps, so it's roughly the velocity of a .44mag, but 1/3 again larger. Anything that would stop a .44mag would probably stop a .50AE, but I wouldn't volunteer to test that. In fact, you're probably more likely to punch through a vest with a .454Casull, since it goes around 300fps faster than both of the above. HTH
John
John
OK Computer
New member
This is just hersay, so please dont flame me 
I met a guy at a gunshop that said he has a freind in a Law Enforcment Department and they did a test to see if the 50AE can penetrate body armor. According to him, it tore up the vest and went through the front part, but the back end stopped the bullet. Just imagine a body sandwiched in that vest. ouch.
I met a guy at a gunshop that said he has a freind in a Law Enforcment Department and they did a test to see if the 50AE can penetrate body armor. According to him, it tore up the vest and went through the front part, but the back end stopped the bullet. Just imagine a body sandwiched in that vest. ouch.
1911guy,
Welcome to TFL!
IMO $550 sounds like a good price, especially if it's in stainless.
Ok Computer,
No flame here.
Between us, my dad and I have a DE .50AE, a Taurus 'Raging Bull', and a .44 Mag.
In the various "experiments" we've set up at our range, I sure wouldn't want to be on the receiving end either. We're still looking to try a .475, tho.
As for the body armor angle, there really can't be too much to the 'penetration capabilities' because the ANTIs would have been all over this issue in a heart beat.
And never let up.
Wouldn't they?
Not to mention all the various LEO organizations that would be demanding a total ban on the ammo.
Can't be just a cost factor, there's too much 'drug $' out there. Can it be the supply, 'cause the demand is there?
Hollywood sure hasn't helped things either, with its 'bigger is always better' mentality.
Guess we need to be grateful(?) that the BGs seem to be locked in the .22-9mm range of things, most of the time.
Just my 1/2 cent worth...
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...defend the 2nd., it protects us all.
No fate but what we make...
[This message has been edited by foxfire (edited March 12, 2000).]
Welcome to TFL!
IMO $550 sounds like a good price, especially if it's in stainless.
Ok Computer,
No flame here.
Between us, my dad and I have a DE .50AE, a Taurus 'Raging Bull', and a .44 Mag.
In the various "experiments" we've set up at our range, I sure wouldn't want to be on the receiving end either. We're still looking to try a .475, tho.
As for the body armor angle, there really can't be too much to the 'penetration capabilities' because the ANTIs would have been all over this issue in a heart beat.
And never let up.
Wouldn't they?
Not to mention all the various LEO organizations that would be demanding a total ban on the ammo.
Can't be just a cost factor, there's too much 'drug $' out there. Can it be the supply, 'cause the demand is there?
Hollywood sure hasn't helped things either, with its 'bigger is always better' mentality.
Guess we need to be grateful(?) that the BGs seem to be locked in the .22-9mm range of things, most of the time.
Just my 1/2 cent worth...
------------------
...defend the 2nd., it protects us all.
No fate but what we make...
[This message has been edited by foxfire (edited March 12, 2000).]
To me, that sounds like an excellent price, if it's in good condition. I have seen the 44 mag retail for as much as $1050 in Cali.
I have fired the 50 AE. The recoil is controllable, but it's where the brass lands that creates the problem. Luckily I was wearing a ball-cap. The guy before me was a young USMC private, completely bald....He left with tears running down his face and 10-15 welts/blisters on his forehead. I thought of getting one, but until I saw that poor kid, I thought I'd better hold off. Do you own a hockey mask?
JJC
I have fired the 50 AE. The recoil is controllable, but it's where the brass lands that creates the problem. Luckily I was wearing a ball-cap. The guy before me was a young USMC private, completely bald....He left with tears running down his face and 10-15 welts/blisters on his forehead. I thought of getting one, but until I saw that poor kid, I thought I'd better hold off. Do you own a hockey mask?
