.45 GAP? Why do I want one?

[JCooperfan1911]

I have always been interested in the .45 GAP cartridge and the full size Glock 37 duty pistol chambered in it. Something about the venerable .45 stopping power but in a comfortable standard size grip, or just the novelty of having something a little different.





For those who don’t know, the .45 GAP is essentially a shorter version of the .45 ACP made smaller to fit in a standard 9mm/40 grip frame. Case length is reduced but with modern powders and slightly increased pressures, the velocity and energy are virtually identical to .45 ACP.

The Glock 37 holds 10 rounds in the mag, and .45 GAP ammos is hovering at about $0.75 per round right now: https://ammoseek.com/ammo/45gap

Still, I WANT ONE. I can’t explain why, and maybe the uniqueness is just appealing. But it’s drawing me in.

Should I buy a Glock 37?

 

[Dragonfly]

I like getting unusual or unique guns myself, and I find the .45ACP-sized Glocks—even the 21SF—a smidge too big for me. Ammunition supply would be my biggest concern—if you’ve got a reliable source I’d say go for it!

 

[jonnyc]

Perhaps insanity runs in your family.
Dead caliber. If you can't find the odd box on the LGS shelf I don't need it.

 

[Lo-Profile]

I've got 1911's in 5 different calibers.

If your into 45g Tupperware, go for it

 

[Hartkopf]

If you can find the gun REAL cheap and you reload, it’s not the worst buy in the world. All components are the same as 45ACP (small primers) so cost can be identical to shooting a 1911. Lee 45ACP dies will work with a spacer in the seating die.

My biggest problem with the caliber and G37 is that a G22 is the same size and holds 15 rounds of 180gr bullet doing 1000+ fps. The ballistics are just too close to give up 5 rounds. This assumes you live in a free state.

 

[Dragonfly]

OP you’re a bad influence! Just for fun I did a check on Glock 37 availability in Canada and I found some listed at really attractive prices. Ammunition is also more available than I would have guessed…not what I’d call super affordable but still more and plentiful than I would have guessed. I will admit to having a few drinks during the Super Bowl so maybe I’ll have a closer look tomorrow. For me, it would be an occasional-use gun, so a supply of a few hundred rounds would do me for a while.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I think it's cool as a time capsule gun. Might not be a collector's item, but still cool.

Are there any easy conversions to make it easier to rationalize?

 

[entropy]

I have always been interested in the .45 GAP cartridge and the full size Glock 37 duty pistol chambered in it. Something about the venerable .45 stopping power but in a comfortable standard size grip, or just the novelty of having something a little different.

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For those who don’t know, the .45 GAP is essentially a shorter version of the .45 ACP made smaller to fit in a standard 9mm/40 grip frame. Case length is reduced but with modern powders and slightly increased pressures, the velocity and energy are virtually identical to .45 ACP.

The Glock 37 holds 10 rounds in the mag, and .45 GAP ammos is hovering at about $0.75 per round right now: https://ammoseek.com/ammo/45gap

Still, I WANT ONE. I can’t explain why, and maybe the uniqueness is just appealing. But it’s drawing me in.

Should I buy a Glock 37?

If you want one, get one. Do you really think any of us are going to say No? I have shot and loaded for one, (an excellent one to hand load; even in normal times it's not that plentiful.) They are a great gun for those with a smaller hand that want a .45 Glock but can't get their hand properly around a G21 or G30, (Though the G21SF and 30SF versions do this also) and don't want the low capacity of the G36. If you already have .45 ACP's, keeping the loaded ammo, and then brass, separate is a PITA, though GAP rounds will fire in an ACP. Ask me how I know. They might function the ACP gun, but not always. The reason I passed on buying my dad's G37 was I already had a G21 at the time. I reloaded GAP for the guy who bought it form him for a while, until we lost touch.

 

[TTv2]

It was a novel concept, just one that doesn't hold up well in retrospect. If you want more power in a smaller gun with low capacity a 7 shot .357 Mag will do just fine.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I never wanted one. IMO it was an answer to a question no one was asking. I don't blame those who want and like them, they are just not for me.

 

[JDR]

I own & love my own Gen4 Glock 21. I’m a big fan of the Glock 30. My friend still has a Glock 38, the compact sized GAP .45 and it is a great shooter, and he reloads for it.

This caliber was originally developed by Speer, and they still make 200 gr. Lawman and Gold Dot .45 GAP factory ammo, and these are both EXCELLENT, particularly the Gold Dots.

 

[toivo]

NY State Police switched from 9mm to .45 GAP in 2007 after a trooper was killed in a shootout with two bank robbers. He was approaching their car when they fired on him. He returned fire, hitting them both, but with insufficient penetration. The idea with the .45 GAP was that they'd get better penetration, especially of vehicles, but with a cartridge that wouldn't require a large-framed pistol. In 2018, the agency switched again, to .45 ACP -- I'm not sure why.

In searching this topic, I found this article:

https://www.timesunion.com/state/ar...-search-for-trooper-s-stolen-gun-16704550.php

It sounds like this trooper wanted to keep his .45 GAP pistol as a personal weapon after the switch to ACP. Now a thief has his gun but may be having trouble finding ammo for it.

 

[TTv2]

I thought .45 was notriously a poor hard barrier penetrator due to its low velocity?

