.50 GI

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The .50 GI pistol cartridge was developed by Vic Tibbets and Alex Zimmermann of Guncrafter Industries. The .50 GI was introduced at the 2004 SHOT Show alongside the Guncrafter Industries Model No. 1, a variation of the 1911. The round has a rebated rim that is the same diameter as that of the .45 ACP.

In 2006, Guncrafter Industries introduced its 1911 Model No. 2 which sports a full length light rail/dust cover and is chambered for the 50 GI cartridge. Both the M1 and the M2 can be fitted with Guncrafter Industries' .45 ACP conversion unit, the .45 ACP magazines hold 8 rounds.

Physically, the .50 GI round is slightly shorter than the .45 ACP but is wider. A magazine can hold 7 rounds.

1 Performance
- 1.1 Interior Ballistics
2 See also
3 External links
4 Reference

[edit] Performance

The .50 GI operates at pressures comparable to the .45 ACP, around 15,000 psi (100 MPa). Interestingly, felt recoil is also similar to the .45 ACP. Also, the .50 GI is moderatly accurate bullet. The 300 grain (19 g) JFP (jacketed flatpoint) produces a 25-yard group of 2.24 inches, and the 300-grain JHP (jacketed hollowpoint) and 275-grain JHP produce a 25-yard group of only 1.14 inches.

The penetration and delivered energy of this slower round is about the same as a .40 Smith and Wesson and 10mm Auto cartridge. Despite its .50 Caliber classification, it is a far cry from the .50 Action Express and .500 Smith and Wesson Magnum, however offers the practical use of a large caliber projectile never before seen in a semiauto handgun. Impact force ranges from .40 Smith and Wesson to near lighter .357 Magnum rounds, but do not break the 500 ft/lbs mark at recommended pressure loadings. This might be possible in a longer barreled 1911, however since only 2 models exist, custom machining and hand loading would be necessary.

Uses are reserved mainly for independent law enforcement use, (and possibly personal defense) however its high cost and limited availability will probably keep it out of widespread use of any form. Currently the only commercial handgun available chambered in the round is GunCrafter Industries own Colt 1911 Model handgun varients, which high cost and limited manufacturing limit its availability as a issued side arm in both military and law enforement. To this date no known state or federal agency currently uses the weapon, however there were talks of it originally being evaluated by the FBI for field testing when the catridge was initially released.