.45 GAP? Why do I want one?

[Dragonfly]

Well, I’ve ordered one up this evening. I’ve been a Glock fan since I picked up my first one (a Gen 2 G17) in 1991, and I’ve owned a bunch of other models over the years—but like @JCooperfan1911 I also enjoy shooting less-common guns (my current Glock is a Gen 3 G31C) so I’m looking forward to adding another uncommon model to my collection.

I’ve always found Glock’s .45ACP models (even the SF versions) a smidge bigger than I’d like for my smallish hands, so the G37 should be a much better fit. In Canada, I’m limited to pistol magazines that hold ten rounds, so a pistol like the G37 whose “native capacity” is ten rounds means that I’m not wasting any extra grip size. I’ve also been able to source enough well-priced ammunition to last me a very long time, so I should be ok on that front, too. I’ll update with a new post once it arrives.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

Well, I’ve ordered one up this evening. I’ve been a Glock fan since I picked up my first one (a Gen 2 G17) in 1991, and I’ve owned a bunch of other models over the years—but like @JCooperfan1911 I also enjoy shooting less-common guns (my current Glock is a Gen 3 G31C) so I’m looking forward to adding another uncommon model to my collection.

I’ve always found Glock’s .45ACP models (even the SF versions) a smidge bigger than I’d like for my smallish hands, so the G37 should be a much better fit. In Canada, I’m limited to pistol magazines that hold ten rounds, so a pistol like the G37 whose “native capacity” is ten rounds means that I’m not wasting any extra grip size. I’ve also been able to source enough well-priced ammunition to last me a very long time, so I should be ok on that front, too. I’ll update with a new post once it arrives.

Nice! Seems like a perfect fit for you in Canada. All the power of a .45 but with a smaller grip, and since you can have 10 rounds anyway, an excellent utilization of dimensions and resources.

 

[d'zaster]

I have been progressive reloading 45 ACP for years.
Thumbs down for 45 Gap.

 

[d'zaster]

But I can appreciate for those who are interested that it may be a good way to go. I had no idea about the differences and history of the cartridge. Thanks for the thread and inputs. THR rules!!

 

[nofendertom]

How does it compare---.45GAP vs .40S&W ?

 

[herrwalther]

How does it compare---.45GAP vs .40S&W ?

45GAP was designed to be similar to 45ACP, but fit in 9/40 sized Glock frames. Muzzle velocity is right around 1000 FPS with lighter bullets, 940 ish with 230gr bullets.

 

[Hartkopf]

I forgot that I chronoed several factory loads in 40S&W and 45GAP. (different days but similar temperatures).

With similar bullet weights:
45GAP G37 185gr GoldDots 1020fps
40S&W G22 180gr Fed HST 1020fps
40S&W G22 180gr GoldenSaber 971fps



And also 45GAP vs 45ACP:

45GAP G37 230gr Fed HST 865fps
45ACP G21 230gr GoldenSaber 793fps
45ACP G21 230gr Fed HST +p 890fps


The GAP with HSTs might be higher velocity than the ACP with standard pressure HSTs but I didn’t have any to chronograph. Of coarse you might never find 45GAP HSTs anytime soon so GoldDots will probably be what you can get.

As everyone has always said about the 45GAP, it’s an answer to a nonexistent problem. (But I still like mine)

 

[Anchorite]

I never jumped on the GAP bandwagon - only because my ACP already fills any role that the GAP might, and I didn’t want the possibility of mixing and matching components when it came to my loading bench.

 

[JR24]

I’ve been tempted a few times because of the size of the compact frame, but always held off because making the ol .45 slug go even slower just never felt right to me, especially when 180 grain .40 performs so closely, and holds more ammo.

Eventually I just got the HK45c, which is almost the exact same size and in ACP. Works for me.

 

[mokin]

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?

YES!

Life is too short for the kind of regret you'll experience if you don't.

