"Ask the Rabbi" by R. Mermelstein
QUESTION: Dear Rabbi
Mermelstein:
I own a Springfield V-16 long slide, which fires .45 supers, and
greatly enjoy firing it. I have no problem with its noise, muzzle
flash, weight etc. When not on the firing range, I keep the Sprinfield
locked and cocked in a Gun Vault in my office for self defense. I'm
thinking about stepping up to the Desert Eagle .50AE, but several
colleagues have advised me to resist the temptation, mainly because its
muzzle flash, noise, weight etc. make it "impractical." I would use the
Desert Eagle on the range and store it in a Gun Vault in my bedroom.
Presently, I use the same Colt Defender as my CCW and home-defense weapon. What's your opinion of the Desert Eagle?
Glenn Goodhart
30 Oct 1999
ANSWER: Dear Glen,
The Desert Eagle, being gas
operated, is an extremely finicky handgun. The slow burning Ball
powders that the cartridge requires necessitate frequent cleanings to
remove the unburnt powder residue as often as every 50 rounds. Failure
to adhere to a rigorous cleaning schedule will render the piece
useless. Cast bullets are out of the question. Only FMJ or 3/4 jacket
bullets will keep the gas port in the barrel from becoming fouled with
lead. The removal of this clogging is a job for a gunsmith. A bronze
phosphor bore brush will not do the job.
The pistol, itself, has all the ergonomics of a cinder block. It is
heavy, and not at all suitable to concealed carry. Opinions are like
belly buttons: everybody has one. The Desert Eagle has never appealed
to me. If I needed a repeating handgun with more power than the .44
Magnum, I would buy the new Ruger Redhawk in .454 Cassul.
A public indoor shooting range that I used to frequent had a Desert
Eagle for rental purposes. It was out of commission most of the time,
though it was fired with .44 Magnum 240 gr. FMJ ammunition that was
sold to them by my commercial ammunition factory at that time. W-W 296,
H110, and AAC #9 were the only propellants suitable. All this was to no
avail. That indoor range had to purchase a long-tem warranty from
Action Arms to keep the contraption in working order. Turn around time
was slow, and the firearm saw more time at the repair depot than in
service. Pass it by. Any weapon that requires that degree of
maintenence would never rate space in my gun safe.
Sincerely,
R. Mermelstein
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