quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
My Desert Eagle loads will rattle you clean back to your childhood in a revolver while the Desert Eagle just laughs them off.

I like that 44 mag in available a semi auto rather than a revolver. I did not know that. Something to add to the mulling overs in my head. Thank you.

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
My Desert Eagle loads will rattle you clean back to your childhood in a revolver while the Desert Eagle just laughs them off.

I like that 44 mag in available a semi auto rather than a revolver. I did not know that. Something to add to the mulling overs in my head. Thank you.

yup, and not to be confused with the .44 Auto Mag (AMP) which is something different, but just as cool.

I think that will be a tad hard to acquire .....

Desert Eagles can be had very reasonably compared to the other big bore magnum autos.

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
My Desert Eagle is the bell of the ball at our shoots.

First time I ever shot a Desert Eagle, was yours at a BBQ get together, in the basement, talk about BOOM!

Because it makes my 6’2”/300# grandson giggle like a little girl!

Well, I just asked Mrs. Mike for a S&W 69 with a 4” barrel for our 20year anniversary in March. I’ve had a Marlin lever gun in 44 that I foolishly let go to my FIL…

I reload and cast my own bullets so I can load 44mag brass to 44 special loads and enjoy any range session w/o nerve damage.

Plus I can load up some shotshells for danger noodles. No bears here in TX

Shows my ignorance I did not have a clue that the Dessert Eagle could be had in 44magnum.

Hunting. Other than that. Last time I owned one, I recall shooting a cylinder and thought. This is punishing!!!

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
Well, I just asked Mrs. Mike for a S&W 69 with a 4” barrel for our 20year anniversary in March. I’ve had a Marlin lever gun in 44 that I foolishly let go to my FIL…

I reload and cast my own bullets so I can load 44mag brass to 44 special loads and enjoy any range session w/o nerve damage.

Plus I can load up some shotshells for danger noodles. No bears here in TX

You'll like it. The L-Frame makes it very carry-able, and the action is very crisp. My trigger was pretty heavy out of the box, but the Wilson mainspring fixed that...just be sure to test for light primer strikes of you go that route.

I am still searching for the perfect grips. The factory ones were too narrow and long. I modified some Altmont boot grips to my liking, and they're not bad, but are a bit tough to hold on to under recoil. I just got a Hogue Bantam for it Monday, but the finger grooves were awful...huge and in the wrong place. I did some surgery on it and it feels pretty good now, but I haven't had a chance to take it to the range yet to see how they are under live fire.

Plus one on 92fstech's comments. My M-69 likewise came with a stiff (read heavier than most S&W's) DA trigger, but it was smooth. The SA trigger was typical S&W; great but again, just a bit heavier than usual. In my use, the SA is perfect as I'm not a fan of very lt. wt. triggers. The DA could use some work however. And thx, 92fs for the idea regarding spring work.

I differ from 92fs, in that the factory supplied grips fit me well (size "L" paws) and do a good job of mitigating recoil up to ~1100 fps 240 gr loads...those are my day to day heaviest.

But for the most part, I use Skelton's well publicized: 240 gr LSWC @ 950 fps (7.5 gr of Unique in .44 Spl brass). It's been very accurate in at least a half-dozen .44's I've shot over the years & has plenty of penetration beyond its modest velocity...here on the farm we've used it to put down several horses in that final act of mercy. It's never failed us nor them.

Hope you enjoy yours, is a hellofa useful big bore revolver. Best Regards, Rod

Why not! One of the most accurate pistol rounds you can own IMO.

An L frame loaded with 44 specials could be about ideal…

I’ve always liked the 686 7 shot, I think that’s the same frame.

Here is a picture of my Dan Wessons.
Top is the 445 Supermag below it is the 44 magnum.
Barrels fit both frames and the 445 SuperMag can shoot everything the 44mag can.
because of the weight of the guns re-coil is not a factor except for the 445 SuperMag, its still a handful but tolerable.

Practical? Unless you are a hunter, or competitor, there isn't any practical reason for a .44 or .357 vs a good .45/.40/.357sig/9mm.

