I welcome opinions on the DE 44 Magnum. I'm especially interested in views on the 10" barrel.

Also, I'd appreciate ideas as to where to find a 10" barrel. I've seen a few on GunBroker, but the pistols to which they are attached look pretty hard-ridden.

I have DEs in .44 and .50 (both 6") and had a .44 10" barrel. I've used both 6" barrels to successfully harvest deer out to 100+ yds, which is near my limit with that particular handgun. The 10" added more weight, wasn't a huge improvement in accuracy, and overally wasn't as packable as the shorter models, especially with a scope or a red dot. I sold the 10" as the 6" versions did everything the 10" would do, and weren't worth the hassle... If you wanted to stretch the range a little farther then maybe, but my .44 6" is still accurate enough for deer at 150yds providing conditions are right for the rounds I'm using...

I owned a 6" .44 Desert Eagle for a couple of years. My small hands could not get a good grasp on such a large gun. It hurt my wrist so badly that after firing a few hundred rounds I traded it. Be that as it may, it is a wonderful piece of machinery that is accurate and hard hitting.

I have average size hands and don't find the .44 or .50 uncomfortable to shoot with 6" barrels. They do however torque to one side due to the rotating bolt (especially the .50), but as long as you use a two-handed grip they're perfectly manageable.

I am proud owner of DE Mark VII in .44 Mag with both 6” and 10” barrels. I had great expectations from 10” barrel but results didn’t justify add cost, add weight and spoiled balance - my findings were exactly the same as Bob Hanson’s. I can group all shots at 110yds (100m) offhand in 8” plate using short barrel which is exactly the same what I got with 10”. Even more – I found front sight on 10” was so wide that I faced difficulties in accurate shooting during anything less than perfect light conditions. On the other hand, extra 4” in length will give you generous 50 m/s incremental.
If you are looking for extra speed and you are ready to experiment, DE will give you one more advantage vs. revolver – almost no limit in OAL! In case you are hunter and you put your bet on 1st round and you don’t mind feeding your Eagle directly through barrel (not magazine) you could develop cartridge with OAL somewhere between 48-50mm. It will give you some extra space for powder and keep pressure at standard level.

Alas, they and all semi autos not legal for hunting in our Illinois. Damn Chicago!
Steve

You should be able to order the 10" barrel right from Magnum Research
Check on their website

That would be my problem...I have the hands of 13 year old girl.