A Desert Eagle Review: When it comes to guns for elite gun-owners, the Desert Eagle is at the top of the must-have list.
The Desert Eagle of my dreams may be chosen from the scores of already in-production options. Fully custom models are readily available, and the specific tastes of buyers are happily obliged. Considering so many of the high-brow buyers live in California, it’s no surprise that the Desert Eagle can even be tailored to the oppressive restrictions gun owners face in parts of America. By no means is this an affordable pistol, so my testing was happily performed with an associate’s gorgeous hand-cannon.
Without even picking the Desert Eagle up, this pistol demands attention and respect.
.50 cal is no joke.
For a gun with a 6” barrel, that massive power is immediately evident by the massive diameter presented to the target. For this model, the 7+1 capacity provides plenty of stopping power for any threat. A smooth and easy to operate mag release allowed me to blow through plenty of pricey ammo without fail. The Desert Eagle is made for intuitive use and maximum protection. It’s no surprise that the controls for shooting one feel comfortable and easy.
It’s also no surprise that there are countless videos of shooters getting kicked in the face with the recoil of this powerful pistol. The Desert Eagle isn’t going to shoot like my everyday-carry Glock 19. This is a .50 cal. packed into a 6” barrel. I didn’t underestimate that combo, and nor should you. More than just a pretty face, the Desert Eagle’s Weaver-style accessory rail atop the barrel is there for easy installation of optics or, more realistically, lights and lasers.
With fixed easy-to-see sights, set just over 8 inches apart, the Desert Eagle is easy to point and gives me a clear sightline. Practice at the range is pretty key to accuracy on follow-up shots for the Desert Eagle. The balance and weight made it easy to return to target, but there was some learning curve to the motion.
The Desert Eagle is unsurprisingly heavy for its size. Just a bit lighter than a bag of sugar, the weight is impactful. The fixed barrel mechanics of this gas-powered pistol make for a lot to support. Honestly, it’s heavy enough and powerful enough to knock a senior shooter right over. Regardless, after today I’ll be adding owning one to my retirement wish-list.
Finding the balance of anticipation in recoil management chewed through a down-payment of ammo before I was comfortable with the return. Muzzle dip in response to anticipating the Desert Eagle is likely a common hurdle for owners. My advice here is to trust the incredibly lethal Desert Eagle and aim well. Don’t slap that trigger. The pull is light enough, at around 4 lbs, to allow for an easy and smooth fire.
If you hit your target, you’ll be inflicting maximum damage with one shot.
Clearly, this is not a weapon for the frugal. The exorbitant cost of the ammo that I enjoyed may have hurt my paycheck, but the high-roller owners of the Desert Eagle continue to remain unfazed by paltry things such as ammo budgets.
As secretly disappointed as I was to not be enjoying a gold tiger-striped Desert Eagle, my more staid and serious model would have protected any A-List client on the red carpet with style. As my afternoon in the life of the rich and famous came to an end, I can say it was a very enjoyable day of shooting the Desert Eagle. The impressive firepower of the Desert Eagle is unquestionable. The cost of the Desert Eagle is also unquestionably high.
All in all, that makes the Desert Eagle a perfect combination for the upper crust shooters who have the luxury to afford it.
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Richard Douglas writes on firearms, defense and security issues. He is the founder and editor of Scopes Field, and a columnist at The National Interest, 1945, Daily Caller and other publications.
