Desert Eagle L5 .44 mag proper grip
Posted by the1mrg@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 28 comments
I just picked up a slightly used Desert Eagle L5 chambered in .44 Magnum. This is my first time owning (or shooting) a Desert Eagle, though I’ve been shooting handguns since I was about 10.
My question is about grip. With most of my handguns, I run a tight tactical grip with both thumbs riding along the slide, support-hand thumb stacked under my dominant-hand thumb. That’s always been natural for me, but looking at the Deagle, it appears I can’t do this.
Some people say it’s fine and you can still ride the slide with your thumbs. Others say you need to adjust your grip because the slide can catch you, and with the amount of mass and force behind a Desert Eagle, that’s something to avoid.
For those who own or shoot Desert Eagles regularly: • Can you comfortably run a thumbs-forward grip like on most modern semi-autos? • Or do you have to adjust and run a different style of grip to keep your thumbs safe? • Any tips or firsthand experiences would help a lot before I take it to the range.
Thanks in advance!
RoneliKaneli@reddit
The cut in the slide for locking the gun open might rip your thumbnail in half if you use a regular grip. Keep your thumbs low. It's not good to slow down the slide with your thumbs anyway, especially with a gun that's not particularly reliable anyway.
Chain_Runner@reddit
Most handguns accommodate people with regular hands. Desert Eagles were made for Bear men with XXL hands.
That being said, you will need to use the push-pull method instead of the squeeze method.
Epyphyte@reddit
The proper grip for .357 or .44mag is whatever is upside down as 90% of your time is clearing jams!
Special_EDy@reddit
I have 3 desert eagles, 357, 44, and 50.
The proper way to grip a desert eagle is different from other Semi-autos.
Per Magnum Research and per my own experience, you need a Push-Pull style grip. Your support hand will be lower than usual, with your hand more upright than thumb forward. Dominate hand is actively pushing the grip forward, support hand is actively fighting this and pulling the gun backwards.
The reason for the different grip technique is to mitigate limp wristing. Between the power of the cartridges, the mass of the slide, the length of the grip, and the complexity of a gas recoil system with a rotating bolt, desert eagles are remarkably easy to limp wrist. The reason so many people say that the Desert Eagle is unreliable, is either because they are limp wristing it or not cleaning it every few hundred rounds.
Soulshot96@reddit
This tracks with my experience. I got a new polished chrome DE in .50AE a few years ago. It's yet to fail me, just keeping a good grip on it and keeping it clean (gets remarkably dirty tbh).
Still not sure I'd use it for anything serious, but it's a great range toy.
Quw10@reddit
Yep same here. Depending on ammo the furthest I've made it with my 44 magnum is 250-300 rounds without cleaning and it starts to have issues at around 250. A carbon ring builds up in the port causing the piston to hang up on mine so usually a quick pass with the special tool and some fresh oil gets it running for a bit longer.
AbleNecessary2518@reddit
Golden comment
Special_EDy@reddit
Here's straight from the Owner's manual:
(page 23) PROPER GRIP FOR SHOOTING THE DESERT EAGLE
Issues related to improper grip are one of the most common “problems” reported to our service team. Use a two-handed grip with the trigger hand “pushing” and the off hand “pulling” to create a stable platform. Maintain your push-pull grip throughout the firing sequence, absorbing recoil in your shoulders - NOT your wrists. The shooter must provide enough resistance when firing the firearm for the slide to fully move rearward and eject the fired case. You cannot shoot the Desert Eagle pistol like your 1911 semi-auto. (see page 17)
(page 17)
How to Shoot the Desert Eagle:
All Desert Eagle Pistols (DEP) are gas-operated, semi- automatic pistols, shooting standard 357 Magnum, 429 DE, 44 Magnum and 50 AE ammunition. The gas operation significantly reduces felt recoil, but proper shooting technique is recommended for reliable shooting with the DEP. Proper technique is especially important when you’re shooting the 50 AE, which puts out more than 60% more energy than the 44 Magnum. The Desert Eagle Pistol has a rotating bolt that rides in the slide that weighs over one pound. It is very important that your elbow, on the arm that is holding the pistol, is locked. This allows enough resistance for the slide to move fully to the rear, eject the fired case and feed a new cartridge from the magazine. If your elbow flexes during firing it allows the pistol to move back at the same time the slide is moving back resulting in a “short stroke” or jam. The goal is to absorb the recoil in your shoulder rather than your wrists or elbow. The Desert Eagle grip is longer than other pistols because the 357 Mag, 429 DE, 44 Mag and our own 50 AE is longer than most other pistol cartridges. THE BEST WAY TO HOLD THE DEP IS WITH A MODIFIED WEAVER STANCE. Hold the grip of the DEP with your dominant hand and wrap your other hand around and in front of the grip. By doing this you can then slightly push forward with your dominant hand and slightly pull with your other hand. This “push-pull” arrangement allows you to “Lock” the pistol and lock your dominant elbow.
