I see and read tons of posts on here, but since I joined in Jan I haven't seen ONE post or ever a mention about the .45 GAP. Is it simply not a popular cartridge or not as desirable? What are the main differences between the GAP and ACP? My friend has a .45 GAP, I've never seen it up close or even shot it though. I think it's a Beretta but I could be wrong. Thanks for the help guys!
howcome I never hear anything about .45 GAP?
- Thread starter Erikbal
- Start date
Double Naught Spy
New member
Did you do a search for 45 GAP?
The GAP is a shortened 45 ACP designed to fit in smaller guns. It comes very close to standard 45 ACP power levels because it comes loaded to P+ levels. When 45 ACP is loaded to P+ levels it is quite a bit more powerful.
Most, includng myself, don't see the point and are not interested. It has never had a big following and has probably peaked in popularity. Not completely dead, but slowly wilting away.
Most, includng myself, don't see the point and are not interested. It has never had a big following and has probably peaked in popularity. Not completely dead, but slowly wilting away.
I would have to agree with jmr40. The .45 GAP was developed in order to fit a .45 diameter bullet into a 9MM/.40S&W Glock frame for people who didn't have gorilla hands. Then the Glock 21SF came out followed by the Gen4 .45 ACP Glocks which are essentially the same size as the 21SF, so realistically there's no need for the .45 GAP anymore.
Just recently I traded a G37 (purchased before the G21SF came out) for a Gen4 G21. It uses a bigger/better bullet and carries more of them, among other things.
Just recently I traded a G37 (purchased before the G21SF came out) for a Gen4 G21. It uses a bigger/better bullet and carries more of them, among other things.
If someone wants to launch 180-ish grain bullets at .45GAP speeds, the .40 S&W will do that, at similar pressures, with higher capacity, and at lower cost..... .45 ACP+p will outdo .45GAP with no real advantage for the latter ......
No, it's not exactly dead...... just in a flat spin, and losing altitude fast. ..... if you shoot it, hoard brass for it.
Eric, the .45 GAP is generally hated by non-users. Posting anything positive about it will lead to general derision by the non users. However, 5 state police agencies have adopted it (perhaps at a cost to the various states that could not be refused), but the officers using it seem to prefer it over other calibers. See this link: http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1397816
The naysayers will mention that the GAP is an answer to a question that was never asked, etc, etc. However, if you have smaller hands or might appreciate the softer perceived recoil offered by the GAP, then try it for yourself and make your own decision.
Ducking and running........
The naysayers will mention that the GAP is an answer to a question that was never asked, etc, etc. However, if you have smaller hands or might appreciate the softer perceived recoil offered by the GAP, then try it for yourself and make your own decision.
Ducking and running........
Officer's Match
New member
Hah hah, that's a good one. Oh wait, you were serious? Umm, OK...
Not even remotely accurate. The GAP runs at hot 45acp pressure, almost half of what the snappy and inaccurate 40SW runs at.
I used to be the King of the GAP-bashers. One range session with a Glock 38 profoundly changed that. It is the best Glock you can buy. Hell, I think it's the best overall handgun you can buy. I'm not kidding.
insaneranger
New member
45 GAP is a good performing ammo in a smaller package, but at twice the price. I think that's why it didn't catch on.
Creek Henry
New member
Didn't a few Glocks in 45gap blow up? That might have hurt its rep some.
Walt Sherrill
New member
I don't handload, so I buy from folks like Georgia-Arms. Their .45 GAP is about the same price as .45 ACP -- which has caused me to rethink .45 GAP.
(I like the smaller platform -- as the Glock 38 is physically similar to the Glock 19, which is a great size. The larger Glock 45 just doesn't feel right in my hand, but the 38 does.)
(I like the smaller platform -- as the Glock 38 is physically similar to the Glock 19, which is a great size. The larger Glock 45 just doesn't feel right in my hand, but the 38 does.)
I don't remember the issue, but an article in American Handgunner showed that 45GAP was very popular among State Police Departments.
These guys shoot factory ammunition so reloading is not an issue.
I suspect the 45GAP is a good blend of power, compactness, and recoil.
It is my recollection the 40 S&W was the most common cop round.
These guys shoot factory ammunition so reloading is not an issue.
I suspect the 45GAP is a good blend of power, compactness, and recoil.
It is my recollection the 40 S&W was the most common cop round.
There are a couple of problems with the .45 GAP.
The first is the initial promise that was made to prospective LEO agencies: that the new guns would fit in the same holsters as the .40/9mm models. Not having to switch out duty gear saves a lot of money, and the prospect seemed appealing. However, the gun needed some revisions between conception and execution, and a wider slide was one of them. That advantage was lost.
The second is the fact that almost nobody outside of Glock manufactures a pistol for the loading. Springfield briefly made the XD pistols for it, but those have been discontinued.
True or not, the perception is that the round isn't taking off, and that leads to a vicious circle that keeps it from really taking off.
The first is the initial promise that was made to prospective LEO agencies: that the new guns would fit in the same holsters as the .40/9mm models. Not having to switch out duty gear saves a lot of money, and the prospect seemed appealing. However, the gun needed some revisions between conception and execution, and a wider slide was one of them. That advantage was lost.
The second is the fact that almost nobody outside of Glock manufactures a pistol for the loading. Springfield briefly made the XD pistols for it, but those have been discontinued.
True or not, the perception is that the round isn't taking off, and that leads to a vicious circle that keeps it from really taking off.
ScottRiqui
New member
Same with the Springfield EMP, although it never even made it to the production stage chambered in .45 GAP.
TheGoldenState
New member
So you were talking without knowing? Do you make a habit out of that (ie: have you actually shot a .40sw)?
Snappy, i'd argue, inaccurate I laugh at.
Is that like eating because you're depressed, and depressed because you're heavy?
I stand corrected ..... .40 S&W runs to 33K ...... .45 GAP is equal to .45 ACP+p pressure wise.....
but.....
The .45 GAP has the same pressure issue (although to a lesser extent) that the .40 S&W does, particularly with 230 gr bullets:
TANSTAAFL, especially in physics.
The question is:
Is .45 ACP performance, at the cost of .45ACP+p pressures, with some of the same case capacity/pressure issue of the .40 S&W (compounded by the unsupported chamber of the Glock handgun .... true, pretty much a non-issue for folks who don't reload, but I do......) worth .140" OAL? Capacity (dictated by cartridge diameter) will be the same, in similar pistol designs .... The Market, the Ultimate Arbiter, says no.....
..... you pick your choice, pay your money and take your chances ..... Me, I'd buy a .45 GAP EMP before I bought one in .40 S&W, but such a thing is not made.... and by the looks of things, I'd have to hoard brass if I did.....
*Can you say, "Bullet setback?" .... I knew you could!....
Yankee Doodle
New member
Issued caliber of the NYSP. Most of the Troopers I have spoken to are quite happy with it. However, most of this group were happier with the 9mm they used to have. Less recoil. faster follow up shots, cheaper ammo it they want to practice on their own dime.
I, for one, would prefer either the .45ACP, or .357 SIG. Of course, if you have read my past posts, I don't think much of any Glock products. Wouldn't own another Glock pistol, however, the .45 GAP is still a wonderful solution to a non-existant problem.
You pays your money, and makes your choice.
I, for one, would prefer either the .45ACP, or .357 SIG. Of course, if you have read my past posts, I don't think much of any Glock products. Wouldn't own another Glock pistol, however, the .45 GAP is still a wonderful solution to a non-existant problem.
You pays your money, and makes your choice.