So I use to have a 8" 500 S&W i ended up selling it years ago. Looking at getting another but I want the 4" For more of a toy and range gun and maybe some hunting. I already have a Ruger 454 revolver for my primary hunting handgun. Another gun that has my attention is the Magnum Research Desert Eagle 50AE.. They come standard with a 6" barrel i believe. Even though the Desert Eagle has a longer barrel then the 4" 500 they are very similar in size and weight. So it has me thinking. I know the 500 S&W bullet is a little more powerful then the 50AE but how would it compare out of these 2 guns? Would be an interesting test. So a standard 50AE out round of a 6" barrel vs a standard typical (not hot)500 S&W round out of a 3.75 inch barrel..?? I have a feeling the ballistics would be fairly close. And the Desert Eagle holds 7+1 rounds!!!. Which one would be the better all around fun gun? Im just playing Devils advocate and thinking out loud. I like both for different reasons.. Which one would you guys like between those two configurations?

If, as you speculate the ballistics is close, I'd be interested in the difference in recoil. With a revolver, you get all the recoil. With a semi auto, some is used up in operating the slide. Does the Eagle come ported?

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

Desert Eagles have ported and non ported models. I definitely would think the 50AE would have at least a little less recoil. Id love to see a test done on these 2 handguns side by side through the chronograph, accuracy, range, and recoil using the same or close grain bullets. I really feel like the 4" 500 and Desert Eagle would be a fun comparison of .50 cal Revolver vs Auto.

I own, load and shoot several firearms in each chambering. This goes back decades.

These are two totally different animals.

50AE is a less powerful round and the DE has much less perceived recoil.

My 325 grain GD 50AE handloads leave my 6" DE at roughly 1500 FPS for just over 1600 pound feet of energy.

The lightest load I produce for my 500 Smith and Wessons is my 350 grain cast lead HP which leaves the 4" revolver at roughly 1600 FPS for just under 2000 pound feet of energy.

Remember with an autoloader you have a very narrow window of power for the cartridge to function properly. There is no such limitation with a revolver.

I have heard of folks loading the 500 Smith and Wesson cartridge with light projectiles down to 1000-1200 pound feet of energy levels.

Some of my 500 Smith and Wesson cartridge hand loads exceed 3200 pound feet of energy, more than double the energy that the 50AE is capable of.

I realize that the .500 S&W can be loaded hotter because its a Revolver. Thats why i said in the comparison both guns shooting standard rounds meanining just regular store bought anmo and (not the hot stuff). I still have ammo from when i owned my 8" 500. Looking at it right now. Not the greatest ammo but its a box of 500 S&W Ultramax. Says 1,400fps right on the box. And im betting that wasnt tested with the little 4" 500 barrel. Probably was tested with the full length 8" barrel. When you reload like you do you can make hotter loads. Even your lightest load usually out performs a lot of store box ammo. Revolvers can handle a lot more power and i realize that. The comparison i was just wondering if you take both guns and test them with standard store bought ammo. Id be willing to bet that $36 Ultramax 500S&W ammo out of the 3.75 barrel of the 4" 500 would get out performed by the 6" barrel of the Desert Eagle with similar ammo. Or it would at least he really close..

Any way you slice it the 50AE is in the dust power wise to the 500 Mag, plus you can load anything you want slug wise for the 500 but for the DE you'd better use only jacketed slugs or you'll probably foul the gas system and have a malfunctioning gun. Don

Do you reload?

Not yet. But i want too. My dad says he has i big reloading set that he will give me. I didnt check it out yet so i dont know whats all with it.. But for the most part i just shoot store bought ammo. Cheap stuff for plinking and the good stuff for self defense and hunting. Who knows if ill ever really reload

Desert Eagles are messy. Throwing big fat round pieces all over the place..Dangerous too with that brass laying around..Big tripping hazard..Not nearly as accurate either..Messy and inaccurate compared to a Smith kinda turns a DE into "turkey"

I'm not sure why you think there's any comparison between the 50AE & the 500 S&W?

The 50AE has a SAAMI max of 35K psi while the 500 S&W is 60K psi. Even at the more commonly loaded pressure of 50K psi, for the 500, it's still no comparison.

