Glock 37 / .45GAP

[History Prof]

Howdy all,

I recently did some horse trading and came home with a whole bunch of ammo. One box, however, was labeled .45GAP. I took a look at the rounds and was surprised at what I saw - a .45 bullet in a case shorter than a 9X19. I did some web searches and found that GAP stands for Glock Automatic Pistol, and right now, it seems that the only thing in existance that fires it is the Glock 37. This pistol isn't even listed at www.glock.com. Discontinued, perhaps? Now, I own no Glocks, but I do like the way the Glock 22 feels in my hands, and I have considered one as my next purchase. I'm not going to let owning 50 rounds of an ammo dictate that I should buy the only firearm in existance that will fire it, but the thought has crossed my mind.

Anyone here own a Glock 37?

Anyone know if they're on the market, will be on the market later, or were on the market (past tense) but are no longer?

Anyone need 50 rounds of .45GAP?

ETA: Found several at gunbroker.com. About 5 expire in 17 minutes, NO BIDS. One expires in 24 hours, has a ONE CENT opening bid, and NO BIDS. That may have answered my question.....

 

[ugaarguy]

History Prof, the 45 GAP was hot news a few years ago and looked very promising. The idea of getting 45 cal rounds into a frame the same size as the 9mm/40 S&W frames was a big deal. Springfield Armory even chambered some XDs in 45 GAP. Everything looked good. Then Springfield Armory engineers and/or the guys in Croatia, where the XD is made, tweaked the grip frame and got a 13 round 45 ACP mag to fit in a frame that is just barely larger than their 9mm/40 frames, virtually the same same, just a barely noticeable difference. Since then other companies have likely stopped plans to chamber pistols in 45 GAP and are trying to replicate the Springfield XD trick. After Springfield pulled off what they did I think it effectively killed the 45 GAP. Time will tell.

 

[Hazzard]

45gap isn't really popular, but they are still manufactured. Both Glock and the XD are chambered for them. I don't see much advantage other than a smaller grip.

 

[10-Ring]

I've shot the 37 and have gone through about 100 rounds w/ it. Honestly its a solution to a question that doesn't exist & no one is asking
IMHO, you'd be better off trading off that box of ammo and agree not to speak of this caliber...again

 

[History Prof]

Man, I have not been paying attention to pistol developments lately! That XD is one awsome looking device! I need to hit a few gunshops and see if I can check one out. And NOT in GAP. That is definately something to look at in .40S&W or .45ACP.


Anyone need 50 rounds of .45GAP?

 

[denfoote]

I said, from the begining, that the GAP round was a solution in desprate search of a problem!!

Other than the (possibly) miscarried XD, the only other guns I know of that are chambered for it are the G37, G38, and G39. These duplicate the standard Glock frame sizes.
Springfield USED to chamber something they called the Defender, a 1911 pattern pistol in .45GAP. It was featured on the cover of the May 2005 G&A, with a very gratuitous puff piece included within the body of the magazine!! However, I do not see it listed among the various products now produced!! That should tell you something!!!

No, I don't want your box of ammo!!

 

[Dave T]

Interesting how so many of you feel it necessary to trash the 45 GAP. If you don't like it, don't buy one!

The people I've talked to who have them, like them. Gee, wonder how that can be? Well, I'll try to answer the question.

Seems a lot of people like the Glock design of handguns (and those who don't hate it with an almost religious passion). Yet, a lot of those folks just don't have big enough hands for the G21 (45 ACP Glock). The solution, a 9mm/40 size 45...the G37, G38 & G39. Still in production and with ammo made by all the major ammo manufacturers.

The 45 GAP does indeed answer a question that some people asked. It is in the same class as the 10mm, a small but loyal following. I think it will stick around, like the 10mm, but don't expect it to replace anything else. That's OK with me, but some of you seem to resent it. Wonder why?

Oh and by the way, I don't own one and never have. I might someday just to be able to say I tried it. Who knows, I may even like it.

Dave

 

[lunde]

ugaarguy, you wrote:

The idea of getting 45 cal rounds into a frame the same size as the 9mm/40 S&W frames was a big deal.

Glock's .45 GAP frames are not only the same size as those chambered in 9mm, .40 Auto, and .357 Sig, they are the same frame. From the point of view of production, testing, and maintenance, this is a big win.

Glock's main website hasn't been updated in years, which is the only reason why the .45 GAP offerings aren't shown. Instead, you need to go to the Team Glock website: http://www.teamglock.com/

 

[Harley Quinn]

Interesting

Astra came out with a 11 (10 +1) round pistol in the 80's in 45 acp. Nice small handleable shooter made it in A80-A90 and A100. Good pistol. Failed to catch the publics attention.
Looked and handled much like a Sig. Decocker etc.
I have one, it is a good carry gun.

Some stuff is just ahead of its time.

HQ

 

[History Prof]

I don't own one and never have. I might someday just to be able to say I tried it. Who knows, I may even like it.

