.45 GAP Experience

[TexasAggie01]

I'm interested in personal experiences with the .45 GAP, both ammo and guns. This is because a smaller frame could be very nice for me, as concealing my ACPs is not always, ...comfortable. I am curious as to price, overall experience with, and availability of the GAP.

[jaybet]

HI
I have no personal experience with .GAP but there was a guy next to me at the range about a week ago that had a Glock .45 gap. It looked to me like there might be less recoil than using ACP, but the pistol itself didn't LOOK any smaller than a regular Glock, but then I didn't measure the thing. My only problem with GAP would be that you probably are ALWAYS going to pay more for the ammo than ACP. You might be better off going .40 and you would have a lot more weapon choices as well.

[Bidah]

While I cannot offer personal experience, I will offer some observations.

Pistols.. Springfield XD, no longer in production but can be found here and there.  Glock has also taken it out of production, but can be found.  I cannot remember who else may have made them, but there are not many.

Ammo..  Can be found, but it may not be easy.  Not many loadings to choose from.

Observation:  Not to start a war here, but would you consider moving down to a 9mm which is the same frame?  With the current excellent choices in bullets and loadings (huge by the way), you get performance that is at least in the range of the GAP.  You also get a huge choice in pistols to go with that.  You could also consider a .40, but I do not know how well that would fit you either.

-Bidah

[Rastus]

Hey I'm confused...are we talking Glock size vs. a 1911 in 45 gap?  I thought the 45 gap was the more powerful (and shorter) round?

[haycreek]

I have used a Glock 37 for some time. I have Glocks in other calibers as well a several 1911's. I hand load everything. I find that the 45 Gap is inheritly accurate, and will equal the 45 ACP in every way balllistically. The Glock 37 holds 10 +  1 ammo, is easy to maintain, has the worlds best finish, most of all , is dependable. What is it not to like. The Glock has a shorter trigger reset than the XD, as well as less mussle flip because the barrel sets lower to your hand. Shop around and you  will find that factory ammo cost close to the 45 ACP. My reloads cost the same as 45 ACP. The construction  of the 45 GAP case is thicker in the web area where kabooms occur, and the pressure rating is camparible to a 45 ACP + P . But the case is strong and I have been told that it has been tested to much higher levels. It is a comparitive low pressure round when compared to the 9mm, 40 S&W,or 357 sig. I shoot lots of 9 mm, 40 S&W, 357 sig as well as 44 mag, 357 mag. 38's etc. The size of the Glock 45 GaP pistol is the same size as Glock 9 mm. What is there not to  like? {A 45 is better than a 9mm anyday}

[Sponsor]

[Wray Finney]

I don't believe for a minute that Glock has taken it out of production. It is the issue weapon for the New York State Police. Which had a one shot stop DRT. A Glock 37 loaded with 200 grain Speer Gold Dot. Round was found between Goofy's back and shirt. Georgia Patrol, South Carolina, and Pa Also issue it. I believe that puts it ahead of .357 sig and 45Acp. In regards to issue pistols. Georgia Arms loads it. Ammo is not that much higher if you look. My Glock 37 is the most accurate of my Glocks. I think beside the Glock 9's it is the safest loading in a Glock. Dang strong case. Regards

[TexasAggie01]

Thanks for the replies. My hope is that the GAP becomes more available in both commercial loadings and pistols. Since it seems to be adopted more and more by law enforcement, that may become a reality. The reason I asked about the GAP is that if I go to a smaller frame, concealment becomes a bit easier and I keep the same performance. I just don't want to mess with the 9mm or the .40 S&W. I'll leave out why. I like the idea of a shorter cartridge than the ACP and thus a smaller frame pistol, and if you get the same results from it, the longer cartridge makes less sense. IF it's as available and comparable in price, in both firearms and ammunition/components.

Haycreek: thanks for the info. Reloading seems to be the best way to affordably and easily use the GAP. I haven't become a reloader yet, but am leaning that way.