When The Old .45ACP Isn't Big Enough... Then What?

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“I carry a 1911 pistol in .45 ACP because no one makes a .50!” was a phrase frequently heard in the not-too-distant past. Many shooters and collectors simply enjoy large bore revolvers and auto-loading pistols. Cartridges like the .455 Webley, .45 Colt, .45 ACP, .44-40 Winchester and .44 Special all have a following partly due to the large diameter and heavy bullets they fire. Please note, none of these are magnums and I am not touching on magnum handgun cartridges here, just traditional standard pressure cartridges. These are all cartridges which accomplished what they needed to do by driving a heavy, large diameter slug at moderate velocity. However, there are always those who desire something even bigger. In our case, there actually IS a bigger handgun cartridge readily available, the .50 GI.

Perhaps you’ve never heard of it, but the .50 GI is not a new cartridge. It was actually introduced back in 2004 at the annual SHOT Show in Las Vegas. It was developed by Alex Zimmerman of Guncrafters Industries both to showcase his impressive gunsmithing skills, and to offer a custom .50-caliber 1911 pistol to American shooters and collectors. While originally offered only in an expensive custom 1911 pistol, Zimmerman eventually introduced a more reasonably priced .50 GI Glock conversion kit. So, while you probably have not heard of the .50 GI, this is a mature cartridge which has been available for over two decades, with factory ammunition, reloading components, dies and data readily available.

What about the cartridge itself, what does it bring to the table? Most noteworthy is the simple fact it’s a .50-caliber handgun cartridge. So, size-wise it is quite a bit larger in diameter than the traditional .45 ACP and thus more impressive looking. Like the .45 ACP though, the .50 GI is a relatively low pressure cartridge which drives heavy projectiles at moderate velocity. Performance wise, a standard pressure load drives a heavy 300-grain .50 caliber bullet at approximately 700 fps generating 326 ft-lbs. of energy. If you would like a little bit more velocity, a slightly lighter 275-grain JHP runs at 875 fps and generates 467 ft-lbs. A +P load will drive a 300-grain slug at 875 fps generating 509 ft-lbs. of energy. A 185-grain solid copper hollow point is offered, and this has an advertised muzzle velocity of 1,200 fps generating 591 ft-lbs. of energy. It’s quite obvious looking at these figures that the .50 GI is not intended to compete with magnum revolver rounds. Rather than speed, the .50 GI relies on heavy large diameter projectiles to make things happen.

The .50 GI cartridge itself is a short, fat stubby thing. To allow it to fit into a 1911 platform the overall length is 1.221 inches. In order to allow it to fit, a standard breach face case head is rebated down to .45 ACP dimensions (0.480-inch rim diameter). Case length is 0.899-inch, and base diameter and neck diameter are 0.526-inch. It accepts a 0.500-inch projectile. If you section a case, you’ll note the web is fairly thick to provide plenty of strength at the moderate working pressures. Speaking with Alex Zimmerman, I was told projectiles in the 250- to 325-grain region typically work best.

A neat .50-caliber handgun cartridge, loaded ammunition, dies and reloading components are all available from Guncrafter Industries. Currently, ammunition is offered in weights from 185 to 300 grains. Loads consist of a 185-grain Solid Copper Hollow Point (SCHP), 230-grain SCHP, 255-grain Lead Semi-Wadcutter, 275-grain Jacketed Flat Point (JFP), 300-grain Lead Flat Point and a 300-grain JFP. Brass cases are offered for reloading along with dies from Lee Precision. Guncrafter Industries also offers quite a variety of .50-caliber projectiles for reloading. These range in weight from 185 to 300 grains.

The handgun originally designed for the .50 GI is Guncrafter Industries’ Model 1. Although a standard looking 1911 in profile, it hides the fact that a complete redesign was necessary to work with the fat .50 caliber cartridge. In the hand it looks, feels, and operates exactly like a standard 1911. However, slight internal dimensional changes were required to make it work properly and safely with the larger cartridge. Despite the changes though, the outside dimensions and overall weight is the same as for a standard 1911.

The Model 1 is built using special custom frames and slides manufactured to Guncrafter Industries’ strict specifications. A 416R stainless steel 0.75-inch bull barrel with eight groove rifling and a 1-18 inch twist is fitted to a forged slide machined from 4340 steel. The large diameter barrel eliminates the need for a conventional barrel bushing. The slide is hand fit to a forged frame machined from 4140 steel. This is fitted with a beavertail grip safety with a raised pad, extended thumb safety, and a skeletonized lightweight hammer. The front strap features 20 lpi “carry checkering” and the pistol’s flat mainspring housing sports a nicely recessed lanyard loop on its bottom. Feed is from seven-round stainless steel magazines. Make no mistake, this is a hand built custom pistol, and priced accordingly at a whopping $5,890.

If that is a bit rich for your blood, don’t lose hope as Guncrafter Industries also offers a drop-in conversion for Gen 1 through 4 Glock 20/21/40/41 pistol frames. These are available with a number of options, come with a nine-round magazine and drop right onto your pistol frame. Price starts at $845. If you prefer, Guncrafter Industries also offers a complete .50 GI Glock handgun with prices starting at $1,245. I’m sure many will find a Glock chambered in .50 GI appealing at this price.

While I have not tested one of Guncrafter Industries’ Glock conversions, I have shot their Model 1 1911 on a few occasions. The first time was during an editorial roundtable at PASA Park shortly after the .50 GI was introduced way back in 2004. My initial impressions were very positive. Since then, I’ve had a chance to test Model 1 .50 GI M1911s on a couple more occasions and found them both handsome works of metallic art and fun shooters.

What is it like shooting a .50 GI? Recoil off sandbags is akin to a .45 ACP, but it will get a bit snappier with heavier/faster loads. I ran a variety of drills shooting from 3 to 50 yards. With standard pressure loads the pistol is very controllable and easy to hit with. Shooting at Pepper Poppers from about 15 yards, I found I could hit a target, and then put two more rounds on it as it fell. Accuracy averaged between 1.5 and 2.5 inches depending upon the load at 25 yards. I used a factory 275-grain JHP and 300-grain JFP during testing along with three handloads provided by Guncrafter Industries. The handloads were topped with a 300-grain IMI JHP, 300-grain Speer Gold Dot JHP and a 300-grain Speer TMJ.

All in all I liked the .50 GI quite a bit and it reminds me of those old 19th Century British big-bore revolver rounds that drove large diameter lead slugs at moderate velocities. While the Model 1 M1911 is frightening expensive, Guncrafter Industries’ Glock conversion is within reach of most. A distinctive piece featuring a .50 caliber punch, it’s a big-bore to be aware of. For more information visit Guncrafter Industries.com or call them at (224) 321-5044. 

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