 

[jmr40]

The 45 GAP is loaded to +P pressures to equal 45 ACP speeds when it is loaded to standard pressure. You will always be able to beat 45 GAP with 45 ACP.

When Glock came out with the 45GAP they GAVE them to the Georgia State Patrol and took in the 40S&W Glock 22's they had been using in trade. They were trying to get them on streets and in use. The GSP used them 2 years and hated them. After a couple of failures they gave them back to Glock and bought Glock 17's in 9mm instead. They have been very happy with the G17's and have had no failures to stop bad guys.

There have been other, better solutions to a smaller grip while using old school 45 ACP. If you want a plastic framed 45 look at the Smith M&P in 45 ACP. You can even get one with the 1911 style safety. If you're a 1911 guy they feel very much like a plastic 1911 with a similar grip size. The full size gun is 10+1. The compact is 8+1.

I have one of each and installed an Apex trigger in both. They rival my best 1911's trigger pull and accuracy. And with a trigger that light wouldn't want one without a safety.

 

[TarDevil]

You don't need my permission!

 

[edwardware]

I'd buy something practical, like a .22TCM, or a 9x25 Dillon. . .

This sounds odd coming from a fan of oddball handloader-only cartridges, but .45GAP seems really sensitive to future availability issues. You could probably make a functional load in .45ACP brass, but otherwise you're at the mercy of vanishing case supply.

 

[CajunBass]

I say if you want one, buy it. What's the worst thing that can happen? It turns into a paperweight? Big deal. I'll bet you've wasted more money on less in your life. I know I have.

 

[rdnktrkr]

I purchased some of the GA state patrol returns a few yrs back, glock 37, 3 mags, 300rnds and a soft case for 300$. When I purchased mine boxes of ammo was 10$ or less, I reload so ammo is not a problem, mine prefers 180 or 200gr rn or rnfp bullets and I don't push them to +p pressures. Your not supposed to create brass from 45acp brass due to the base being thicker to allow for higher pressure so look around for brass and ammo. Both are easy shooters at the range and make a good truck gun.

 

[Hartkopf]

In a pinch, I would personally cut down 45ACP +p small primer brass.

I believe the frame of the 37 is almost identical to the 17 and 22 so if nothing else, it's a spare parts gun for the zombie inflation medical tyranny apocalypse.
I'm sure there are nuances with extractors and ejectors but they're easy to change.

 

[trackskippy]

I picked up a basically NIB 37 for a decent price a couple of years ago. Was actually out shooting it yesterday, as I hadn't shot it in a while.

Our State Police used to carry them and used to practice at our club's ranges. They left a ton of brass lay, and I used to pick some of it up, figuring at some point Id probably pick one up. That worked out.

I had a 21SF in the past and it was just to big for my hands. Had a 30SF too, which was a little better but still a bit big. Both were shootable and shot well, but my 9mm guns were just a lot more comfortable in my hands. The 37 is too, but there is a noticeable difference between it and the 9mm guns, as the slides are heavier and fatter, and noticeably different. Compared to a 9mm slide, it looks like one that had been stung by a bee when you're looking down the slide.

While the grips are similar, the difference in slide dimensions will require a different holster than your 9mm guns.

The 37 shoots great and is accurate. Recoil and recovery are on par with the 45acp guns. I had to stipple the grip as I need that more aggressive texture, and more so with the heavier recoil, otherwise the gun would slip around in my hand as I shot.

I reload for it and its as easy as anything else to load for, but its not just a shorter 45acp. Youre basically limited in loadings and to 185 and 200 grain bullets. Of the three manuals I have, only the Speer has data for it.

I keep hearing that you can use your standard 45 dies, but that wasnt the case, at least with my Hornady dies. I ended up getting a cheap set of Lee "45 Glock" dies. Not as nice as the Hornady's, but they work and they were a lot cheaper. Kind of a PITA though.

If you can find one at a good price, and your are interested, go fo it. Why not?

If you reload, get a bunch of brass and you'll be better off if you want to shoot it a lot.

 

[entropy]

I keep hearing that you can use your standard 45 dies, but that wasn't the case, at least with my Hornady dies.

I used my RCBS .45 ACP dies. They worked just fine, once adjusted for GAP. I did load one box of 230 FMJ for it, but 200 is really the GAP's sweet spot.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Can you put a 40 barrel into a GAP 37? Or, a 9mm one?

Buddy has a case of that ammo he bought years ago by mistake. Every time I see him he tries to pawn it off on my somehow. Seems some revolver shooters who have the moon clip 45acps like it at least.

I wouldn't be against buying the pistol but it would have to come with a LOT of ammo or brass.

 

[Boox]

I actually shoot my GAP better than my glock 40, so for me it's a keeper

 

[jmorris]

You can really stick it to the 45 ACP guys, giving them something else to sort out of their brass.

I actually use 45 GAP brass in my 625’s. Small primer allows for less mainspring, shorter case and moon/demoon without tools.

 

[Barbaroja]

I love oddball calibers.
If I recall correctly you don’t reload, that would give me some pause with the 45gap as I wouldn’t be surprised if commercial ammo dried up in coming years.
My vote is buy it and enough ammo for a good supply of brass and then start putting together your reloading setup.