What Will Become of the GAP

[hrgrisso]

GAP it up...

First I am not a Glock FanBoy (actually I'm more of a Sigguy) but I shoot them ok, but have been thinking about getting 2-5 ( I think big ok?) I've been thinking about a 10mm and a .45 GAP.

After a range trip my wife even likes the recoil on the .45 Gap. Choices are always a good thing.

Is being aware of the cost that the .45Gap will acrue important, absolutely. Is this a reason to avoid it entirely, absolutely not. If it fits a person and they shoot it well, and they like it, why the heck not. Stock up on ammo, and if ever it's too hard to get, practice with your comparable Glock 40.

 

[ugaarguy]

Is being aware of the cost that the .45Gap will acrue important, absolutely. Is this a reason to avoid it entirely, absolutely not. If it fits a person and they shoot it well, and they like it, why the heck not.

I agree with your observation. Further, the GAP brass has a thicker web than ACP brass, and the cartridges operate at about the same (low) pressure. ACP brass can be reloaded many times, so I see no reason that GAP brass couldn't also be loaded quite a few times, provided it's being fired from a bbl. with a fully supported chamber. Speaking of, anyone one know if the factory Glock GAP bbls have fully supported chambers? In the end it should load easily like .45 ACP does; and since they use similar weight projectiles of the same diameter there shouldn't be a problem getting bullets. A decent stock of brass combined with a basic reloading setup should offset any supply & price concerns.

 

[hrgrisso]

er...

I could be mistaken, but I believe that no Glock has supported chambers. Just a thought.

 

[Alphazulu6]

The GAP never really had a market niche it catered to for any period or longevity. No one cared to go with an underpowered big bore caliber pistol. There is no advantage to using it. If you have one better buy up the brass now and prepare for re-loading! Good luck

 

[WoofersInc]

It will not die completely but will fall into that "niche" area of the shooting world. I have 2 guns chambered for it along with other things like .41 mag and such. After all there are still rounds from the 1800's that are still being produced in small batches. Why not this round?

 

[TimboKhan]

For all the statements regarding police agencies adopting the GAP, I wonder what the sales figures in the civilian market are? I don't know, but I get the distinct impression that they are poor, at best. It is unlikely that the GAP will every die completely, but as far as being a successful cartridge in the civilians sector, I think the book has been shut on that story. Not that I am some wizard, but I thought it was doomed from the start, good ballistics or not. In this country, it is awfully hard to tout a cartridge as being somehow superior to the .45 ACP. There are, of course, "better" cartridges: The ever loyal and vocal 10mm bunch will be happy to prove that at the drop of a hat. However, for many strong technical reasons, and simply from the perspective of the customer, the .45 ACP is pretty much the be all and end all for a combat round. Much like the Mustang II faded away, so too shall the GAP.

 

[GaryP]

I like the idea behind the .45 GAP but I notice Glock has introduced a new Glock 21 SF (Short Frame) model with folks that have small to medium sized hands in mind. Hopefully they will do the same for 10mm and market a G20 SF. At any rate I am going for the G21 SF and passing on the .45 GAP as .45acp is my major semi auto caliber and I really do not need to add another caliber to my stash. The original G21 does not work for me due to short fingers.

 

[Titan6]

When I last bought a Glock the guy tried hard to push me into a GAP. I looked at the numbers next to the .40 and just couldn't justify the extra cost (and limited availabilty) of the ammo. Some days I almost wished I had bought the 9mm for near the same reason. But I will never carry that again, except when the military makes me.

 

[ar10]

I got a response back from Box O' Truth

Hi Kenneth,

I have never been particularly interested in the .45 GAP for the very reason you mention.....ammo will get scarce.

However, if a .45 GAP pushes a 230 grain bullet at 850 fps and a .45 ACP pushes the same 230 grain bullet at 850 fps, I don't see how there could be any difference in effectiveness.


I certainly appreciate the offer to borrow your pistol, but I think that would be unnecessarily expensive and difficult, as I am not an FFL holder. I may be able to borrow one from a local friend. If I can, I will do some tests.

Thanks for the note,

OP

My first point is I hope he does try it. If OP need a gun to test I would be delighted to send it to any FFL in his area to test it against any 45APC.

My second point is, and I am no expert on ballistics, is the bullet has the same weight and grain as the .45 but has a smaller diameter and length. From what I've read it has a higher muzzle veloicty and more penetration than that of the .45APC. I would like to see a real live fire test, without a non-manufacturer supported range, just to put arguement to rest.

