GCR #47 Derrick

Published on October 9, 2015
Duration: 109:35

This episode of Gun Culture Radio delves into the history, capabilities, and civilian ownership of the .50 BMG cartridge and firearms like the Barrett M82. The discussion covers its origins as an anti-tank weapon in WWI, its effectiveness against barriers, and the practicalities and costs associated with civilian ownership. The hosts also touch upon the legal aspects of owning .50 caliber firearms and the different variants of Barrett rifles.

Quick Summary

The .50 caliber round, originating as a WWI anti-tank weapon, is now available to civilians in rifles like the Barrett, with prices starting around $3,000 for bolt-action models. While legal to own, the high cost of .50 BMG ammunition makes it an expensive caliber for regular use.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Sponsors
  2. 01:46Discussion on Machine Guns
  3. 03:46Interest in Barrett .50 Cal Rifles
  4. 04:03Barrett Rifle Pricing Tiers
  5. 04:44Shooting .50 Caliber Rifles
  6. 05:04Origin of .50 Caliber Need
  7. 06:14.50 Cal Round: Barrier Penetration vs. Long Range
  8. 06:52History of the .50 Caliber Round
  9. 08:37Viewing .50 Cal Ammunition
  10. 09:00.50 Cal Ammunition Types & Cost
  11. 10:00Cost of .50 Cal Machine Guns
  12. 10:14Civilian .50 Cal Rifle Legality
  13. 11:22.50 Cal and Below Civilian Ownership
  14. 11:33Practicality of .50 Cal in Crime
  15. 12:47Outgunning Police in Modern Times
  16. 13:00Bank Robbery Realities
  17. 14:20North Hollywood Shootout Context
  18. 15:06Professional Criminals vs. Thugs
  19. 15:19Modern Criminals: Cybercrime
  20. 16:09The "One More Thing" Trap
  21. 16:16Selling Drugs vs. Other Crimes
  22. 16:33Money as a Curse
  23. 16:41Using .50 Cal Rounds as Props
  24. 17:00Fully Automatic Glock Conversion
  25. 17:36Practicality of Full-Auto Glock
  26. 18:05Anti-Carjacking Gun Discussion
  27. 18:11Personal Self-Defense Encounter
  28. 19:13Dealing with Beggars
  29. 21:33Charity vs. Direct Giving
  30. 22:32Veteran Card Stereotypes
  31. 23:13Paramedic's Experience with Veteran Claims
  32. 23:54Legitimate vs. Fake Charity Appeals
  33. 25:08Stranded Without Gas Scenario
  34. 26:28ATM Encounter with a Woman
  35. 27:17Advice for Women on Helping Strangers
  36. 27:43Giving Rides on the Back of a Truck
  37. 28:28Woman Walking with Child at Night
  38. 28:44Suspicion of Attractive Women on Roadside
  39. 29:30Transition to Firearms Discussion
  40. 29:41Donations to the Show
  41. 30:01Donation Jars at Grocery Stores
  42. 30:40Guilt-Tripped Donations
  43. 31:05Legitimate vs. Illegitimate Solicitations
  44. 31:33Making Money Begging
  45. 32:00Barney Miller Episode on Pandering
  46. 33:10Best Spots for Panhandling
  47. 33:47Glitter Removal
  48. 34:19Machine Guns and Strippers
  49. 34:32Women Firing Automatic Weapons
  50. 35:21Critique of Firing Techniques
  51. 36:01Cigar Shop Calendar Analogy
  52. 36:42Gun Culture Radio Calendar Idea
  53. 36:55Movie Spoof Project
  54. 37:37Technological Limitations for Movie Spoofs
  55. 38:08Best Approach for Movie Spoofs
  56. 38:25Future Content Ideas
  57. 38:31Movie Nitpicking: Mad Max & Rambo
  58. 39:04Hitman: Agent 47 Movie Discussion
  59. 39:30Dual-Wielding Firearms in Movies
  60. 40:45The Money in Making Series
  61. 40:50Big John Show: Puerto Rico Edition
  62. 41:13Studio Setup Resembling a House
