The custom Guncrafter Industries No. 3 FRAG pistol in .50 GI makes for an ultra-powerful pistol that is still sized right for everyday carry.
To learn more, visit https://guncrafterindustries.com/.
To purchase a Guncrafter Industries pistol on GunsAmerica.com, click this link: https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=guncrafter.
I tested my first Guncrafter Industries pistol in 2012, their first 4.25 inch-barreled .50 GI pistol. The owner, Alex Zimmerman, and I discussed this project earlier at SHOT show. Already a long-time 1911 user, I tried several custom versions in different calibers. A long-time fan of 10mm, I had owned several Delta Elites, along with a Wilson Combat Super Grade and a Novak in the same chambering. Having dabbled with .45 Super and .460 Rowland, magnum 1911s were always interesting to me. However, the idea of a .50-caliber that was not a magnum, practical for concealed carry, controllable and usable was intriguing. Get it to work in a 4.25-inch 1911? Then I am really on board.
Alex introduced the .50 GI caliber in 2004 in full-sized 1911 pistols (No. 1), followed by a railed version (No. 2). There is also a conversion for the Glock 21, but the No. 3 was the first built in the commander-sized configuration. The cartridge itself has a rebated rim the same diameter as that of a .45 ACP. When the pistol arrived, the attention to detail in the build was immediately evident. Everything was tight, but not overly so. Fit and finish were superb with just the right carry bevel. The safety was crisp, the trigger was predictable, and it was void of the cavalcade of markings so popular these days. It was a working pistol, designed for everyday carry (EDC) in just about any condition.
While it was not built exactly to my liking, it grew on me enough to buy it and carry it for years. Along with the equipment necessary to handload the .50 GI, I purchased a .45 ACP conversion barrel and several magazines.
A “commander-sized” 1911, the 4.25-inch barreled pistol looks just like any other .45 ACP model—except from the muzzle.
SPECS
- Chambering: .50 GI/.45 ACP conversion available
- Barrel: 4.25 Inches
- OA Length: 7.75 Inches
- Weight: 35 ounces
- Grips: FRAG
- Sights: GI tritium “Ledge”
- Action: Single-action
- Finish: Melonite black
- Capacity: 7+1 (proprietary magazine)
- MSRP: $3,285.00
FRAG Time
The FRAG pistol features smooth squares rather than sharp checkering for a comfortable, yet firm grip for the shooter.
Over the course of the next few years I had several opportunities to test various Guncrafter 1911 pistols. One of my favorites was the No Name pistol, a full-sized 5-inch 1911 that exemplified simplicity. Void of any markings beyond that necessary for ATF approval, it proved to be my quintessential carry/combat 1911. I dragged that pistol through mud, muck, sleet, snow and sand and it never quit. Along with its proven reliability, its simple build and clean lines appealed to me. It became a measure for most EDC 1911 pistols I would carry.
In 2014 Guncrafter sent me their new “FRAG” 1911, another no-nonsense full-size pistol, this time using squares instead of checkering in a pattern reminiscent of a U.S.-issue WWII fragmentation grenade (hence, FRAG). While aggressive in appearance, it does not chew up your hands like some checkering can. It proved to be rock solid in the snow, rain, and with gloved hands. Used during a three-day combat pistol course, it caused no discomfort. Later testing of the same pistol in a commander size that was completely black proved just as pleasant, prompting a request to Guncrafter from me. Given my affinity for the .50 GI, how about a custom No. 3 (commander) that is blacked out with the FRAG treatment?
The FRAG pistol also came with a set of FRAG-pattern grip panels that can be removed and replaced if the shooter so desires.
It arrived in the usual Guncrafter nylon gun case with three .50 GI magazines. FRAG grips were installed with a set of GI-logo grips provided for when smoother surfaces were required. It had y preferred sighting system installed, where are two tritium dots—one in the front the other centered in the rear. The rear notch is wide and square with a pronounced ledge. An ambidextrous safety rounded out the package.
Fit and finish was excellent; it was smoothed out for carry, but not melted. Slide to frame fit was perfect, and the solid trigger breaks clean at 4 pounds. Grooves along the top of the slide are designed reduce glare. Cut high, the grip fits my large hands perfectly, locking it solidly in place. If needed, the extended and flared magwell can be removed easily, but had no movement when in place. High-grade steels keep the pistol super strong yet not overly heavy. Every part starts over sized from premium tool steel and is hand-fitted one gun at a time. Make no mistake, these are hand-built custom guns using many parts made to Alex’s very high standards.
Coated completely in a black Melonite finish, it is as well protected as a steel pistol can get. The look is subdued yet business like. Just like all Guncrafter pistols, it is built to last a lifetime. Tension on the thumb safety is perfect for carry; moderately stiff enough that it won’t get knocked off during carry, and it snaps in and out of place easily. There is zero play in the ambidextrous safety. FRAG cuts are added to the slide stop that’s fit flush to the frame. Cocking serrations sit at the rear of the slide, only. It’s as if Alex built this pistol based on my most desired traits in a carry handgun.
[one_half]
The front sight of the sample pistol was a tritium single dot unit.
[/one_half]
[one_half_last]
The rear sight of the pistol had a ledge and single tritium dot.
