Desert Eagle

B

BlkHawk73

New member
I just can't seem to get over how people have this belief that a Desert Eagle is "the most powerful handgun".
First, people I know that have one (both in .44) talk as though because it is a DE, it's more powerful than if the same round was used in another gun. Another I know that wants one, talks the same speach. (this particular person also seems to always have to emphisize "Magnum" when talking 'bout his .357 - which is too much for him):rolleyes: So, for fun I while having a hunting gun talk, I mentioned one I use is my SBH - in .44 Magnum. The response..."Oh, no, my DE will smoke that bullet right through the deer" Exactly how much difference will that DE and my SBH have?:rolleyes: The person who wants one, I'm just tired of that discussion...makes me wanna load the .45LC up and give him a taste of that. or borrow a friends .454. ;)
Just have to laugh to myself when I hear this malarky. Anyone else hear this stuff too?
 
Not forgetting the .50 AE at all. Nor am I forgetting the .500 Limbaugh. Also not forgetting the .50 BMG (yes, they have handguns chambered for it.) My point was...why do ppl have this steadfast belief that a .44 out of a DE is more powerful that if it's shot from any other gun?
 
Hey ewok...

If you are inferring that the .50 AE is as powerful as the .454, you are mistaken. And even if it was, it sure as heck is not even in the same league as a .475 or .500 Linebaugh. I love autos, but they can't compete with revolvers in the power category. Sorry!
 
BlkHawk...

Apparently you and I were typing at the same time...and thanks for reminding me of some others.

What about the BFR revolver in .45-70?

And what about the T/C Contenders and Encores in every imagineable rifle caliber?

And those bolt action pistols by Remington and some other companies?

Autos are simply outclassed by others when it comes to raw power from a handgun.

But I'll take a 1911 .45 ACP anyday for protecting my a$$ from two legged predators.
 
BlkHawk73 wrote:
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why do ppl have this steadfast belief that a .44 out of a DE is more powerful that if it's shot from any other gun?
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Answer:

H :cool: L L Y W :cool: :cool: D
 
On a serious note, I do remember reading something about DE's getting higher velocities out of same length barrel then all equal caliber revolvers. This was due to the fact that all revolvers take a hit on muzzle velocity because of the gap between cylinder and barrel. DE's don't have that problem.

That being the case say a .44mag coming out of a 6" DE would have a higher velocity then same round coming out a 6" revolver.

I think that was the original question, wasn't it?

Not which handgun is more powerful? Since most will agree that .50 DE has impressive performance, but doesn't even come near to claiming that title.

By the way, here's one reason why people think DE's are cool.

depimgtmpl.shtml
 
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People get too much information from movies.

One person, who I thankfully no longer work with once popped in with "if you want firepower, why don't you just get a .357 magnum"? Probably because it doesn't fit any definition of "most firepower".

While a revolver does have a barrel gap, semi-automatic weapons operate on gas pressure, which will also sap away velocity. Is the difference in velocity from a 6" barrelled Desert Eagle that much greater than a 6" S&W or Ruger?
 
Big difference... I don't think so, in fact if I recall correctly it was something in order of 4-5% improvement over revolvers. In any case, it was less then 100fps better then most revolvers they tested it with.

To me that means nothing. But, I guess you could say that a .44mag coming is out of DE is more powerful then a .44mag coming out of any revolver. At least on paper anyway.

I must admit, I do own a .44mag DE Mark VII and yes, it is large and heavy not to mention largely impractical for anything you would ever want to use a handgun for. Also it took me about 1000 rounds, countless brands of ammo plus about 6 months of weight lifting (DE was not the only reason for that to be sure) to learn how to shoot it properly. I haven't had a jam in months and my accuracy is 8 rounds in one hole at 25 feet.

Why? Simple, it's just fun to shoot. Everyone needs at least one toy gun.

Plus, it's always fun to see one of your buddies at the range try to shoot it for the first time.
 
Tankist - Can you see the problem with that phony photo?


Great big fireball, but no muzzle rise. There's no brass in the air and the hammer is cocked. Just another Photoshop fantasy.
 
Yeah, not to mention the edges of that flame look a little funny.

One thing for sure, that photo fake and all is not an exaggeration. For better or for worse you do get a huge muzzle blast depending on what you shoot.

Some of the ammo I tried produced muzzle blasts measured in feet. Lit the whole place up, not to mention the rapport. Great way to make new friends at the range.

But seriously, not everyone at the range would appreciate this kind of distraction when they are trying to practice. I've settled down to a mid-range 240gr Magtech load which works reliably and looks and sounds no worse then any .44mag revolver. I also try to be considerate by shooting it with fewer people around since I go to an indoor range. Haven't had any complaint yet. Mostly people just come over and want to try it.
 
Personally, I don't think the photo is faked. The slide appears to have started its travel rearward as the back end of the slide looks like it is equal, or close to equal, with the end of the grip horn. This amount of travel, ~3/4", is enough to cock the hammer. It looks to me as the pic was just taken before muzzle rise. (Could also be a video and the right frame chosen at the right moment.)
 
This one is real. Evedently the muzzle rise happens after the flash. But, that flash does look a whole lot like the flash from the cover of that Ayoob book..what was it, "stress fire"?
BTW, this is of my buddy Keith shooting my 5 in .45 colt Vaquero for the first (and last) time w/ Cor-bon 300grain .45 colt 'magnums' at about 1300fps.
 

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