A true .50 BMG pistol is an incredibly rare novelty firearm, with production models like the single-shot Noreen ULR .50 BMG Pistol costing between $1,500 and $1,700. Because the .50 BMG is a massive anti-materiel rifle cartridge, handguns chambered for it are typically custom-built or short-barreled bolt-action designs lacking a stock. If you commission a custom .50 BMG handgun from a specialty gunsmith, prices easily exceed $3,500. Many buyers actually confuse the .50 BMG with the much smaller .50 AE Desert Eagle, which retails for $1,500 to $2,500. The price of an actual .50 BMG pistol varies based on whether you buy a production single-shot, build an AR-style bolt-action pistol, or pursue a one-off custom build.
50 BMG Pistol Price
| Pistol Model | Caliber | Barrel Length | Action | MSRP | Current Retail Price |
| Noreen ULR .50 BMG Pistol | .50 BMG | 16.5″ | Single-Shot Bolt | $1,500 | $1,500 – $1,699 |
| Safety Harbor SHTF-50 Upper (Pistol Config) | .50 BMG | 18″ | Bolt Action (Upper) | $1,450 | $1,450 – $1,850 |
| Custom Specialty .50 BMG Pistols | .50 BMG | 10″ – 14″ | Single-Shot | N/A | $3,500 – $5,500+ |
| Maadi-Griffin .50 BMG Pistol | .50 BMG | Varies | Single-Shot | N/A | $2,000 – $3,000 (Used) |
| Triple Action Thunder | .50 BMG | N/A | Scissor Breech | N/A | Prototype Only |
Explaining The Table
Based on current market data, the lowest entry price for a .50 BMG pistol configuration is around $1,450 if you purchase a Safety Harbor SHTF-50 single-shot upper and attach it to a registered AR-15 pistol lower receiver. For a complete, factory-built firearm, the Noreen ULR .50 BMG Pistol is the most accessible, typically retailing for $1,500 to $1,699.
The highest current prices are found in the custom gunsmithing market, where one-off .50 BMG handguns require specialized heavy-duty machining and easily cost $3,500 to over $5,500. The legendary Triple Action Thunder is merely a prototype and was never manufactured for retail sale. Typically, MSRP and retail prices align closely for these firearms because they are produced in very small batches, leaving little room for retailer markdowns.
How Much Does A 50 BMG Pistol Cost?
If you are looking to purchase a commercially available .50 BMG pistol today, you will spend around $1,500. Because the .50 BMG cartridge delivers roughly 13,000 foot-pounds of muzzle energy (nearly nine times the power of a .50 Action Express), designing a handgun to survive this pressure is mechanically difficult. As a result, almost all .50 BMG pistols are stripped-down, single-shot bolt-action firearms built primarily as range toys and engineering novelties.
50 BMG Pistol Price By Model
The market for .50 BMG handguns is incredibly narrow, with very few models in existence:
- Noreen ULR .50 BMG Pistol: Introduced as a stockless version of their ultra-long-range rifle, this single-shot bolt-action pistol features a 16.5-inch barrel and an enormous muzzle brake to mitigate recoil. It is made to order and costs around $1,500 to $1,700.
- Safety Harbor SHTF-50: Safety Harbor Firearms manufactures .50 BMG bolt-action uppers designed to pin onto standard AR-15 lowers. If you use an 18-inch single-shot upper ($1,450) and mate it to an AR-15 pistol lower, you effectively create a .50 BMG pistol for under $1,800 total.
- Maadi-Griffin Handguns: In the past, kit-built single-shot .50 BMG pistols were sold under the Maadi-Griffin name. These occasionally surface on the used market, typically commanding $2,000 to $3,000 as rare collector items.
- Triple Action Thunder: Often searched for online, this .50 BMG pistol utilized a unique scissor-breech design. However, it never entered production and has no retail price.
50 BMG vs 50 AE: Clarifying The Confusion
When most people ask about a 50 cal pistol, they are actually thinking of the Desert Eagle .50 AE (Action Express), not the .50 BMG. The .50 AE is a true semi-automatic handgun cartridge designed for standard pistol engagement ranges. A Desert Eagle in .50 AE costs roughly $1,500 to $2,500 depending on the finish.
The .50 BMG (Browning Machine Gun) is an anti-materiel rifle cartridge that is over 5 inches long. While novelty .50 BMG pistols exist, they are bolt-action, weigh over 15 pounds, and are completely impractical for traditional handgun use.
Used 50 BMG Pistol Price
Because very few of these firearms are manufactured, finding a used .50 BMG pistol is rare. When they do appear, they hold their value well due to the novelty factor.
| Condition | Typical Price Range | Notes |
| New (Production) | $1,500 – $1,850 | Noreen ULR or AR-15 upper builds |
| Used – Good Condition | $1,200 – $1,500 | Very rare to find due to low production numbers |
| Custom / Gunsmith Built | $3,500 – $5,500+ | Reflects the high cost of custom machining |
| Collector / Prototype | N/A | Unattainable (e.g., Triple Action Thunder) |
Note: Used prices are estimated market observations based on the limited circulation of big-bore specialty firearms.