My third point is I've put well over 2k rounds thru my gun. I like it much more than my XD40 4" and I use it as my CCW now that I got the Blade-Tech IBW holster. It is heavier than the 4" but it is more comfortable holding it. Yesterday I picked up 3 boxes of 185 grain TMJ and 3 boxes of 230 grain TMJ and will try to get to the range to fire the gun. I'm also going to ask the owner of Big Darby Creek Shooting Range if it would be possible to set up some water bottles in a frame like OP's just to see what mine will do. He probably won't but I'd like to try.

 

[mavracer]

My second point is, and I am no expert on ballistics, is the bullet has the same weight and grain as the .45 but has a smaller diameter and length. From what I've read it has a higher muzzle veloicty and more penetration than that of the .45APC. I would like to see a real live fire test, without a non-manufacturer supported range, just to put arguement to rest.

they are the same diamater .451 the gap is shorter it shoots the same bullets at the same velocity as the acp,by running at a higher pressure (23k vs. 21k) the problem there is if your gun is strong enough to handle gap pressure it will handle 45acp+p, which will out preform the gap (SAME BULLET FASTER)

 

[Kevin108]

If you read the Glock annual, LE is adopting the G37s because there's no additional training because there's no grip change. New holsters and ammo and they're set.

Personally I wouldn't mind having a G39 because the smallest of the .45 ACP Glocks is still fairly large. Also more and more manufacturers are building smaller guns to take advantage of the new cartridge. Off the top of my head...Springfield has an EMP (redesigned baby 1911) that uses .45 GAP.

 

[Quiet]

Also more and more manufacturers are building smaller guns to take advantage of the new cartridge. Off the top of my head...Springfield has an EMP (redesigned baby 1911) that uses .45 GAP.

Para-Ordnance is offering two new mini-1911s in .45GAP as well.

 

[Ala Dan]

Predicition

By year's end (2007), the .45 GAP will die a lonely death. We don't even
stock ammo for this caliber; and have sold only one gun (a Springfield XD)
chambered for this round. Luckily, Springfield Armory provided the owner
with a free box of 50 GAP cartridges~!

 

[nemoaz]

Once the next set of pistols are redesigned, manufacturers will use one frame for the 9mm, .355 Sig, .40, and .45 GAP. Few will choose to create a larger frame for the .45 and 10mm as these don't sell in any appreciable numbers, especially outside the US.

 

[ugaarguy]

If you read the Glock annual, LE is adopting the G37s because there's no additional training because there's no grip change. New holsters and ammo and they're set.

Did it mention that Gaston is nearly giving the pistols away so his caliber won't die?

Once the next set of pistols are redesigned, manufacturers will use one frame for the 9mm, .355 Sig, .40, and .45 GAP. Few will choose to create a larger frame for the .45 and 10mm as these don't sell in any appreciable numbers, especially outside the US.

New pistol introductions point to the contrary. Springfield/IM Metal developed the XD-45 (ACP) after the GAP was introduced. S&W offers the M&P autos in 9mm/40/357 and 45 ACP, and that entire line was developed after the GAP was introduced. The new FN FNP 45 has been developed after the GAP was introduced, and should be available this fall. Ruger dropped the 45 ACP P97 and replaced it with the P345, still in 45 ACP, after the GAP was introduced. Taurus added the 24/7 OSS model in 45 ACP after the GAP was introduced. The HK 45 has also been released after the introduction of the GAP.

10mm may not sell in appreciable numbers, but the 45 ACP certainly does here in the US of A. Further, the US civillian handgun market is the largest handgun market in the world, justifying 45 ACP production for this single market.

Some of these ACPs were spurred by the on again - off again JCP, but the large demand for 45 ACP pistols in the US has served as a safety net. One need only look at the succes of the XD-45 and the ever growing number of 1911 style pistol makers to see this.

By year's end (2007), the .45 GAP will die a lonely death.

Not with Glock giving it away to three large state LE agencies. It won't kill off the venerable old 45 ACP anytime soon either. I think it's a great idea for specialized micro compacts like Springfield EMP, and the new Paras. I'd not be surprised to see Kahr and Kimber adding guns in the GAP chambering either. These niche guns will likely keep it alive outside the Glock LE giveaways at least for a while. Only time will tell if it leaves the niche caliber market and truly catches on.

 

[CountGlockula]

I was at my local gun store. This specific store has a large selection of firearms. I was a kid at a candy store type of store.

I asked if they carried the .45GAP Glocks, the guys said, "No, because they're not selling." He did say that if I was REALLY interested, they would order it.

 

[BrokenArrow]

I contacted Speer, Remington, and Winchester, and all said they think the GAP has a future. They all said ammo sales are going up every year.

Ain't selling much around here though. Little ammo on the shelves, no guns unless you special order one. I only checked w the six biggest gun stores in town though.