Hornady factory loads: (store bought)

-50AE, 300gr XTP, 1475mv, 1449me, 6" bbl

-500S&W, 300gr FTX, 1950mv, 2533me, 8.5" bbl

The 500 S&W case holds >25% than the 50AE.

The 4" 500 S&W is really a 3" bbl. with a 1" comp (not rifled)

The 6" 50AE Desert Eagle barrel length includes the ~1.75" chamber so the rifled bbl. is closer to 4.25".
.

As far as plinking with cheap stuff store bought ammo, in these cartridges, I don't know where'd you get that. My cheap reloads for the 500 S&W run $35-39 per 100, double that price when using premium bullets. That's still way cheaper than factory prices. Handloading is the only way to go if you're going to shoot these big bores any amount.

.

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Waiting for the break of day

If I may...I believe that the OP may be working on the basis of directly equating the caliber with perceived recoil and such. Or more precisely, the caliber used in the name, which is usually not even close to the actual caliber (such as how .38s are really .357", and .44s are .430"...aren't guns fun?).

Which is something one might do, starting out. It's not a knock in any way.

Agreed. Once you're past 240-grain bullets for the .44 Rem Mag, you're really out of the realm of shooting anything remotely cheaply. Even that comes out to about $17/100. 200-gr .45 ACP is around $15, .38s are around $11.50, and 9mm is $11 even.

The only way to reduce costs from there is to start casting, which comes with a whole different set of costs, related to procuring and processing the lead and alloying metals.

Accuracy wise the big Smith trails the Desert eagle in every test.Each Desert Eagle is sighted in at 100 yards.All of mine could give both my Ed Brown ,and my kimber gold matches a run for the money at 15 yards.

Thank you for your response. But i wasnt really comparing the 2 rounds. I was wondering about 2 specific guns. The 4" 500 S&W vs the Desert Eagle which has a longer barrel since both guns are similar in size and are most likely to be carried on the hip over a 8 or 10" hunting barrel. I really think velocity with store bought lighter anmo would be close but im not just conparing power im also compairing accuracy, recoil and the coolness and fun factor of the 2 weapons. And also even if you just compaired power and just the rounds lets face it they are both. 50 cals. Unless your shooting Elephants i doubt there would be much difference in damage in whatever else you shoot!!! Looks like the water melons and jugs pretty much evaporate when hit with either. Lol.. And im guessing whitetail dear size game wouldn't know much difference either. Both would have a big ole .50 cal hole.. Also from watching reviews and video online looks like the recoil is a lot more manageable on the Auto DE. Which matters as well.

Sounds like you've made up your mind regardless of what people on here are telling you.

I recall when the .500 S&W first came out. A buddy and I were in a local gun shop to rent and shoot and he was all goo-eyed over the Desert Eagle. The guy behind the counter pulled out one of the rounds and set it on the counter. "It's a big boy, eh?" Then he pulls out a .500 S&W round. Our jaws dropped...

I think that is a load of BS and who cares about 15 yds??? Nobody. A S&W with a scope can hold 2 MOA at 100 yds, I seriously doubt a 50DE can come anywhere near that.

And please show us what testing you're referring to. Don

For hunting or protection against dangerous game,the 50AE out of the Desert Eagle has dropped everything on all continents.The locking rotary bolt helps the rounds reach their full potential.Example...if the .357 is too mild a cartridge for some..try it out of a Desert Eagle.Feels like a much stronger cartridge.The four inch smith will be much easier to carry around then an Eagle.The only real way to carry the Eagle with any comfort is with a JBP shoulder holster from Holstrama.If you do opt of an Eagle,try and find one that was made in Israel at either IMI or IWI over a USA made one.

Do some research on the gun ,or better yet find a club range that rents one and see for yourself.Many videos out there with 200 yd shots with the Eagle.Next time do a little research before being rude.

This is the .44 magnum

The Desert Eagle has a rail fir installation of a scope. Im guessing it will be pretty accurate out to 100 with less recoil then the 500..

Thanks for the info ..thats good too know. I would have went with the USA one. Are the Israeli DE made better?

