Seconded. Desert Eagles are fucking lame IMO. Expensive crap.
Fucking lies! They're pretty cool. I didn't get one until #10 or so. Too hard to remember that far back. 4 lbs of steel with a gas system that shoots fireballs out the end? Great to bring out for the fun factor. My girly arms could only hold it up for a magazine or so before getting tired. Getting it as your first/only is fucking stupid. Even if you're rich enough to pay the ~$1 per round costs, it is completely impractical and just a novelty. Your first gun should be practical and reliable so you can learn the ins and outs. If not, it will be dangerous and give you bad habits.
For a starter gun for the OP, I recommend figuring out what kind of "system" you like first such as what kind of trigger and whether you want a manual safety.
SAO - Single action only like the 1911's where the hammer has to be down for it to fire
DAO - Double action only, where the trigger always feels the same like glocks, mps, other striker fired
DA/SA - Guns with a hammer where the first shot is longer and heavier, succeeding shots are lighter and shorter. Most guns with external hammers such as sigs.
Or maybe you want a revolver?
I personally think you should get 2 guns in one. Many models have a 22 conversion kit that replaces the slide/barrel/etc so you can practice with cheaper 22 ammo but with the same feel. If you want something that looks a little different than the plastic guns out there, go 1911 (sao with manual safety). This is my current favorite plinking/competition gun.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57754_757752_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y
EDIT: Just to note, remember that opinions are just that. Try to think about what people are saying and come to your own conclusions. Especially in the gun world, there is lots of misinformation out there. The person feeding you bad info probably isn't doing it on purpose and just repeating what he hear.
Think things out.