An improved M1911-style handgun employs redistributed masses for a slide and bull barrel to reduce perceived recoil and muzzle flip when the gun is fired. The gun operates with cartridges having .50 caliber cases, bullets of .50 caliber or less, and 45 ACP-sized base rims, as well as with .45 ACP and smaller caliber cartridges. An improved magazine has crimped feed lips which feed rebated rim cartridges into any handgun or rifle without nose-diving, and a metal-reinforced follower which extends the operational life of the magazine.