Actually i havent decided yet. I like them both for 2 different reasons. Im actually leaning slightly toward the 4" 500 because i can hunt with it in my state if i want were the 50 DE i can't. But with that being said thats not super important since i have a Ruger 454 for that. But it still would be nice to be able to if i like.

The difference is like comparing a new Smith & Wesson revolver towards one made in the 1950's era . Israeli Military industries ( IMI ) is considered by many to be the greatest weapons manufacturer in the world.Back in the 90's IMI refused to incorporate some design changes that Magnum research suggested and let the contract walk away.The result was a pretty poor performer made by Sacco Defense in ME.It returned to being produced by IMI, then later to Israeli Weapons industries ( IWI ) the civilian owned small arms division at IMI.Once Kahr arms purchased Magnum Research ,production returned to the United states in Pillager MN.You can still get some new ones that are being made simultaneously at IWI for less money than the current ones made in US. Reason for this is Kahr and Magnum Research are selling the Israeli version closer to cost to build value in their American made line up.Hope this helps.

Thanks.. I ll keep that in mind when looking.

Rent one? Really?? The result is dependent upon my skill not the inherent accuracy of the gun. Want results, get a shooter of considerable skill and experience with both guns and run them in a Ransom Rest. No other test has any validity.

Otherwise it is "I caught this big fish" line braggadocio. I saw someone on the Ruger forum claim he shot 2" groups at 25 offhand with a 2.5" barreled SP101. Maybe, just maybe, Jerry Michulek could do that, 99.9% of shooters can't. Easy to be a keyboard commando and make generalized statement. Don

You might be one of the few who have not heard of this weapons inherent accuracy.I urge you again to do some more research before you continue to attack both me and this weapon Keyboard Cammando Style.

I have a 500 S&W and love it, but it wouldn't surprize me at all to find that the DE is more accurate.

1 1 chamber vs 5 chambers.
2 Chamber is integral to the barrel and is not dependent on timing and cylinder lock up.
3 tighter headspace and a positive lockup
4 no forcing cone or need for one.

Rifles are inherently more accurate than revolvers for many of these reasons. A DE with a longer barrel and a stock would be very similar to a rotary bolt rifle.

Most semi auto pistols have to have a certain amount of freeplay in the parts to cycle. But, not one with a fixed barrel and a rotary locking mechanism.

Would I trade my 500 for a DE 50? NO.
More flexibility in ammo choices because no need to stay in certain parameters to properly function
Has more accuracy than I have ability.
I am a S&W revolver guy.

All good points. I love Revolvers myself. I just bought a new S&W Performance Center 327 2" .357 mag. Its my new carry gun. I love it. its so light and very comfy carrying appendix style. Nothin like 8 shots of .357 mag for carry. Lol. Anyway. Even just watching youtube you can tell the DE 50 AE has a lot less recoil and is easier to shoot. Many videos where there shooting them side by side. Both hand out substantial damage to the targets. Its really 2 different animals. Auto or Revolver. Pick your poison basically. And honestly ive come to the conclusion that want both. Lol... BUT. For now my budget is only good for 1 as ive been on a gun buying kick the last couple months. Hell the S&W 327 .357 I just picked up was $1,200.. And its looing lie the DE 50 are running around $1,600 for the cheap black one. And prices go way up from there!! I can get a new 500 for $1,005 at my local.. Its looking like the 500 will be the first out of the 2 purchased for now. I think the 500 4" with an Eotech sight or similar would be a cool set up!

All this ******* about accuracy drives me nuts. Both of these guns will out shoot any of us any day.

I've been shooting for 50 yrs. Any quality firearm with the proper load in the proper hands will shoot accurately. Most of us make them look bad.

It is the rare exception to find a shooter that can expose any weakness of a quality gun.

I have been shooting long range handguns in IHMSA competition
since the late 70s..Targets @ 200 meters are the norm in the game..
Every action you can think of come to the 200meter line.. All but autos.
Never an auto. But Why...They simply DO NOT have the accuracy........

You appear to be the exception to which I referred...99% of us couldn't have that conversation with you. I have never even attempted a serious 200 yd shot with ANY handgun!

