Is the 50AE Desert Eagle the most powerful semi handgun

In the semi-auto category of "common production" argueably yes it is.
However, in the general handgun world it seems to be similar to the .454Casul but even that will win out overt the .50AE (certainly at distance) depending on loading and barrel length.

And then there is the S&W .460 & .500 that will both outgun the DE in all matters of ballistic performance. In terms of muzzle energy either of these X-frame revolvers produce more muzzle energy than a .30-06.
 
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Not to continue to side rail the thread, but 45-70 in a revolver, if anyone could shoot buffalo bore loads out of one, they approach 3600ft/lbs of energy from a rifle. I'm not sure who could hang onto that...
 
Necro Monger said:
Been looking online and it seems that the 50AE Desert Eagle is the most powerful semi-automatic magazine fed handgun in the world. Yes I know there are numerous more powerful revolvers out there, but I'm looking only at semi's. Anyone know of a more powerful handgun out there?

and sawed off rifles don't count.
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If you are thinking of purchasing a DE, may I suggest finding a rental range and trying one first? After you put a box of 50 rounds through it you may have a different opinion. (A handgun is a lot more fun to shoot if it happens to fit you.)
 
Having shot both a DE in 50AE and a S&W 500 at the same range day, the S&W has a much nicer trigger and doesn't jerk around as much when shooting (due to not having a slide). I'd say that in all accounts except for # of shots downrange the fastest, the 500 is better.

50 cal Friday on a Tuesday

(I am also biased because I own the 500)
 
He is clearly asking about semi-auto pistols only... The Desert Eagle is certainly the most powerful mass produced semi-auto pistol. If you go by ft/lbs of energy then the .440 corbon seems to edge out the .50AE thanks to a big velocity boost. I have never chronoed any .440 ammo though so I'd take the numbers with a grain of salt.

If you get into the custom/semi-custom side of things the Wildey pistol is still made. .475 Wildey will push a 300 grain bullet about 200fps faster than the .50AE can do. Those guns are notoriously picky though. The one I shot never seemed to be happy with any way the gas system was adjusted.
 
I'm on a 41 magnum kick. What a wonderful round, kicked in the groin by Dirty Harry, yet I have to wonder would it be a good as an semi-automatic also? It would be manageable recoil and could almost equal a 44 mag. DE already comes in 357 auto along with the rest, 44 mag and 50 AE. I am only musing here. I know you guys have the knowledge, is that ridiculous aside from unpopularity (which can be changed with marketing) and availability a .41 magnum semi-auto? For some godforsaken reason it annoys me that cartridge went into obscurity.
 
No collection is complete without a 50 AE, and a 500 S&W, if only to impress your next GF. Well, some of us guys gotta compensate somehow.;)
 
DMS1 said:
Not to continue to side rail the thread, but 45-70 in a revolver, if anyone could shoot buffalo bore loads out of one, they approach 3600ft/lbs of energy from a rifle. I'm not sure who could hang onto that...
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45-70 relvolver you say.... thats it! I need my restricted pal. Ive been wanting a big boomin recoil gun for a while so i built an 8 pound 6oz 460 weatherby mag rifle that definitly left me dissapointed. Even shoting 450gr bullets at 2700fps burning 115gr powder.

Me and my buddy keep joking around about making a 460wm revolver
 
I don't understand the need for a big bore anything. I shot a 44 mag S&W once after someone kept pestering me to try it. It was most unpleasant and wouldn't want to risk doing hand/wrist damage doing that again.

ps the Deagle .357 is a blast to shoot but one has to reload to get it to cycle. 16grains of H110 with a 158gr Hornady 358 jacketed proj. works nicely.:dancingbanana:
 
MikeyScuba said:
I don't understand the need for a big bore anything. I shot a 44 mag S&W once after someone kept pestering me to try it. It was most unpleasant and wouldn't want to risk doing hand/wrist damage doing that again.

ps the Deagle .357 is a blast to shoot but one has to reload to get it to cycle. 16grains of H110 with a 158gr Hornady 358 jacketed proj. works nicely.:dancingbanana:
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You're limp-wristing it if you have cycling issues.

And if a .50 damages your wrist, well, you have other issues.
 
Necro Monger said:
This is a gun I've wanted for decades and it will probably be buried with me.
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I picked up a .44 version a few years ago after thinking about it since literally in mid-1980s...I wish I'd done it sooner! They're great fun to shoot and even with my small hands I don't have any issue with the grip.
 
There’s also the LAR Grizzly MarkV in 50AE. My friend has one and I like shooting that much better than the DE.
Not easy to get them but still can be bought if you have the cash.
Also I like the S&W 460 better for revolvers for big caliber pistols. It’s very versatile as you can shoot 4 different calibers in the same pistol and the recoil is very manageable and accuracy is amazing
 
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