[/one_half_last]
The top of the pistol’s slide featured grooves along the top to help diffuse sunlight and improve the sight picture.
.45 ACP Conversion
The .50 GI (left) and the standard .45 ACP (right) versions of the pistol both use proprietary magazines. Note the rebated rim of the .50 cartridge.
My first No. 3 pistol came with a .45 ACP conversion barrel, one I picked up at Guncrafter Industries during a visit. Standard bull barrels are not going to work on a Guncrafter pistol; you need their barrel. The geometry is just a tad different as it needs to mimic the .50 GI barrel already in the pistol. You are also going to need Guncrafter magazines designed for the 45 ACP. Not to worry, like the rest of the pistol they are very well built. The lips are configured to hold .45 ACP, and they fit the slightly altered frame of the .50 GI.
I decided it was best to fit the barrel myself with the assistance of master 1911 builder, Ernie Bray. Alex told me this was no “drop in barrel,” and that was correct. Think match-grade oversized, requiring an experienced touch and some serious patience. Having fit more than a few barrels myself, this one took some work. But thanks to Ernie, it runs like a charm. Once completed, it was smooth and flawless.
For those with the time, Alex will install the barrel at the time of the build for $510.00. It includes the barrel, recoil spring, one magazine, and labor for fitting and test firing. Extra .45 ACP magazines are available for $49.95 each. Of that $510.00, labor is only $115.00. If you have the time to wait, it is worth every penny.
Range Time
The Guncrafter No. 3 FRAG pistol featured a bull barrel that is fitted directly to the slide. No barrel bushing was employed.
Ammunition choices in the .50 GI are limited and only available from Guncrafters. There is a 275-grain JHP, a 300-grain Jacketed Flat Point (JFP), along with CHP (Copper Hollow Points) designed specifically for the .50 GI. Practice ammunition is primarily a 300-grain flat point.
Working on the square range from 15 yards and closer, the factory 300-grain JFP was pleasant enough to shoot all day while staying inside a 4-inch circle. This ammunition measured just under 750 fps; pretty impressive for a JFP. For those familiar with the IPSC power factor, it is just under 225. Using 230-grain .45 ACP at the same velocity, you only get 189.75.
Accuracy using .50 GI was as expected and exactly like the first pistol I tested. The 230-grain CHP was the most accurate for me. It was also the most recoil intensive. My best description of it would be “stout,” but not uncomfortable. A 1.75-inch group shooting from a bag at 25 yards was the best I could do. Moving to 7 yards shooting slow fire from offhand resulted in a .60 inch five-shot group. Groups using my 185-grain CHP loads were at or just outside 2.0 inches. Recoil with this load has more in common with a 10mm pistol. Loaded to make 1,200 fps at elevation (5,500 feet) out of the commander, they are a solid CCW load for those willing to deal with just a bit of recoil. There is a bit less push, more snap, but not a ton of difference.
[one_half]
The author was able to get good groups at 25 yards with the factory .50 GI ammo he was using.
[/one_half]
[one_half_last]
Set up with the .45 ACP conversion, the pistol also shot quite well with the Sig Sauer Elite Performance V-Crown ammo.
[/one_half_last]
Installing the .45 ACP conversion barrel, the accuracy did not suffer by any means. My best group was with Sig Sauer 200-grain V-Crown JHP at 1.5 inches. At 7 and ten yards it was just made one big hole. Similar accuracy occurred with some of Browning’s new 230-grain BXP (Browning X Point) ammunition. Everything was under 2.0 inches at 25 yards and just made rather large, ever-growing holes in the target at closer distances. It was also a bit faster on doubles, triples and Bill drills. It’s just easier to hold the pistol in place during rapid fire strings.
Practice ammunition ran just as well. No issues during reloads when using the Prime Ammunition 230-grain FMJ or Browning BPT. Browning designs the BPT practice round to match their BXP carry round, and it did just that in this pistol. Point of impact was exactly the same at 7, 10 and 25 yards. Recoil was the same; even the ejection pattern matched.
Final Thoughts
Guncrafter pistols are true hand-built custom 1911 pistols with prices ranging from three to four thousand dollars. Given the quality and attention to detail, they are a flat-out bargain in my opinion as similarly built pistols can cost an extra grand or more. All are built for hard use. You can certainly add bells and whistles as needed, but the intent for these pistols is personal carry, duty use or anything where a reliable and strong fighting pistol is needed.
[one_half]
The extended and flared magazine well made rapid reloads a cinch for the author.
[/one_half]
[one_half_last]
A matte-black melonite finish keeps the pistol very low-key looking and unobtrusive.
[/one_half_last]
Over the last few years I have tested several Guncrafter pistols and they have all been excellent. Attention to detail, build quality, and consistent accuracy has always been there—no exceptions. Guncrafter makes all kinds of pistols in calibers ranging from .38 Super to .50 GI, and I think all of them are excellent. If you are looking for a solidly built custom 1911 designed to be taken to work every day, make sure you include Guncrafter in the list.
To learn more, visit https://guncrafterindustries.com/.
To purchase a Guncrafter Industries pistol on GunsAmerica.com, click this link: https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=guncrafter.
For those looking for .50-caliber punch in their EDC carry 1911, the custom No. 3 FRAG is an intriguing option.