Grip & Stance:
The photos (see 8. Figure 8) show the way your grip and stance SHOULD look before and at the end of the firing sequence.
Correct Grip Technique:
Don’t limp-wrist! Maintain the push-pull grip to create a firm, stable-shooting platform. Do not push up on the bottom of the magazine. The Desert Eagle pistol magazines are “free-floating” and pushing up can cause the subsequent round to jam. See the photo below for the way your grip should look.
Don’t kid yourself! The Desert Eagle is different!
CAUTION: Failure to follow above advice will cause cycling and feeding problems.
Useless_Fox@reddit
... Do Desert Eagles come with a sock? What is that in the background lol
Quw10@reddit
Some do, my buddies MKXIX had one but mine didn't
LilFuniAZNBoi@reddit
I caught a bit of my thumbs fingernail with the thumbs forward grip. I don't recommend it again.
JB_9999@reddit
The push-pull is very easy to do, and is your best hope at successfully cycling this gun. I’ve had two, both .44. One went back to MR 3 times for repair and never worked right. The other was perfect. Good luck.
Outrageous-Basis-106@reddit
I'm more thumbs up then with a lot of other pistols. Not completely up, maybe 45
nan0brain@reddit
Riding the slide will cause unreliable cycling.
banned4evver@reddit
I have no problems…is this what you mean?
the1mrg@reddit (OP)
Nailed it! Thank you ✅
banned4evver@reddit
Cool. I’ve only had one time in about 150ish rounds (that’s all I’ve fired so far) where the slide locked prematurely and I think it could have been from the inside of my support hand/thumb area making contact with the slide stop.
It is a very large and protruding slide stop and the recoil I think is what caused my support hand to slightly shift upward causing the slide lock…In your situation with it being a 44 magnum the recoil might not be as severe as the 50AE so my guess you won’t have any problems.
Good luck and congrats on the Deagle!
mrking54321@reddit
Use your feet😏
the1mrg@reddit (OP)
I guess a serious question warranted a douche response.
jeropian-moth@reddit
You’re a certified baguette
Plenty_Pack_556@reddit
Sir, this is Wendy's.
ButtForAHat@reddit
I shoot mine like that (when I’m not shooting one handed for fun). Support hand thumb along the slide (but not on the slide of course). My thumb is by the barrel lock pin. Mine is a .50AE and so far I still have all my fingers.
Plenty_Pack_556@reddit
Gotta let your fingers grow some more.
the1mrg@reddit (OP)
Women tell you that about your dick
West-Food-7561@reddit
Seriously though, some people just don't have the necessary hand size for such a large weapon.
the1mrg@reddit (OP)
It’s the pic and angle ha my hand wrap around almost whole grip and yet still no one can answer the question or help. They want to be useless dbags instead because they hate their life
West-Food-7561@reddit
It's an arbitrary question bro, everyone has their own way of holding weapons comfortably. Don't choke up too much, position your hand to have a smooth follow through on the trigger, and don't predict the recoil. (I guess in this case you might need to as the caliber is massive)
the1mrg@reddit (OP)
Finally, a legit answer I don’t know if I should’ve rewarded the question or not but what I meant is it kinda like I explained because I ride the slide and when I looked at the slide racked back, it appears it may catch my support hand thumb, so that’s why I asked the question. Thank you for an actual normal response