I'm turning 50! Desert Eagle .50AE vs. .460 Revolver?

[Bob Wright]

Saleen322:

You are one heck of a shooter! I do well to get group like that at fifty feet.

I couldn't even see that black at 100 yards!

Bob Wright

[SpareMag]

He DID use a scope...but yes, remarkable shooting!

[terrybarb3]

I have several .44's. I love the cartridge and already have my 16 year old going through a box at a time with me. The DE is one of those things I doubt I'd ever buy for myself. And growing up with Arnold being just an actor and not "acting as a Governor" '80s,,, the DE is just silly good fun to pursue. Kind of an 80's guy wanna be testosterone thing I guess.

[Chaz88]

You only turn 50 once, get both.

[silvermane_1]

heck i wish they made a DE bbl in 480 Ruger.

[EvgeniBG]

According to my taste, both DE and S&W500 have excellent "cool factor". I'd take a Solomon's solution - Your wife grants You with one, You grant Yourself with another. Envy You in advance!

[buck460XVR]

Originally posted by terrybarb3:

Any of you have expereince and thoughts on wihich handgun is better for non-hunting, birthday fun?

For hunting, the .460 is definitely the way to go. For fun? Depends what trips your trigger, bottom feeders or wheel-guns. Accuracy wise, I doubt that the DE will ever compare to the Smith. From my own experience with a D.E. 44, accuracy is not what they are about. Nor is shooting reduced recoil plinker loads unless you want a single shot. One reason my D.E. resides in someone else's safe now. My P.C. .460 is more accurate to 100 yards than any of my handgun caliber carbines. With it's compensated barrel and heft, it is more pleasant to shoot than my EDC snub nosed .38. Unlike my 1911s I don't have to chase it's brass. But the .460 is a handloader's firearm. If you don't reload or have very deep pockets, I recommend to get something else, as the price and availability of quality factory ammo is the only prohibitive reason not to own one.

[22-rimfire]

The 460 S&W is what I would choose over the Desert Eagle. You could look at some of the Freedom Arms revolvers in the big boys. Fine revolvers. I also like the BFR in 475/480 quite a lot. It has the short cylinder versus the long cylinder that you get with the 460 or 45-70 in the BFR line.

[chokeoloko]

desert eagle all the way

[mellow_c]

I have shot a full magazine from the .50AE Desert Eagle
and
I have shot a full cylinder from a .460 S&W

I dont own either.


I had more fun shooting the Desert Eagle, although some of that might have been because of the targets. I was shooting full pop cans with the Desert Eagle and just paper with the S&W.

When it comes down to it. I think I would chose the Desert Eagle for a couple reasons...

#1 It's your 50th birthday, gotta get a .50!
#2 I enjoyed the recoil and feel of the gun better than the S&W. The feeling of that huge slide working after each shot was more progressive and impressively satisfying to me than the instant full force impact of the S&W and it's shock from the muzzle break.

I think I would enjoy putting more rounds through the .50AE on a regular basis than the .460

The Desert Eagle is the most powerful semi auto handgun ever. The .460 S&W shoots the fastest handgun cartridge ever. Both are very impressive.

The Desert Eagle has a very nice trigger, and so does the .460 S&W.

I guess the best advice I can give is to go with your gut feeling. Mine says to go with the DE

A note on the DE's recoil: it's less intense than the .460 because like I said, it's more progressive due to the semi auto operation, but it still gives you a nice punch! I found with somewhat relaxed arms, a firm grip, and proper trigger control, the gun would bend my elbows to about a 45 degree angle upon recoil. I just cant put into words how hugely satisfying the big progressive recoil of the DE in .50AE is. If things go my way financially, I might look more seriously at buying one in the future. Just for fun of course

Also, while the S&W may be a target grade missile launcher, I didnt miss a single can with the iron sights at about 17 yards with the DE.

As to the DE's reliability. The one I shot functioned perfectly, and the owner stated that he'd put about 200 rounds through it, and it's never failed him. I would imagine that with full power loads and a clean and properly lubed gun, you would have the same experience.

I know one thing for sure. Which ever one you end up with, you'll be glad you did

[geetarman]

My son bought a DE50 and the range put us down on the end away from all but two folks on the first lane. This was an indoor range.

The first round he touched off brought forth an anguished voice from the first lane. . . "We surrender!!!!"


I have shot it a few times and I reload for him but I would not want one for myself.

It is just TOO much of a good thing. . .

[Old 454]

50 A.E Desert Eagle is much fun to shoot.

BUT....Limp wrist it, and it jams
You have to shoot it with the push pull method of holding the gun, if you cup the bottom of the grip on the magazine, it jams

While the gun is a very accurate shooter, it has magazine problems that will result in a jam.

Reloading for it pretty much is full house loads being that it is a gas operated system.
Reloading for it you must use FMJ or semi jacketed, reload lead and you will end up fouling the gas ports and buying a new barrel.

I know this because I owned one, but traded it away due to being to tempramental.

There are much bettor guns out there if you have card blanch of what to get.

If you really like horse power and dig recoil, it don't get much bettor then a FA model 83 .454 casull. or even bettor the Ruger Alaskan in .454 snubed nose flame thrower with compressed loads, nice light show and very very loud, louder the the .50 DE, lots of ohhh and ahhhs at the range if thats what you are looking for. I have both of those.