JJC
JJCook,
If you saw a "young USMC Private" with tears running down his face just because of a few minor blisters, please do his unit a favor and let them know that this wuss is not cut out to be a Marine. For the love of God, get rid of him before one of his buddies dies because he was in too much pain from a hang nail or something to cover his friend's back while in a hostile environment. If I were his NCOIC, I'd have made him pray for death rather than show such petty weakness!
On topic: I've nailed many a jackrabbit for fun with the DE .44 Mag. It's kind of like owning a NAA mini revolver, not the most practical weapon but still fun to own and shoot.
Chris Canis
If you saw a "young USMC Private" with tears running down his face just because of a few minor blisters, please do his unit a favor and let them know that this wuss is not cut out to be a Marine. For the love of God, get rid of him before one of his buddies dies because he was in too much pain from a hang nail or something to cover his friend's back while in a hostile environment.
If I were his NCOIC, I'd have made him pray for death rather than show such petty weakness!On topic: I've nailed many a jackrabbit for fun with the DE .44 Mag. It's kind of like owning a NAA mini revolver, not the most practical weapon but still fun to own and shoot.
Chris Canis
I've been hit by brass more times than I can count and have never gotten any burns or blisters. As a Marine on the firing range, I used to get slapped with M-16 brass all the time. It's not that hot. Whoever this Marine was, he needs to go to Office Hours just for being a crybaby.
Rob Pincus
New member
I got a blister once when the 25th or so piece of brass from a full stick out of a Glock 18 got caught inside my shooting glasses and rested on my cheek... It sat there until after I finished firing the mag and finally got my glasses off while keeping the gun pointed appropriately at the target 
. It was the fifth straight full-auto mag and the gun was pretty heated up....
ANyway------
I think $550 sounds like a great price. I have a DE .44 and I think they are primarily a "novelty" gun.... but then again isn't everything besides the Glocks and the snub-nosed .38's, bolt action rifles and pump shotguns? ???!!
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-Essayons
. It was the fifth straight full-auto mag and the gun was pretty heated up....ANyway------
I think $550 sounds like a great price. I have a DE .44 and I think they are primarily a "novelty" gun.... but then again isn't everything besides the Glocks and the snub-nosed .38's, bolt action rifles and pump shotguns? ???!!
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-Essayons
hksigwalther
New member
The DEP/.357s I've seen fired were absolutely the most controllable mag shooters I've seen. Amlost no muzzle climb, due undoubtedly to its heft. Might be a bit to big and heavy for .357mag for everyday use. $550 sounds pretty good for a used one. Is it: MkI or MkVII or MkXIX? 6", 10", or 14" barrel? Adjustable or fixed sights? Finish?
The DEP first came out in .357mag and also came in .41mag for a short period. .50AE is still available as are reloading dies for it from RCBS. (Rim diameter is identical to .44mag, hence the Action Express designation.) Have never had a problem with .44s and .50s flying back into me. The recoil is, in my opinion, similar to a .44mag revolver. The blip on banning the .50 due to vest penetration is news to me. There are, however, an increadible number of other rounds that will penetrate vests. (e.g., rifle calibers, .454s, .475s, etc.)
- Ron V.
The DEP first came out in .357mag and also came in .41mag for a short period. .50AE is still available as are reloading dies for it from RCBS. (Rim diameter is identical to .44mag, hence the Action Express designation.) Have never had a problem with .44s and .50s flying back into me. The recoil is, in my opinion, similar to a .44mag revolver. The blip on banning the .50 due to vest penetration is news to me. There are, however, an increadible number of other rounds that will penetrate vests. (e.g., rifle calibers, .454s, .475s, etc.)
- Ron V.
When shopping for Desert Eagle pistols, keep in mind which version your looking at!
The Mark 7's had several improvements and carry much more value then pre-Mark 7's. If parts are available, I think you can still upgrade an early one to a Mark 7.
The new generation pistols made in the U.S. have features that allow easier caliber conversions.
Sid
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FFL
The Mark 7's had several improvements and carry much more value then pre-Mark 7's. If parts are available, I think you can still upgrade an early one to a Mark 7.
The new generation pistols made in the U.S. have features that allow easier caliber conversions.
Sid
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FFL