This article is written by Argentium, moonlight's owner and operator.
Moonlight wrote about some of her recent experiences.
Some minor additional information from my viewpoint:
The weapon is a Desert Eagle Mark XIX (nineteen), with 10 inch barrels in the .357 Magnum, 44 Magnum, and .50 AE calibers. It's manufactured by Magnum Research Inc. The .357 magnum clips hold 9 total rounds each, the .44 magnum clips hold 8 total rounds each, and the .50 AE clips hold 7 total rounds each.
To change between .44 Magnum and .50 AE barrels requires only a quick ten second change between barrels and popping the other clip in, it's _that_ simple. To switch down between those two rounds and .357 Magnum (or back again), takes a few minutes because you have to completely disassemble the weapon and change out the firing bolt.
Interested parties can see pictures and other advertising schlock at Magnum Research
Also, I'd refer to it as a sidearm, not a gun. Although it's big, it's not quite battleship calibre. ;-)
You and I had very similar reactions to firing our first .50 AE round. I too safetied the weapon, set it down and shook my hand out in the air. It's a big force you're using when you fire those rounds. The only difference is my reaction included a verbal stream of invectives.
The reason I kept asking if the weapon had jammed was that during the firing of the older .357 Magnum rounds, there wasn't quite enough gas pressure to both fire the round, and properly cycle the weapon to grab the next round in the clip. That was disappointing, and I'm glad I got rid of those .357 Magnum El Dorado rounds.
I did warn you about the kick, but I also said that .357 wouldn't be bad because of the extra weight of the firearm at the front, .44 Magnum was a fun round to fire with some upwards kick you'd have to control, and that .50 AE had a healthy kick, but that it shouldn't bury the hammer into your forehead.
I and our hosts were definitely proud of you. You did very, very well. *grinning*
Yes, this firearm is too big for you for constant regular firing. I picked it for me. We'll get one that's much more suited to what you want. Firearms are very personal. After trying a few, you tell me what you're comfortable with, and why, and that model will most likely become one of your weapons.
I'm also delighted that you found you really enjoy shooting. It's a really really fun passtime. You understand that now.
When you fired the first .50 AE round, I did want to check closely that it wasn't TOO much for you, and yes, dropping a loaded sidearm is a bad bad thing. There is always the possibility of it landing on a firm/hard surface, being pointed at some unlucky object, or worse yet, person, and going off with the next round that by then is chambered, and hot. You didn't drop it, you did well. :-)
Firing the whole clip was a rite of passage in a way. Welcome to the 'More Bad-Ass than Dirty Harry' club. }:> You may now openly laugh at the opening of "Magnum Force" where the claim is made that the .44 Magnum is "the most powerful handgun in the world".
Would I have ordered you to continue firing if you had refused? Well, that all depends on whether the refusal was "can't" or "won't". Either would have had you explaining. The answer is no, I wouldn't have necessarily ordered you to continue depending on your answer, but I could have for the same reason. As with anything, it would depend.
[ Rangestopper effect ]
I have actually gotten what I call the "Robocop" reaction. In that movie, there's a scene where robocop is using a multi-shot burst sidearm that is operating like an SMG in full auto mode, only the duration of the bursts is being controlled by how long Robocop holds the trigger - just like an SMG in full auto mode. Of course, all the other cops stop shooting to come witness him blow the shit out of a target. One of the cops says, "Would you look at that fuckin' gun?!"
I've gotten that _exact_ reaction to the Desert Eagle Mark XIX when set up for .50 AE rounds. }:>
And yes, .50 AE has a blast and kick. There's 30 grains of Hodgson H110 powder behind that explosion.
BTW, you maintained your dignity as well as I did when I first fired that round through that firearm. I believe I was a bit more course, but it basically ended up being a stream of curse words, me putting the firearm down and shaking my firing hand out.
- moonlight wrote:
I'm not sure why. I have, obviously, done something that is important (for some value of important).
Yes. You conquered your self doubt and followed through and did something challenging and special.
And I'm sure you have found your own reasons in addition to that...
