DE .44/.50AE for wilderness protection?
Most of the other sites I've read seem to have a lot of conflicting information on the DE, so I thought I'd ask here. I know some of you have Desert Eagles.
Typically people look at the Desert Eagle as a range toy, but I'm wondering how useful it'd be for protection when in areas where bears or other larger (than human) animals are known to be. I've read a lot of people having various problems with Desert Eagles in terms of reliability which is a major concern of mine. Is a Desert Eagle suitable for this purpose, or are there better options (that aren't revolvers)? Of course having one to double as a range toy wouldn't be a bad thing. My main concern is for situations in somewhat remote areas in PA where a .45 ACP would be insufficient.
Also I've read that some people use the Desert Eagle for hunting, but I didn't think semi-autos were legal to hunt with in PA (I've never been hunting). I checked the PGC site and the way things were worded seemed to me that all semi-autos (not just long guns) were not to be hunted with or does that vary based on what you're hunting?
TIA
Re: DE .44/.50AE for wilderness protection?
The DE is a pretty poor platform from what I've researched. It's impractical for daily carry, even for those who open carry. If we're out in the dead middle of the mountains and I NEED a reliable gun capable of bringing down a crazed bear, I'm probably going to carry a .44mag sw or ruger. Reliable.
As far as hunting, no semi's allowed in PA. I think the ONLY exception might be semi-auto shotguns for bird hunting, and even then, it might only be water fowl. Someone who knows more on that will come along, but semi-auto handguns are never allowed.
Re: DE .44/.50AE for wilderness protection?
it would stop anything, as with any 44 mag would. just don't hunt with it in pa..:)
Re: DE .44/.50AE for wilderness protection?
If this is for self defense, it really doesn't matter if it is semi-auto or not. You aren't restricted to only defending yourself against wild life with revolvers or bolt actions.. Hunting is a different story.
Re: DE .44/.50AE for wilderness protection?
The DE in .50 AE is pretty reliable, the .44 is a rimmed cartidge , there goes your reliability , in Alaska the DE sells well because people carry them for obvious reasons.
However personally if i were going to venture out into the woods where there are big bears, moose, gators, hyenas, lions, tigers etc. , i would take a 4 inch smith 29, ruger blackhawk, taurus rb or my colt anaconda.
In other words a big powerful revolver.
Nyman
Re: DE .44/.50AE for wilderness protection?
Far better choice than a DE would be Glock 20, or best option a guide gun in .45-70.
Re: DE .44/.50AE for wilderness protection?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Yellowfin
... or best option a guide gun in .45-70.
Plus one on that. Or you might as well get a .500 S&W if you're considering spending the cash on a DE.
Re: DE .44/.50AE for wilderness protection?
The only problem I had with my 44, is I have to run combat loads.. I've never cleaned it.. NEVER.. I am a bad gun owner, I toss it back into the case regularly. I've only ran 8 boxes or so through it. I've heard some people with spring problems. Not yet for mine..
Re: DE .44/.50AE for wilderness protection?
Before you buy,why not ask those who hunt bear and other large game what they carry for a side arm when hunting,most of the people here do not hunt big game and only say what they think would be a good gun.
If your going to play around in areas where there are creatures that look at you as a food source,or threat,get advice from experienced people on what works and what does not,after all it's your life that maybe at stake,not any of the other keyboard bangers here.
Re: DE .44/.50AE for wilderness protection?
skip the DE and get yourself a nice .460 Revolver. :D