Any 45GAP fans out there?

[Sean]

Or am I the only one?

Over the last 3 years, I have become a big fan of the 45GAP in my Glock 37 package. I have found it to be utterly reliable (of course...it's a Glock), very accurate (10 rounds into 2" at 25yds off sandbags).

The data I have collected in GAP vs ACP suggests they are ballistically almost identical.

The extra weight of the thicker slide on the 17/22 frame feels just right in my hands, and the grip feels as if I am shaking hands with an old friend....much as a Hi Power grip makes me feel (yes, I know they aren't the same, but the feeling is there).

The Glock 21 is just a tad too large to be "right" in my large, but stubby fingered hands. As much as I love the ACP...the GAP in my beloved Glock platform gives me the best of both worlds. Glock reliability and 45 power. With none of the SNAP recoil of the .40 S&W.

I have gone to carrying the 37 about 85% of the time, and the rest of the time divided between a 26, 19, or a 17.

I think the GAP is a winner. I just wish it'd caught on as well as the .40 S&W has.

Discuss....?

[DocH]

I came close to buying a G38 but backed out for something else at the last minute. I like the size of the G38,similar to my 19 in the frame area.
Already set up for 45 ACP for a long time now so I'm holding out.I think our state troopers have gone to the G37 from the G22 but I don't have much contact with them anymore so I don't know what their opinions are.

[Brownie]

We get zero, zip, nada calls for the 45gap or the gun at the shop.

Glock reliability and 45 power. With none of the SNAP recoil of the .40 S&W.

I think that should be a winner in most circles, but the round isn't making it commercially, even in such a dependable platform. One of the reasons may be the cost and availability of the ammo. You can't just walk into any shop and get it off the shelf, those two factors are something thats becoming more paramount these days to customers.

[Dave James]

I'm really undecided on this one,,can't see the need for it, but it seems to work as advertised,,I think the only reason its holding on right now is the Major buys ,by the Troopers,,Still think it will fall into the same trap as the 357sig/10mm and such,, a niche caliber a few will have but not mainstream enough to find every where..

But hell I'm the one who said the 40S&W was a "white elephant on arrival:p

[Sean]

Yeah, it is a sad situation for me...I am one of the lucky ones, as of now I have found the "perfect" carry gun and caliber combo...for me anyway.

Downside is, lack of ammo everywhere. I have solved this short term anyway by purchasing GAP whenever and wherever I find it, and stockpiling it. I have about 1500 rounds of ball ammo, and 450 rounds of jhp stashed away.

I even pulled my "extra" Glock 37 off the sale board of another forum, no need to get rid of it unless I find someone wanting to swap a Glock 39 for it.

I still do the vast majority of my practice with 9mm in a G17 or 19 platform for commonality of frame size.

I have never been in love with the 40. It's a damned good round, but it (in my opinion) recoils more than I like in a defensive pistol with no edge over the softer shooting 45ACP or 45GAP with which I can deliver faster, more accurate shots.

I am also still a HUGE fan of the 9mm...it is in my "Top Four" favorite handgun rounds.

1. 45ACP/45GAP
2. 9mm
3. 38 Special
4. 22LR

I would add the .357 Mag, but dagummit....I never seem to shoot it anymore.

[JMusic]

I've not shot the 45 Gap. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks the 40 sucks. I guess I shouldn't say it that way but it is the hardest caliber to shoot for me. Sean you hit my favorite list I'd add 22 mag as no. 5. Get you some dies and load up on components. You should never go dry that way. All you should have to stock would be the brass if it goes belly up.

Jim

[Sean]

Jim,

I've got more brass than I know what to do with! I am planning to upgrade to a Dillon 550 after the first of the year. We just bought a new house in the thriving metropolis of Florence, so the chancellor of the exchequer (da wife) has had me on a tight toy budget...so I have to wait until January to make a big purchase, but it is coming!

I shouldn't complain though..we bought a 4 bedroom house, and she gave me a "man room", to where friends and I can come to belch, fart, and scratch ourselves inappropriately free from the scrutiny of our wives and those who would accuse us of being uncivilized.

I have all my man stuff in here...framed photos of John Wayne, classic guns, and all my old western memorabilia. It reeks of man-stink (Stetson cologne, and gun oil). My gun safe sits nobly by the wall, and the wife has even framed several photos of John Wayne's guns. I have staked out a section of free wall space to install a new loading bench.

This is why we only have one child and 4 bedrooms...our room, the kid's room, a guest room....and THE MAN ROOM. :D

Yeah, I also like the .22 Mag...I have an old Marlin 883 bolt action, and a Smith & Wesson Model 17 in .22 Mag that belonged to my Dad. I ought to haul them out next time I go shooting. I just LOVE the 22LR though...whenever I hit the range, you can bet a couple of 22LR pistols and a couple of bricks of ammo are with me. I am a firm believer in the theory that even rimfire practice is (trigger control, and sight alignment) will do nothing but make you a better shooter of your defensive handguns, as it does not induce flinching, and it is just good basic marksmanship skills practice.

My wife laughs at me when she is there with me....she will be happily running through boxes of 9mm through her Glock, or gobbling up 223 through her AR, and I will be happily blasting paper squirrells at 25 yds with my Browning Buckmark with a silly grin on my face. I am lucky to have a wife who likes shooting almost as much as I do.

[David Williams]

The GAP never caught on with me. I don't have a problem with the concept, but I feel that it is a niche round much like the .357 SIG..

I've always thought that the GAP didn't really address any real problem. Most concerns are centered around magazine capacity or round thickness/caliber. The market never showed a desire for a solution that provided an existing caliber...just shorter.

In my mind, the only compelling reason to move to the .45 GAP is if a person has problems grasping a double-stacked .45ACP and just can't accept shooting either a single-stack .45ACP or a smaller caliber.

As for the .40 S&W...I like it.

[jem375]

For me, it's not worth the change from 45ACP of which I own 6 handguns in that caliber. I reload for the ACP and don't need another set of dies, it's a decent enough caliber but since they are both so close, no need.........

[Brownie]

jem375

I reload for the ACP and don't need another set of dies

My feeling mirror yours. I've got 45acp, 9mm and 357/38 reloading dies for the 550 Dillon. I've never gone to 40S+W or other calibers as I don't need to be buying dies and stockpiling any more ammo in different calibers than I already have set up.