Glock 21 .50 GI

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   This was a fun one to put together.
Back in 2004, I first heard rumblings of a fella out of the Denmark who had moved to the U.S. to make a .50 cal cartridge on a 1911 platform.  I thought this was kinda interesting until I saw the price.  Holy Moly.  I got in contact with the guy through email and found out he was working on getting conversion kits ready for other platforms.  Most interesting to me was one in the works for a Glock 21.

While waiting for that to drop, I was still trying to evaluate the usefulness of this kind of cartridge compared to the .45 ACP, which is the service niche it was competing with.  A couple years passed and I still hadn't made a move.  The Glock conversions were now available and in Sept of 2008, I figured it was time to give it a try.

I scoured GunBroker looking for a good deal on a used 21 and in Oct got the conversion kit and reloading dies ordered.  It really is one of the easiest conversions there is.  A complete upper is delivered ready to drop on the 21 frame and existing 21 magazines are opened up a bit to accommodate the larger diameter case.  By Dec, I had my .50 cal Glock 21 put together.

Factory ammo was available but expensive at the time.  I haven't looked recently but this really is a handloading venture.  The 230 gr load I had worked up for my .45 ACP at 860 fps was kinda the target velocity I would be shooting for in this new cartridge, but using a 275 gr hp that Rainier was making.  By the time I was done, I had a reliable, comfortable load registering over the chrony at 920 fps.  I was pleased.

She's a fat little sucker.  The .50 GI has the same oal as the .45 ACP with a rebated rim the same diameter as the ACP for easy drop in conversion.  I have since learned that Rainier has dropped their 275 gr .50 hollow point but have been assured that a replacement hp in that same weight is being worked on and may already be available.  I haven't checked for some time.

Anyway, if you're interested in a pretty neat conversion, have a look at this one.  A .50 cal bullet out of a glock is certainly unique.  lol.  Full disclosure, the conversion kit cost almost 200$ more then my Glock 21 did so that might be a negative for some folks.  k 

Edited by klallen - 26 April 2023 at 09:25

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
klallen Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby The RockChucker Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2331	Post Options Post Reply Quote klallen Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Glock 21 .50 GI Posted: 26 April 2023 at 08:26
	This was a fun one to put together. Back in 2004, I first heard rumblings of a fella out of the Denmark who had moved to the U.S. to make a .50 cal cartridge on a 1911 platform. I thought this was kinda interesting until I saw the price. Holy Moly. I got in contact with the guy through email and found out he was working on getting conversion kits ready for other platforms. Most interesting to me was one in the works for a Glock 21. While waiting for that to drop, I was still trying to evaluate the usefulness of this kind of cartridge compared to the .45 ACP, which is the service niche it was competing with. A couple years passed and I still hadn't made a move. The Glock conversions were now available and in Sept of 2008, I figured it was time to give it a try. I scoured GunBroker looking for a good deal on a used 21 and in Oct got the conversion kit and reloading dies ordered. It really is one of the easiest conversions there is. A complete upper is delivered ready to drop on the 21 frame and existing 21 magazines are opened up a bit to accommodate the larger diameter case. By Dec, I had my .50 cal Glock 21 put together. Factory ammo was available but expensive at the time. I haven't looked recently but this really is a handloading venture. The 230 gr load I had worked up for my .45 ACP at 860 fps was kinda the target velocity I would be shooting for in this new cartridge, but using a 275 gr hp that Rainier was making. By the time I was done, I had a reliable, comfortable load registering over the chrony at 920 fps. I was pleased. She's a fat little sucker. The .50 GI has the same oal as the .45 ACP with a rebated rim the same diameter as the ACP for easy drop in conversion. I have since learned that Rainier has dropped their 275 gr .50 hollow point but have been assured that a replacement hp in that same weight is being worked on and may already be available. I haven't checked for some time. Anyway, if you're interested in a pretty neat conversion, have a look at this one. A .50 cal bullet out of a glock is certainly unique. lol. Full disclosure, the conversion kit cost almost 200$ more then my Glock 21 did so that might be a negative for some folks. k Edited by klallen - 26 April 2023 at 09:25
	A Big Mouth Don't Make A Big Man !!! The Duke

d4570 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 27 January 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9961	Post Options Post Reply Quote d4570 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 April 2023 at 13:27
	DANG!
	Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

klallen Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby The RockChucker Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2331	Post Options Post Reply Quote klallen Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 April 2023 at 22:26
	The cartridge wars that we gun enthusiasts waste time with is kinda funny. Since the GI was introduced, rabid .45 ACP faithful have been real hard on it. It costs so much, what's the use? What can it do that a .45 ACP can't? Honestly, I wouldn't want to get hit by a bullet from an ACP or a GI, but I know the ACP can't push a 275 gr. hp 920 fps. If I had to get ride of all of my handguns that overlapped in purpose, my gun safe would look horribly bare. lol. kor Edited by klallen - 28 April 2023 at 22:37
	A Big Mouth Don't Make A Big Man !!! The Duke