Guncrafter Industries Model No. 1 .50 GI & .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, MFD 2011
SOLD FOR: $2,626
LSB#: 191019TA04
Make: Guncrafter Industries
Model: No. 1
Serial Number: GI00783
Year of Manufacture: 2011 (per Guncrafter Industries)
Caliber: .50 GI & .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine
Markings: The right of the slide is marked “Model No. 1”, the right of the frame is marked “GUNCRAFTER INDUSTRIES HUNTSVILLE, AR U.S.A. / GI 00783” and the barrel at the chamber is marked “50 GI”. The additional barrel is marked “GI / .45 ACP”
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade with a green tritium lamp dovetailed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a GI branded square notch with a single green tritium lamp under the notch, dovetailed and screw-set to the rear of the slide. The lamps have dimmed somewhat but are still useable as night sights.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered aluminum panels with GI logo in their center. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is sharp. The grips are in Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Black
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in either bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is light operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are undamaged. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide has no play to the frame but slides smoothly. This pistol has a grip safety and a manual safety. The trigger is light and crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes in a black nylon Guncrafter Industries zipper case with accessory pocket on one side, and shoulder strap. Also included are two GI branded terry-cloths, .45 ACP barrel, .45 ACP recoil spring and guide rod assembly, one 8-round .45 ACP magazine and two .50 GI magazines. We don’t have any .50 GI ammunition to test capacity, but we believe they are 7-round magazines. The case and accessories are in Excellent condition.
Our Assessment: Developed by Alex Zimmerman, former Director of R&D for Wilson Combat and IDPA champion, the .50 GI cartridge was developed not as a hot-rod hand-cannon, but simply to provide a pistol that shoots a larger, heavier projectile than .45 ACP from a pistol with a 1911 form-factor with similar felt recoil. Zimmerman was so confident in his new cartridge that he actually left Wilson Combat, reportedly with no hard feelings, to form Guncrafter Industries and pioneer his creation. The .50 GI pistols have rather simple names, No. 1 for the standard Government-size pistol, No. 2 for the full-length dust-cover and accessory rail, No. 3 for a Commander-size, No. 4 for a long-slide and No. 5 for an Officer’s-size frame and Commander-size slide. This No. 1 appears to have seen very gentle use since it was made in late 2011 and appears to come with everything it did brand new as well as a complete set of GI .45 ACP conversion parts. With its hand-fit parts and bushingless bull barrels, it should be a good shooter and with the conversion parts you can practice with more economical .45 ammunition. Please see our photos and good luck!