Pistol · Proprietary
.50 GI
Guncrafter Industries' big-bore 1911 cartridge, introduced in 2004.
- Caliber
- 0.5″ · 12.7 mm
- Introduced
- 2004
- Case
- Rimless
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 2004
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Alex Arms
- Manufacturer
- Alex Arms
- Standard
- Proprietary
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Rare
- Case capacity
- 28.5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:19.5
- Primer
- Boxer Large Pistol
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 23,000 psi, SAAMI transducer
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Max range
- 2450 yd
- Recoil
- 11.9–12.9 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .50 GI, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.
Open in Ballistic Compare- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
Wikipedia · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 12.70 | 0.500 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 13.36 | 0.526 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 13.36 | 0.526 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.19 | 0.480 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.35 | 0.053 | |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 22.83 | 0.899 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 31.01 | 1.221 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .50 GI is highlighted below.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .50 GI
Connected reference
History
Introduced by Guncrafter Industries in 2004, the .50 GI was designed to be the most powerful cartridge that could fit in a standard 1911 frame. It uses a rebated rim the same diameter as the .45 ACP for compatibility with standard 1911 magazines, while the larger .50 caliber bore delivers significantly more energy than the .45 ACP.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .50 GI use?
- .50 GI typically uses a 1:19.5 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .50 GI?
- .50 GI uses a 0.5″ (12.7 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .50 GI still in production?
- .50 GI is active; typical availability is rare.
- What is .50 GI used for?
- .50 GI is primarily used for hunting.
Sources & provenance
- Manufacturer Guncrafter Industries — Guncrafter Industries — .50 GI Ammunition · bullet ⌀, grain weights archived
- Secondary NRA / Shooting Illustrated — Guncrafter Industries .50 GI Conversion Kit · bullet ⌀, velocity, grain weights archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
