Which handgun should i get? USP45 or Desert Eagle 50AE?

Question

Last year i bought a Ruger GP100 revolver, chambered in .357 / .38special and have enjoyed target shooting and varmit obliterating in my back yard (rural iowa) as well as a for property defense purposes on a few occasions (keeping well within the legal texts of my applicable laws). It is for the latter that i have begun to feel the need for a semi-automatic clip-fed handgun of a larger (read: engine-stopping) caliber.

Two handguns of similar price and merits are the Heckler & Koch USP.45, in full-frame version with 12-round magazine, or the Desert Eagle .50, with i believe a 7-round magazine. While the reduced clip size of the DEagle is unfortunate, the point of clips is to be quickly replacable, so it isn't a big factor to me. Also, i can shoot my .357 single-handed ambidextrously without any wrist pain, so the DEagle shouldn't be unbearable in normal use. However, the USP is meant for tactical assault, so its accuracy will likely be far better.

Which gun would you choose here?

Answer 1

The Desert Eagle .50AE is almost worthless as a self-defense weapon, unless one is over 6'7" and 300lbs of solid muscle. It is FAR too heavy & cumbersome for ANY type of carry system, especially concealed!
I don't know where you have been shopping, but the H-K USP's go for FAR less than the D.E.'s $1500-2000 price tags. In fact, there was recently a used USP on Gunbroker.com for only $400. . . . . .
Rather than deal with amateur opinions, I have found that the professionals, both commercial and independent, have given a slight edge to the H-K pistols, from tests run by evaluators from such sources as Guns & Ammo, American Handgunner, and Gun Tests magazines.
In such tests, the H-K USP models had fewer malfunctions and NO (0) failures when tested against, not only the Sig-Sauer, but Beretta, Springfield, and S&W models, as well.
The H-K mk.23 SOCOM is even better than the USP's, as proven by use by the Navy SEALS and other Special Forces units.
I've run nearly 5,000 rounds through my H-K USP .45ACP, including Hydra-Shok, Cor-Bon, and several equivilent custom handloads, with 0 stoppages EVER, and it's tolerances haven't measureably changed since I first aquired it.
The only negative factors I've dealt with carrying the USP, inherrent in the SOCOM, as well, is it's larger size, but I'm a larger guy and LIKE the more impressive size, and the limited availability of carry systems, but I carry concealed in my own unorthodox manner, anyway.

Answer 2

The 45 ACP is not necessarily an engine stopping caliber, But it is a fine defensive handgun and a much better choice than the DE. While the DE has plenty of power it lacks in the ability to deliver a high rate of fire as the recoil is stout and follow up shots do not come quickly. Plus to get good with a handgun requires frequent practice and a diet of .50 AE will put a hole in your wallet almost as fast as simply shooting it.

Meanwhile the .45 ACP is going to deliver quick follow up rounds on target as well as penetrate into a car with sufficient energy to disable targets on the inside and allow you to maneuver with ease.

All this aside, pistols are fine but you may need a rifle for what you are talking about. The power out of a good rifle easily trumps most handguns and a good clip fed semi auto that you can shoot 1.5" at 100 yards versus 2-3" at 25 yards for the handgun,brings more to the fight than even a DE. At close ranges 15-25 yards that kind of precision pays off as most people can't seem to hit a target at 15 yds with a handgun all of the time. Just something to consider.

Answer 3

Pardner, have you handled one of those Desert Eagles? I've had rifles that were not as heavy as that Desert Eagle! That is one honking big chunk of iron!!!!

The Desert Eagle is the only widely produced handgun that is suitable for hunting, and that is all it is suited to do. It is not suited for concealed carry or defense against two-legged predators. The .50 AE is entirely too powerful and penetrates too much to be safe in any sort of urban areal.

Just how many damned cars have you had to shoot in your lifetime?

Sounds like you've been watching too many action/adventure movies.

The Desert Eagle or H&K won't do anything your GP-100 won't do, and the GP-100 will do it with less noise and recoil. If you want a semi-automatic, go ahead, but unless you plan to use it for a hunting weapon, stick with the .45 ACP, which actually has less muzzle energy than your .357 Magnum.

Doc

Answer 4

Unless you have the need for a .50 AE, the wrist to shoot it and the money to feed it, go with the USP.45 acp. You could always choose a Desert Eagel chambered for the .44 mag round. That is the one that I have and I love it. The down side is its size and the fact that it likes a slightly hotter round than the standard .44 mag. I hand load for it and so that is no problem for me. I just make the rounds for my Desert Eagle a bit hotter than the ones for my revolvers. But if the choice is between the .50 AE and the .45 acp, I'd go with the .45 acp every time.

Answer 5

Get the H&K USP. one of the best handguns out there. The DE is junk makes lots of noise cost lots of money you pull it out in a fire fight and By the time you would have it drawn I would have already hit you 4 times at least.

The DE is really not good for anything other than to make you think your penis is bigger.

Get a USP and you have your self a real handgun that can take some abuse and keep on shootin.

Answer 6

I used to work with a lady who had the H&K for a carry gun and the DE for play. She had a lot of fun with the 50 AE, but where you can put the H&K in a holster, you'll quickly find the DE almost needs a wheelbarrow. It's fascinating, and a great (if expensive) toy, but not very practical.

Answer 7

The USP is made to be used.

The Desert Eagle is something you show off to your friends and shoot when you want to burn money and make a lot of noise.

And the .50AE ammo is wicked expensive...

I'd go with the USP.

Answer 8

USP. I don't see the SEALS using DEagles. Oh yeah, it's a magazine not a clip. I

Answer 9

i would go for the H&k, not bad guns at all but i prefer walther over all of them but thats just my opinion, dont bother with the desert eagle as its just for showing off down the range really.

Answer 10

Neither one.* Look at the Colt Combat Commander in 45 acp.*