Is the 50AE Desert Eagle the most powerful semi handgun

.50AE is the most powerful mass produced semi-auto handgun.
I've wanted one since the first came out and I'll be buying one, in .357.
Not worth it for me to setup reloading in .50AE.
 
This whole “biggest, loudest, heaviest kicking gun” lust is something I have NEVER understood. Beyond it being obviously testosterone driven, what’s the attraction? I don’t remember the last time I was in a gun store there wasn’t at least one person handling a 45/70 & drooling, and usually several taking selfies with the display Barrett, while the rental is one of the most fired guns in the store.
Yes, I’ve shot both, and many other large calibers, over my 50 plus years shooting. I’ve never had the slightest desire to own one; I haven’t been to Africa to hunt game that would need monster calibers, and Buying something that costs dollars per round to shoot, and messes up a lot of edible moose, elk & bear meat makes little sense to me.
I’ve hunted my whole life;deer, elk, Moose, & bear. Gotten some big animals too, most with a .270, some with 308 & 7mm. I own a couple of “tactical” shotguns, both gifts. They aren’t out of the safe very often unless someone has a really strong desire to shoot one for the first time. Then, it’s usually out to the range, fired once or twice and back in the safe; they both kick like pissed off mules and ar just unpleaseant.
Handguns I’ve stuck mostly to 9mm & .357mag. I had a .45 ACP, didn’t shoot it well and sold it. Got a smoking deal once on a model 29 with exactly four rounds through it; I watched the gun taken out of the box, loaded and fired, then helped bandage the owner’s forehead from the sight divot that had him bleeding like a stuck pig. HE’D bought it for the same reason; at the time it was, as Clint/Harry would say, “the world’s most powerful handgun”. He sold it to me there and then; he had absolutely no use or need for it, it had shown him it was no toy & given him a cut needing stitches & a sore hand and wrist. I bought it an sold it the same day for a profit, never fired it. I’d had that “pleasure” at an earlier time.
I’m serious here; I’m hoping some of you who have bought a 45/70, a .50, a .460, anything like that the last couple of years; what was the draw? Just to have the biggest one? You’re a masochist who enjoys inflicting pain on yourself? (Serious question; there are moe than you think) Planning a trip to Africa & worried about getting turned into elephant ####? I am really curious about this; it’s something I’ve asked myself more than once; is there something I’m missing? I’ve been a shooter, as I said for over 50 years. I competed in IPSC & PPC in the 70s, 80’s, and still hit the range 2 or 3 times a week. I go through 2-3000rds of mixed ammo a month, have for years, mostly .22LR and 9mm, but also .38spl, .357 mag. .17HMR, 270 & 12 ga. I roll my own pistol ammo mostly to keep costs down. I’m retired, so I have lots of time, and a Dillon Progressive helps a lot too. I just do not get the need for this resurgence of these massive rounds to shoot lightweight deer
 
Well, I have a 45/70, and I have hunted many years with it including an unsuccessful bison hunt.

I have a 629 that is, to me anyways, a pleasure to shoot whether loaded to 44 special levels or top end 44 magnum. I’ve let many friends shoot it who were not avid shooters and a firm grip and good stance was sufficient to avoid head injuries.

I have a 500 S&W that I picked up because it was too cheap to ignore. This one I have found a little absurd, but 350 grainers at factory load velocities are manageable. I don’t think I want to shoot hot 700’s.
 
FranksPop said:
This whole “biggest, loudest, heaviest kicking gun” lust is something I have NEVER understood. Beyond it being obviously testosterone driven, what’s the attraction? I don’t remember the last time I was in a gun store there wasn’t at least one person handling a 45/70 & drooling, and usually several taking selfies with the display Barrett, while the rental is one of the most fired guns in the store.
Yes, I’ve shot both, and many other large calibers, over my 50 plus years shooting. I’ve never had the slightest desire to own one; I haven’t been to Africa to hunt game that would need monster calibers, and Buying something that costs dollars per round to shoot, and messes up a lot of edible moose, elk & bear meat makes little sense to me.
I’ve hunted my whole life;deer, elk, Moose, & bear. Gotten some big animals too, most with a .270, some with 308 & 7mm. I own a couple of “tactical” shotguns, both gifts. They aren’t out of the safe very often unless someone has a really strong desire to shoot one for the first time. Then, it’s usually out to the range, fired once or twice and back in the safe; they both kick like pissed off mules and ar just unpleaseant.
Handguns I’ve stuck mostly to 9mm & .357mag. I had a .45 ACP, didn’t shoot it well and sold it. Got a smoking deal once on a model 29 with exactly four rounds through it; I watched the gun taken out of the box, loaded and fired, then helped bandage the owner’s forehead from the sight divot that had him bleeding like a stuck pig. HE’D bought it for the same reason; at the time it was, as Clint/Harry would say, “the world’s most powerful handgun”. He sold it to me there and then; he had absolutely no use or need for it, it had shown him it was no toy & given him a cut needing stitches & a sore hand and wrist. I bought it an sold it the same day for a profit, never fired it. I’d had that “pleasure” at an earlier time.
I’m serious here; I’m hoping some of you who have bought a 45/70, a .50, a .460, anything like that the last couple of years; what was the draw? Just to have the biggest one? You’re a masochist who enjoys inflicting pain on yourself? (Serious question; there are moe than you think) Planning a trip to Africa & worried about getting turned into elephant ####? I am really curious about this; it’s something I’ve asked myself more than once; is there something I’m missing? I’ve been a shooter, as I said for over 50 years. I competed in IPSC & PPC in the 70s, 80’s, and still hit the range 2 or 3 times a week. I go through 2-3000rds of mixed ammo a month, have for years, mostly .22LR and 9mm, but also .38spl, .357 mag. .17HMR, 270 & 12 ga. I roll my own pistol ammo mostly to keep costs down. I’m retired, so I have lots of time, and a Dillon Progressive helps a lot too. I just do not get the need for this resurgence of these massive rounds to shoot lightweight deer
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Why do you shoot 357 Or 9mm ? They too are unpleasant high recoiling noisy beasts.....From the perspective of a person who shoots only 22. (Not me by the way)
Let people shoot what they want, whether it's 50 bmg or 50 ae or any super duper caliber.
It's ok for people to have different tastes and opinions.
 