I didn't say that guns are equal...only that few shooters can find the real difference. Do you disagree?

The Desert Eagle is not built like a regular auto tho.

No problem. Guess I misunderstood?

.

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Waiting for the break of day

Still largely apples vs squash. The .500 is capable of more ft ln , and more significantly bullet weights of 500gr plus.

That said, the OP probably wants the Desert Eagle, least ways he will enjoy it more.

The Desert Eagle is more accurate than typical semiautos, and generally comparable to decent revolvers. The .500 can be extremely accurate at really, really long range. The DE is more than avcurate enough for any distance you realisticly would use it.

And the DE is fun to shoot., recoil being in neighborhood of .44mag in an N frame. If the OP has a need for extreme penetration, he already has a .454.

Basically I already know the 500 is more powerful. So I wasn't just comparing the 2 rounds based on there ability I was comparing how much of a difference regular store bought ammo (since I don't reload) would compare out of those 2 particular guns the 4" 500 vs the 6" 50ae. because I know the 4" 500 loses velocity because of the short barrel where the 50ae would be running with its standard barrel. Both are firing the same size bullet. So if buy a box of Ultramax ammo for the 500 like I did when I used to own one the velocity says 1,400fps on the box. and from what I understand the 4" 500 loses about 200fps from the shorter barrel. Most 50ae ammo ive looked at has about 1,500fps velocity printed on the box and the DE I would purchase would have the standard 6" barrel and would not be losing any velocity. So with that ammo in particular the the 4" would be spiting a .50 out at around 1,200fps vs the 1,500fps out of the 50ae. Even if you buy the hotter ammo for the 500 at 1,800 to 2,000fps you still because of the shorter barrel be running close to the DE just a little more. That's why I said it wasn't about the 2 rounds it was more about the 4" 500 vs the 50ae DE.. Because those are the 2 guns I was interested in.

Makes wonder. If I did get the 4" .500 smith! What would do more damage on lets say a black bear or whitetail deer my 6.5 inch Ruger Super Black Hawk Bisley 454 or the 4" 500 Smith and Wesson? ummm...

Another issue, my DE would eject spent brass right into my forehead. Once leaving a semi-circle imprint that drew blood. At 25yds, mine shot 3" right & 2" high at 25yds....not good for non-adjustable sights.

Not having the option of shooting cast bullets was the final straw.

I think the 500's meplat of a 440gr lbt-wfn (see HSM Bear Load) would do all the damage you should need.

If I would ever get a DE I would definitely take advantage of the top rail system and install a red dot. I think they were built for a scope or red dot. Probably why they don't bother even putting adjustable sights on them. I agree a 440gr HSM Bear load out of a 500 would take pretty much anything in North America down. Still would wonder what would do a better job the 4" 500 or 6.5" Ruger at it? If I do get the gun I'm going to do some testing between the 2 on various targets. There is a small part of me that just says get the 8" barrel but at that size and weight you mise well take a rifle that's actually why I went with the Ruger for its light weight. And why id rather the 4" 500..

I would understand if some think I'm being a grump here. Having said that, I think the 50DE is somewhat neat, I just don't have quite enough interest to spend the $ as I have two S&W 500 Mags with which to get my big bore fun out of. Don

My problem is I'm a big bore hand gun addict. I just love them. I already have a 454 casull which is more then enough gun for anything that walks. I use to have the 8" 500 but sold it and regret selling it so I want another. And the .50 ae DE peeks my interest as well. It would be cool to have a big 50 cal Auto to the collection I want to build.. Heck I want them all. Throw some Magnum Research BFR's on that list as well in JRH and others. Its a sickness. And lately I have the fever again. lol

Much like self defense ammo, at a certain point hunting ammo also become a philosophical debate of really , really large diameter wound channels , vs really, really, really deep wound channels. It's been debated ever since the first campfire and the first adult beverage shared by mammoth hunters.

A .50AE , loaded with say a 325 gr Gold Dot at AE vels will make really, really wide wound channel through a the chest of a deer or black bear.