 

[Offhand McFlan]

I feel the same way about .45 Super. I've been trying to build a list of .45 ACP guns that...with the appropriate springs, can handle it...BESIDES higher end 1911's. I already have a Ruger P89 (9mm). I was thinking the 45 ACP version of the Ruger P-Series ..and I've read favorable nominations for S&W's M&P. I also wonder about Beretta PX4. Seems like another tank of a gun which is within my budget. Any one of them would be my cue to start investing in reloading too...for .45 Super.

Sorry to Hijack the thread like this. I know the benefits of Super vs GAP are by no means parallel. Its just that I also have my designs on being different and I DO like 45 ACP. Therefore mods on that platform are attractive to me. For you the mod revolves around ergonomics. Thats fine I get it. I'm curious about GAP too (GAP-curious, LOL!) For me it revolves more around better penetration and expansion though. Super just seems like the WAY more practical mod for 45ACP.

But hey, I like being different too. (That's why I've got a Ruger 57 on my short list.) If you find a G37 for cheap, buy it. Chances are good that you'll get your money back someday from a guy who likes to reload. There are many guys out there like us who line to be different, probably more such guys than there are .45 GAP guns for sale. That should keep the resale price competitive.

 

[Anchorite]

I feel the same way about .45 Super. I've been trying to build a list of .45 ACP guns that...with the appropriate springs, can handle it...BESIDES higher end 1911's. I already have a Ruger P89 (9mm). I was thinking the 45 ACP version of the Ruger P-Series ..and I've read favorable nominations for S&W's M&P. I also wonder about Beretta PX4. Seems like another tank of a gun which is within my budget. Any one of them would be my cue to start investing in reloading too...for .45 Super.

Sorry to Hijack the thread like this. I know the benefits of Super vs GAP are by no means parallel. Its just that I also have my designs on being different and I DO like 45 ACP. Therefore mods on that platform are attractive to me. For you the mod revolves around ergonomics. Thats fine I get it. I'm curious about GAP too (GAP-curious, LOL!) For me it revolves more around better penetration and expansion though. Super just seems like the WAY more practical mod for 45ACP.

But hey, I like being different too. (That's why I've got a Ruger 57 on my short list.) If you find a G37 for cheap, buy it. Chances are good that you'll get your money back someday from a guy who likes to reload. There are many guys out there like us who line to be different, probably more such guys than there are .45 GAP guns for sale. That should keep the resale price competitive.

I have a 4506 set up to run 45 Super and at the end of the day I’m fine with the standard 45 or 45 +P.

 

[Offhand McFlan]

Thank you! The old S&W was actually tentatively on my list too. I forgot to mention it. At one time I owned a nickel-plated 59. I was very disappointed with it for a number of reasons, so that kind of made me back off from the idea of a 4506. I don't know if they addressed some of the ergonomics issues and the stupid reverse safety and magazine safety that people complained about in the 59 series in the 1st Gen.. I won't buy one unless I get to handle it first. My 59 was a good shooter though and plenty accurate.

If I had a gun rigged for 45 Super I might consider making it my trail gun in addition to EDC. Normal 45 ACP is iffy for black bear defense. 45 Super might close that gap just enough that you could be fairly confident.

 

[bltmonty]

I have the three glocks in 45 GAP--39, 38, and 37. I use the P80 frames for all three, which fit my hand much better. The glock 39/P80 in GAP is my most carried gun. I reload and find its ballistics favorable to 45 acp until I get to the 4.6" barrel of my glock 21, and there, the 45 acp+P is notably better. Otherwise, the gap is a great, efficient performer. My self defense load in the 3.4" barreled G39 is 200gr gdhp, running at 950fps. The GAPs seem to shoot softer than my 45 ACPs in glock and other platforms. But Glock screwed up by giving the three GAP guns the wide, 21/30 slide. I have never had an failures in any of my glock gaps. To reload, I simply use 45 acp die sets but adjust COAL.

