the Guncrafters .50GI vs IMI's .50AE...

ClydeFrog · May 20, 2010, 08:29 AM

I was reading over the website details for the big .50GI caliber 1911a1 type pistol and the Glock 21/20 .50GI kit from a small US firm called Guncrafters.

Have any TFL members shot or purchased the weapon? Is the .50GI round any better or more powerful than the older .50AE round from Desert Eagle/IMI?
The concept of switching the kit with a standard Glock 21/20 pistol seems to give the .50GI more to offer but there are more .50AE factory choices from major US brands(Corbon, Speer Gold Dot, Hornady, Federal, etc).

Can the .50GI Guncrafter kit be used with a newer Glock 21SF or 20SF?

PM me if you want.

Clyde

Webleymkv · May 20, 2010, 10:50 AM

The .50 GI cartridge is significantly less powerful than the .50 AE is. The .50 GI is similar in power to the .45 ACP. The .50 GI simply drives heavier bullets at lower velocities than the .45 ACP does. The .50 AE, on the other hand, is more comparable to Magnum cartridges like .44 Magnum and .454 Casull.

The .50 GI is intended to be a personal protection cartridge while the .50 AE is more of a hunting round.

DBAR · May 20, 2010, 12:26 PM

Quote:

The .50 GI cartridge is significantly less powerful than the .50 AE is. The .50 GI is similar in power to the .45 ACP. The .50 GI simply drives heavier bullets at lower velocities than the .45 ACP does. The .50 AE, on the other hand, is more comparable to Magnum cartridges like .44 Magnum and .454 Casull.

The .50 GI is intended to be a personal protection cartridge while the .50 AE is more of a hunting round.

Webleymkv is correct, but I wouldn't call the .50 AE a hunting round. It's pretty high up on the power scale though, but it's more of a "wicked" unnecessary round in my opinion. It maybe useful if your hunting wild Boar, or maybe a good side arm if your hunting in Africa....

DBAR

ClydeFrog · May 20, 2010, 06:38 PM

I read a interesting article about the .50GI pistol where the writer said it would be a good pick for SWAT-spec ops.
I don't really see that in today's lawsuit crazed-budget reduction world. Other than a special use or tactical issue, a .50GI would seem to big and bulky.

CF

Webleymkv · May 21, 2010, 02:37 PM

Handguns in .50 GI aren't appreciably larger or heavier than an equivalent model in .45 ACP. A slide and barrel swap is usually all that is neede to convert a .45 ACP gun to .50 GI or vice versa.

**44 AMP** · May 21, 2010, 11:01 PM

I may be wrong, but I believe I recall something about the .50 GI needing a different frame than the .45ACP. At least the early write up I remember reading left me with that impression.

Things may have changed since then.

chris in va · May 21, 2010, 11:04 PM

Perusing my Lyman manual...

50AE 325gr JHP at 1300fps

Dunno about the 50GI but I know it's nowhere near that.

Webleymkv · May 21, 2010, 11:17 PM

Quote:

I may be wrong, but I believe I recall something about the .50 GI needing a different frame than the .45ACP. At least the early write up I remember reading left me with that impression.

Things may have changed since then.

After looking at Guncrafter Industries' website, it appears that a 1911 in .50 GI does require a different frame while a Glock does not (their Glock conversion kit is offered as a drop-in slide, barrel, guide rod, recoil spring, and magazine). My guess is that a 1911 requires a different frame due to its frame-mounted feedramp while the Glock's ramped barrel negates the need for a different frame.

Also, advertised ballistics on GI's site shows a 185grn HP at 1200fps and a 230grn HP at 1000fps.

http://www.guncrafterindustries.com/

**44 AMP** · May 21, 2010, 11:42 PM

again, I'm going strictly from memory, but I think the 1911 frame issue was the width of the mag well. IIRC, it was just a tiny bit to narrow in .45acp.

It could well be the GLock frame has the needed clearance.

ClydeFrog · May 22, 2010, 12:26 AM

I recall reading that the big .50GI 1911 models can take some after market 1911 series parts(safety, hammer, sights, etc).
I'm in no rush to buy a .50GI kit or a full 1911a1 pistol but it does seem like a neat collector item or wildcat to target shoot with on a weekend outdoor range event.

CF

DBAR · May 22, 2010, 11:13 AM

OK, EVERYONE LISTEN UP....

I've had a fellow forum member PM me about my post up above. He said that you can't take a Handgun hunting in AFRICA, and he's worried that one of you might actually try it, and end up in an African Jail. He says that the African Jails are worse than the Mexican jails....

He seemed very concerned about this, so I thought I should post this information for you guys.

I know, this seems a little silly, but I don't want to get anymore PM's from him.

DBAR

Trigger Finger · May 22, 2010, 01:55 PM

Why can't this fellow forum member post a notice himself or herself?

And I think with the proper permits and license you can hunt in Africa with a handgun!

DBAR · May 22, 2010, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Why can't this fellow forum member post a notice himself or herself?

And I think with the proper permits and license you can hunt in Africa with a handgun!

I'm not real sure. The only reason I checked this thread again, was to see if he posted something. I figured I'd just do it. I really don't think anyone would of taken what I posted and gone hunting in Africa with a Desert Eagle in .50 AE. I don't really understand this person, but hey, he was concerned enough to PM me twice about it.

He must genuinely be concerned....

