.45 GAP Availability and Price?

45 Gap ammo availability...

Some gunshops have a lot of it and some dont. Not the best answer I suppose. Usually a well stocked dealer has it and also a Glock dealer will also carry it. You have to make a few phone calls but its out there. My shop in my neighbor hood just the other day had 10 boxes in stock. They are also a Glock dealer. As you probably know its a 200 grain bullet that is traveling about 900 fps. I hate to mention this but the original Browning load for the 45 acp was the 200 grainer at about the same speed. Others will comment undoubtedly regarding this tidbit. Ammo is out there. If you have a good supply this well help promote purchasing one. And you can reload too.

As far as shooting it I have found the Glock 38 to be quite snappy and definitely you get the impression you have a tiger by the tail. It is controllable and since I have pistols on the same frame (17s and 22s) it fits my hand well. Some ranges rent pistols and if this is an option rent a G38 and try it. Its worth the box of ammo even just for fun. I never pass up an oppurtunity to try a different firearm and I do rent them sometimes for the experience. And the fun of course. I say get it if you like.

I've only shot the G37 in 45GAP. It's really not bad. Since I have small hands it was nice to see a 45 in a managable sized package. The closest gun store to me is a Gander Mountain. They always have 45GAP ammunition in stock. Not the best selection, but some is always there. It is a little bit more expensive than you would think, but that is just like other calibers that aren't that popular. Those non-mainstream calibers just cost more.

I'm the gun dude at a LE supply store, and I cannot get rid of the GAP ammo on the shelf. Same for .357 Sig. It all depends on your area and what calibers are popular.

If you would like to have a 45ACP in a 9mm size gun, you can.

It's called a XD45. The compact model is a 10+1 and makes a great CCW piece(compare to a G30) ,the 5" Tactical model is a 13+1 full size beast (a G21 with 1/2" more barrel) that is scary accurate and has a great trigger. You can get a full frame or compact frame, either with a 4" or 5" barrel. (Picture a G21 slide on a G30 frame and visa versa.) I have both, and the frames/barrels interchange so I have 4 guns in 2.

Find a friend or gun rental store with one and shoot it.

If you go with the G38, mail order may be your friend.

Availability can be sparce simply because some gun stores don't carry it. Price-wise it should mirror the price of .45ACP and if it's higher than ACP buy it somewhere else.

Stop in at your local stores and see if they will order it for you. Never hurts to ask, just be sure to ask what the price will be before you place the order.

I've seen 45 GAP every once in a while at Walmart, but it's just not as popular as the big 3, so availiability is usually limited to specific gun shops or big box outdoor megastores.

They are giving away Glock 37's at my local store. They are the OD Frame model and are selling for 399. They have been unable to sell out for several weeks, so I guess the demand it not that high. Having said that, it looks like a good round to me. I don't understand all the hate on the 45 GAP. I am a big 10mm shooter and have been hearing about its' demise for years. It has not happened yet. I would imagine the same will hold true for the GAP. Finding ammo might be more difficult, but I bet you will be able to find it online with little problem. If you like the gun and caliber, go for it.

Papachuck, I beg to differ with you. The XD45 is smaller than the G21 or G21SF, but it is no 9mm sized gun. And, yes, I do have one, so I know. For those of us with little hands, we tend to notice size differences very quickly.

I'd look online for 45 GAP ammunition. Never know what you can find on GunBroker. Cheaper Than Dirt has 45 GAP in stock.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ItemListing.aspx?catid=720

I chronographed the Winchester Silvertip out of my Glock 38
Silvertip 185 gr @ 908 fps / 338# KE

IMO the 38 in 45 GAP kicks less than a Glock 23 (40).

45 bullet in a 9mm platform; like you said, "power comparable to a .45 ACP in a 9mm sized-package", that sums up the 38.

I'll do a +1 on the XD45 compact, even though that's not what you asked about, it's a nice 45 acp.

ECVMatt said:

They are giving away Glock 37's at my local store. They are the OD Frame model and are selling for 399. They have been unable to sell out for several weeks, so I guess the demand it not that high. Having said that, it looks like a good round to me. I don't understand all the hate on the 45 GAP. I am a big 10mm shooter and have been hearing about its' demise for years. It has not happened yet. I would imagine the same will hold true for the GAP. Finding ammo might be more difficult, but I bet you will be able to find it online with little problem. If you like the gun and caliber, go for it.

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The hate on .45 GAP is easily explained. Someone (Speer and Glock) messed with .45 ACP and you just don't mess with something John By-God Browning designed. It sets all the close-minded folk a-flutter.

You can also usually find them complaining about 1911s with front cocking serations, one piece guide rods and external extractors too.

Originally Posted by ECVMatt
They are giving away Glock 37's at my local store. They are the OD Frame model and are selling for 399. They have been unable to sell out for several weeks, so I guess the demand it not that high. Having said that, it looks like a good round to me. I don't understand all the hate on the 45 GAP. I am a big 10mm shooter and have been hearing about its' demise for years. It has not happened yet. I would imagine the same will hold true for the GAP. Finding ammo might be more difficult, but I bet you will be able to find it online with little problem. If you like the gun and caliber, go for it.

Click to expand...

what dealer is that? you got a link or phone #?

Glock 37's are on sale for $379 on Bud's. Might wanna check out that site! I know you're looking for a model 38 but it's FYI.

The local Gander Mountain had quite a bit of it on the shelf today; seemed reasonably priced as well....first time I've seen it on shelves

Glock 37 for $379 has been available from Buds for quite sometime. I would hesitate to buy any thing that is priced that low and not moving.

I suspect ammo will become scarce then virtually extinct.

It seems to me it is one of those cartridges that was created simply so a company could put their name on it not because of any real need or improved performance.

I could be wrong and it could see a renewed interest like the 10mm is now. I doubt it though. I would go 10mm if I wanted power in a more compact caliber.

Check out Georgia Arms for practice ammo.

Right now it seem pretty cheap (when I see it, which isn't a lot), primarily because nobody is buying the stuff. Same thing with the guns in that caliber. I predict the 45 GAP will suffer a slow, lingering death and eventually disappear entirely. Then, the ammo will be even harder to find and much more expensive.

Get a .40 S&W instead.

My local toy store always keeps me some Remington 230 hardball in stock, and orders in
carry ammo for me when I ask him too. I carry a XD 45LE(45 gap) every day. Best darn
ccw weapon I have ever had. Been pay'in 24.95 per 50 on the Remington hardball. I generally keep 200 rounds at home and go buy more when I get down to 200 rounds. The Remington 230 gap is a little hotter that the same round in 230 ACP. The XD 45 gap
is a very soft shooting handgun. I will never let mine get away.

As long as Gov/Mil/LE support & use a particular cartridge, that cartridge will not die out.
In the last 3-4 years, five state law enforcement agencies have adopted the .45GAP. So, it will be around for sometime.



J&G Sales has some decent .45GAP ammo in stock.
Sellier & Bellot .45GAP 230gr FMJ = 500 rounds for $240 & 1000 rounds for $450.

I'm a Glock fan, imho they are near perfection. So when the G37 came out I had to have it and I asked my gun store guy to order me one. He actually talked me out of it, his objection mainly being .45 GAP ammo availability.

Now several years later I'm glad I passed on it. Don't need any more white elephants. If the price keeps dropping though I may still get one, more as a curio than anything else.