50 BMG Pistol Price Compared With Other Firearms
How does a .50 BMG handgun compare to standard .50 caliber rifles and pistols?
| Firearm | Caliber | Typical Current Price | Price Difference |
| Noreen ULR Pistol | .50 BMG | $1,500 – $1,700 | N/A |
| Desert Eagle | .50 Action Express | $1,500 – $2,500 | Desert Eagle is up to $800 more expensive |
| Barrett M99 (Rifle) | .50 BMG | $4,600 – $5,000 | Barrett Rifle is ~$3,100 more expensive |
| Noreen ULR Mini Rifle | .50 BMG | $1,699 | Same price bracket |
What Affects The Price?
Several unique factors influence the cost of a .50 BMG pistol:
- Low Production Volume: Companies like Noreen Firearms make these pistols to order in limited batches. Low supply keeps prices rigid.
- Engineering Constraints: A .50 BMG generates incredible pressure. The receiver and bolt must be machined from massive blocks of high-grade steel, which drives up raw material and manufacturing costs.
- Action Type: Magazine-fed repeaters (even bolt-action ones) are far more expensive to engineer than simple shell-holder single-shot designs.
- Niche Market Appeal: These are specialty firearms purchased almost exclusively for their shock value. The lack of practical use prevents mass production, which would otherwise drive costs down.
50 BMG Pistol Price Pros
- Cheapest Way to Shoot .50 BMG: At $1,500, a Noreen ULR pistol is significantly cheaper than spending $4,500 to $10,000 on a full-sized Barrett or Steyr rifle.
- Unmatched Novelty: It is arguably the most extreme range toy you can purchase, guaranteed to turn heads and start conversations.
- Portability: Weighing around 16.5 pounds and measuring much shorter than a rifle, it is much easier to transport than a traditional 30-pound anti-materiel platform.
50 BMG Pistol Price Cons
- Brutal Recoil: Even with a massive muzzle brake, firing a .50 BMG without a shoulder stock is physically punishing and fatiguing.
- Ammunition Cost: The firearm may be relatively affordable, but .50 BMG ammunition typically costs between $3.00 and $6.00 per round, making it expensive to shoot.
- Zero Practicality: It is completely useless for concealed carry, home defense, or standard hunting. It is purely a recreational novelty.
50 BMG Pistol Price: How Much Does It Cost?
A production 50 BMG pistol costs between $1,450 and $1,700.
The lowest researched price to build a functional .50 BMG pistol is roughly $1,450 by purchasing a Safety Harbor single-shot upper receiver. The typical new price for a factory-built Noreen ULR .50 BMG pistol is $1,500. If you desire a completely custom-machined handgun, expect to pay upwards of $3,500.
FAQs
How much does a 50 BMG pistol cost? A production single-shot .50 BMG pistol typically costs around $1,500 to $1,700. Custom-built models can exceed $3,500.
Is there a real 50 BMG pistol? Yes. While exceptionally rare, companies like Noreen Firearms have manufactured single-shot, stockless bolt-action pistols chambered in .50 BMG.
How much is the Triple Action Thunder? The Triple Action Thunder was merely a prototype and never entered commercial production; therefore, it has no retail price and cannot be purchased.
What is the cheapest 50 BMG pistol? The cheapest route is buying a Safety Harbor SHTF-50 single-shot upper for about $1,450 and pinning it to an AR-15 pistol lower, or buying the Noreen ULR pistol for $1,500.
What is the difference between 50 AE and 50 BMG? The .50 AE is a handgun cartridge designed for the Desert Eagle, generating about 1,500 ft-lbs of energy. The .50 BMG is an anti-materiel rifle cartridge generating over 13,000 ft-lbs of energy.
How much is a Noreen ULR 50 BMG pistol? The Noreen ULR .50 BMG Pistol carries an MSRP of approximately $1,500.
Why is the 50 BMG pistol so rare? The cartridge’s immense power requires incredibly heavy steel components to prevent the firearm from exploding, making a handgun configuration completely impractical and physically painful to shoot.
Is it legal to own a 50 BMG pistol? Under federal US law, they are legal, though they must comply with all standard handgun regulations. However, certain states (like California) ban the .50 BMG cartridge entirely.
How much does 50 BMG ammo cost? Standard .50 BMG ammunition generally ranges from $3.00 to $6.00 per round, with match-grade or specialized armor-piercing rounds costing much more.
Can you shoot a 50 BMG pistol with one hand? Technically yes, but it is highly dangerous. The 16.5-pound weight and immense recoil make two-handed shooting (often rested on a bipod or sandbag) an absolute necessity.