Hi Dave,

If you ever come to that conclusion, I have 50 rounds you can have. I asked the director of the police academy where I teach if anyone around here could use it. He had never even heard of GAP, and the academy requires Glock 22s. Guess I'll ask his firearms instructor or see if they'll get me in touch with the armorer at the local PD. As for me, I'm still thinking G22, but I need to get a look at those XDs sometime this week. I hope one of the local shops has them - I don't have any plans to go to the city this week. Either way, I think I'll stick with .45ACP or .40S&W.

Glock's main website hasn't been updated in years, which is the only reason why the .45 GAP offerings aren't shown. Instead, you need to go to the Team Glock website: http://www.teamglock.com/

Thanks for the link, lunde! It's kinda sad that glock would ignore its www.glock.com web site! That is the natural place to go for info from a cold start. So much e-commerce these days, I can't imagine how much they might be missing out on. You'd think they'd at least have a very prominent link to teamglock.com.

 

[Hazzard]

but I need to get a look at those XDs sometime this week

History Prof - a little OT, but I have an XD45 and highly recommend it.

 

[highdesert]

The Glock GAP models are great if you already are comfortable with a Glock 9mm / 40 and want something 45 cal. That situation fit me perfectly, so I just picked up a Glock 38 (compact frame 45 GAP). I considered the XD or even a 1911, but didn't want to learn the "ergonomics" of yet another gun when my Glock 17 (full size 9mm) shoots great for me.

If you already have a 45 ACP pistol you like, you'll see no need for 45 GAP. However, I believe the target customer base were police departments who want to "trade up" to a bigger caliber without going up in frame size. As an individual, that met my need as well.

Like everything else Glock, you love it or hate it. I love mine.

 

[Slvr Surfr]

+1 with highdesert!

I wanted a compact .45 cal pistol that would be comfortable to carry. Glock still doesnt make a midsize frame .45ACP gun. Then Glock came up with the GAP line. Glock designed the GAP rounds in order to fit into a standard 9mm/40 cal. frame. The only tell tale sign is the slide is wider than a 9mm/.40 slide. The GAP round shoots very nicely compared to a .40cal Glock 23 IMO. Its more of the traditional .45 push than .40 snap.

The ballistics of the GAP round are also identical to those of standard .45 ACP. So your not losing any punch.

The GAP round wont be leaving us anytime soon!

 

[Desertscout]

I'm not a .45 fan no matter what the moniker but I can tell you for damn sure that the G37 is an extremely accurate handgun. I've shot 3 of them and they all shot very well.
There are several small police departments that use the GAP and it is actually a bigger seller for me than the .45 ACP or the 10mm in Glock pistols.
Springfield Armory has 6 different offerings in the GAP this year (contrary to what was posted above) and I expect that it will hang in there for a long time to come.
Like I said, I'm not a .45 fan but I were to ever go back to the .45 for what ever reason, I would jump all over that GAP without a second thought.

 

[History Prof]

Well, I got a look at an XD in .40S&W. $499 new. Good price? Compared it side by side with a G22. I liked both, but the XD was much more comfortable in my hands. Shop owner says he can't get them in .45ACP, because his distributor is always out. Must be popular! I don't know if I should start saving $$ and buy a .45 later, or do some horse trading and get a .40 now. Think I'll just sit on it for a while and decide if this is really a need, or just a big ol' want. I am partial to .45, so maybe waiting (which is hard when you see something so nice) might be the better option. I'd still like to see a G37, though, just to see it...

 

[Frog48]

Shop owner says he can't get them in .45ACP, because his distributor is always out.

The XD in .45 ACP is a hot selling gun around here, but nobody has any difficulty getting more in stock from distributors. Cabelas and Academy always have plenty of them in stock.

Personally, I'd have the shop owner order the XD .45 ACP. I'd rather wait and get exactly what I want, rather than "settle" for something else.

 

[denfoote]

Interesting how so many of you feel it necessary to trash the 45 GAP. If you don't like it, don't buy one!

I have nothing against the cartridge. I simply don't see the need for it!!

I wanted a compact .45 cal pistol that would be comfortable to carry. Glock still doesnt make a midsize frame .45ACP gun.

Ahhhh, tell that to my Glock 36 or my friend's Glock 30!!!

 

[Harley Quinn]

The major item is money

When you are shooting a 45 acp or a 9mm you can reload and shoot with a realization that you are not going to have to pay as much money as you are going to pay for the 45 G.A.P

Couple of things going for the round, there are just as many going against it.
I think in time it might catch on. But there are many that were just as good if not better that has gone down to tubes in prior companies trying for that one "bestest".

One way for the Glock people to do that is to make it with a reloadable, in lead, barrel. They probably won't do that so now it is more money. But for the person who wants a 45 in a smaller configuration, and will take a gun that is pretty much the same configuration and practise with it like the mdl 17, they might buy into it. Probably not.
The 40 is looming there and it is the biggest obstacle of all. IMHO.

That all said, if I was buying a firearm, I wanted for defense and was just starting out and only shot a few hundred rounds a year, the 45 G.A.P. looks mighty nice. Problem with that is you would never become the shot you should be, with a hand gun.