A .500, loaded with 500gr cast bullet at similar velocities would go lengthwise through an elk, and 2 or 3 deer on the other side if everthing lined up for you. But zip through a mere deer with no expansion.

Presuming for imeadate discussion "typical" handgun hunting distances of up to 100yd -ish, inherently limited by terrain, vegetation, and marksmanship skills of 90% plus of hunters.

On deer-ish sized game, extreme penetration would be superfluous on the far side. If you had to shoot through multiple grizzly bear shoulders , the AE penetration wpuld probably be too shallow. So which is more important to you.

( Yrs for Devil's advocate, you could handload against stereotype, cast 325gr -ish in AE, and light weight jhp at rifle like vels in .500, but eh .)

Meanwhile you can one handed plink with a Desert Eagle ( ok,, I can, but I'm beefy with gorrilla hands) and enjoy it.

Another perspective , factory ammo for 50AE is hard to find at a lgs, and is expensive, but is not too unpleasant to shoot. 500 ammo is all but impossable to find locally, but if you do , two boxes of 20 will set you back the price of a used shotgun. And any loading vaguely moderate will need to be handloaded


For .50 , handloaded will be quite helpful. For .500, it is essentially mandatory.

Ps,and I own a .500, but that's it own long story. From the OP's criteria, he'd be well served , and happier with a DE.

I had a DE in 50AE. It also would eject brass right into my forehead with 300gr and heavier bullets. Anything lighter and the brass would whiz by my right ear. I called the factory about the problem and they said I was limp wristing the gun. Not so.

I had a Leupold 2X scope mounted on mine and it was very accurate at 100yds. I don't remember the group size and never shot at more distance but it was very accurate. Recoil was minimal due to the weight.

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Dick

I agree with everything you stated. And you are right a slower .50 cal especially with a good expanding bullet will do a lot more damage then a higher velocity hard cast. Kinda like when using my 7mm mag for deer the 175grn bullet passes right through leaving minimal damage where the lighter 150grn does a lot of damage. And a lot of big time hand gun Hunters use the JRH 500. Which has even slightly lower vels then the 50ae or pretty close to the same. And have taken some monster Cape Buffalo and others with that round!! I figure the 50 ae DE would actually do more damage with slighter slower velocity and the right expanding bullet like a Hornady XTP. Just too bad I cant hunt in PA with a semi Auto. It would be for hunting out of state. But I have the 454 casull for home.. Honestly I think the 50ae DE would be a cool fun gun to carry in the woods and play at the range and hunt out of state with. And I think the .500 would be more of a practical if I want another caliber to hunt at home with gun. Both definitely have my interest for sure. If I had the money id get both and probably eventually will. But right now I can only get one. And maybe your right. For my current criteria and needs vs want I think the DE might be the fun and right choice!

Why aren't we comparing a S&W 6.5 inch 500 to the 6 inch DE??

I can load the 500 "down" to levels of the 50AE or even lower for practice. Not having to worry about gun function or jamming with the lighter rounds. But I can't load the 50AE "UP" to the levels of the S&W 500.

Then figure in the questionable reliability of a semi auto DE. NO THANKS.

Don't buy the Desert eagle. I have the only one ever made that works as it is supposed to. I really don't think as many people have shot one that say they have or they don't know to . I have the 500mag also I like both.

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Since you like both guns for different reasons, I see only one satisfactory outcome - buy both!

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

That's what I had to do. While you at it get the 460. That way you save a trip back to the lgs

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Here is a trio for you T/C .45/70, 50AE DE, S&W 4" 500 mag.

Nice collection.

Ended up going a slightly different route. Ordered a Smith and Wesson 629 Talo edition .44 Magnum 3" barrel. It will serve a similar purpose as the 500 S and W would have as far as close range hunting but a bit more practical and affordable ammo. Probably fit it with a mini red dot type sight.

Did you check the hunting regulations where you plan to hunt?
Most states have a minimum barrel length for hunting handguns and a few have maximum lengths also.

Good luck on your endeavors

Ruggy

Yes sir. No barrel restrictions in Pennsylvania. If i go out of state i have a 6.5 inch Super Blackhawk Bisley 454 casull.