  63. 41:43New Office Location
  64. 42:06Sub Shop Recommendation: Penn Station
  65. 42:22Restaurant Chains: IHOP vs. Waffle House
  66. 43:22Chains: Shoney's vs. Jimmy John's
  67. 43:58Avoiding 'Death Trap' Foods
  68. 44:34McDonald's Commercials vs. Reality
  69. 45:08McDonald's on Christmas Day
  70. 45:36Mandatory McChicken & Fries
  71. 46:30McDonald's Defense: Healthy Options Exist
  72. 47:34Church's Chicken vs. KFC
  73. 47:56New Colonel Sanders Actor
  74. 48:21Colonel Sanders Stereotype
  75. 48:51Original KFC Location Visit
  76. 49:35Kentucky Colonel Title Explanation
  77. 50:24KFC in Different Regions
  78. 50:37Nashville's Famous Hot Chicken
  79. 51:34Longevity Diets: Philippines Example
  80. 52:02Processed Meat Consumption
  81. 52:27Self-Care: Physical and Mental Health
  82. 52:41Weakness for Bacon Cheeseburgers
  83. 53:01Terrorist Attack on Bacon Supply
  84. 53:21Bacon's Pop Culture Status
  85. 53:47Balancing Unhealthy Food Choices
  86. 54:07Salt Pork: A Southern Delicacy
  87. 55:00Parents' Diet and Health
  88. 55:21Buttermilk and Cornbread Meal
  89. 56:27Brewing Own Alcohol
  90. 57:14Amish Food and Lifestyle
  91. 57:40Amish vs. Modern Lifestyle Stress
  92. 57:50Slim Jim Commercial Parody
  93. 58:20Amish Pornography Speculation
  94. 58:26Amish Tractor with Baby Seat
  95. 59:13Escaping the Amish Lifestyle
  96. 59:57Amish People and Hippies Comparison
  97. 61:18Amish Carpenters and Furniture
  98. 62:00Ahmed Mohamed Clock Incident
  99. 62:36See Something, Say Something Dilemma
  100. 63:21School's Obligation of Caution
  101. 63:36Dallas Police Zero Tolerance Policy
  102. 63:50Proximity to Draw Incident
  103. 64:06Awareness of Stereotyping
  104. 64:14Clock Incident: It's Just a Clock
  105. 64:21Clock Modification Details
  106. 64:33Stereotypical Bomb Appearance
  107. 64:53Personal Experience with Stereotyping

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the history and purpose of the .50 caliber round?

The .50 caliber round, particularly the .50 BMG, originated as an anti-tank weapon in World War I. It was designed to penetrate the armor of early tanks. Later, its effectiveness against barriers and its range led to its use in various roles, including anti-personnel and anti-aircraft applications.

How much does a Barrett .50 caliber rifle cost for civilians?

Civilian .50 caliber rifles like the Barrett start around $3,000 for single-shot bolt-action models. More advanced semi-automatic versions, such as the Barrett M82, can range from $8,000 to $10,000 or more, making ammunition costs a significant factor for owners.

Is it legal for civilians to own .50 caliber rifles?

Yes, in the United States, civilian ownership of .50 caliber rifles like the Barrett is generally legal. Unlike .50 caliber machine guns, which are regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA), standard .50 caliber rifles typically only require the same background checks as other rifles.

What was the original design intent of the Barrett .50 caliber rifle?

The Barrett .50 caliber rifle, particularly the semi-automatic variants, was not initially designed for extreme long-range sniping. Its primary purpose was as a short-range barrier penetrator, intended to defeat obstacles and cover that conventional rifle rounds might struggle with.

More General Videos You Might Like

More from John Hickok

View all →