Desert Eagle .44magnum

pguest01

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Hello All : I am new to the forum, was wondering what anybody out there has to say about the D.E., I currently own one in .44 mag and am seriously considering giving it up, paid way too much for it and it costs way too much to shoot.
 
I can make this a .50ae in about two minutes, just requires a quick barrell and mag change, I figure I will still have the jamming and general reliability problems I have now.
 
The Desert Eagle isnt meant to be an everyday shooter 'nor is it cheap to shoot (but you shouldve known that being a larger calibre).

I compare it to a Ferrari. Its extremely expensive, its finicky, parts/maintenance is a PIA, you only take it out a handful of times a year, theyre rare, everyone wants to say theyve seen (or shot) one, and when you do use it...its a BLAST! (no pun intended).

I have a 50AE in Titanium Gold that is more of a conversation piece than a gun...and only gets less than 50rds through it a year.

That said though, I love it! its a pimp gun that is also a safe queen. I only take it out on special occasions or to show it off...and ppl are always taken aback by it.

If you're looking for an everyday shooter...get a glock. But if you like being 'that' guy...keep it!
 
I hear what you are saying and yes I was taken in a bit so I could be that guy that has an Eagle but I am just dissapointed with the reliability, I cannot seem to fire one full mag without a jam, and catching the odd hot casing in the forehead is no fun either, today makes 200 rounds thru mine since new last June.
 
I have done some serious online research since purchasing mine last year, I know opinions are like noses everyone has one, but feeding problems seem to be prevalient, I clean mine religously and have purchased better ammo with every box, today was the best day I had with it but it still jammed once with every mag except for one time. I mean I do like the thing, it fits my hand well and recoil is nonexistent compared to some revolvers I have fired.
 
I don't own a Deagle, so take this for what it's worth. What kind of bullets are you loading? I'd likely be loading either Jacketted hollow points, or maybe Hornady FTX's (the LeveRevolution component bullet). And definitely I'd have to be using either H110 or Win296. Top loads all around. If you're using factory ammo, it's likely just not loaded hot enough, Deagle's like the really spicy max loads.

Or sell it, I could use a new gun, if the price is right ;)
 
It was designed to shoot full bore 240 gr. ammo. If you stick to that recipe you'll be fine.And Hang on to it.It's guaranteed to fail if you limp wrist it.
 
I have zero FTF FTE issues. It has, as mentioned, on occasion failed to lock open on the last round. I reload so cost to shoot is not an issue for me (what a flash with 23.5gr of W296!!!).

The issue I have is that it is HARD on brass, not that the hot loads help! My brass gets tiny dimples (like a golf ball kind of look). The same load in my 629 does not demonstrate this issue.

Keep the DE, sort your issues (better mags / springs???) and shoot it. You will be sorry if you part with it!

Regards,
 
What kind of problems are you having? My 50 has, like most DEs, never been a paragon of reliability, but it's really not that bad.

I do find it needs to be clean, carefully fed, and given new springs fairly frequently though.

+1 to it being hard on brass.
 
Sorry in advance for the long post but I think it will be of help...

I have one that I bought used from the EE forums here and it shoots with no issues now.
Before purchasing it I read up on it and heard all the horror stories and prepared myself for a picky shooter. One thing that I came across on a DE forum from the folks who had few issues with their DE's is that the springs were usually at fault...They need to be changed after a few thousand rounds OR every couple of years.So I bought all the recommended brands that I could find in 240gr and 180gr UMC Remington .44mag ammo. I also order a spring tune up kit directly from Magnum Research.

The gun arrives and time to experiment ... I head to the range with a load of 5 different brands/models of recommended ammo and the DE as I received it (only a regular cleaning and oiling). It jams every two rounds and I never get to finish testing all of the ammo I brought.. what did i get myself into? :(

I mention to another forum member that I'm having issues with it so he invites me to his club to see if he can help. No further luck, still jams every couple of rounds or so. I meet two of his club mates that have DE's and boy did they let me know what they thought of their pieces of crap lol. One thing that keeps popping up is that they have yet to change their springs...

So I go home that night and replace ALL the springs and head off the next day with another forum member who had invited me to Sharon Gun Club. I load up the Hebrew Hammer (lol, my pet name for my DE) with the same brands that were jamming....... I fired off an entire magazine and none jammed or FTF! Next brand same results, and the next brand and the next brand and the next brand :D Only on the last mag I had 2 jams, but my friend tells me that I was limp wristing [no surprise after shooting that many successive rounds out of the beast].


I'd say order the spring tuneup kit and give it a try before you sell her out of frustration. I'm happy I did and even sent it off to be hard chromed - shot it the day after I got it back and it functioned flawlessly.

Oh, another tip.. don't cup the magazine base plate as you may push the mag up and that would also cause problems with jamming.
 
I would like to thanks to all for your insightfull input. You have given me some ideas that I will try before saying enough, afterall I paid enough for the damn thing and I would like to get it to shoot properly. It seems like maybe my biggest problem is not running full jacketed ammo and I guess I will have to pay more attention as it seems I must be limp wristing it but I really can't see how. I had it all apart again last night and gave it a complete cleaning and oiling, now to try it again with some better ammo.
 
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