For home defense, you'll want to water the .44mag down so it doesn't overpenetrate, through the wall and into the next unit/house. [same thing for .357mag, and some other calibers.]

For any defensive purpose, you are trading down in capacity, and the recoil takes longer to get back on target than a 9mm/.40/.45.



I know you were intrigued by the Desert Eagle. They are fun, but the people I know who've used them identify that they require the use of a specific load- the 'standard' .44mag load.


The two people I do know who've used the Desert Eagle had feed issues and reliability issues with different bullet profiles.



Now, the real reason to get one is because you WANT one!

They ARE FUN!!!!


IF you get one, decide if you want to shoot the 'average' .44 round, or want the flexibility to be able to shoot any round you find.

If you want any round you find, you want a revolver.

I like the Ruger options more, as I worry less about wear/tear on it than the S&W revolver, but that is me. I had a Model 629 PowerPort. Nothing wrong with it. I sold it and like my Super Redhawk more.

quote:

Originally posted by bczrx:
I know you were intrigued by the Desert Eagle.

The two people I do know who've used the Desert Eagle had feed issues and reliability issues with different bullet profiles.

Missed out on that part. The Mark VII runs flawlessly on anything I've put in it, but I'm kinda OCD with lube and maintenance.

I run:

.357s in a Mark I
.41s in a Mark VII
.44s in a Mark VII
.440s in a Mark XIX
.50AE in a Mark XIX

quote:

Originally posted by monoblok:
... that day pretty much cured me of any desire to own either one. Shooting large caliber magnums was punishing and I'm not at all into masochism. Buying any gun that will likely wind up being neglected, rarely shot and be a permanent resident in the safe is bad enough, .....

This sums up how I feel, also. I have owned and shot N-frames in 4" and 6.5". Redhawks in 4" and 5.5", Super BH's in 4.7, and 5.5, and SBH Bisley in 7.5. The DA's have worn Hogue or Pach rubber grips, and the SA's w/oem wood. All were punishing to shoot with full-power 240gr fodder.
The one exception is......

quote:

Originally posted by armored:
I like the 44 mag. I shoot a Dan Wesson,..I have, 4" & 6"barrel sets.

I could shoot 44mag. out of this gun all day long ..

There is just 'something' about the DW that mitigates felt recoil MUCH better than any other conventional revolver. With the 4" barrel on, and the same Grippers as on the 4" RedHawk, there is no question. I can get through a cylinder on the Ruger, but I am not likeing it much. The DW is far, far more tolerable and controllable.

While I am at it, the same holds true for their smaller frame gun in .357.
It's a K-frame size equivalent, but much easier to shoot, load-for-load, than either the Smith, or the Ruger Security 6. Heck, it's easier than the larger, and heavier GP-100.

It's too bad that CZ dropped the Danny revos....hopefully, someone like Kahr will add it to their other brands.

quote:

Any practical purpose to getting into 44 mag?

Because it can blow a man's head clean off!!

First pistol I ever bought was a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44mag. Still have it too.

quote:

Originally posted by Warhorse:
Because it can blow a man's head clean off!!

Warhorse for the win!

As to the grip discussion, I recently decided to try a set of Hogue Bantams on my 69. The factory grip was too long for concealment, my wood boot grips were small enough but kinda hard to hold onto, and the Pachmayrs were a horrible fit to the frame. I was skeptical about the finger grooves on the Hogues, but decided what they heck, they're $26...I can afford to take the chance.

The finger grooves were indeed awful (didn't correspond to my hand for a proper grip), but the grips were an excellent fit to the gun and about 15 minutes with a knife and some sandpaper rendered them usable. I knocked off the finger grooves and shaved the pinkie rest down so that it's not a hair longer than I need it. The end result isn't exactly pretty, but it's not as horribly ugly as I'd thought it was going to be.

I've only had a chance for one short range session with it, and it was below zero out for that, so I wasn't out long, but I did notice an improvement in controllability over the wood. Hogue, if you're listening, I'd love to see an actual factory offering with a similar profile.