Warning: Longwinded, opinionated rant follows.
I had my 37 posted for sale on this and other forums, but after reading this thread I took it out and shot 50 rounds thru it today, and decided to keep the gun because it shoots so well and feels so good in the hand. Plus, nobody wants it
Here are some interesting facts about my experience with the 45gap.
I can get ammo pretty easily up here in East B** F*** Vermont. One gun shop within six miles carries it, as do two others within 30 miles.
The ammo is about the same price as similar quality 45acp ammo. Yeah, I can get crap 45acp ammo for $14 per box, but Winchester and Federal offerings are within a buck or two of each other.
I regularly reload and shoot 255gr bullets thru both my 45gap and 45acp.
the 45gap shoots them at 750fps while the 45acp can push them to around 850 fps. 45acp would appear to have the advantage, but the rest of the story is that at velocities over 750fps the heavier bullets become less accurate in both cartridges. That's when both rounds are shot from factory Glock barrels of identical length, twist rate, rifling type, and shape, using the same bullets, and same powder. The two rounds basically behave and perform the same with all of the bullet weights I've reloaded them with, but the 45gap matches or beats the velocity of the 45acp with about 1gr less powder per round. Not a big deal, but definitely more efficient.
Side by side, with equivalent ammo, the 45gap feels milder in recoil. This is pretty subjective, but it's noticable to everyone who has shot my 37.
Decent, comparable factory 230gr ammo for each gun produces virtually identical accuracy, but the 45gap chronographs between 10 and 40 fps faster when I shoot the two rounds side by side, again same barrel length, rifling, twist rate, bullet weight, same chronograph.
The 37 outperformed both the Colt Commander and Government 1911's I tested it against. By outperformed I mean turned in better groups, fed all ammo types with no ftf or fte (both Colts had ftf issues with some hollow point types and wide flat-nose hardcast bullets) and held two more rounds than either 1911.
The 37 cost much less than either of the 1911's.
I agree that the 45acp cartridge is a great one, versatile and proven. Why does that rule out other 45cal. cartridges? Any time a gun maker or ammo company wants to come out with a new cartridge we should encourage them. Maybe they will hit a home run. There is always room for improvement. And why wouldn't a gun maker want a cartridge with their name on it. S&W, Colt, Ruger, Savage, Remington, Browning, ...etc, all have rounds with their name on them. Why is Glock at fault, or arrogant for wanting one too. I know the whole Glock perfection thing is pretty offensive, but it doesn't negate the performance of their firearms.
I'm not trying to say that 45gap is better than, or an improvement on the 45acp. It does have some strong points, though, and is a very capable and versatile round if you look at it rationally. Why get into a pissing match defending the well-earned reputation of the 45acp cartridge and 1911 handgun. With all the animosity (much of it from people who have never even shot the round) you'd think we should rename the 45gap cartridge the 45atc for "45antichrist".
I fail to understand why there seems to be so much eagerness to see the 45gap disappear. If the shooting public was more openminded we might have a bunch of new handguns being thoughtfully designed to take advantage of the 45gap's strengths. I was closedminded to Glocks for twenty five years. When I finally tried one I found I not only liked it, but that I shot it well, and it was exactly what I had been looking for in a carry handgun. My own ignorant attitude prevented me from enjoying the guns for a quarter century:banghead:. It pays to be more openminded and try new things. You might be pleasantly surprised.
