The .50 Action Express (AE, 12.7 mm) is a cartridge used in a small number of large handguns and was originally created for the Magnum Research Desert Eagle. It is one of the largest handgun cartridges in production, and the most powerful one designed for automatic pistols. IMI factory loads have a muzzle velocity of 425 m/s (1,400 ft/s) with a 325 grain (21 g) bullet and 1917 J of energy (1414 ft·lbf). Handloading and cartridges from other manufacturers can develop even more power. Only three commercial cartridges designed for handguns exceed its ballistic performance: the .454 Casull, 460 XVR and the .500 S&W, all of which are fired only by revolvers. Rimmed, centerfire . ... A handgun is a firearm small enough to be carried and used in one hand. ... Magnum Research is a subsidiary of Israeli Military Industries that manufactures very powerful, luxury- and lifestyle-oriented handguns (both pistols and revolvers) under the Magnum brand as well as smaller standard sized handguns under the trade-names Jericho and Baby Eagle The most well known firearm made by Magnum Research... Desert Eagle Desert Eagle Drawings from patent 4,619,184 showing the Desert Eagles gas operated mechanism Desert Eagle with a 10 inch (254mm) barrel The Desert Eagle is a semi-automatic gas-operated pistol that is manufactured in Israel by IMI (Israeli Military Industries) for Magnum Research, Inc. ... The . ... The . ... The . ...

.50 AE round from Desert Eagle pistol (left) next to 7.65x17 mm Browning (.32 ACP)(right).

The cartridge was developed in 1988 by Evan Whilden of Action Arms, who chose the gas operated Desert Eagle as the development platform, and first sold in 1991. The actual cartridge is .547 inch (13.9 mm) diameter at the base, but it has a rebated rim giving it the same diameter as the .44 Magnum. The case length is also identical. This was to allow Desert Eagle pistols to be upgraded to the new cartridge with only a barrel change. Nominal bullet diameter is 0.500 in (12.7 mm). Image File history File links 50_AE_and_32_ACP.jpg‎ Summary Original description: Image made by ReconTanto for Wikipedia From http://en. ... Image File history File links 50_AE_and_32_ACP.jpg‎ Summary Original description: Image made by ReconTanto for Wikipedia From http://en. ... .44 Magnum The . ...

The principal uses of the .50 AE are metallic silhouette shooting and hunting. The .50 AE has developed a reputation for superb accuracy, no doubt due to the high-quality, expensive firearms that have chambered it. The cartridge is extremely powerful and is generally not practical for tactical and defensive use. However this cartridge is often chosen for self defense purposes due to its media portrayal and high power. Other Firearms chambered in the .50 AE include the AMT Automag V, LAR Grizzly, Freedom Arms model 555, Magnum Research BFR and some other, lesser known handguns. AMT Automag The AMT Automag V is a large single action semi-automatic weapon; this is the brainchild of Harry Sanford, creator of the original automag. ... The Magnum Research BFR (Biggest Finest Revolver) is a revolver offered by Magnum Research in the early 21st century. ...

See also

• .50 caliber handguns
• .50 BMG
• .500 Wyoming Express
• List of firearms
• List of handgun cartridges
• List of rifle cartridges