When it comes to commonly available firearms on the U.S. civilian market, the top end of firepower for those that can afford it would likely be the .50 BMG (Browning Machine Gun: 12.7 X99 mm NATO). The Barrett semi-automatic sniper rifle is the most common format for owning a firearm chambered in this caliber. However, with prices ranging between $8,000-13,000 for the Barrett 107A1 or 82A1, the average gun owner will likely never own a rifle in .50 BMG. While some companies offer bolt action rifles chambered in .50 BMG, these ‘discount’ options still run in the $2,000 to $3,000 range. Although I’ll admit there’s a rush like few others firing a Barrett 107A1, I personally have never managed to justify the purchase (especially living in the hills of Southwest Indiana where the farthest distance on my property is likely under 300 yards). In my humble opinion, the Barrett .50 BMG cries out for much longer distances across a relatively flat plane. Thus, my experiences have been shooting friends’ rifles or partaking of a few shots at shooting event centers.
Nevertheless, the .50 cal (and all larger bore rounds) has always had an allure for me. I’ve pursued obtaining various bigger bore handguns and rifles ever since I shot my first Smith and Wesson Model 29 chambered in .44 Magnum in the late 1980’s. I won’t make an argument for practicality outside of a few scenarios. However, there’s a certain rush one gets shooting, or watching someone shoot, these bigger guns. Although none of these firearms are “budget friendly” by any stretch of the imagination, they come in at a lower price point than most .50 BMG options. So, what are some of the options to shoot .50 caliber without absolutely breaking the bank?
IMI Desert Eagle in .50AE
The IMI (then IWI, then Magnum Research) Desert Eagle likely tops any list of .50 caliber firearms. In many ways, it’s one of the grandfathers of big bore handguns. Originally produced in 1982, this was the first .50 cal firearm I owned and has remained in production since its introduction. Also, the Desert Eagle is a favorite of Hollywood having appeared in over 600 movies and television shows. However, for all this exposure and history, few organizations have found much functional use for the Desert Eagle.
The large handle and grips for housing the .50AE rounds make the Desert Eagle hard to operate for some depending on hand size. Additionally, due to difficulty from running the action with such large rounds, some Desert Eagles are prone to (often user-induced) malfunctions. Despite these limitations, it makes a great centerpiece in any collection and a favorite whenever you bring one to the range. They’re available in many different finishes and calibers other than .50AE. Unfortunately, modern Desert Eagles are not cheap and tend to be slightly over $2,000.
LAR Grizzly Win Mag in .50AE
The LAR Grizzly, originally chambered in .45 Winchester Magnum, was produced roughly around the same time as the Desert Eagle. Unlike the Desert Eagle, the LAR Grizzly was designed on a slightly larger 1911 frame design. Though chambered in multiple rounds over almost two decades, the Mark V version chambered in .50AE was released shortly after the round became available in the Desert Eagle. Unfortunately, these guns stopped production in 1999 and are quite the collector’s item today. Although auction sites feature various versions of the LAR Grizzly for around $1,000 to $2,000, it’s been a long time since the author saw a .50AE Mark V for sale.
Alexander Arms .50 Beowulf
Released in 2001, the proprietary .50 Beowulf round (also compatible with 12.7X42mm) was intended for the AR-15 platform. The .50 Beowulf’s heavy caliber and lower velocity is similar to .45-70 Government. Alexander Arms offers several AR-15 style rifles chambered in .50 Beowulf ranging in the mid-$1,000 to $2,000 range. Though originally intended for tactical use at vehicle check points, it has seen more use in recent years as a mid-range large game hunting rifle in North America. Though considerably smaller and nowhere near the ‘thump’ of .50 BMG, there is a satisfying ‘wump’ to shooting this round out of an AR rifle. Also, due to the time proven reliability of the system and if your bank account is okay with it, you can send quite a few .50 cal rounds down range very quickly. I have one fitted with a Franklin Armory binary trigger for even faster fire.
Smith & Wesson .500 S&W Magnum
Smith & Wesson, likely wanting to hold on to the claim of most powerful production handgun, released the Model 500 chambered in .500 S&W Magnum in 2003. As the Model 500 is a revolver, it doesn’t have the same issues that may plague semi-automatic big bore handguns. Though a heavy gun, the grip is manageable for most shooters and, like most revolvers, it’s highly reliable. Though too large and heavy for most to concealed carry, it has potential use as a wilderness defensive firearm. This firearm is great if you’re in areas where Grizzly Bears, Polar Bears, or long-lost dinosaurs roam.
Another advantage to the revolver format is a much greater range in available ammo. 500 S&W Magnum bullet weights range from 275-700 grains. The firearm’s weight makes recoil manageable with lighter rounds. However, it can be near wrist shattering with 500-700 grain loads. Finally, Smith & Wesson has released various barrel lengths, between 3.5” to 8.38”, for this 5-shot revolver. Though in no way cheap, a Smith & Wesson Model 500 ranges in the $1,000 to $2,000 range, making it the second most affordable gun on this list.
Guncrafter Industries Glock in .50 GI
Released in 2004, Guncrafter Industries offered the .50 GI (12.7×23mmRB) in a 1911 format and as a Glock 20 (10mm) conversion. The round is similar to the .45 ACP, but with a larger bullet circumference (.50). Shooting this round in the custom 1911 format is likely to set you back $3,000-$4,000. Otherwise, the fully converted Glock 20 in .50 GI is only slightly more than $1,000. Honestly, there isn’t much difference between shooting .45 ACP and .50 GI except the .45 ACP is much cheaper ammo. However, there’s certainly a thrill to asking people if they’ve ever shot a .50 caliber Glock. Also, it’s by far the cheapest option on this list to join the .50 cal club.
Conclusion
Beyond this list, there are many one-off or small specialty runs available in .50 caliber. For example, Noreen Firearms has a bolt action pistol chambered in .50 BMG if you truly despise your wrists. For this list, I mainly focused on larger production firearms that are generally (with one historical exception) available. The quest for .50 cal guns is more one of collecting, sharing with friends, and perhaps the dinosaur resurgence apocalypse. If you have several of these options in your collection, you may also hope to quote Burt Gummer from the movie Tremors, “Broke into the wrong…rec room, didn’t you?” Either way, not every gun needs a specific defensive or hunting use. Sometimes we buy guns just because they’re thrilling to collect.