 

[racoonbeast]

I am in the "if you want it, buy it" camp. But, I hope that you do so with full knowledge that it is a dead caliber. It was pretty much ballyhooed as the stupidest gun idea of this century when it came out, and has spent the rest of its short life proving that to be true. It brought nothing to the table when alive that was not already easily and cheaply available. In twenty years it will be a curiosity/canoe anchor. That being said, it you want one, you should have one. I would be the last guy in the world to say that all gun purchases need to make sense. I would have half the guns that I have it they did.

 

[Dragonfly]

The pistol arrived earlier this week—here are my initial thoughts. Although the pistol is unfired, the fired case envelope dates from March 5 2011—11 years ago today! From what I can tell, the frame is a regular G17/22 Gen 4 frame, with no differences to accommodate the GAP round. The slide, however, is noticeably wider to accommodate the larger-diameter chamber and bore and has a noticeable bevel along its bottom edges to allow it to match the width of the frame. I can’t remember if the Gen 4 G21SF I previously had (the only other Gen 4 Glock I’ve owned) had the same slide finish but this one has a grippier, rougher finish, similar to early Glocks, that makes it easier to rack the slide. My Gen 3 G31C has the “frying pan” which is super-tough for wear but smoother and slipperier than I like.



I could tell from its heft that the G37’s slide is heavier than my G31C’s slide, but I was surprised the difference. The G31C’s comes in at 386g (13.6 oz), but the G37’s slide weights in at a beefy 483g (17.0 oz). Some of the difference would be due to the compensator slots in the G31C’s slide but a difference of almost 100g is surprising.





I’m one of the few folks that actually like factory Glock sights, but I find since my cataract surgery a few years ago that fibre optic sights work best for me—I found these TruGlo TFO (tritium-fibre optic) sights on the EE for a good price. They’re steel, and offer good protection to the fibre optic elements. I would’ve preferred a different color for the front, but I’m OK with all-green.





Here’s a comparison of a 230 gr. FMJ .45GAP (in the middle) with a 230 gr. FMJ .45ACP on the left and a 124 gr. 9mm on the right. It’s a stubby little thing, isn’t it?



The cartridge also takes small pistol primers, not the large pistol primers of the .45 ACP.



I’ve been able to source a good amount of of ammunition—mostly 230 gr. FMJ with some 185 gr. FMJ and 230 gr. JHP. It’s funny, in doing research before I made the purchase I found a number of threads on different forms dating sometimes form ten years ago predicting the end of availability for factory ammunition but it still seems to be fairly easy to get. Not as easy as .45ACP or 9mm, but still not bad. And, it can apparently be reloaded with .45ACP dies, just adjusted for the different OAL.

I've read that .45GAP was “an answer to a non-existent problem”, which I don’t think is quite true…it’s more like an answer to a problem that not everyone has—that is to have .45ACP ballistics in a manageably-sized Glock. I’m looking forward to taking it out to the range!

 

[ak257]

"I've read that .45GAP was “an answer to a non-existent problem”, which I don’t think is quite true…it’s more like an answer to a problem that not everyone has—that is to have .45ACP ballistics in a manageably-sized Glock."

This has always been my thoughts about the GAP, although I did eventually acquire a Springfield XD in 45 GAP. I have enough ammo and components for it to probably last the rest of my lifetime....and maybe my kids!

 

[JR24]

I've read that .45GAP was “an answer to a non-existent problem”, which I don’t think is quite true…it’s more like an answer to a problem that not everyone has—that is to have .45ACP ballistics in a manageably-sized Glock. I’m looking forward to taking it out to the range!

That’s fair, but ballistically the 180 grain .40 is awful close, and I think they feel pretty close to the same in my hands with similarly sized polymer guns.

If Glock hadn’t gone with the fat slides I’d probably have ended up with a G38 at some point though.