When a large Police Department decides it is the "bestest" and wants to go that extra mile, then maybe it will still be around. Right now it is a fine round but not many takers. Since it is a "Glock bullet" built and designed for the "Glock" they will need to push it pretty hard, and serious. Before it will ever catch on in the mainstream shooting public. Don't hold your breath on this one to do that.

It could have been the silver bullet, long ago but not now.

I shot this round, the 40 and 10 mm along with the 45 yesterday. My mdl 22 with the new 6" barrel was the best hands down. I guess I am just to commited to the 9mm and the 40 to ever change at this date and time. But that does not mean I won't carry a 380 or a 45 once in awhile

HQ

 

[Desertscout]

When you are shooting a 45 acp or a 9mm you can reload and shoot with a realization that you are not going to have to pay as much money as you are going to pay for the 45 G.A.P

Somehow, this statment doesn't make any sense. You can reload for the GAP just easily and for the same cost savings as the 9mm and ACP.

 

[Harley Quinn]

G.A.P.

It is really not a reloadable, according to the Glock people, so now you go out and buy a new barrel etc. Not many make a gun in that caliber.

I just don't see it going to make it. To bad. I talked to a gun retailer in Elk Grove today and he said, only way I'll buy one, is if I have a buyer, I don't stock the ammo at all.

I don't dislike it, I just think it won't fly.

HQ

 

[Haycreek]

Glock 37/.45 GAP

A choice is always good. The 45 GAP is not for everyone, and guess what, some folks don't care for the 45 ACP !! I happen to like both of them, and reload and shoot both regularly. The "black bullet" [lead] by Precision does not lead barrels at thier velocity. also try the Rainer "plated ' bullets. Empty cases are the same price as the 45 ACP, it uses the same bullets, and powder cost are equal. I find that the accuracy on both are equal. Incidently, the case was developed by Speer, and it is reinforced in the web area, and will handle pressures much higher than the factory round. I personally traded my Glock 22 off, after discovering that the 45 GAP suited my likes better than the 40 S&W. I have had 45 ACP in Glocks and don't care for the 2X4 sized grip. Records show that a slight bullet setback in the 40 S&W may cause a ka boom. Since the 45 GAP is a lower pressure round in a strong case, kabooms have not been a problem. For the record, I do like the 45 ACP in the 1911A1 platform. I have been using the 45 ACP since I was a private in 1952. I ran a few rounds through a Colt this morning. Don't sell the 45 GAP short, true, it is not for everyone, but I find it to be reliable, accurate, inheritely accurate with lots of different powders , and one of my favorite Glocks along with the model 17 and 31 .

 

[Manedwolf]

The GAP round wont be leaving us anytime soon!

It will if the market interest for it drops off. Then you can't reload it either, so...

I've also heard quite a bit that Gaston was displeased that they wouldn't call it ".45 Glock" like he wanted.

Guy has a wee bit of ego.

 

[Dave T]

It is really not a reloadable...

Where on earth did you get that idea? Over on GlockTalk.com they talk about reloading it all the time, post load data and chrono results. I've met at least one person who has a Dillon set up for it. How in the world do this silly internet rumors get started?

Dave

 

[Dave T]

History Prof,

I'll take it! Heck, that would probably make me buy one of them (LOL).

Before you lay down your money, and since you seem to have expressed a preference for 45 ACP, have you ever seen a Wilson KZ-45? I think it is the best combination of size, weight, capacity, durbility and performance (accuracy & function) I've ever had. And that's after spending all but the first 9 months of my law enforcement career carrying one 1911 or another.

Dave

 

[History Prof]

have you ever seen a Wilson KZ-45?

Yoinks! That Wilson is NICE, but WAY out of my price range. Since I'm gonna hold off a bit, I'll add it to my list of things to look at. I'm partial to 1911s, especially the original 1911A1 design (except for the 7rnd mag).

The XD in .45 ACP is a hot selling gun around here, but nobody has any difficulty getting more in stock from distributors. Cabelas and Academy always have plenty of them in stock.

I did a search at Davidson's Gallery of Guns (http://www.galleryofguns.com/) and my local store is listed as one of their dealers. The XD45 is listed as "allocated" (see below). I assume the big retailers are supporting Davidson's more than my local shop. I suppose I need to head to the city if I want a .45, or "settle" for the .40 he has in stock. Might not require too much "settling" as I find shooting .40 almost as satisfying as shooting .45. HOWEVER, I have no intention of making that decision until after I've actually had a chance to feel the XD.45. The thing actually holds MORE rounds than the .40!

From Davidson's web site:

How are the items allocated?
It is Davidson’s/GalleryofGuns.com goal to offer allocated items to the retailers that are supporting our company with purchases of non-allocated products. In order to accomplish this, Davidson’s/GalleryofGuns.com first allocates "hard-to-get" items to our salesmen based on the percentage of Davidson’s/GalleryofGuns.com sales they represent (EXAMPLE: If 100 of an item came in, a salesman doing 5% of Davidson’s total sales would receive 5 of this item to sell to his retailers.) Based upon the salesman’s evaluation (somewhat subjective) of the customer’s purchasing history, the salesmen then choose which retailers to offer the allocated items to.
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