.45 ACP vs. .45 G.A.P. need some info

[federico3592]

i am looking to buy my first handgun this weekend and i am going between the compact Glock 38 which is the .45 GAP and the 4inch XD .45 acp. i wanted some input on if the .45 GAP was a good round and which people recommend. I will be using the gun for concealed carry, but possible as a SWAT medic in the future. thanks for the input

federico3592

[Master Blaster]

.45 gap, ammo more expensive and harder to find than .45acp.

May be a round headed for extinction in the near future.
Get the .45acp, its going to be cheaper and easier to find ammo for it.

.45gap has no advantage over .45acp, it seeks to duplicate the performance of the acp round, in a case that is slightly smaller, so it runs at a higher pressure.

[Pistol Toter]

To me it's a matter of personal preference. Of all that I have read and understand there is very little ballistic difference. The GAP is a smaller round and supposed made the grip frame a tad smaller. For me it was a solution to a nonexistant problem. I frequently conceal carry a GLOCK 21 which is a full size frame and is a 13 round .45 acp. Of the two guns you list, I personally would purchase the the XD45 which is also a 13 round magizine. I've never thought that I wanted a compac GLOCK. Even though I own one and it is a fine tool, I'm not a diehard GLOCK fan. Not understanding all the criteria that you may have, it would be difficult for someone else to give you a difinitive answer. My principal carry is a Ruger SP101 .357 mag.

[Vern Humphrey]

The .45 ACP is the way to go -- unless you have difficulty with a full-size grip. If you can manage the .45 ACP-sized grip, you'll always have ammo available, no matter where you go. I can't make that same prediction about the .45 GAP.

[HMMurdock]

Most SWAT teams have standardized sidearms, so I'd be surprised if you can carry your own. Assuming that's not what they issue, I'd shy away from the GAP. As mentioned, it has no benefits over a .45ACP and is pricier and harder to find.

Try a Glock 21SF which is a .45 with a slimmed down grip, it'll be wider than the G38 but not as big as the G21 (though only barely). If I were planning on being a SWAT medic, I'd find out what my team was issued and purchase that model, assuming you aren't issued one. Crown Point, Indiana? I think it'll probably be a Glock 22 .40S&W but I may be wrong. (I'm a hoosier, too)

In short, a Glock 38 is the way to go if you want a .45GAP, but I wouldn't suggest a .45GAP over a .45ACP in any circumstance, especially since the G21SF is now available.

TRL

[strat81]

This is a constant topic of debate over on glocktalk.com. The two rounds are almost identical in terms of performance. As others have mentioned, the GAP is more expensive and hard to find. While I have not held one, the new G21SF is supposed to be closer to a 'regular' Glock frame but is not the same. In short, if you can comfortably hold, aim, and shoot the ACP, get the ACP.

[Professor K]

.45 GAP is only good for countries that ban "military calibers."

[g5reality]

+1 on the .45 ACP. Look into the Glock 30

[CountGlockula]

Go for the GAP...all I can tell you is that Gaston is a genius.

Making a .45 caliber handgun in the shape of a 9mm is engenius!