DBAR

Trigger Finger · May 22, 2010, 02:44 PM

I don't know if you can use the Desert Eagle 50 A&E. I don't see why not. It is about 50% more powerful then a 44 mag and I can hit metal silhouette targets at 100 yards and knock over even the heavy ones with my Desert Eagle! I do know that you can use the S&W 500 mag on lion, again with the proper paperwork.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWPaIrEsGD0

http://www.pistolwhipvideo.com/

http://www.mabulaprosafaris.co.za/20...son/index.html

These are just a very few sites on this subject.

(you might have to cut and paste, sorry)

ClydeFrog · May 22, 2010, 10:39 PM

I don't mind if TFL members step off the path to make a point or 2 if it relates to the topic but if your posts or information go way off the subject, please post a new topic thread.
This post is about the .50GI caliber and the .50AE not jails in Africa or what you can use on safari outside the US.

Thx:
ClydeFrog

May 20, 2010, 08:29 AM	#1
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	the Guncrafters .50GI vs IMI's .50AE... I was reading over the website details for the big .50GI caliber 1911a1 type pistol and the Glock 21/20 .50GI kit from a small US firm called Guncrafters. Have any TFL members shot or purchased the weapon? Is the .50GI round any better or more powerful than the older .50AE round from Desert Eagle/IMI? The concept of switching the kit with a standard Glock 21/20 pistol seems to give the .50GI more to offer but there are more .50AE factory choices from major US brands(Corbon, Speer Gold Dot, Hornady, Federal, etc). Can the .50GI Guncrafter kit be used with a newer Glock 21SF or 20SF? PM me if you want. Clyde

May 20, 2010, 06:38 PM	#4
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	.50GI pistols.... I read a interesting article about the .50GI pistol where the writer said it would be a good pick for SWAT-spec ops. I don't really see that in today's lawsuit crazed-budget reduction world. Other than a special use or tactical issue, a .50GI would seem to big and bulky. CF

May 21, 2010, 11:01 PM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 30,435	I may be wrong, but I believe I recall something about the .50 GI needing a different frame than the .45ACP. At least the early write up I remember reading left me with that impression. Things may have changed since then. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

May 21, 2010, 11:42 PM	#9
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 30,435	again, I'm going strictly from memory, but I think the 1911 frame issue was the width of the mag well. IIRC, it was just a tiny bit to narrow in .45acp. It could well be the GLock frame has the needed clearance. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

May 22, 2010, 12:26 AM	#10
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	after market 1911 series parts; .50GI caliber.... I recall reading that the big .50GI 1911 models can take some after market 1911 series parts(safety, hammer, sights, etc). I'm in no rush to buy a .50GI kit or a full 1911a1 pistol but it does seem like a neat collector item or wildcat to target shoot with on a weekend outdoor range event. CF

May 20, 2010, 10:50 AM	#2
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,610	The .50 GI cartridge is significantly less powerful than the .50 AE is. The .50 GI is similar in power to the .45 ACP. The .50 GI simply drives heavier bullets at lower velocities than the .45 ACP does. The .50 AE, on the other hand, is more comparable to Magnum cartridges like .44 Magnum and .454 Casull. The .50 GI is intended to be a personal protection cartridge while the .50 AE is more of a hunting round.

May 21, 2010, 02:37 PM	#5
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,610	Handguns in .50 GI aren't appreciably larger or heavier than an equivalent model in .45 ACP. A slide and barrel swap is usually all that is neede to convert a .45 ACP gun to .50 GI or vice versa.

May 21, 2010, 11:04 PM	#7
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Perusing my Lyman manual... 50AE 325gr JHP at 1300fps Dunno about the 50GI but I know it's nowhere near that.

May 22, 2010, 11:13 AM	#11
DBAR Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2009 Posts: 941	OK, EVERYONE LISTEN UP.... I've had a fellow forum member PM me about my post up above. He said that you can't take a Handgun hunting in AFRICA, and he's worried that one of you might actually try it, and end up in an African Jail. He says that the African Jails are worse than the Mexican jails.... He seemed very concerned about this, so I thought I should post this information for you guys. I know, this seems a little silly, but I don't want to get anymore PM's from him. DBAR

May 22, 2010, 01:55 PM	#12
Trigger Finger Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2008 Location: Northern California Posts: 375	Why can't this fellow forum member post a notice himself or herself? And I think with the proper permits and license you can hunt in Africa with a handgun!

May 22, 2010, 02:44 PM	#14
Trigger Finger Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2008 Location: Northern California Posts: 375	I don't know if you can use the Desert Eagle 50 A&E. I don't see why not. It is about 50% more powerful then a 44 mag and I can hit metal silhouette targets at 100 yards and knock over even the heavy ones with my Desert Eagle! I do know that you can use the S&W 500 mag on lion, again with the proper paperwork. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWPaIrEsGD0 http://www.pistolwhipvideo.com/ http://www.mabulaprosafaris.co.za/20...son/index.html These are just a very few sites on this subject. (you might have to cut and paste, sorry)

May 22, 2010, 10:39 PM	#15
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	Line of sight, Africa handgun hunting; 50GI vs .50AE... I don't mind if TFL members step off the path to make a point or 2 if it relates to the topic but if your posts or information go way off the subject, please post a new topic thread. This post is about the .50GI caliber and the .50AE not jails in Africa or what you can use on safari outside the US. Thx: ClydeFrog