Stainless Recoil
Concealed Carry GI .50 Commander Review: Personal Protection AZ
Personal Protection, Concealed Carry and Tactical Training are a must with the uneasiness and dangerous threats that are steadily increasing in America. Doing your research about self defense is a good start; however the application and action to go further and actually getting trained is yet another issue. Learn more, and practice with multiple tools of defense in your personal protection tool box. Whether it is awareness techniques, threat verbalization, physical movement, striking, non lethal or lethal force, don’t wait until an incident happens, before you get motivated and educated.
If you choose to carry a concealed carry handgun, you may want to consider this .50 caliber M3 1911 GI Commander as an option. We are reviewing this gun, and have previously been impressed with the Guncrafter Industries M1 and M2 .50 caliber 1911 type handguns. These handguns are very impressive visually, as well as their superior functioning capabilities.
In this article I will give a brief overview of the New M3 Commander.
From basic gun safety to advanced weapons training, if you master the basics of shooting and learn some self-defense options, one of these skills may one day save your life. Before you commit to a lethal option, ask yourself if you are mentally, emotionally and spiritually prepared for the possibility of defending your life, while potentially taking another person’s life. This is a dicey subject at best! The knowledge pertaining to the use of shooting skills is very important, however the gaps in a person’s mental and emotional state, must be overcome before anyone that is serious about carrying a gun, i.e. weapon or firearm for personal security, actually does carry. The best idea is to find not just a qualified tactical training or personal protection instructor, but to enlarge your vision, and find one that could also be an excellent mentor for you.
The Guncrafter M3 is one of the most impressive concealed carry guns for personal protection that I have ever come across. The .50 caliber GI round was tested by me, Mark Volpone, Director of Training and CQC specialist for Maricopa Tactical in Phoenix Arizona. I also had our Military/Law Enforcement Veteran instructor from SEAL Team One and Six, as well as a former SWAT Team Leader Chris Caracci test the GI system. Overall we both were very impressed with the handling and functioning of the GI .50 caliber weapon system.
The .50 GI round is a little shorter, and is slightly larger in diameter then a .45 acp round, and the rim is also reduced to .45 acp specifications. Looking at the two next to each other the .50 GI rounds slightly dwarfs its cousin the .45acp. The brass is made by Starline and is beefy and of very good quality. The brass is fully reloadable, and Guncrafter sells the reloading dies.
The GI .50 Commander has felt recoil somewhere between a .45 acp and a 10mm 1911, but without the snapping of the 10mm round. Since recoil is more of a subjective issue and everyone has a little different opinion on what it means to them, we have given you our opinion to consider. There are four proprietary rounds made by Guncrafter for the .50 caliber GI handguns. There is the 300 gr TMJ @ 700 fps, the 275 gr Hollow Point @ 875 fps, the 230 gr CHP Hollow point @ 1000 fps and the 185 gr CHP HP @ 1200 fps.
We found no major differences in the placement of rounds or recoil in less than 15 yards. The 185, 230 and 275 grain HP have felt recoil more like a .45 acp +P, and the 300 grain felt more like a hard hitting .45 acp FMJ round. The 300 grain groups very well, and is probably the best value for overall CQC training. The 275 grain is a great all purpose defense and training round, but adds a little more cost and recoil associated to it. The 230 and 185 grain are machined Barnes bullets, and awesome in accuracy, velocity and penetration. Upon impact, both rounds have shown in 10% ballistic gelatin that simulates body flesh composition, that they will expand to a full inch in diameter, or roughly the width of a quarter, and not over penetrate. The CHP hollow points have pointed petals like a star when expanded, and are significantly higher in price then the other rounds.
However after seeing them in action, I wouldn’t leave home without them.
As far as accuracy with the M3, at 3 to 10 yards was within an inch and a half group from a modified Isosoles stance, with many rounds one on top of the other. At 15 and 25 yards we had less than a two inch group. We experienced no malfunctions or feed issues during any of the testing phases. I like the Commander size for concealed carry and personal protection, because it is about the same size as a .45 acp Commander, but with a hair more beef to handle the .50 caliber round.
Here are some more features of the GI .50 M3 Commander. Weighing in at about 35 oz empty, a 7+1 round magazine capacity, a 22 pound Wolff spring, full length guide rod, and a standard 4.5lb trigger. I prefer a trigger pull closer to 3lbs myself, but this one is still clean, crisp and consistent. It has a forged proprietary frame from STI, a forged slide and a heavy match stainless steel barrel. They come standard with a parkerized finish, and are available in upgraded black melonite. We had the MT Tactical upgrade package on this M3, which has the tougher melonite finish, shredder grips, ambidextrous safety, bobbed frame for concealed carry, a lighter 3.5lb crisp trigger, Heine or XS Big Dot night sights, and front cocking serrations. Definitely old school 1911 heaven! I assisted Guncrafter in this M3 design and upgrade options, because I believed it could be the best of the best in 1911 style concealed carry handguns. There are many nice .45s, but the .50 GI is at the top of the list.
I have carried a many top of the line concealed carry handguns for personal protection in the last 20+ years, and although the M3 is in the custom handgun price range, the .50 M3 Commander with the MT Tactical upgrades is worth every penny of investment, and peace of mind.
Guncrafter also has the M1 which is the size of a Government 5”, and the M2 is the same size, but with a Light Rail. We previously did a review and video on the M2, so check it out online. With the added weight of the light rail, the M2 was incredibly balanced and extremely comfortable to shoot, but not practical for most concealed carry situations.
Guncrafter also makes a Conversion Kit of the .50 cal for the Glock 20 and 21. This kit comes with the slide, barrel assembly and one .50 caliber GI magazine. It is available in either hard chrome or upgraded to a black melonite finish.
Regardless of your skill level with a concealed carry firearm, or whether you are a new shooter, the person or people you choose for your tactical training can make a significant difference in determining the outcome of a violent attack. Training is more important than whether you carry a .50 caliber, a 9mm or .38 special handgun. If you are ever attacked, it is so important to compartmentalize the danger, and the fear. You must stay focused and in the moment, and keep your mind on the business at hand, your personal protection and survival, which is in front of you. Learn how to manage your crisis awareness, and to be able to react faster or avoid a confrontation completely. Get your mental awareness techniques as sharp as your physical abilities, and gun handling skills.
About the Author
Mark Volpone is a personal protection, concealed carry and tactical training instructor in Phoenix Arizona. His background includes over twenty five years of firearms, tactics, fighting and athletic fitness/instruction.
Visit
http://www.maricopatactical.com
for the structure and functioning of your personal protection, fitness and firearms training, as well as gun sales and gear, or to be put in contact with a qualified professional in your area.
Gen 4 Stainless Steel Guide Rod