Desert Eagle .357 Magnum question

[PCK9]

Can anyone tell me if the early model Desert Eagle .357 Magnum can also fire .38 Special rounds? I am thinking of getting one but if it can't fire .38 Special then I may go for .44 Magnum. Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[Big Daddy 45acp]

I had a .44 DE years ago and was told .44 special was a no go. Not sure on the .357, but it is a gas operated system and the .38 special probably would not delivery the proper pressure or volume of gas to cycle reliably.

 

[PCK9]

What about .38 special +P?

 

[Rockrivr1]

I had a early model DE in 357. You can shoot 38s in it, but you will definitely need the +p kind. Otherwise the action will not cycle properly. I'm sure you've already figured out that you need to shoot hot 158 grn rnds out of it our you will have the same problems.

 

[PCK9]

Thanks all.

 

[seanc]

And obviously, lead is a no no.. it will screw up the gas system. (or so I have been told).

 

[Joseph M. Mattero Jr.]

I have a .357 Desert Eagle. I shot 38 special through it. I sounds like a foul cap gun. It wont action the slide, at least on the newer ones. Hope this helps...

 

[Steve Marshall]

Not a perfect response but I had a DE in .44 and it required, at minimum, mid range .44 Magnum loads to function.

 

[JGreen]

I'm about to put a Desert Eagle 357 up for sale in the classifieds. This is good to know as I never fired .38 out of this gun.