Glock 39 the 45 caliber alternative to a Glock 26 or 27

[CDW4ME]

I recently got this "new to me" Glock 39; I was thrilled at first sight because it was like new and made before 2008.
The Glock 39 is chambered for 45 GAP. It has a 6 round magazine and is the same size frame as the Glock 26/27; but, the slide is slightly thicker.
Night sights are preferred, so I installed a set of Meprolight nite sights with green front/yellow rear.
Bullet impact and my point of aim were a perfect match at about 6 yards, with either 185 gr. or 230 gr. ammunition.
I shot four different bullets through the chronograph, average for 5 shots in ascending KE: (Glock 39 has a 3 1/2"" barrel)
Winchester 230 JHP @ 779 fps / 310# KE
Winchester 185 Silvertip @ 875 fps / 315# KE
Winchester 230 Ranger T @ 797 fps / 324# KE
Speer Gold Dot 185 @ 994 fps / 406# KE

Recoil seemed mild and all brass was ejected from 3 - 5 o'clock, none toward my head.
All primer impacts were positive and there were no malfunctions.

How does that velocity compare to 45 acp out of a short barrel?
I previously owned a Kimber Ultra Carry (3'' barrel) which averaged 775 fps with Hydra-Shok 230 gr. and 814 fps with Ranger T 230
My Glock 36 (3 3/4" barrel) averaged 805 fps with 230 gr. Hydra-Shok and 918 fps with Remington 185 JHP
Based on my results, performance of the 45 GAP is equivalent to 45 acp fired from similar length barrel.

I shot the Gold Dot 185 into water filled gallon jugs, it made a hole in the 4th jug, but did not enter; maximum recovered diameter was consistent at .68

I like the Glock 39. It shoots a 45 caliber bullet out of a 9mm/40 size pistol with moderate recoil.

Glock 39 is the 45 caliber alternative to a Glock 26 or 27


Please do not post either of these mindless replies to my thread:
"A solution looking for a problem"
"An answer to a question nobody asked"
If a senseless cliche is all you have to say, mercifully hit the back arrow.

 

[Quiet]

Welcome to the .45GAP club and gird yourself for lots of hate for picking up a "dead cartridge that no one wanted".

Here's an old pic (from 2008) of my Glock 39.

 

[CDW4ME]

The $13.99 price on that ammo is depressing.

 

[HellTrain]

I don't own the 45 gap, but I might some day. I like the idea of it, just wish ammo was more available. The people that don't like the gap are usually the same people that don't like the 357 sig, which is a great round also.

 

[David E]

Why does "made before 2008" matter?

How much was it?

I have a 37 and 38, a couple boxes of cheap ammo and 500 cases.

 

[CDW4ME]

I don't own the 45 gap, but I might some day. I like the idea of it, just wish ammo was more available. The people that don't like the gap are usually the same people that don't like the 357 sig, which is a great round also.

You are right about 357 Sig and I like that caliber too.

Many base caliber choice on ammo availability at the local mart.

If I restricted myself to local availability I would never have HST, Gold Dot, or Ranger T in 50 round boxes, even in the most popular calibers; FMJ and little 20 round overpriced boxes of HP are the norm regardless of caliber.

Much more is available, if one is receptive to online shopping:
http://ammoseek.com/ammo/45gap
http://www.gunbot.net/ammo/pistol/45gap/

 

[CDW4ME]

Why does "made before 2008" matter?

That is when Glock started using MIM small parts.
Most people are unaware of MIM (I was) and some that know are okay with it; I prefer cast / forged parts in my pistols.

 

[FitGunner]

I have considered a 39 since 45 GAP is always available locally in a variety of options including HST. 357 SIG is awesome but I rarely see it available.

 

[MrGlock45]

I love the GAP pistols and cartridge. I just picked up another G39 NIB, Blue Label with Glock night sights on Friday. It also had 2 mags with Pearce plus 1 base plates. Nothing like a baby Glock with 8 rounds of 45 goodness.
I feel that the GAP is equal to or higher velocity than 45 ACP in equal bullet configuration, with the exception of 45 ACP plus P. The reason for that is that the GAP is already loaded to maximum in their smaller cases.
We have a new indoor range that recently opened in our area and I took my new G39 and also my latest Gen 4 G33 (357 SIG,) to shoot. Yes, I love the SIG round as well.

First shots with my G39 and G33

 

[HexHead]

The 39 is on the short list of additional handguns I might acquire. I reload, so ammo availability ins't a major concern to me. It seems like the perfect replacement for the Colt New Agent I used to EDC.

 

[CDW4ME]

Comparison photos

is the same size frame as the Glock 26/27; but, the slide is slightly thicker.

Here is the Glock 39 beside a Glock 26:

 

[CDW4ME]

Glock 38 data now too

5 shot average for two of the same loads as I reported for the 39 (and one different one) out of my Glock 38 which has a 4'' barrel.

Glock 39: (as reported in initial post)
Winchester 230 JHP @ 779 fps / 310# KE
Winchester 185 Silvertip @ 875 fps / 315# KE
Winchester 230 Ranger T @ 797 fps / 324# KE
Speer Gold Dot 185 @ 994 fps / 406# KE

Glock 38:
Winchester 230 Ranger T @ 837 fps/ 358# KE
Speer Gold Dot 200 @ 949 fps / 400# KE
Speer Gold Dot 185 @ 1,062 fps / 463# KE

The Glock 38 (45 GAP) uses the same frame as a 19/23 and has an eight shot magazine.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I love my Glock 38 (similar in size to the Glock 19 and 23), and shoot it better than most .45s I've owned.

I've also found the ammo easy to find. When I can, I buy in bulk, from Georgia Arms, and their price is generally the same for .45 GAP and .45 ACP.

The other Glock 45s felt like 2x4s in my hand, and the single-staack 36 didn't hold enough rounds for me.

 

[jimbo555]

Take a look at the springfield xds, it's shorter and a lot thinner than the 39 and it shoots acp.

 

[CDW4ME]

Take a look at the springfield xds, it's shorter and a lot thinner than the 39 and it shoots acp.

I considered a Springfield XDs about a year ago; however, the 5 shot magazine is lacking and I would have to send the slide to Springfield to have night sights installed.
I ended up buying a Glock 36 which has a 6 shot magazine and I can install night sights on Glocks myself with the Glockmeister tool.

Compared to the 39, the 36 is slimmer and has the same capacity; however, the 36 is longer in length and height due to the 36 having an obligatory oversize magazine base.

I like the 36 for Smartcarry, the slim profile and full grip (resulting from the stupid oversize magazine base) fit this role for me well; the 39 being shorter in length and height is better suited to another frequent method of mine: appendix IWB.

 

[stressed]

Now to make a 10mm glock in that size.. ;-)

Actually that would not be good as the G29's short barrel already loses so much velocity, couldn't imagine it any shorter.

I'd like a 10mm in the large 34 36? sizes.

 

[tomrkba]

Until now, I never considered the 39 because I thought the frame was wider than the 26/27/33. The frame is the widest portion of the 26/27/33. What a great use for 45 GAP!

I will look around for one to see how it handles.

 

[CDW4ME]

Until now, I never considered the 39 because I thought the frame was wider than the 26/27/33. The frame is the widest portion of the 26/27/33. What a great use for 45 GAP!

I will look around for one to see how it handles.

Great, I thought there could be folks that would be interested if they had some info.