FranksPop said:
This whole “biggest, loudest, heaviest kicking gun” lust is something I have NEVER understood. Beyond it being obviously testosterone driven, what’s the attraction? I don’t remember the last time I was in a gun store there wasn’t at least one person handling a 45/70 & drooling, and usually several taking selfies with the display Barrett, while the rental is one of the most fired guns in the store.
Yes, I’ve shot both, and many other large calibers, over my 50 plus years shooting. I’ve never had the slightest desire to own one; I haven’t been to Africa to hunt game that would need monster calibers, and Buying something that costs dollars per round to shoot, and messes up a lot of edible moose, elk & bear meat makes little sense to me.
I’ve hunted my whole life;deer, elk, Moose, & bear. Gotten some big animals too, most with a .270, some with 308 & 7mm. I own a couple of “tactical” shotguns, both gifts. They aren’t out of the safe very often unless someone has a really strong desire to shoot one for the first time. Then, it’s usually out to the range, fired once or twice and back in the safe; they both kick like pissed off mules and ar just unpleaseant.
Handguns I’ve stuck mostly to 9mm & .357mag. I had a .45 ACP, didn’t shoot it well and sold it. Got a smoking deal once on a model 29 with exactly four rounds through it; I watched the gun taken out of the box, loaded and fired, then helped bandage the owner’s forehead from the sight divot that had him bleeding like a stuck pig. HE’D bought it for the same reason; at the time it was, as Clint/Harry would say, “the world’s most powerful handgun”. He sold it to me there and then; he had absolutely no use or need for it, it had shown him it was no toy & given him a cut needing stitches & a sore hand and wrist. I bought it an sold it the same day for a profit, never fired it. I’d had that “pleasure” at an earlier time.
I’m serious here; I’m hoping some of you who have bought a 45/70, a .50, a .460, anything like that the last couple of years; what was the draw? Just to have the biggest one? You’re a masochist who enjoys inflicting pain on yourself? (Serious question; there are moe than you think) Planning a trip to Africa & worried about getting turned into elephant ####? I am really curious about this; it’s something I’ve asked myself more than once; is there something I’m missing? I’ve been a shooter, as I said for over 50 years. I competed in IPSC & PPC in the 70s, 80’s, and still hit the range 2 or 3 times a week. I go through 2-3000rds of mixed ammo a month, have for years, mostly .22LR and 9mm, but also .38spl, .357 mag. .17HMR, 270 & 12 ga. I roll my own pistol ammo mostly to keep costs down. I’m retired, so I have lots of time, and a Dillon Progressive helps a lot too. I just do not get the need for this resurgence of these massive rounds to shoot lightweight deer
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Why don't we all just drive the same car?
Live in the same type of home?
Do the same job?
Have the same hobby?
Wear the same shoes and clothes?
Use only one brand of landscaping tools?
Use only one brand of condom?
Why don't we follow the Mao Zedong principle of life?
Freedom. That's why.
 
FranksPop said:
I’m hoping some of you who have bought a 45/70, a .50, a .460, anything like that the last couple of years; what was the draw?
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I like shooting, and I like shooting lots of different types of guns. I can have great fun at the range with my Winchester Wildcat rifle .22 or my CZ45 pistol in .25ACP and just as much fun with my .303 Jungle Carbine, Mossberg 590 12 gauge, .44 Desert Eagle or Bren Ten. And just tonight I sealed the deal for a 45/70 lever action. I don't like punishing recoil, but with proper stocks and grips, as well as technique, recoil can be managed.
 
The DE .50 is fun to shoot!! I was also surprised how accurate it was for such a mule (grouped real nice at 25yds).
 
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