Desert Eagle .50AE - Ownership

**Tango Sierra** · 10-04-2026, 14:30

I am toying with the perhaps flippant notion of buying a Desert Eagle chambered in .50AE.

I am considering it purely for its ridiculousness and curiosity of owning a 2kg 12.7x32mm gas operated pistol. I am wondering if the dudes in SA had any "time on tools" to advise of any pitfalls / general experience with the type.

**oafpatroll** · 10-04-2026, 14:52

Originally Posted by Tango Sierra

a 2kg 12.7x32mm gas operated pistol

That there is worth the price of admission!

**aimpoint** · 10-04-2026, 15:39

I am with oaf, me thinks you have made up your mind and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! But pray tell, please let us know how it shoots

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**Pirate** · 10-04-2026, 16:01

I have experience with reading about it on the Internets. That's reason enough to convince me you should buy it

You can then use this thread to update the rest of us about the ownership experience...

**oafpatroll** · 10-04-2026, 16:01

A mate of mine had a very early 357 version that he sold to do something dumb like buy a wedding ring or appliances and he's been cursing himself ever since. Don't risk it, just do it.

**Tango Sierra** · 11-04-2026, 00:52

Years ago when I still lived in SA, the guy that ran the shop / range on Jean Avenue encouraged me to have a go with one the shop had, chambered in .44 Mag. I recall a friendly wager that I wouldn't be able to release the slide lock using my thumb only (I wasn't). This was a long time ago now but I recall it being a surprisingly smooth shooter, sheer mass of the thing no doubt played a big part in dampening felt recoil.

The problem with owning one is that one will most certainly own it forever - the second hand deagle market is non-existent!

**andy_760901** · 11-04-2026, 03:48

I have owned one in 44 and one in 50. I could not get any ammo for the 50. Sold it as it was no good to me owning it for more then a year and unable to source ammo. Highly impractical and honestly a ware of my time and money. The 44 was okay. In my opinion not the greatest or most reliable. But you buy it cause you want it. Not because it serves any purpose. I bought a 5 inch 500 in stead. Also a useless gun. Settled on a HK MK23. Also hugely impractical. But cool to own. These guns all share a commonality though. Cool to own. That is it and that is all.

**oafpatroll** · 11-04-2026, 09:13

Originally Posted by andy_760901

I have owned one in 44 and one in 50. I could not get any ammo for the 50. Sold it as it was no good to me owning it for more then a year and unable to source ammo. Highly impractical and honestly a ware of my time and money. The 44 was okay. In my opinion not the greatest or most reliable. But you buy it cause you want it. Not because it serves any purpose. I bought a 5 inch 500 in stead. Also a useless gun. Settled on a HK MK23. Also hugely impractical. But cool to own. These guns all share a commonality though. Cool to own. That is it and that is all.

Killer of dreams ;-)

**Zuku** · 11-04-2026, 16:03

Originally Posted by oafpatroll

Killer of dreams ;-)

**Vaal** · 12-04-2026, 07:38

Originally Posted by andy_760901

I have owned one in 44 and one in 50. I could not get any ammo for the 50. Sold it as it was no good to me owning it for more then a year and unable to source ammo. Highly impractical and honestly a ware of my time and money. The 44 was okay. In my opinion not the greatest or most reliable. But you buy it cause you want it. Not because it serves any purpose. I bought a 5 inch 500 in stead. Also a useless gun. Settled on a HK MK23. Also hugely impractical. But cool to own. These guns all share a commonality though. Cool to own. That is it and that is all.

A very good friend owned one in 44 mag which he sold when he migrared up north. My son shot 1 shot with it when he was about 6 years old, at that time I used to hold all the guns that he had a chance to shoot, by the trigger guard to support the weight and control the recoil. But on this Desert Eagle there was a little laser mounted on the front of the trigger guard, so I couldn't hold it there. I supported the best I could with what I could hold on the gun and his hands. The front sight nearly tapped him on the forehead.

When I shot with it, it is very heavy, difficult to rack and quite difficult to grip due to the length of the grip. But it will make a very expensive but decent club and hammer.

If you want to go for a more usable but cool gun, what about a 500SW revolver? If the picture works out, this is me with another buddie's 500SW