The tamer grips on the Alaskan .454 are much bettor the the FA 454 casull.

[tynman]

I dont have a .50 cal DE but from what I hear and read about it they have a bad kick and ammo is hard to find and pricy...
With that said I do have a .44 mag DE and it is a very well balanced machine and I like shooting it very much. Now I also have a S&W .44 mag revolver and all I can say about it is OUCH!!! I bought it shot it the same time I shot the DE and now it will be put in the safe and forgotten about cause my hand hurt for a few days after shooting the revolver.

If there is a place you can rent and shoot the .50 in both gun then try the .44 mag and go from there.
Good luck

[cookie5]

I hope I am not too late but a Desert Eagle in 357 mag has been the D.E. I would want.

[Jbar4Ranch]

For hunting, the X Frame. For pure FUN, the .50 DE. (Which would be fine for hunting too...)

Originally Posted by silvermane_1

heck i wish they made a DE bbl in 480 Ruger.

I'd buy one!

[chewie146]

.460 hands-down. You can fire .454 through it, as well as the much more economical .45-colt. Then, everyone can have some fun.

[Inspector3711]

That group posted above with the .460.... That's typical of what a factory .460 XVR will do from the bench. I've held a 4" group at 200 yards before from a sand bag without too much trouble.

There is no comparison between the 50 AE and the .460 S&W Magnum. The .460 is a high velocity (roughly 1,000 Fps faster than the .50 AE) long range cartridge. It's shoots flatter and hits with more energy (roughly 1,000 Lbf. more).

Do you want a semi auto that you can shoot for fun or a seriously accurate long range revolver to hunt with, or shoot at 200 yards like a rifle?

I'd choose the .460 every time.

I'd love to have a Desert Eagle .50 for fun.... I'd pick the .460 XVR first. That's why I have one

The .454 is mentioned above as being a potent choice. It's a bit lightweight vs. the .460. Not quite up there in the same class as far as velocity goes. As also mentioned above you can shoot .454 Casull or .45 LC if you want light loads.

The beauty of the X frame is that it comes with a muzzle brake so alot of the recoil is tamed. Kicks about like a .44 magnum. It is very loud however, and it takes a bit to get used to the concussion. Tends to stretch the skin on yer face which I find quite enjoyable.

[terrybarb3]

Desert Eagle won! Decision was based off of pure fun factor. (Though seeing the grouping capaibilities... I will be following the suggestion and end up buying the S&W eventually).
I haven't heard a negative comment from big bore shooters yet on this gun regarding fun factor... plus did i mention it's just silly good fun.
Like several of you mentioned, you have to get a .50 for my 50th

Now,,, anybody got any ideas on where to find good ammo for this other than the Hornady offered at Cabelas?

[Chaz88]

Now,,, anybody got any ideas on where to find good ammo for this other than the Hornady offered at Cabelas?

I do not know what constitutes good factory loads for this gun. Most of the people I know hand load for it. But it has stood out as being more available, from different manufacturers, at the stores I frequent. It stands out because it is one of the rare ones still on the shelf.

[tynman]

Good for you and enjoy... Im going to say that DE .50 will bring you lots of fun... Oh yeah Happy 50th Birthday...

[Hook686]

With the Desert Eagle you can get the full kit. The pistol frame and the bolt/barrel for .357 magnum, .44 magnum and .50 AE. I had no use for the .50 AE and bought the DE XIX with .357 magnum and .44 magnum barrel/bolt plus a 10" 357 magnum barrel. I was out at the range today with the DE .44 magnum and my S&W 629 .44 magnum. I find both a pleasure to shoot and agree that the DE has less recoil. I also agree that large hands are a plus.

I use the DE in .357 magnum for a night stand gun and use the DE in .357 magnum with the 10" barrel for hunting. Easier for me to carry than a rifle. A quirk with my DE is that the magazines hold 10 rounds. With one in the chamber I like the idea of 11 rapid .357 magnum shots, and the recoil is that of a .38 special.

Different strokes for different folks, but the DE XIX, even if pricey, is a pistol I enjoy shooting.

[lake393]

Oooooh, I would go with the DEagle but that's just my preference. I've always loved it in the action movies. I like the black matte look like what hickok45 has.

I think I would choose it 44 magnum, because it's just as devastating and it can carry an extra bullet in the magazine.

[marine6680]

I have been eying the 460 for a while, I like its caliber versatility, 45 Colt, 454 Casull, and the 460. Plus the 460 is second to the 500 for pure power in a handgun if I recall correctly.

But I do not hunt, so it would be strictly a fun gun for me, and I have others I want more.

The rounds are going to be expensive for both the DE and 460, and reloading is easier for a revolver. Shooting 45 Colt out of it for most of the range time would be cheaper.

The DE has always seemed like an impractical gun to me, best for range time fun, but without the versatility should you ever want more.

In the end its all personal taste.

[GarrettJ]

I find the DE in .357 or .44 makes a dandy pin gun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5gIgg_v-1U

[SansSouci]

If I were going to buy a big revolver I'd look for versatility; e.g., shoot .44 Specials or .45 Long Colt.

I have fired just enough big bore handguns to know that my limit is the .357 Mag out of heavy revolvers.